The Last Ten Days Of Ramadan-1442ah And The Need For Sober Reflection In Nigeria
As a follow up to our earlier 2021 Ramadan Press Release, made on Monday, 12th April, 2021, and with glorification and total gratitude to Allah, the Most High, we successfully commenced the Ramadan fast – Alhamdulilaah! Surprisingly, today Sunday, 2nd May, 2021, marks the twentieth (20th) day of Ramadan, thus its night ushers in 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 of Ramadan (i.e. 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th). Therefore, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) under the leadership of His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, uses this medium, to implore Nigerian Muslims to fervently engage in supplications and be more dedicated to the worship of Allah (SWT), amidst the daunting challenges and many uncertainties bedeviling the Nigerian state.
We must individually and collectively strive more to earn Allah’s forgiveness and mercy in this blessed month. Thus, the Nigerian Muslims are called upon to sustain the tempo of worshiping Allah and maximize these last days by reciting more of the Glorious Qur’an. More importantly, we should pray for an end of the myriad security imbroglio in Nigeria and 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). We must use the medium in increased rendition of the Qur’an not only in understanding it better, but in living in accordance to its tenets. For in the Glorious Qur’an we find total salvation and other good virtues needed for the existence of Man. Therefore, the spirit of observing daily obligatory Salawat (prayers), the Tarawih or Qiyamu-Ramadan (night prayers) should also be sustained.
We again reiterate that Muslims should intensify their generosities in giving alms to the poor, the needy and the orphans in the society, especially now that many families are finding it very unbearable, as a result of biting economic challenges bedeviling the country. We must nonetheless pray also for the economic overturn and restoration of security, in Nigeria. Government should however be more alive to its primary responsibility of its existence – i.e. safeguarding lives and property. In the same vein, Muslims are, 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 the first day of Shawwal i.e the ‘Eid-el-Fitr day, before the commencement of the ‘Eid prayer.
Nonetheless, we again call on the Muslim faithful to intensify prayers for the Ummah against all manners of misfortunes, relief and succor for the myriads of economic and security challenges hampering on the nation. Nevertheless, come what may, we must pray for absolute faith in Allah!
Whilst wishing all Muslim faithful Allah’s pardon in these sacred days and beyond, we pray fervently for His benevolent acceptance of our Ramadan Fast, even as we urge all Muslims never to return to abominable acts after Ramadan, as the Lord of Ramadan remains the Lord of the Worlds and He takes account of all our actions. Once again, we say Ramadan Mubarak and happy Eid-el-Fitr in advance.
Sheikh Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu
Secretary-General, JNI
