Killings: JNI calls for special prayers

Worried by the continuous killings of ‘innocent citizens’ in the country, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has called on Muslims to as a matter of urgency commence special supplication and invocation to Allah to bring an end to the trail.

JNI in a statement by its Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, said such supplication is the greatest weapon a believer can use in moments of grief, as well as an important veritable means in reaching Allah.

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He, however, noted that anxiety and palpable fear has elicited many citizens’ minds in recent times.

He said, “The Omniscient and the Omnipotent with complaints, requests, needs and intervention at difficult and trying times, for indeed nothing whatsoever over-powers Allah, the All-Knowing.

“To the Muslims Du’a is sine qua non in all circumstances of our lives, especially in moments of grief which we have now unfortunately found ourselves in Nigeria, as a result of our misdeeds, corruption and political recklessness cum arrogance.”

He noted that the call for prayer has for that reason become necessary as nothing is honourable before Allah (SWT) than His servant to be humble and submissive through prayers to Him saying, “For whomever, to whom the door of prayer is opened, will have his prayers answered in-sha’Allah.”

He expressed the call of the Sultan of Sokoto and the President-General, JNI, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar on the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to engage in sustained supplications/prayers at this moment of grief, through Qunootun-Nawazil(special prayers at calamitous periods in the last Raka’at of each obligatory prayer and non-obligatory prayers).

This call, he said, has become imperative bearing in mind that human lives have continued to be exterminated and even immolated unchallenged as seen in Beni-sheikh, Kaga local government area of Borno state and Gidan Bawa, Isa local government area of Sokoto state.

“The Sultan further calls on all Imams, Majaalis (knowledge seeking gatherings), Halqas (study circles), Madaaris and Makarantun Allo (Islamic schools), as well as the leadership of all Muslim organizations/societies’ in Nigeria to commence special prayers in calamitous situations and trying times (Qunootun-Nawazil), and seek Allah’s compassion for Nigeria and the North in particular.

“Therefore, we call on all Muslim brethren to see it as a point of duty to always pray against kidnapping and/or abduction, Boko Haram cum ISWAP insurgency, political rascality and all forms of criminalities during each supplication to Allah, the Most Knowledgeable.

“May Allah, the Most Merciful, forgive all victims of the killings and bless them with ‘shahadah’. May He console their respective families and strengthen them to bear the loss. May He also assist, direct and energize those in authorities willing to discharge their first responsibility of protecting lives and properties. Amin,” the statement read.