In a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad III-led Jama’atu Nasir Islam (JNI) has advised Nigerian Muslims to avoid congregational prayers in the mosques, urging them to use the internet for sermons and tafsir (Qur’anic exegesis) during the forthcoming Ramadan 1441AH.
The apex Muslim organisation said those Muslims who had planned for this year’s Umrah (lesser pilgrimage), should channel those resources to help the less privileged as the Umrah cannot be possible with the current global pandemic.
Secretary General of the JNI, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu,said in a statement on Monday, that the Prophet (PBUH) was reported to be the most generous of mankind and he used to be at the peak of his generosity during Ramadan.
”Expectedly, as our role model we should be seen to be doing exactly like Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Bearing in mind that the month of Ramadan is fast approaching, we call on Governments at all levels to assist in making life bearable to the downtrodden.
“Likewise, business enterprises and their owners should review downward prices of goods and services – as an act of Sadaqah (charity) such that every ordinary man could afford.
“In this regard, worthy of commendation is the Nigerian business community, philanthropists as well as the business moguls who donated colossal amount of money to support the federal and some state governments, at this critical economic period,” they said.
“The gesture remains very indelible to the JNI and we pray that they be compensated accordingly by Allah,” they prayed.
JNI said despite the challenges of physical and social distancing, Tafsir and other religious teachings could continue using various information technology (IT) platforms, such as Facebook, Skype, YouTube, Zoom, etc., to live stream preaching sessions.
”Reliable information and communication technology (ICT) professionals could be consulted for proper guidance. It is on this basis that the JNI calls on the Ulama’ to as usual make the fear of Allah their watch word, bearing in mind that knowledge is a trust from Allah and shall be accounted for on the Day of reckoning, thus it should be handled with the utmost caution it deserves.”
”Muslims should fervently pray for an end to the myriad challenges bedeviling the world and Nigeria in particular, and to also seek Allah’s interventions for better well-being and prosperity.
“While we also pray for our leaders to be well-guided and foresighted, they should equally fear Allah and remember that they will one day account for their respective stewardship; as such, they should as a matter of patriotism ensure that they promote equal distribution of resources and maintain peace in all their respective utterances and actions.”
The fight against the pandemic by state governments should be unified. More surveillance should be thoroughly mounted at states’ borderlines/entry and exit points, with medical checkups where necessary. This is so averred due to the flagrant interstate and intrastate mass movements (travelling), added to the slow screening and/or testing of suspected cases. ”
“On the other hand, we commiserate with the federal and state governments, as well as family members’ of health workers – who have made sacrifices and are very much at the frontline of the pandemic, leading to some of them losing their precious lives. We specifically console with their respective families and pray that they be better comforted by Allah, the Most Compassionate.”
“Above all, we reiterate as stated elsewhere that COVID-19 pandemic shows that Almighty Allah is in absolute control of everything and anything about this mundane world and humanity is now helpless. This obviously underscores a strong message given by the COVID-19 pandemic which is ravaging the entire world.
“May we all be saved from it and while beseeching Allah, the merciful to forgive and accept those deceased from COVID-19 pandemic as martyrs, we also pray that He will bring Shifaa (healing) to those that have contracted it. May Allah, the Exalted also provide the quickest cure to the whole world. Aamin.”
“His Eminence, the Sultan wishes the Nigerian Muslims an accepted Ramadan fast in advance.”
