What we benefited from fasting during Ramadan

•Clerics, worshippers recount experiences

•I prayed to God for good health… — Oyebamiji

Some Muslims across the world celebrate Eid el-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan with prayers, gratitude, and reflection. But, beyond the festivities, clerics and worshippers who shared their views with YETUNDE AJANAKU, emphasised the need to sustain the discipline and spiritual growth cultivated during the fasting period, adding that the celebration served as a moment of personal reflection and renewal of commitment to a better way of life.

MUSLIMS across Ibadan on Friday converged on various Eid praying grounds in large numbers to celebrate Eid el-Fitr, marking the successful completion of the Ramadan fast , a sacred period defined by devotion, sacrifice, and spiritual reflection.

From the early hours of the morning, the atmosphere across major prayer grounds was a mixture reverence and quiet excitement. Worshippers, dressed in colourful attires, streamed into open fields and mosques, exchanging greetings and warm embraces as they prepared to observe the special Eid prayer.

The occasion, which signifies the end of the month-long fasting period, was characterised by prayers and expressions of gratitude. Clerics, in their sermons, emphasised the importance of not allowing the lessons of Ramadan to fade with its conclusion, urging the faithful to remain steadfast in their spiritual journey.

Beyond the celebration, however, was a deeper, shared message that resonated across the prayer grounds, a call to sustain the discipline, devotion, and closeness to God cultivated during Ramadan.

For many in attendance, Eid was not merely a festival, it was a moment of reflection, thanksgiving, and rededication.

Gratitude and a Call for Continuity

For the Chief Imam of Oke-Aro, Alhaji Imam Daud Ajisafe Olowe, the moment was one of profound gratitude and reflection.

Standing before a large congregation, he expressed appreciation to God for granting Muslims the strength and grace to complete the Ramadan fast successfully. He also acknowledged the favourable weather conditions that made it possible for worshippers to observe the Eid prayer without disruption,  a factor he described as a blessing not to be taken for granted. Yet, beyond gratitude, his message centred on continuity.

According to him, the essence of Ramadan extends far beyond abstaining from food and drink. It is a period designed to instill discipline, strengthen faith, and deepen one’s relationship with God , values he insisted must not be abandoned after Ramadan.

He urged Muslims to remain steadfast and not depart from the path of righteousness, stressing that true devotion is measured not only during Ramadan but in the consistency of one’s actions afterward.

“The lessons of Ramadan should reflect in our daily lives,” he said. “We must continue in prayers, uphold good character, and remain conscious of God in all that we do.”

He also used the opportunity to pray for Nigeria, asking God to grant the nation peace, stability, and progress amid its many challenges. He called on citizens to embrace unity, tolerance, and mutual respect, noting that these values are essential for national development.

Personal Reflections: Faith, Hope, and Mercy

Among the worshippers was Salam Rokibat, whose reflections captured the deeply personal and emotional dimension of Ramadan.

Speaking shortly after the prayers, she described the fasting period as a time of intense spiritual connection, during which she focused on seeking God’s mercy and intervention in her life.

“For me, Ramadan is a time to speak to God sincerely,” she said. “I prayed for mercy, for guidance, and for God to answer my heart’s desires.”

Her voice carried a tone of relief and gratitude as she expressed joy at witnessing the end of the holy month, an opportunity she noted is not guaranteed for everyone.

“I am happy to be alive to celebrate Eid,” she said. “My prayer is that everything I asked from God during Ramadan will be granted.”

Rokibat also encouraged fellow Muslims not to see Eid as the end of their spiritual efforts but as a continuation.

“We should not go back to our old ways,” she said. “We should continue doing good and living according to God’s will.”

Extending Prayers Beyond Self

In a similar vein, Nasiru Serifat described Ramadan as a deeply reflective period marked by supplication and spiritual growth.

According to her, the fasting period provided an opportunity to reconnect with God and to focus on what truly matters.

“Ramadan is not just about fasting,” she explained. “It is about drawing closer to God and purifying the heart.”

