Ramadan Kareem
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- Category: Philosofaith
- Written by M. U. Ndagi
- Hits: 900
Ramadan fast for this year, 1432 AH; is already here if not tomorrow Sunday, certainly by Monday. Ramadan is not new in the life of most readers. However, there are few peculiar issues this time around that need to be discussed as we usher in the month that stands out unique among other months of the Islamic year. Nigeria, particularly the northern part of the country, has in the last three months witnessed some traumatic events. The first is the violence that followed the April 2011 general elections, which undoubtedly wounded the awe-inspiring relationship that existed between traditional rulers and their subjects. The second is the security challenges which Nigerians have been and are still coping with. There are other pockets of adversities but these two remain tragic and therefore attract our comments.
Muslims are required to begin the Ramadan fast with the sighting of the new moon of Ramadan. Since it is not possible for everyone to individually sight the moon, Muslims are required to begin the Ramadan fast with an announcement to that effect usually made by Muslim leaders in their respective communities, which task in our case, is customarily placed on the hands of traditional rulers. We must not allow the wounds of the April 2011 political violence to undermine the spiritual and traditional leadership roles of our emirs and chiefs. Let us realize that, as humans, we are not infallible. Allah (SWT) states in Qur’an 12:53 “…The (human) soul is certainly prone to evil, unless my Lord do bestow His mercy: but surely my Lord is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful” We are bound to make mistakes, either by spiritual design or by the conscious choice of our instinctive but satanic desires, which again defines the course of man’s life on earth. Allah (SWT) enjoins in Qur’an 4:59 that we should obey those charged with authority among us, stating “O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Apostle, and those charged with authority among you…”We are aware that ultimate authority rests with Allah (SWT). Men of God, of course, derive their authority from Allah, the Omnipotence. Islam expects those in positions of authority, including traditional rulers, to be imbued with righteousness and be seen to be standing and acting in the place of the righteous Imam. As followers, we have the obligation of obeying such authorities; otherwise there would be no order and discipline in the society. Let us collectively hold on fast to “the rope of Allah (SWT)” lest we fall apart and disintegrate. We encourage the Muslim ummah in Nigeria to do everything that will bind us together and ignore those things that breed disunity especially in our acts of worship.
Given our present circumstance, we appeal to Muslim scholars, preachers and prayer leaders to employ wisdom in addition to exercising moderation and self-control while responding to questions that might be asked during Qur’anic commentary (tafsir) sessions in this blessed month of Ramadan. Some questions could have ulterior motives which answers are intended to destabilize the relative peace in parts of the country. While we do not expect scholars to compromise the truth as contained in the Qur’an and Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW), it must however be told in the most beautiful manner as commanded by Allah (SWT) in Qur’an 16: 125 “Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; And argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: For thy lord knoweth best who have strayed from His path, and who receive guidance.” Preachers should be selective in their choice of words, avoiding expressions that could provoke the anger of the aggrieved and the oppressed.
Every Nigerian today, including leaders most of whom pretend to be aloof of the obvious realities confronting citizens, knows very well that many Nigerians are terribly suffering from the challenges of poverty and unemployment. It is an understatement to say that Nigerians are pitiably laboring hard with the burden of survival round their necks. This is sadly happening in a country that is blessed with abundant natural resources huge enough to cater sufficiently for even the most populous nation in the world. Amazingly, even the unborn Nigerian child is not spared from the quandary of malnutrition and threats of diseases.
It is in view of the above that we call on the three tiers of government to take measures that will ease the unceasing hardships for Nigerians, at least, during this spiritual period that comes along with special dietary demands. With its National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) and the National Programme on Food Security (NPFS), the Federal Ministry of Agriculture should be able to bring out the excess grains it purchased from farmers for sale to the Nigerian public at subsidized rates. This is one practical way of checking the indefensible increase in the prices of foodstuff, fruits and commodities such as sugar that usually and annually greets the commencement of Ramadan in this part of the Muslim world. We similarly expect Shari’ah-friendly or compliant states in the country to ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians through public sale of food items at subsidized rates.
