Nigerian Tribune gathered that thousands of residents gathered at the Eid praying ground in Bida on Thursday to pray after rainfall ceased in the area.
It was also reported that these prayers were conducted in accordance with Islamic teachings, which encourage seeking divine intervention for plentiful rainfall and a successful harvest.
After the prayer session, Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, explained that the gathering was aimed at seeking forgiveness and mercy from Almighty Allah.
He said, “Islam teaches Muslims to repent and seek God’s mercy during times of calamity that affect society.”
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The esteemed traditional ruler also urged the Muslim Ummah to forgive one another and avoid actions prohibited by Islam.
The Etsu Nupe called on his subjects to abandon immoral behavior and return to God in sincere repentance, stating, “When there is a potential threat of drought, we are instructed by Allah (SWT) through His Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) to return to Him, seeking His guidance and forgiveness.
“We seek Allah’s mercy and guidance, and we hope this prayer will be answered by Allah (SWT), bringing us not only rain but also blessings for our crops and other essentials,” he declared.
In his sermon, the Chief Imam of Bida Emirate, Sheikh Adamu Liman-Yakatun, identified five reasons why drought and other calamities afflict communities.
He noted that these reasons include people’s failure to keep their promises, dishonest dealings by some marketers, and those who provide services, among others.
Liman-Yakatun stressed that crops urgently need water to survive, especially with the high cost of food items in the market and the security challenges facing the state.
He urged the state’s residents to fear God in their daily activities and called on leaders to treat their subjects with sincerity and provide the necessary humanitarian assistance.
He also added, “Even the unjust killings of innocent citizens could contribute to the shortage of rainfall, along with our bad behavior.”
The Chief Imam concluded by praying for sufficient rain to ensure a bountiful harvest for farmers and asked God to ease the hardships faced by Nigerians across the country.
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE