When faith is on trial
- Details
- Category: Philosofaith
- Written by M. U. Ndagi
- Hits: 875
The faith of contemporary Nigerians, like their counterparts in some developing countries of the world is definitely on trial. The prevailing socio-economic situations in Nigeria today are so grave that the philosophical foundations of an average Nigerian’s faith and trust in God appear to be threatened. He sleeps with problems and wakes up with even more problems. There is nearly nothing he does that is without some frustrations.
The life of an average Nigerian, today, is typified by inexcusable hardships caused by hypocritical leadership styles and bad governance. He wakes up in the morning to find the tap in his house dry. He gets to a filling station on the way to his workplace and suddenly finds unpredicted long queues. He proceeds to another to avoid lateness to work but finds no fuel at all. He leaves his car at the petrol station to go to work by public transport. From the office, he proceeded to withdraw his salary from the bank only to be told that, ten days in to a new month, the e-payment mode has stalled the disbursement of his salary. Leaving the bank disappointed, he returned home to find his children, having been sent home from their various schools because of their outstanding fees, which he intended to settle if he had succeeded in getting his salary from the bank.
Eid-el-Kabir is less than a week from today. Yet, many are not sure if they would partake in the dahiyyah; an important Islamic rite that no Muslim (for spiritual and social reasons) would wish to skip or forego. It is unusual that at this period of the Islamic calendar, one is yet to hear rams bleating in many households. This illustrates the endemic level of poverty in the country. If a man is unable to offer the dahiyyah, the wife and other members of the family must not allow such to become a disconnecting factor in the home. Although the Nigerian economic woes are inexcusable, Allah (SWT) reminds believers never to expect a life without trials. He (SWT) states in Qur’an 2:214 “Or do ye think that ye shall enter the Garden (of bliss) without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They encountered suffering and adversity, and were so shaken in spirit that even the Apostle and those of faith who were with him cried: ‘when (will come) the help of God’ Ah! Verily, the help of God is (always) near!”
Instead of allowing frustrations to overwhelm us and run our spirit down, thus weakening our faith in God; adversities, disappointments and hardships should rather increase us in faith and keep our hope alive. Let us take whatever befalls us of miseries as part of the destiny (qadr) predetermined from time. Let us allow misfortunes and the burden of modern life to be a source of inspiration as well as a fountain of hope and a spring board for the fear of our creator, Allah, the Irresistible. Let us be like those who when they were told that enemies had gathered to attack them, the news only increased them in faith. Allah (SWT) mentions in Qur’an 3:173 “Men said to them: a great army is gathering against you: and frightened them. But it (only) increased their faith: They said: ‘For us, God suffices, and He is the best Disposer of affairs”. This column urges believers to continue to assert and affirm their faith in God and suppress discomforts from their minds. Let us convert the wickedness, insensitivity, dishonesty and audacious depravity of our political leaders in to a resource for piety, believing that the deplorable situation has not come to stay but shall one day get better, sooner or later. Besides, there is no perseverance patience over any displeasure that goes without reward. “He that has a why to live should bear with almost anyhow”.
The abject poverty that looks like a permanent phenomenon in our life should not make us lose confidence in our prayers for a better tomorrow. The protracted illness we may have suffered should never make us lose faith in Allah (SWT) who cures all sicknesses when and how He wills. The extent of our bankruptcy or indebtedness should not also make us feel that poverty has come to live with us for life. May Allah (SWT) keep us on the track of those who do not only believe that life is a trial but equally consider prosperity as the fruit of those who are patient over moments and situations of trial, amin.
Fasting on Arafat day:
It is recommended by the sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) that Muslims should observe voluntary fast on the Arafat day, which is the ninth day of the Islamic lunar month of Dhul Haj (the twelfth month). This fasting however is only for Muslims who are not on pilgrimage to Makkah. Pilgrims are exempted from this fast. The tradition of the Prophet (SAW) also recommends for Muslims not to eat in the morning of the Eid-el-Kabir day until they have observed the Eid prayer. This column wishes all a peaceful and blessed Eid-el-Kabir, amin.
