Kwara: Be wary of social media during Ramadan — Muslim cleric

Muslims across the country have been advised to exercise caution in their use of social media during the forthcoming Ramadan.

Speaking at a Ramadan seminar organized by the Muslim Congress (TMC) in Kwara State, in conjunction with other Islamic bodies, the guest lecturer, Dr. Nafiu Ahmed Arikewuyo Al-Jawharih, emphasized that such a step would ensure proper focus and discipline to guard against immoral distractions throughout the month-long fast.

According to him, “Muslims should deactivate Facebook and other social media accounts due to unsolicited immoral content. The negative impact of this on our fast is extremely damaging and deceptive.

“Some Muslims have had the opportunity to fast for 35 years but don’t have a single point with Allah because of their actions pre and during Ramadan.

“Yet, a single Ramadan with a proper connection with Allah can make all the difference, as some Hadith have shown.”

The guest lecturer also highlighted that Islam disapproves of abstaining from food and drinks alone during fasting, emphasizing that our ears, eyes, feet, and all parts of our body must be involved in the exercise.

He warned against those attempting to outsmart Allah by engaging in continuous zina, alcohol consumption, and other sins with the intention to quit a day before Ramadan, stating that they may lose out on Allah’s mercy.

“Allah will scrutinize such people’s hearts and make it difficult for them to perform good deeds during the month,” he noted.

The senior lecturer at Al-Hikmah University listed taubah, lowering of gaze, reading the Qur’an with its meanings, and the revival of Iman, among other things, as prerequisite preparations for an accepted Ramadan.

In his welcome address, the Deputy Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Engineer Bashir Olalekan Ariyo, emphasized that Muslims need to consciously prepare for Ramadan in line with the importance attached to the month by Allah.

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He stated that the aim of the program was to provide Muslims with the right attitude and strategy to benefit maximally from the fast, adding that those who fail to do so are the most unfortunate.