Farmers in some parts of the country are already complaining that the rainfall, so far this year, has not been as quite normal as anticipated. Plants in some farmlands are looking weak due to insufficient rainfall. The situation, if it continues without improvement in the amount of rainfall, would be the greatest calamity to befall Nigeria. One may not be too surprised if Allah decides to send His wrath on us and deny us rain because evil has conveniently taken over the Nigerian system. Allah (SWT) clarifies in Qur’an 30:41 “Mischief has appeared on land and sea because of (the deed) that the hands of men have earned, that (Allah) may give them a taste of some of their deeds: in order that they may turn back (from Evil)”. While we pray to Allah (SWT) to rescue the East African countries of Somalia and Ethiopia from the devastating catastrophe of famine, hunger and starvation; we pray that such never occurs here. But then, we must be ready to, collectively and individually, give up evil; not only in this holy month of Ramadan but repent sincerely from our misdeeds and disobedience to Allah (SWT).
Today, evil in Nigeria is almost a thing of pride because, the more wicked you prove yourself, it seems, the more you become a celebrity and popular among others! While evils are conventionally not peculiar to societies, injustice appears to be the utmost bane of our challenges as it superficially occupies a special place in the corporate, public and private life of Nigerians. Sometime in 2008, I had an interaction with the immediate past President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Archbishop of Abuja diocese, Reverend Father John Onaiyekan, at his residence in company of a friend, Ustaz Abubakar Sadiq, the eloquent English translator of Friday sermons at the Abuja National Mosque. In the course of our discussion, His Grace noted that “the greatest evil on earth is man’s injustice against another”, and added, “The greatest injustice is the making of bad laws” These statements of fact sum up the problem with Nigeria.
We call on all of us to take advantage of the unique opportunity provided by Ramadan to repent from our sins and allow fairness to replace injustice in our life so that peace will find an enduring abode in the Nigerian society. Injustice and peace are two distinct state of affairs that are not attainable at one and same time. May Allah (SWT) guide us through a memorable, rewarding peaceful and delightful month of Ramadan, amin. Ramadan Kareem!
Corrigendum:
The word “adversaries” that appeared in the last paragraph of last week’s piece in this column, should have read “adversities”. I regret the error and thank the reader that brought it to my notice.
Articles
Ramadan Kareem
Category: Philosofaith Written by M. U. Ndagi Hits: 900
Ramadan fast for this year, 1432 AH; is already here if not tomorrow Sunday, certainly by Monday. Ramadan is not new in the life of most readers. However, there are few peculiar issues this time around that need to be discussed as we usher in the month that stands out unique among other months of the Islamic year. Nigeria, particularly the northern part of the country, has in the last three months witnessed some traumatic events. The first is the violence that followed the April 2011 general elections, which undoubtedly wounded the awe-inspiring relationship that existed between traditional rulers and their subjects. The second is the security challenges which Nigerians have been and are still coping with. There are other pockets of adversities but these two remain tragic and therefore attract our comments.
Muslims are required to begin the Ramadan fast with the sighting of the new moon of Ramadan. Since it is not possible for everyone to individually sight the moon, Muslims are required to begin the Ramadan fast with an announcement to that effect usually made by Muslim leaders in their respective communities, which task in our case, is customarily placed on the hands of traditional rulers. We must not allow the wounds of the April 2011 political violence to undermine the spiritual and traditional leadership roles of our emirs and chiefs. Let us realize that, as humans, we are not infallible. Allah (SWT) states in Qur’an 12:53 “…The (human) soul is certainly prone to evil, unless my Lord do bestow His mercy: but surely my Lord is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful” We are bound to make mistakes, either by spiritual design or by the conscious choice of our instinctive but satanic desires, which again defines the course of man’s life on earth. Allah (SWT) enjoins in Qur’an 4:59 that we should obey those charged with authority among us, stating “O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Apostle, and those charged with authority among you…”We are aware that ultimate authority rests with Allah (SWT). Men of God, of course, derive their authority from Allah, the Omnipotence. Islam expects those in positions of authority, including traditional rulers, to be imbued with righteousness and be seen to be standing and acting in the place of the righteous Imam. As followers, we have the obligation of obeying such authorities; otherwise there would be no order and discipline in the society. Let us collectively hold on fast to “the rope of Allah (SWT)” lest we fall apart and disintegrate. We encourage the Muslim ummah in Nigeria to do everything that will bind us together and ignore those things that breed disunity especially in our acts of worship.
