As Ramadan fast begins
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- Category: Philosofaith
- Written by M. U. Ndagi
- Hits: 947
We give glory to Allah (SWT), the most Gracious, for making it possible for us to witness another Ramadan. Muslims throughout Nigeria began the Ramadan fast Wednesday after a radio and television announcement by the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria (SCIAN), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III that the crescent for the month of Ramadan had been sighted in some states including Borno, Kaduna, Zamfara, Kebbi, Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory.
Like the previous year, the commencement of this year’s Ramadan fast by Muslims in all parts of Nigeria on the same day demonstrates the increasing unity and growing understanding among Nigerian scholars and their followers over moon-sighting controversies. It is our hope that this would be extended to the sighting of the crescent for Shawwal and Zhul Qa’dah to mark Eidl fitr and Eidl Kabir festivals respectively.
In the face of prevailing austere economic circumstances in the country, we call on Zakat Commissions in purportedly “shari’ah compliant” states in the country to come up with measures, at least during this special month that comes along with special financial demands for fulfilling dietary needs of the fasting period, to ease the unceasing hardships faced by Nigerians. This may include making arrangement for public breaking of the fast (iftar jamaa’i) at designated places such as hospitals, markets and schools. Non-governmental organizations and individuals who have the wherewithal are also encouraged to support this initiative. We expect the Zakat Commissions with the backing of their respective state and local governments to ensure the stability of prices of food stuff and other essential commodities. Infact, they could, through mutual collaboration and understanding with wholesale traders, reduce prices of goods for the Ramadan season.
With Ramadan fast, Muslims especially in Nigeria are once again availed with another opportunity to repent from their sins; refine their character and soul; and renew their appeal for divine intervention in their quest for good governance. Being the only Ramadan fast before the 20011 election, it is a unique opportunity for us to re-present and renew our prayer against the betrayal, hypocrisy, greed, dishonesty and general failure of our leaders so that in place of wicked leaders, Allah (SWT) would give us credible ones. As a condition to achieving this, we must be seen to be practically devoted in our religious obligations by shunning all that could jeopardize the purity of our fast and then engage more dutifully in spiritual duties.
We urge scholars during their commentaries of the Qur’an (tafsir) which is characteristic of the religious activities that dominate Ramadan to observe restraint and exhibit maturity in their utterances. The approach adopted in recent times by some scholars in their preaching contradicts the Islamic principles of calling people to the way of Allah (SWT). The holy Qur’an commands us to call to Allah’s way with wisdom and beautiful words of guidance. Even when prophets Musa (AS) and Harun (AS) had the divine mandate of calling the then Pharaoh, Ramzes II, who rebelled against the creator of the universe; Allah (SWT) instructed them to speak to Pharaoh softly and with courtesy. A situation in which a preacher uses three-quarter of his time to abuse, defame and affront those who perhaps have gone astray from the path of guidance, is not symbolic of scholarship.
While in Kaduna a few weeks ago, I was at one of the Jum’at (Friday) mosques to observe Maghrib and Isha’i prayers. The period between the two prayers was used by the prayer leader (Imam) for religious instruction. The Imam spent most part of the forty minutes instruction (ta’lim) hurling abuses on government and those in positions of authority. Granted that the crop of contemporary Nigerian leaders, may have through bad governance, brought about the current woes of the nation; yet, it is not enough to warrant the use of foul language during preaching. We call on scholars to be cautious in the kind of language they use in addressing their audience. Let us use decent approaches that would attract and not send away people from our preaching especially in this blessed month of Ramadan. We can, if Allah wills, change the mindset of people not by abusing or discarding them but more by appealing to their conscience with soft and sincere words of truth; yet, in a very firm manner. In this way, we could make Ramadan tafsir sessions more attractive and functional.
Remember that the first one-third of Ramadan is full of forgiveness (istighfar) and mercy (rahmah) from Allah (SWT). Let us repent from our sins and engage much in istighfar. This column, as it did in the past, seizes the opportunity of the spiritual amnesty in this sacred month to make another appeal to all those concerned with the continued detention and trial without judgment of Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, Colonel Jibrin Bala Yakubu and CP Danbaba in a case of attempted murder so that the case could be brought to a fair and just conclusion. It does not make sense if the course of fighting an injustice leads to another injustice. May Allah (SWT) accept our Ramadan fast and devotions, amin. Ramadan kareem!