Articles
When faith is on trial
Category: Philosofaith Written by M. U. Ndagi Hits: 875
The faith of contemporary Nigerians, like their counterparts in some developing countries of the world is definitely on trial. The prevailing socio-economic situations in Nigeria today are so grave that the philosophical foundations of an average Nigerian’s faith and trust in God appear to be threatened. He sleeps with problems and wakes up with even more problems. There is nearly nothing he does that is without some frustrations.
The life of an average Nigerian, today, is typified by inexcusable hardships caused by hypocritical leadership styles and bad governance. He wakes up in the morning to find the tap in his house dry. He gets to a filling station on the way to his workplace and suddenly finds unpredicted long queues. He proceeds to another to avoid lateness to work but finds no fuel at all. He leaves his car at the petrol station to go to work by public transport. From the office, he proceeded to withdraw his salary from the bank only to be told that, ten days in to a new month, the e-payment mode has stalled the disbursement of his salary. Leaving the bank disappointed, he returned home to find his children, having been sent home from their various schools because of their outstanding fees, which he intended to settle if he had succeeded in getting his salary from the bank.
Eid-el-Kabir is less than a week from today. Yet, many are not sure if they would partake in the dahiyyah; an important Islamic rite that no Muslim (for spiritual and social reasons) would wish to skip or forego. It is unusual that at this period of the Islamic calendar, one is yet to hear rams bleating in many households. This illustrates the endemic level of poverty in the country. If a man is unable to offer the dahiyyah, the wife and other members of the family must not allow such to become a disconnecting factor in the home. Although the Nigerian economic woes are inexcusable, Allah (SWT) reminds believers never to expect a life without trials. He (SWT) states in Qur’an 2:214 “Or do ye think that ye shall enter the Garden (of bliss) without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They encountered suffering and adversity, and were so shaken in spirit that even the Apostle and those of faith who were with him cried: ‘when (will come) the help of God’ Ah! Verily, the help of God is (always) near!”
Instead of allowing frustrations to overwhelm us and run our spirit down, thus weakening our faith in God; adversities, disappointments and hardships should rather increase us in faith and keep our hope alive. Let us take whatever befalls us of miseries as part of the destiny (qadr) predetermined from time. Let us allow misfortunes and the burden of modern life to be a source of inspiration as well as a fountain of hope and a spring board for the fear of our creator, Allah, the Irresistible. Let us be like those who when they were told that enemies had gathered to attack them, the news only increased them in faith. Allah (SWT) mentions in Qur’an 3:173 “Men said to them: a great army is gathering against you: and frightened them. But it (only) increased their faith: They said: ‘For us, God suffices, and He is the best Disposer of affairs”. This column urges believers to continue to assert and affirm their faith in God and suppress discomforts from their minds. Let us convert the wickedness, insensitivity, dishonesty and audacious depravity of our political leaders in to a resource for piety, believing that the deplorable situation has not come to stay but shall one day get better, sooner or later. Besides, there is no perseverance patience over any displeasure that goes without reward. “He that has a why to live should bear with almost anyhow”.
The abject poverty that looks like a permanent phenomenon in our life should not make us lose confidence in our prayers for a better tomorrow. The protracted illness we may have suffered should never make us lose faith in Allah (SWT) who cures all sicknesses when and how He wills. The extent of our bankruptcy or indebtedness should not also make us feel that poverty has come to live with us for life. May Allah (SWT) keep us on the track of those who do not only believe that life is a trial but equally consider prosperity as the fruit of those who are patient over moments and situations of trial, amin.
Fasting on Arafat day:
It is recommended by the sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) that Muslims should observe voluntary fast on the Arafat day, which is the ninth day of the Islamic lunar month of Dhul Haj (the twelfth month). This fasting however is only for Muslims who are not on pilgrimage to Makkah. Pilgrims are exempted from this fast. The tradition of the Prophet (SAW) also recommends for Muslims not to eat in the morning of the Eid-el-Kabir day until they have observed the Eid prayer. This column wishes all a peaceful and blessed Eid-el-Kabir, amin.