Ramadan Kareem

This is sequel to the official announcement last night by the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General for both the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria and the Jama’atu Nasril Islam, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III. According to him, reports of the moon sighting in different parts of the country were received and verified by […]

This is sequel to the official announcement last night by the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General for both the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria and the Jama’atu Nasril Islam, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III. According to him, reports of the moon sighting in different parts of the country were received and verified by the National moon Sighting Committee. Yesterday was thus declared Ramadan 1, 1436AH.      
The observance of Ramadan fast in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar is one of the five fundamental principles of Islam without which an individual cannot be called a believer in the Islamic faith. Ramadan fast in Islam entails abstinence from eating, drinking, smoking and conjugal relationships between dawn and sunset for the entire period 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, therefore, are required to fast in Ramadan and remain devoted to religious duties.
Beside physical abstinence from food in addition to other restrictions placed upon believers during the day time of Ramadan, Muslims are equally enjoined to use the period to exhibit the virtues of tolerance, hospitality, charity and kindness especially to the indigent members of the society. They are exhorted to give alms and feed the poor. We therefore urge them to extend this act of charity and sympathy to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who have been turned in to refugees by Boko Haram insurgency. Muslims are also encouraged to invite others including non-Muslims to break the Ramadan fast with them. Benevolence in Ramadan is an effective instrument of fostering better religious understanding, harmony and communal peace, which are necessary ingredients for the social cohesion that is most desirable in these trying times in Nigeria.
Ramadan fast is supposed to strengthen in practitioners the 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, yet, makes the individual to be conscious of the effects of such pains suffered by many others, who perhaps live in penury with limited access to the basic necessities of life. The essence of this unique month 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 such that it becomes impossible to wake up and spend the night worshipping God and seeking His mercy. Muslims in Nigeria, as leaders and followers, are encouraged to seize the God-given opportunity availed by Ramadan to eschew all vices and corrupt tendencies, which have bedeviled this country and hindered its desire of becoming truly self-reliant and developed one.
Although substantial successes were recently achieved in the fight against insurgency in the north-eastern region of the country, Boko Haram still poses critical challenge to the security of lives and property of Nigerians. Muslims are therefore encouraged to support multinational troops with prayers so that the insurgents will be quickly and totally defeated, Chibok schoolgirls rescued and IDPs liberated from their agonies to once again live in their homes.
Those engaged as preachers should be true to their calling as leaders in society; remaining sensitive to the peculiar circumstances in the country. Inflammatory and inciting words or expressions should be avoided in their commentary of the Qur’an or tafsir sessions. As commanded by the Qur’an, wisdom and courteous words should be employed in preaching. They can also play a helpful role during this holy period by educating their audiences on the virtues of employing non-violent approaches to advancing whatever grievances they may harbour.
Ramadan calls for the abandonment of greed. We urge dealers in essential commodities not to take undue advantages of the Ramadan period to make usurious profits by increasing the prices of foodstuff which are already on the high side. They should be guided by the teachings of this holy season to resist all temptations. Ramadan Kareem!