Ramadan: Take care of the underprivileged, Clerics urge Muslims

As the world count days to the commencement of this year’s Ramadan fasting, Muslims have been urged to extend the hands of support to one another during the holy month especially to the underprivileged in the society who are living from hand to mouth.

Tribune Online reports that the removal of subsidy and the floating of the Nigerian currency, the naira, by the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made life more difficult for Nigerians as they struggle to survive the resultant economic hardship. 

The admonition was given at the 2024 Pre-Ramadan Lecture organised by the FCT chapter of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN) themed: “Fasting in the month of Ramadan: Beyond Food and Drink” by the trio of Professor Rafat AbdulHamid of the Department of Islamic Studies, University of Abuja; Sheikh Muhammad Nura Khalid, a former Chief Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters Mosque and Sheikh Abdussalam Ali-Agan, Chief Imam, NASFAT, Abuja zone which was held at the Conference Hall of the National Mosque, Abuja, on Friday. 

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The guest speakers charged Muslims to cultivate the habits of giving more charity during the Ramadan fast,  display piety towards fellow Muslims, fear Allah in their interactions with one another and provide succour to the needy at all times.

“FOMWAN has deemed it necessary to organise this lecture and especially to call on the well-to-do to come to the aid of the underprivileged in our midst considering the present situation we are in. It is a very trying time and challenging period for most Nigerians. People are desperately in need. And as we all know, Islam is a complete way of life that touches every part of human endeavours. Islam is aware that people are not equal even when there is no trial. 

“There are people that need our assistance and this is a very good opportunity to help one another and maximise the benefits of this Ramadan that is just by the corner in giving out charity to the poor and the needy. We have come together to remind ourselves about this very important deed (act of giving) in Islam. This is the time to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor for them to have that sense of belonging. People are hungry and we must come to their aid and give them all the support they need to survive,” Professor AbdulHamid stated.

For Imam Nura Khalid, it is all about changing the society for better and be Godly rather than being religious. 

“It is all about changing the narrative, changing the gesture, changing the situation. We must reform the society. If all the Muslims will go beyond eating and drinking, if they would go beyond changing food timing or eating time to the extent of promoting humanity, our society will be reformed. You will agree with me that Nigerians are very religious but we are less Godly. We are even inhumane. Why do we have killings, abductions, looting, corruption in a country that claims to be religious? We must change from being religious to becoming Godly, from shouting about religion to becoming humanists.” 

Imam Aliagan, in his message, said fasting can only go beyond eating and drinking only when Muslims do the right thing, please God and be righteous to every creature of Almighty Allah. 

“The topic “Fasting in the month of Ramadan Beyond Food and Drink” is very apt. It is brought for us to know our levels.  Every Muslim all over the world even those who do not honour or are not that submissive to Allah try to come on board during the month of Ramadan to act like good Muslims. When you fast and your fasting ends only in abstinence from eating and drinking and nothing else, then that is the type of fasting that does not really interest Allah, does not really attract reward, does not really make any difference.

“But what we are trying to understand here is that for fasting to go beyond eating and drinking, everything about you must fast. Your eyes, your nose, your ears, your hands, your legs, every part of your body. You must be conscious of Allah and fear Him in your heart and must be seen in your actions. 

“You don’t insult while fasting. If you don’t insult, it goes beyond eating and drinking, if you don’t embarrass anyone, it goes beyond eating and drinking, if you cease from being a corrupt official during fasting respecting the period and even try to extend it beyond the fasting period, it means your own fasting is beyond eating and drinking. Trying to cut down your expenses in order not to be extravagant makes you to fast beyond eating and drinking. Be a God-fearing fasting Muslim not a religious fasting Muslim.”