With about twenty-four hours to the setting in of a new hijrah year after the historic migration of the prophet (SAW) from Madinah, his birthplace, to Makkah;
we have every cause indeed to be thankful to Allah (SWT) regardless of the socio-economic nightmares and political mystifications we might have been experiencing. At least, we are alive. Some of us with whom the current year (1431AH) began did not live to witness its end. Therefore, those of us that are alive today should seize the opportunity of the respite given by Allah (SWT), to sincerely repent from our sins; ask Allah (SWT) for the forgiveness of our misdeeds; and seek His divine intervention in all matters that impede our desire for a greater, prosperous, safe and peaceful Nigeria. Inspite of all our woes, the fact that we are not at war is one of Allah’s infinite mercies upon us. Contrary to predictions by the National Meteorological Agency that there was not going to be enough rainfall, we amazingly had uninterrupted rains that started early and ended late. That is one of the wonders of nature, which illustrates Allah’s Omnipotence. The rains were so much that some states including Sokoto, Jigawa and Katsina within the naturally arid region of the north experienced devastating flood disasters that displaced several communities and destroyed large farmlands. Life or living may though not have been easy for many Nigerians in the last one year; yet, Allah (SWT) deserves all praise. Health, which is enormous wealth that many of us enjoy without appreciating suffices a reason for us to give gratitude to our creator. There are several other reasons why we should give glory to Allah (SWT). Many rather find it easier to recollect sad moments than to remember Allah’s blessings. Let us thank Allah for everything. Allah (SWT) affirms in Qur’an 14:7 “…if ye are grateful, I will add more (favours) unto you…” The year 1431AH, which is just about ending is not without unpleasant events some of which left indelible marks on the hearts of many. Some states in the northern part of the country in the year under review were afflicted by cholera outbreak which led to the loss of many lives. It is also a year during which Nigerians especially in some north-eastern states of the country witnessed a resurgence of the Boko Haram sect. The socio-economic situation in the country does not seem to have significantly improved in the past twelve lunar months of the Islamic year. Poverty and unemployment are distressingly impacting on the lives of many Nigerians; manifesting in high crime rate, some violent. The incessant cases of kidnappings in nearly every part of the country during the year have become a serious source of concern to us. Similarly, the alarming rate of arms import in to the country and its proliferation in recent times is also an issue that threatens peace and security in Nigeria. The collective promise by the Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF) as well as their individual assurances in their respective states to find lasting solutions to the intractable almajiri syndrome seems to have been discarded. Government’s response to the socio-economic crises bedeviling the country rather reveals her insensitivity to the plight of Nigerian citizens. This is because those in positions of authority regard their offices as rights to wealth accumulation instead of privileges to serve the nation. The beginning of a new hijrah year traditionally marks the beginning of a new fiscal year in Islam. It is therefore important for us as Muslims to get acquainted with the figures of monetary zakkat worked out in accordance with the current value of the naira. According to figures recently released by the Timing Chapter Committee, the minimum taxable amount of money (called nisab in Arabic) for the year 1432AH is put at N459, 649.00 only, which in essence is the cost of 20 pieces of gold (dinar) at the international market. The value of two and a half percent of this amount is payable as zakkat. For this year too, the minimum amount of money payable as dowry in order to contract a marriage, which should equally be the cost of one quarter of a gold (rub’u dinar) is N5, 746.00 only. The sum of N22, 982, 426.00 only is payable as blood-money (diyyah) for manslaughter. The fact that there is has always been an increase, annually, in the naira value of zakkat, dowry and diyyah indicates some sort of ill-health in our nation’s economy. Tasu’a and ‘Ashuara The sunnah of the prophet (SAW) recommends that believers, who can, should observe voluntary fast on the 9th (Tasu’a) and 10th (‘Ashura) of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic year. Believing that Monday December 6, 2011 would be the first day of Muharram, tasu’a and ‘ashura shall therefore fall on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 14 and 15, 2011 respectively. Let us consider the beginning of yet another reminder that we are a year closer to our graves. Let us all resolve to repent from our wrong deeds, big and small. Let us disown corruption, denounce injustice and shun all actions that are tantamount to betrayal, hatred, malice, intolerance, envy, impatience, ingratitude, arrogance or pride. O Allah! Accept our repentances and forgive our acts of unrighteousness; Give us the ability and the capacity to good at all times and in all places. Let our happiest moment be the moment we meet you. Give us refuge against all evils, human and satanic. While we pray to Allah (SWT) to guide us through the peaceful and credible conduct of the 2011 general elections, we ask Him to also give us leaders who would not only tackle poverty, unemployment, disease, hunger, illiteracy, insecurity of lives and property but who would equally put national interest above personal desires, amin. Happy New Hijrah Year!
