By BASHIR ADEFAKA
The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), an umbrella body Islamic organisations in Northern Nigeria, has congratulated Muslims of Nigeria as they come to the end of their obligatory observation of Ramadan fasting on Sunday May 1, 2022 when the Holy Month completes 30 days.
The DEFENDER reports that the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), by a statement issued by Chairman, Sultanate Council Religious Advisory Council and Wazirin Sokoto, Prof. Junaidu Wali Sambo, in conjunction with National Moon Sighting Committee, had announced that since new moon of Shawwal was not sighted Saturday night, Ramadan fasting should be counted to complete 30.
The JNI, which coincidentally also has the Sultan, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, as its President General, congratulated the Nigerian Muslims and Muslims all over the world for the opportunity to have observed Ramadan fast, “which of course is gradually coming to an end.”
In a statement signed by its Secretary General, Dr. Khali Abubakar Aliyu, and copy of which was sent to The DEFENDER on Saturday, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam headquartered in Kaduna had said:
“By Allah’s will, tomorrow Sunday, 1st May, 2022 or next tomorrow Monday, 2nd May, 2022 shall mark the end of the Ramadan fasting, to witness yet another Eid-el-Fitr celebration in-shaa’Allah. In the light of this, the JNI uses this medium to, once again show gratitude to Almighty Allah, the Exceptionally Merciful for sparing our respective lives to have observed the 2022 Ramadan Fasting – Alhamdulillah.
“This, however, shows the temporal nature of man and that time is transient and the ephemeral nature of this life is again telling us that our existence on earth is but for Allah’s grace. It is just a matter of time; we will all be utterly forgotten. Certainly lessons have been learnt in this year’s Ramadan fasting, thus Muslims are enjoined to sustain the virtuous acts and/or acquired, and remain self-disciplined, dedicated and ever God-fearing in all our respective endeavors,” it said.
On welfare of others, JNI said, “Once again, Muslims are reminded on the importance of giving Zakatul-Fitr (Ordained Alms Giving at the end of Ramadan Fasting) despite the economic and terrifying security challenges affecting the country. Zakatul-Fitr should be given from today to the needy before the commencement of the ‘Eid prayer, which if done appropriately will serve as an expiation of the various short comings committed in the course of observing the Ramadan fasting.
“This if promptly done, will assist those who do not have the means during the forthcoming Sallah festivities. Of special note, are the Internally Displaced Person’s camps (IDP’s) occasioned by the incessant attacks of bandits and the intractable Boko Haram insurgency.
Sitta-Shawwal
“JNI wishes all Muslims faithful an accepted Ramadan fasting and successful Eid-el-Fitr celebrations. On the other hand, we should not forget the Sitta-Shawwal fasting, i.e the six days recommended fasting, that follows the Ramadan, as was recommended by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Nevertheless, we must always bear in mind that the Lord of Ramadan, is still and shall remain the Lord of other months.
“We must therefore all be reminded to keep to the ordinances of the Glorious Qur’an, for the prestige of the Muslim Ummah.
“We would also like to implore all to treat with caution on travelling home for Sallah festivities given the pervasive security challenges in the Nigerian state. May Allah, the Most High, continue to protect us all. Amin.
Government
“Likewise, we call on the government to exert more efforts in attending to all forms of criminalities and deal appropriately with the agents of destruction and fragmentation in every nook and cranny of the country. Government should be more up and doing and it should heed to the different wake-up calls to improve the security architecture, tackle ravaging economic hardship and transparently address the seeming unemployment problem in order to reinvent the spirit of patriotism and commitment to the ideals of national goals.
Muslim leaders
“The Ulama and as well as other Muslim clerics should fear Allah, the Most High and be matured enough in guarding their utterances and actions for the overall interest of the DEEN and the Ummah. If anything, the needless controversies that characterized this year’s Tafsir sessions should have been ignored for more germane and contemporary issues bordering on the overall existential issues of the Ummah.
ASUU strike
“In the same vein, arising from the various calls for the resolution of the ASUU- FGN face-off, we use this medium to appeal to the Federal Government and ASUU to, in the name of Allah (SWT) and as a matter of urgency resolve the lingering crisis between themselves which has bedeviled the public University in the country. Parents, students and the entire nation have been adversely affected by this nightmarish impasse.
“The time has come for all the critical stakeholders especially the Federal Government to lit this national malady in the bud once and for all. Continued closure of our University’s spells doom for our nation and aggravates the current security dilemma in the Country. Nevertheless, we must continue to intensify our prayers for Nigeria and its leaders, especially that 2023 General Elections are fast approaching,” the statement said.
Prayers
Lastly, while His Eminence, the Sultan is wishing us all Allah’s pardon in these sacred days, he prays fervently for an accepted Ramadan Fasting, as well as the Eid-el-Fitr, we also pray to Allah, the Ever Hearing and Exceedingly Merciful to ease for our leaders the difficult terrain and burden of governance. May He as well keep the Nigerian nation united and restore peace, security, and prosperity to our dear country. Amin,” the JNI said in the Dr. Khalid Aliyu’s statement.
