Ramadan: Time To Reflect On The Polity

The Muslim holy month of Ramadan is here with us. During this period, our Muslim brothers and sisters are expected to abstain from food and drink for 30 days during the day.

At this period, Muslims observe fasting during the hours of sunlight and eat after sunset. Fasting at this period promotes chastity and humility. It is also an act of total submission to Allah.

To a devout Muslim, fasting is compulsory. In fact, the Muslim holy book, the Quran, makes it mandatory for all able-bodied believers to fast during this period. It is also true that the holy book did not make Ramadan compulsory for those who are weak, sick, pregnant, nursing babies, the elderly and children. The Quran also makes fasting very flexible in the sense that a Muslim fasting can break the fast in the day if he suddenly falls ill or in a precarious state of health and needed nutrients to sustain his life.

Ramadan period is one in which Muslims are expected to show piety and recognise the omnipotence and omniscience of Allah, the creator of the universe. They are expected to seek forgiveness of their sins. It is a period of penitence. It is a period when adherents of the faith are expected to show and share love.

As we seek Allah’s face for the forgiveness of our sins, we must also learn to forgive those that have offended us in order for our prayers to be answered. We must humble ourselves and be ready to correct our past mistakes. It is in this light that we urge all our Muslim brothers and sisters to pray for the peace, unity and progress of the country. We all know that corruption has eaten deep into every segment of our society. Ramadan offers us an opportunity to pray against the cankerworm and other ills militating against the development of our country.

As true faithful, we call on our brothers and sisters to pray fervently to God to sustain the unity and corporate existence of this country. As Nigerians, we must pray fervently for the misguided members of the fundamentalist Islamic sect, Boko Haram, to end their murderous campaign against fellow Nigerians in the Northern part of the country. We must offer supplications to Allah to enter the hearts of leaders of Boko Haram to realise the incalculable damage they are doing to this country by their action and stop the campaign. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), while on earth, preached peace, love and unity. So why should a group that claims to be Muslims engage in wanton killings and destruction of property and claim that it is fighting Allah’s cause?

It is generally believed that prayers offered at this period of the year are answered expressly by Allah, so we must intercede on behalf of this nation for peace to reign so that development can take place. We must also pray for our leaders to take the right decision that will transform our country.

In our supplications to Allah, we must remember the security agencies and pray for them to overcome the present security challenges in the country. Like the holy books (Bible ad Quran) make us to understand, the people deserve the leader they get. We must pray to Allah to guide our president, Goodluck Jonathan, to take the right decision that will take us out of our present economic doldrum.

We also implore religious leaders to stay within the bounds of peaceful religious teaching and not incite their followers against their fellow countrymen. It is when we have peace in the country that there can be development. We must also remember our athletes who are participating in the London Olympics to do well in their competitions and bring glory to our land.

To all our Muslim bothers and sisters, we say Ramadan Kareem.