With about twenty-four hours to the setting in of a new hijrah year after the historic migration of the prophet (SAW) from Madinah, his birthplace, to Makkah;
we have every cause indeed to be thankful to Allah (SWT) regardless of the socio-economic nightmares and political mystifications we might have been experiencing. At least, we are alive. Some of us with whom the current year (1431AH) began did not live to witness its end. Therefore, those of us that are alive today should seize the opportunity of the respite given by Allah (SWT), to sincerely repent from our sins; ask Allah (SWT) for the forgiveness of our misdeeds; and seek His divine intervention in all matters that impede our desire for a greater, prosperous, safe and peaceful Nigeria. Inspite of all our woes, the fact that we are not at war is one of Allah’s infinite mercies upon us. Contrary to predictions by the National Meteorological Agency that there was not going to be enough rainfall, we amazingly had uninterrupted rains that started early and ended late. That is one of the wonders of nature, which illustrates Allah’s Omnipotence. The rains were so much that some states including Sokoto, Jigawa and Katsina within the naturally arid region of the north experienced devastating flood disasters that displaced several communities and destroyed large farmlands. Life or living may though not have been easy for many Nigerians in the last one year; yet, Allah (SWT) deserves all praise. Health, which is enormous wealth that many of us enjoy without appreciating suffices a reason for us to give gratitude to our creator. There are several other reasons why we should give glory to Allah (SWT). Many rather find it easier to recollect sad moments than to remember Allah’s blessings. Let us thank Allah for everything. Allah (SWT) affirms in Qur’an 14:7 “…if ye are grateful, I will add more (favours) unto you…” The year 1431AH, which is just about ending is not without unpleasant events some of which left indelible marks on the hearts of many. Some states in the northern part of the country in the year under review were afflicted by cholera outbreak which led to the loss of many lives. It is also a year during which Nigerians especially in some north-eastern states of the country witnessed a resurgence of the Boko Haram sect. The socio-economic situation in the country does not seem to have significantly improved in the past twelve lunar months of the Islamic year. Poverty and unemployment are distressingly impacting on the lives of many Nigerians; manifesting in high crime rate, some violent. The incessant cases of kidnappings in nearly every part of the country during the year have become a serious source of concern to us. Similarly, the alarming rate of arms import in to the country and its proliferation in recent times is also an issue that threatens peace and security in Nigeria. The collective promise by the Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF) as well as their individual assurances in their respective states to find lasting solutions to the intractable almajiri syndrome seems to have been discarded. Government’s response to the socio-economic crises bedeviling the country rather reveals her insensitivity to the plight of Nigerian citizens. This is because those in positions of authority regard their offices as rights to wealth accumulation instead of privileges to serve the nation. The beginning of a new hijrah year traditionally marks the beginning of a new fiscal year in Islam. It is therefore important for us as Muslims to get acquainted with the figures of monetary zakkat worked out in accordance with the current value of the naira. According to figures recently released by the Timing Chapter Committee, the minimum taxable amount of money (called nisab in Arabic) for the year 1432AH is put at N459, 649.00 only, which in essence is the cost of 20 pieces of gold (dinar) at the international market. The value of two and a half percent of this amount is payable as zakkat. For this year too, the minimum amount of money payable as dowry in order to contract a marriage, which should equally be the cost of one quarter of a gold (rub’u dinar) is N5, 746.00 only. The sum of N22, 982, 426.00 only is payable as blood-money (diyyah) for manslaughter. The fact that there is has always been an increase, annually, in the naira value of zakkat, dowry and diyyah indicates some sort of ill-health in our nation’s economy. Tasu’a and ‘Ashuara The sunnah of the prophet (SAW) recommends that believers, who can, should observe voluntary fast on the 9th (Tasu’a) and 10th (‘Ashura) of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic year. Believing that Monday December 6, 2011 would be the first day of Muharram, tasu’a and ‘ashura shall therefore fall on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 14 and 15, 2011 respectively. Let us consider the beginning of yet another reminder that we are a year closer to our graves. Let us all resolve to repent from our wrong deeds, big and small. Let us disown corruption, denounce injustice and shun all actions that are tantamount to betrayal, hatred, malice, intolerance, envy, impatience, ingratitude, arrogance or pride. O Allah! Accept our repentances and forgive our acts of unrighteousness; Give us the ability and the capacity to good at all times and in all places. Let our happiest moment be the moment we meet you. Give us refuge against all evils, human and satanic. While we pray to Allah (SWT) to guide us through the peaceful and credible conduct of the 2011 general elections, we ask Him to also give us leaders who would not only tackle poverty, unemployment, disease, hunger, illiteracy, insecurity of lives and property but who would equally put national interest above personal desires, amin. Happy New Hijrah Year!