She revealed that her prayers during the month were centred on seeking mercy, guidance, and the strength to remain steadfast in her faith.

Beyond personal requests, Serifat noted that she also prayed for her family, expressing hope for their wellbeing and success.

“I committed everything into God’s hands: my life, my family, and my future,” she said. “I believe that God will answer my prayers.”

Serifat emphasised the importance of maintaining the spiritual discipline cultivated during Ramadan, urging Muslims to continue in acts of worship and kindness.

Health, Strength, and Gratitude

For Alhaja Fasilat Oyebamiji from Elebu area, Ibadan, the journey through Ramadan was defined by a singular focus , good health and strength.

She recounted how her prayers before and during Ramadan were centred on being physically able to observe the fast from beginning to the end.

“My prayer was for strength,” she said. “I asked God to give me good health because I was ill before the fasting so I could complete the fasting.”

With a smile, she expressed gratitude that her prayers were answered, noting that she was able to participate fully in the fasting period without major challenges.

Now that Ramadan has concluded, her prayers have shifted toward long life and continued strength to serve God.

“I want to live long and continue worshipping God,” she added. “That is what is most important to me.”

Her reflections highlight a key aspect of Ramadan often overlooked , the physical and emotional endurance required, and the gratitude that comes with successfully completing the fast.

Among the worshippers was Abass, whose story reflected the transformative power of Ramadan on personal habits and lifestyle.

He revealed that before the holy month, he struggled with habits he was not proud of, particularly drinking and smoking. However, the period of fasting became a turning point for him , a chance to seek spiritual renewal and self-discipline.

“Before Ramadan, I used to drink and smoke,” he admitted. “But during the fasting, I prayed to God for strength to stop and not return to those habits.”

Abass explained that Ramadan gave him the opportunity to reflect deeply on his choices and draw closer to God. Now, as the fasting period has ended, he says his greatest prayer is for the strength to remain steadfast and not go back to his old ways.

For him, Eid is not just a celebration, but the beginning of a new personal journey , one rooted in change, discipline, and a renewed commitment to living a better life.

A Season of Renewal and Growth

Also reflecting on the significance of the moment, Alfa Shehu described Ramadan as a period of renewal, transformation, and spiritual growth.

He expressed happiness at witnessing the completion of the fasting period, noting that it represents both an achievement and a responsibility.

“Ramadan teaches us discipline,” he said. “It teaches patience, humility, and self-control.”

According to him, the real challenge begins after Ramadan , maintaining the same level of commitment and devotion in everyday life.

“It is easy to be committed during Ramadan,” he noted. “But what matters is what we do after.”

He urged fellow Muslims to uphold the values practised during the fasting period, including regular prayers, acts of charity, and good conduct.

“Let us continue to live the way we lived during Ramadan,” he said. “That is the true meaning of the fasting.”

Across Ibadan, the celebration of Eid was marked not only by prayers but also by a strong sense of community and unity.

Families gathered to share meals, exchange gifts, and visit loved ones, while children played joyfully in new clothes, adding colour and vibrancy to the occasion.

The streets, though calmer than usual in the early hours, gradually came alive as residents stepped out to celebrate.

For many, the day served as an opportunity to reconnect with family members and neighbours, reinforcing the bonds that hold communities together.

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Yet, even amid the celebration, the underlying message remained consistent , a reminder that Eid is both an end and a beginning.

Beyond Eid: A Lasting Responsibility

As the celebration gradually wound down and worshippers dispersed to continue the festivities with family and loved ones, a common thread ran through their reflections , the need to sustain the values cultivated during Ramadan.

Clerics and faithful alike emphasised that the true essence of the fasting period lies not only in its observance but in its lasting impact.

The discipline, patience, generosity, and devotion practised during Ramadan, they noted, should serve as a guide for daily living.

For many, Eid was not just a moment of joy, but a reminder of responsibility , a call to remain steadfast in faith and committed to doing good.