As we welcome Ramadan

This year’s Ramadan is actually by the corner, with only two or three days to its commencement depending on when the Ramadan crescent is sighted. According to the Islamic lunar calendar published by the Timing Chapter in Nigeria, today Saturday June 4, 2016 is equivalent to Sha’ban 28, 1437AH. Ramadan fast, therefore, may begin either on Monday June 6, if the month of Sha’aban terminates on the 29th day, or on Tuesday June 7, if the moon eventually completes its 30-day circle. Muslims are thus advised to start looking out for the new moon of the month of Ramadan tomorrow Sunday June 5, which is the 29th day of Sha’ban.
As required by law, Muslims begin Ramadan fast by physically sighting the moon or hearing from reliable sources that the moon has been sighted. In Nigeria, the grand authority in announcing the sighting of the moon is the President-General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria who is also the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III. The announcement is usually through electronic media outfits (radio and television). It is not recommended for a Muslim who lives or resides in Nigeria to commence the Ramadan fast based on news of sighting of the moon from outside the country, especially if it were coming from a region that is not on the same timing zone with Nigeria. Given the popular use (and sometimes misuse) of the social media in disseminating information, it is advised that news about moon sighting should be properly confirmed from dependable sources before it is passed on to others through SMS; MMS; Whatsapp, Twitter, email, etc.
Ramadan is a sacred month in which Allah (SWT) has promised to forgive every repentant Muslim; grant mercy to every seeker of amnesty; and pardon those who ask for it. Abu Hurayrah (RA) reports from the Prophet (SAW) that the gates to hell fire remain closed throughout each Ramadan period just as the gates to paradise are left open during the same period; so that the wish and prayer of those who desire the latter (paradise) would graciously be granted.
Fasting is comparatively a remarkable act of worship. Imam Malik (RA) reports on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (RA) that the Prophet (SAW) said: “By the One in whose hand my soul is, the whiff from the breath of a person who is fasting is better with Allah than the musk. He leaves his desires, food and drink; all for my sake. Fasting is for Me and I (give the) reward (for) it. Every good act is rewarded by ten times its kind up to seven hundred times except fasting which is for Me, and I reward it.” This hadith underscores the need to shun every act of misdeed that will vitiate or undermine the quality of our Ramadan fast. Muslims should strive to observe the fast with strict adherence to laid down rules governing this revered act of worship. The six authentic compilers of hadith all relate on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (RA) who reports that the Prophet (SAW) said, “Fasting is a protection for you. So when you fast, do not behave obscenely or foolishly. And if anyone argues with you or insults you, say, ‘I am fasting, I am fasting’”
It contradicts the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to observe voluntary fast close to the start of Ramadan fast. This is to avoid a situation where voluntary fast, which is a prophetic injunction, becomes (as if it were) a part of Ramadan fast which is an obligatory act of worship authorised by Allah (SWT). Although Monday is one of the days on which the Prophet (SAW) used to observe voluntary fast, Muslims are discouraged from observing voluntary fast on Monday June 6, which is the 30th day of Sha’aban.
Philanthropic individuals, groups, government and non-governmental organisations are encouraged to organise or support iftar jama’i (public breaking of Ramadan fast) for under-privileged Muslims. This could be at mosque or ward level. It is pertinent here to comment on how some members of the public enlisted themselves and undeservedly benefited from such charitable programmes in the past. This is worrisome and disappointing. At the National Mosque in Abuja where, for instance, such an arrangement exists, it has over the years been abused by some members of the benefiting public. It has been the norm in previous Ramadan fasts to see people who could afford three-square meals on queue; struggling and sometimes fighting to collect food or snacks for breaking the fast. Those who deceptively engage in this act are advised to fear Allah (SWT) and eschew this sort of discreditable pretense so that the meal(s) provided by benefactors of the free-feeding in Ramadan would reach a larger number of people for whom the programme is intended.
Given the volatile nature of the Nigerian society in addition to the security challenges that tragically confronted this nation in the past seven years, we admonish scholars, preachers, prayer leaders, speakers, tafsir (Qur’anic commentary) presenters, anchors of radio and television programmes to avoid the use of provocative and un-courteous expressions during their public preaching sessions. They are enjoined to exhibit a high sense of intellectual maturity in the course of educating their audience on the teachings of Islam. Wisdom and good speech, not name-calling or insults, are central to effective and popular religious proselytisation. May Allah (SWT) guide us to begin and end the Ramadan fast in peace and with ease; spiritually, physically and financially, amin.
Farewell to Ujuddud Sharrif:
The passing on of a colleague, Ujuddud Sharrif, on Wednesday June 1, 2016 is indeed an irreparable loss. I condole with his family, the people and government of Kano State as well as Media Trust Ltd where he wrote a weekly column for Daily Trust. May Allah (SWT) grant him eternal forgiveness and mercy, amin.