National Telescope national telescope newspaper
Funmilayo Ojo
President General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar Sa’ad, has called for Nigerian Muslims to bear with the economic downturn with patience and to increase their prayers for comforter during the next Ramadan fast.
To mark the beginning of the next Ramadan fast, the Sultan spoke on Saturday and stated that Muslims should perform a number of good deeds in order to receive a significant reward from Allah during the fasting season.
According to the statement E-signed by Prof. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, the Secretary-General of the JNI.
The Sultan also called on the State Security Department and the National Security Advisor to bring charges against those who have abducted people nationwide in order to discourage others from involving in the heinous crime.
The statement reads, “His Eminence, Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, JNI, felicitates with the Muslim Ummah on the forthcoming Ramadan (1445 AH/2024). The month of the Glorious Qur’an, the month of Qiyamul-Layl (standing in the night for prayers), the month of Du’a (supplication), and Dhikr (Allah’s remembrance), and of course the month of charity and generosity, the month of spiritual self-evaluation, and the month of sacrifice and empathy.
“This year’s Ramadan fasting is coming on the eve of many aggravating economic challenges with so many uncertainties. While the political leadership in Nigeria is implored to be very merciful, just as the Prophet (SAW) was more merciful and generous in the blessed month, Muslims are reminded that with every hardship comes relief and ease. Patience is central in difficult times, as Allah (SWT) certainly hears, sees, and responds to the prayers of His impoverished servants.
“Muslims are called upon to seriously intensify prayers for the economic prosperity of the Nigerian state and its citizens, as well as the restoration of law and order—by extension, security and peace—and above all, piety. Ramadan is the month wherein the night of decree is witnessed, also known as the night of destiny and majesty. Thus, we are expected to perform all spiritual acts associated with Ramadan the very best we can and soul-search our respective selves over our undertakings.
“Do we really want Allah, the Most High, to be pleased with us? Do we desire Allah’s mercy, forgiveness, and apt intervention over the many trials we now suffer in the country? Do we actually believe in life after death and yet commit all forms of mind-boggling atrocities? This is the time to remain introspective and assiduously work for redemption. We must rise above board and do the right things; prayers alone without proportionate good deeds may not guarantee our supplications being answered.
“Muslims are urged to make a proper plan for the recitation of the glorious Qur’an and optimally utilize the Ramadan period for good deeds. Tatfif (deliberate reduction in measurement of goods and services) amongst the market people and blatant distortion of facts are acts promoted by many Nigerians, yet we expect positive miracles to happen in the country while we are not sincere, honest, and truthful to ourselves and to our Lord. Let it be known that nations can survive with unbelief but will not survive with injustice of any kind.
“Hoarding of essential commodities used during the Ramadan fast to create artificial scarcity (inflation), which invariably affects the supply chain of goods, is uncharitable and evil. We call on governments at all levels, as well as philanthropists and the wealthy, to pay Zakah so as to assist in making life bearable for the downtrodden and the indigent. Businessmen and women are implored to lower the prices of goods and services as an act of Sadaqah (generosity), such that every ordinary man could at least afford his or her basic needs.
“We also urge the government, especially the Office of the National Security Adviser and Director-General, Department of State Security, to, as a matter of national interest and stability, do more to prosecute all perpetrators of heinous crimes against humanity, taking into account the recent most unfortunate abductions at Ngala IDP camp, Borno State, GSS Kuriga, and Kuriga Primary School in Kaduna State, as well as take appropriate action against informants and their cohorts,” he added.
