By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
Ahead of the commencement of the 2024 Ramadan fasting this week, the Kogi State Council of Ulama’u has urged Muslims to strictly adhere to the tenets of Islam associated with the holy month.
The Chairman of the Kogi State Council of Ulama’u and the Chief Imam, of Ankpa Sheikh Salman Adam, made the call yesterday in Lokoja at the Council of Ulama’u Ramadan Lecture Series held at Lokoja Central Mosque.
This was part of series of weekend public lectures and other activities earmarked by the council during the month.
He said non-adherence to the tenets of the Ramadan fasting would not only deny Muslims the reward on earth, but also deny such person rewards in the hereafter.
According to him, Allah subjected the human soul to tests and man was only submissive to Allah after he was tested with hunger and deprivation, hence Allah’s declaration on the reward of observing Ramadan fast and other good deeds.
Sheikh Adam said, “Allah use Ramadan as a bailout for believers in that it is a shield against hell and other calamities; and also that the first 10 days are blessing, second 10 for Allah’s Forgiveness and the last 10 for prevention from hell.
Speaking at the event, the Maigari of Lokoja, HRH Ibrahim Gambo Kabir, described the Ramadan lecture as the first of its kind in the history of the council.
The Maigari who was represented by Hon. Isah Umar called on Muslims to keep to the moral teachings of Ramadan during and after the fasting period.
He further called on Nigerians to embrace religious tolerance and live peacefully with one another.
The traditional ruler said that though there might be some differences between the Islamic and the Christian doctrines, the end lesson was that adherents of both faiths pray and worship the same God.
He, therefore, said that there was a need for Muslim and Christian faithful to tolerate one another and be their brother’s keeper.
He expressed the regret that some citizens had allowed their relationship with others to be defined by religion,, saying that was not in the best interest of the country.
He urged Nigerians to continue to pray for love, and unity, which he said, were missing in the country at present.
The Maigari appealed to political leaders in the country at various levels as well, to keep working for continued peace, unity and progress of the country, saying it was difficult leading a country without peace or unity.
In his own remarks, Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, who was represented by the state Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, Muiz Yinus Abdullahi, SAN as called on Muslims to use the holy month of Ramadan to pray to Almighty Allah for the quick resolution of the security and economic challenges currently confronting the nation.
Governor Ododo enjoined Muslims to conduct themselves very well during the holy month in order to maximize the spiritual and physical benefits inherent in the month.
He identified good intention, prayers, and firmness of purpose in the pursuit of good deeds as conditions for reaping the benefits of the holy month.
Governor Ododo who commended the Kogi State Council of Ulama’u for the annual Ramadan lecture called Muslim scholars to educate their audience of what is expected of Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan to earn Allah’s blessings.
Highlight of the event was special prayer and recitation of the Holy Quran by Islamic Clerics.
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