The Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) has urged the Muslim faithful not to forget the lessons Ramadan came to teach them.
In its Eid message issued on Friday by the Executive Secretary/CEO, MUSWEN, Prof. Muslih ‘Tayo Yahya, the umbrella body of Muslims in southwest Nigeria appealed to the faithful to remain guided by the principles of love and compassion.
MUSWEN congratulated Muslims on the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid-el-Fitr.
“On behalf of the President of MUSWEN, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo FCS, I wish all Muslim faithful in Southwest Nigeria and beyond a joyous and peaceful Eid-el-Fitr celebration. May Allah’s mercy and blessings continue to shine upon us all.
“The Ramadan period is a period of reflection, replenishment and spiritual re-awakening. It is the time of the year that provides Muslims with an opportunity to connect with Allah through increased prayer, worship, charity and self-discipline. The lessons of Ramadan are many and they are fundamental to the practice of the Islamic faith.”
Noting that one of the most important lessons of Ramadan is that of self-restraint/discipline, the Muslim body stressed that self-restraint “is perhaps the most apparent aspect of the month, where Muslims refrain from eating and drinking; from dawn to sunset. Through self-denial and discipline, Muslims learn to prioritize their physical and spiritual needs, reminding themselves of the transient nature of this world and the importance of focusing on the hereafter.
“Another crucial lesson of Ramadan is that of charity and compassion. Muslims are encouraged to share what they have with others, especially those in need. Through charity, they learn to empathize with the less fortunate and to recognize that they are not alone in the community. This sense of empathy and compassion provides the foundation for community harmony and peace.”
MUSWEN further encouraged Muslims on the need to abide by the lessons of mutual respect, love, peace and harmony that Ramadan has taught them.
“Therefore, let us continue to cohabit peacefully with our fellow human beings, irrespective of our religious or ethnic backgrounds. We must recognize that we are all servants of God (Allah), with inherent dignity and rights that must be respected, promoted, and protected.
“As Muslims, we must continue to be guided by the principles of love and compassion that Ramadan has taught us. Let us extend a hand of charity to those in need, especially during this period of global economic turmoil, where many families suffer from the economic impact of the crisis.”