Articles
As Ramadan fast begins
Category: Philosofaith Written by M. U. Ndagi Hits: 947
We give glory to Allah (SWT), the most Gracious, for making it possible for us to witness another Ramadan. Muslims throughout Nigeria began the Ramadan fast Wednesday after a radio and television announcement by the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria (SCIAN), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III that the crescent for the month of Ramadan had been sighted in some states including Borno, Kaduna, Zamfara, Kebbi, Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory.
Like the previous year, the commencement of this year’s Ramadan fast by Muslims in all parts of Nigeria on the same day demonstrates the increasing unity and growing understanding among Nigerian scholars and their followers over moon-sighting controversies. It is our hope that this would be extended to the sighting of the crescent for Shawwal and Zhul Qa’dah to mark Eidl fitr and Eidl Kabir festivals respectively.
In the face of prevailing austere economic circumstances in the country, we call on Zakat Commissions in purportedly “shari’ah compliant” states in the country to come up with measures, at least during this special month that comes along with special financial demands for fulfilling dietary needs of the fasting period, to ease the unceasing hardships faced by Nigerians. This may include making arrangement for public breaking of the fast (iftar jamaa’i) at designated places such as hospitals, markets and schools. Non-governmental organizations and individuals who have the wherewithal are also encouraged to support this initiative. We expect the Zakat Commissions with the backing of their respective state and local governments to ensure the stability of prices of food stuff and other essential commodities. Infact, they could, through mutual collaboration and understanding with wholesale traders, reduce prices of goods for the Ramadan season.
With Ramadan fast, Muslims especially in Nigeria are once again availed with another opportunity to repent from their sins; refine their character and soul; and renew their appeal for divine intervention in their quest for good governance. Being the only Ramadan fast before the 20011 election, it is a unique opportunity for us to re-present and renew our prayer against the betrayal, hypocrisy, greed, dishonesty and general failure of our leaders so that in place of wicked leaders, Allah (SWT) would give us credible ones. As a condition to achieving this, we must be seen to be practically devoted in our religious obligations by shunning all that could jeopardize the purity of our fast and then engage more dutifully in spiritual duties.
We urge scholars during their commentaries of the Qur’an (tafsir) which is characteristic of the religious activities that dominate Ramadan to observe restraint and exhibit maturity in their utterances. The approach adopted in recent times by some scholars in their preaching contradicts the Islamic principles of calling people to the way of Allah (SWT). The holy Qur’an commands us to call to Allah’s way with wisdom and beautiful words of guidance. Even when prophets Musa (AS) and Harun (AS) had the divine mandate of calling the then Pharaoh, Ramzes II, who rebelled against the creator of the universe; Allah (SWT) instructed them to speak to Pharaoh softly and with courtesy. A situation in which a preacher uses three-quarter of his time to abuse, defame and affront those who perhaps have gone astray from the path of guidance, is not symbolic of scholarship.
While in Kaduna a few weeks ago, I was at one of the Jum’at (Friday) mosques to observe Maghrib and Isha’i prayers. The period between the two prayers was used by the prayer leader (Imam) for religious instruction. The Imam spent most part of the forty minutes instruction (ta’lim) hurling abuses on government and those in positions of authority. Granted that the crop of contemporary Nigerian leaders, may have through bad governance, brought about the current woes of the nation; yet, it is not enough to warrant the use of foul language during preaching. We call on scholars to be cautious in the kind of language they use in addressing their audience. Let us use decent approaches that would attract and not send away people from our preaching especially in this blessed month of Ramadan. We can, if Allah wills, change the mindset of people not by abusing or discarding them but more by appealing to their conscience with soft and sincere words of truth; yet, in a very firm manner. In this way, we could make Ramadan tafsir sessions more attractive and functional.
Remember that the first one-third of Ramadan is full of forgiveness (istighfar) and mercy (rahmah) from Allah (SWT). Let us repent from our sins and engage much in istighfar. This column, as it did in the past, seizes the opportunity of the spiritual amnesty in this sacred month to make another appeal to all those concerned with the continued detention and trial without judgment of Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, Colonel Jibrin Bala Yakubu and CP Danbaba in a case of attempted murder so that the case could be brought to a fair and just conclusion. It does not make sense if the course of fighting an injustice leads to another injustice. May Allah (SWT) accept our Ramadan fast and devotions, amin. Ramadan kareem!