The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Nigeria has urged Nigerians to imbibe the lessons of the 30-day Ramadan fasting ànd consolidate on the spiritual gains of the just concluded period of fasting.
In a message to Nigerians to mark the Eid-el-Fitr celebration, Amir of the group, Alhaji Azeez Folorunso Alatoye implored Nigerians to work through the path of reformation as the only solution to the multi-dimensional challenges and maladies bedeviling all aspects of our lives.
Alatoye advised Nigerians to adhere to the dictates of Ramadan spiritual values of fear and worshipping of Allah in truth and shun all acts of social crimes such as banditry, kidnapping and corrupt practices.
“More particularly, it is imperative that we all adhere to the dictates of Ramadan spiritual values of fear, worshipping of Allah in truth, peace, righteousness, honesty, truthfulness, self-restraint, incorruptibility, introspection, among others.
“On the other hand, we must continue to shun all forms of immoralities, fraud, corrupt practices, banditry, and kidnapping, among others, in all of our actions, reactions, interactions and transactions.
“I render all praise and glorification to Allah the Almighty through Whose grace and providence we have been enabled to begin and complete the month of Ramadan. Also, I beseech Him to send His peace and blessings upon the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw).
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“Among the key lessons we have learnt in the month of Ramadhan is self-reformation and the reformation of others. Highest level of discipline and the disciple of others. Almighty Allah says that:
“…Allah desires ease for you and He desires not hardship for you, and that you may complete the number, and that you may exalt Allah for His having guided you and that you may be grateful.” (Qur’an, 2:185).
“On behalf of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria, I extend profound felicitations to the Muslim community in Nigeria on our successful completion of the Ramadan fast and auspicious ushering into the festive day of Eid-ul-Fitr of the year 1445/2024.
“In our jubilant festive atmosphere, it is gratifying to bear in mind that Islamic Eid is both a season of joy and jubilation and a time of gratitude, reflection, contemplation, and resolution.
“Notably, with the Divine objective of inculcating Taqwa (fear of Allah and righteousness) in all aspects of human life and affairs, Ramadan had set for us the enabling environment, enlivened our spirit and awakened our will power necessary for the purgation of our souls, the disciplining of our minds and the reformation of our evil thoughts, wrong attitudes and corrupt practices.
“Taking a retrospective look at over a month ago, we recall how we set out on an admission into the period of Ramadan with both individual and collective mindset of navigating the path of reformation as the only solution to the multi-dimensional challenges and maladies that are bedeviling all ramifications of our personal, family, religious, social, economic, and political life.
Today, in the aftermath of Ramadan, it is instructive to reflect that, as the Khalifatul Masih and Supreme Head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) declared in his 2022 Eid-ul-Fitr Sermon:
“On this day, we ought to make a vow that we will continuously strive to fulfil the rights of Allah the Almighty along with the rights of His creation. It is only then that we will truly be commemorating Eid. This is the kind of Eid we should strive to attain. Allah the Almighty has drawn our attention towards these rights at numerous instances in the Holy Qur’an. If we make a pledge on this day of Eid to focus on fulfilling these rights – which I have generally been mentioning in the previous Friday sermons – and make this an integral part of our lives, then we will attain the objective of Ramadan and also become among those who fulfil the true purpose of celebrating Eid. (https://www.reviewofreligions.org/38537/understanding-the-true-spirit-of-eid/).
Sustaining spiritual exercise
“In light of the foregoing guidance of His Holiness, it is expected that the true Islamic mood of Eid-ul-Fitr should activate in us the affirmative action to maintain and sustain the reformative and transformative spiritual exercises and lessons and the moral and ethical values of Ramadan.
“We must continue to uphold these values as we move on. Such moral tenacity and continuity resonate with the Prophetic standard. As Hazrat A’ishah (ra) narrated that: “When the Messenger of Allah (saw) performs a righteous act, he would make it a regular and established practice.” (Sahih Muslim)
Nigerian political leaders admonition
May I especially urge our political leaders at all levels to, in the spirit of upholding Ramadan virtues, adhere to the requirements of justice, equity, accountability, self-restraint, incorruptibility and transparency in their administration of Nigeria’s commonwealth, people, power and politics, and as well as in their formulation and implementation of Government policies, plans and programmes for the betterment, prosperity, peace and development of the country and its citizens.
“Ordinary citizens are going through economic hardships in various forms, it behoves the political leaders to share in the pains and these hardships by eschewing ostentatious life styles. Cost of governance must be reduced to its barest minimum and the made in Nigeria goods must be patronise by all. The political class “Must walk the talk”, of making Nigeria great.
Need for global peace
Again, as His Holiness has reminded us, “On the occasion of Eid, we must generally show concern and pray for the world, rather than simply being content with our own happiness. These days, the world is heading towards destruction, which is very concerning for us, as it should be, because it is also our duty to save mankind. All these things are happening [in the world] because the requirements of justice are not being met and due regard is not given to the rights of others. (https://www.reviewofreligions.org/38537/understanding-the-true-spirit-of-eid/).
In light of the above, I pray may Allah the Almighty make today’s Eid-ul-Fitr a source of our reformation and transformation, a beacon of solution to our multivarious challenges and a harbinger of everlasting Divine grace, peace, security and happiness for humanity, at large. Amen!
