Enduring message of Ramadan
Addressing journalists on behalf of the Sultan of Sokoto, Chairman of the National Moon-Sighting Committee Professor Sambo Waliy Junaidu, urged Muslims to commence the Ramadan fast on that day, which is equivalent to Ramadan 1 of the Islamic year 1435AH.This obligatory fast is usually observed in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and […]
Addressing journalists on behalf of the Sultan of Sokoto, Chairman of the National Moon-Sighting Committee Professor Sambo Waliy Junaidu, urged Muslims to commence the Ramadan fast on that day, which is equivalent to Ramadan 1 of the Islamic year 1435AH.
This obligatory fast is usually observed in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and is one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith. The period entails abstinence from eating, drinking, smoking and engaging in conjugal relationship between sunup and sundown for the entire duration of the month of Ramadan. This injunction is contained in Qur’an 2:183 where Allah exhorts Muslims, “O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that ye may (learn) self-restraint”. Muslims are required during the Ramadan period to be devoted to their religious duties.
Apart from abstinence from food, in addition to other restrictions placed upon Muslims during the day time of Ramadan, they are equally enjoined to use the period to practice and exhibit the virtues of tolerance, hospitality, charity and kindness, especially to the indigent members of the society. They are thus exhorted to give alms, feed the poor and invite others, including non-Muslims, to break the fast with them at the end of the day. The act of benevolence in Ramadan is an effective tool for fostering better religious understanding, harmony and communal peace, characteristics that are necessary ingredients for the social cohesion that is most desirable in these trying times in Nigeria.
Fasting is supposed to imbue the practitioner with virtues of patience and perseverance. When a Muslim fasts, the pains of physical deprivation is felt but endured patiently. This deprivation and endurance, though temporary makes the individual to be conscious of the effects of similar pains that many in the world suffer from. The essence of this month, which is unique in the Islamic calendar, requires Muslims to exercise moderation in their eating habits and lifestyle. They are encouraged not to be extravagant as to eat beyond a reasonably acceptable limit. Muslims in Nigeria, whether as leaders or as followers, are encouraged to use the opportunity of Ramadan to eschew all vices and corrupt tendencies that have bedevilled this country and hindered its potential of becoming a truly self-reliant and developed one.
The unprecedented security challenges that the country has been contending with in recent years require that all Muslims, like adherents of other faiths, display wisdom and exercise self-restraint. Those engaged as preachers should be true to their calling as leaders in society and moulders of opinion, and be sensitive to the peculiar circumstances the country is in. Inflammatory and inciting words or expressions should be avoided in their commentary on the Qur’an or tafsir sessions. They should also endeavour, during this holy month, to educate their audiences on the virtues of employing non-violent and peaceful means to advance any grievance they may harbour. They should also persuade aggrieved groups to toe the path of dialogue with government, as the example of Prophet Muhammad’s Treaty with non-Muslims at Hudaybiyyah illustrates.
Ramadan calls for the abandonment of avarice, greed and covetousness. It is not a period for commodity dealers to be tempted to take undue advantage of to make usurious profits by increasing the prices of their wares, which are already on the high side. We wish all Muslims a peaceful Ramadan!