PRESS RELEASE: GLORIFICATIONS TO ALLAH (SWT) FOR USHERING US INTO THE MOST REWARDING SEGMENT OF THE RAMADAN FAST; THE LAST TEN DAYS AND THE NEED FOR MUSLIMS TO REDOUBLE SPIRITUAL EFFORTS

With total gratitude and glorification to Allah, the Most High, we marked the successful commencement of 2016 Ramadan Fasting, full of Allah’s Barakah (blessings), and like a twinkle of the eyes, Saturday, 25thJune, 2016, marked the twentieth day of Ramadan, thus its night ushers the start for the search of the most blessed night (Laylatul Qadr); the night of decree and honour which is sought in the odd nights i.e. 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th of Ramadan. Therefore, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) under the leadership of His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, uses this medium, to implore Allah (SWT) to facilitate for us observing the remaining last nine or ten days successfully. May He also strengthen our faith in Him and relieve our dear country of the hard times and trying moments we are passing through, and the Muslim world in general, Aameen.

As a follow up, to our earlier Ramadan Press Release, Nigerian Muslims are once again called upon to maximally put to use these last ten days of Ramadan by reciting more of the Glorious Qur’an. They must use the increased rendition of the Qur’an not only in understanding it better, but in living in accordance to its tenets and guidance, for dignity of the individual Muslim and the Ummah. Indeed in the Glorious Qur’an lie salvation and other good virtues needed for the existence of Man. Therefore, the spirit of observing daily obligatory Salawat (prayers), the TarawihorQiyamu-Ramadan (night prayers) should be sustained in these days and beyond.

Similarly, Muslims are also implored to intensify their generosities in giving alms to the poor, the needy, the orphans and the handicapped in the society, especially that many families are just living hand to mouth, as a result of extreme economic crunch. Thus we must also pray for its overturn. Muslims are therefore, reminded of the Zakatul Fitr (Ordained Alms Giving at the end of Ramadan Fast), which is supposed to be given out to the needy in the last three days of Ramadan or in the early hours of ‘Eid-el-Fitr day before the commencement of the ‘Eid prayer.

More importantly, we should watch out for the Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power) which often comes up in one of the five exceptional nights, according to authentic Ahadith of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as earlier stated. We nonetheless, reiterate our call to the Muslim faithful to intensify prayers for the Ummah against all manners of misfortunes, relief and succour to the economic challenges bedeviling the nation.

While wishing all Muslim faithful Allah’s pardon in these sacred days and after, we pray fervently for His benevolent acceptance of our Ramadan Fast, even as we urge all Muslims never to return to abominable acts after the Ramadan Fast. Once again, we say Ramadan Mubarak.

Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu

Secretary General