Given our present circumstance, we appeal to Muslim scholars, preachers and prayer leaders to employ wisdom in addition to exercising moderation and self-control while responding to questions that might be asked during Qur’anic commentary (tafsir) sessions in this blessed month of Ramadan. Some questions could have ulterior motives which answers are intended to destabilize the relative peace in parts of the country. While we do not expect scholars to compromise the truth as contained in the Qur’an and Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW), it must however be told in the most beautiful manner as commanded by Allah (SWT) in Qur’an 16: 125 “Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; And argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: For thy lord knoweth best who have strayed from His path, and who receive guidance.” Preachers should be selective in their choice of words, avoiding expressions that could provoke the anger of the aggrieved and the oppressed.
Every Nigerian today, including leaders most of whom pretend to be aloof of the obvious realities confronting citizens, knows very well that many Nigerians are terribly suffering from the challenges of poverty and unemployment. It is an understatement to say that Nigerians are pitiably laboring hard with the burden of survival round their necks. This is sadly happening in a country that is blessed with abundant natural resources huge enough to cater sufficiently for even the most populous nation in the world. Amazingly, even the unborn Nigerian child is not spared from the quandary of malnutrition and threats of diseases.
It is in view of the above that we call on the three tiers of government to take measures that will ease the unceasing hardships for Nigerians, at least, during this spiritual period that comes along with special dietary demands. With its National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) and the National Programme on Food Security (NPFS), the Federal Ministry of Agriculture should be able to bring out the excess grains it purchased from farmers for sale to the Nigerian public at subsidized rates. This is one practical way of checking the indefensible increase in the prices of foodstuff, fruits and commodities such as sugar that usually and annually greets the commencement of Ramadan in this part of the Muslim world. We similarly expect Shari’ah-friendly or compliant states in the country to ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians through public sale of food items at subsidized rates.
Farmers in some parts of the country are already complaining that the rainfall, so far this year, has not been as quite normal as anticipated. Plants in some farmlands are looking weak due to insufficient rainfall. The situation, if it continues without improvement in the amount of rainfall, would be the greatest calamity to befall Nigeria. One may not be too surprised if Allah decides to send His wrath on us and deny us rain because evil has conveniently taken over the Nigerian system. Allah (SWT) clarifies in Qur’an 30:41 “Mischief has appeared on land and sea because of (the deed) that the hands of men have earned, that (Allah) may give them a taste of some of their deeds: in order that they may turn back (from Evil)”. While we pray to Allah (SWT) to rescue the East African countries of Somalia and Ethiopia from the devastating catastrophe of famine, hunger and starvation; we pray that such never occurs here. But then, we must be ready to, collectively and individually, give up evil; not only in this holy month of Ramadan but repent sincerely from our misdeeds and disobedience to Allah (SWT).
Today, evil in Nigeria is almost a thing of pride because, the more wicked you prove yourself, it seems, the more you become a celebrity and popular among others! While evils are conventionally not peculiar to societies, injustice appears to be the utmost bane of our challenges as it superficially occupies a special place in the corporate, public and private life of Nigerians. Sometime in 2008, I had an interaction with the immediate past President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Archbishop of Abuja diocese, Reverend Father John Onaiyekan, at his residence in company of a friend, Ustaz Abubakar Sadiq, the eloquent English translator of Friday sermons at the Abuja National Mosque. In the course of our discussion, His Grace noted that “the greatest evil on earth is man’s injustice against another”, and added, “The greatest injustice is the making of bad laws” These statements of fact sum up the problem with Nigeria.
We call on all of us to take advantage of the unique opportunity provided by Ramadan to repent from our sins and allow fairness to replace injustice in our life so that peace will find an enduring abode in the Nigerian society. Injustice and peace are two distinct state of affairs that are not attainable at one and same time. May Allah (SWT) guide us through a memorable, rewarding peaceful and delightful month of Ramadan, amin. Ramadan Kareem!
Corrigendum:
The word “adversaries” that appeared in the last paragraph of last week’s piece in this column, should have read “adversities”. I regret the error and thank the reader that brought it to my notice.