Daily Guide on 2020 Ramadan Exercise for Humanity

Wednesday 29th, April 2020

The Ramadan fasting period of 29 or 30 days as guided by the curriculum, has to be followed to achieve the the culture of due process of the fear of God. This has to be taken seriously through effective teaching and learning cycle by the pedagogues or scholars of note and adherents of the Islamic religion.

The cooperation of the environment of Islam which constitutes other religious systems should be appreciated because several alcoholic shops are closed and the noise emanating from the preparation of Sahur, that is the dead of the midnight meal taken, is not only showing a good Memorandum of Understanding, but extends to the keeping of good neighborliness.

This act of tolerance and cooperation must continue after the end of the Ramadan fasting exercise. Ramadan Kareem.

Thursday, 30th April

In this period of the coronavirus pandemic , there is the need for all Muslims to respect the rules of hygiene in their daily conduct, preparation of food or Iftar, breaking of fast in the sunset and Sahur, that is taking of meal before dawn.

This is equally a period of soberness which is a precondition to have immediate response to prayer requests. Qiyamu-layl, that is voluntary Nawal-fl in the midnight during the month of Ramadan must be taken with all seriousness, to seek God’s favor on issues of personal interest and on the present challenges of mankind, which is the coronavirus pandemic, this requires divine intervention. Let us capitalize on the injunctions of the Holy Quran 2 : 186, which says that ‘’When my servant asks thee concerning Me(Allah) : I am indeed close to them, I respond to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me : let them also with a will, listen to My call and believe in Me : that they may walk in the right way.’’

Let us allow the manifestations of God the almighty Allah reflect this benevolence. Ramadan Kareem.

Friday, 1st May

The period of Ramadan affords us the opportunity to be closer to God than before by engaging ourselves in reciting the Holy Quran(Tilalatul Quran), that is studying the contents to comprehension level and never be in a hurry because the understanding of it matters most to derive its benefits.

Developing an ability to apply the content of the Holy Quran to moderate and fix our real life situation is the goal of Ramadan.

To reform and elevate us spiritually. This is the very time when we must seek beneficial knowledge that will not be touched by Satan. The Holy Quran states in 20 :114 to the Holy Prophet Mohamed, who we must follow in thoughts, words, acts and deeds with all consistency. ‘’ High above all is Allah, the King, the Truth ! Be not in haste with the Quran before its revelation to thee is completed, but say Oh ! My Lord, increase me in knowledge’’.

May the almighty Allah accept your fast as an act of Ibaadah, that is just worship. Ramadan Kareem.

Saturday, 2nd May

Let us all realize that the Ramadan fast is an act of abstinence from eating and drinking during the day. This abstinence extends to all acts that may violate the sacredness of your fast , starting from the dawn of twilight till the sun set throughout the month of Ramadan.

The purpose of this, is to thoroughly moderate our lives into that of discipline and morality and for us to be able to have the right feeling for the poor in hunger, so that the rich in their lifestyle may be able to see the need to extend their goodwill of caring and sharing towards the poor. The Holy Quran 16 : 17 admonishes the rich to do the needful in this direction. ‘’ Allah has bestowed His gift of sustenance more freely on some of you than on others ; Those more favored are not going to throw back their gifts to those whom their right hands possess to avoid them been equal to them in that respect.’’ Will they deny the favors of Allah ?

Ramadan has really come to teach us on how to live a fulfilled life through meeting the needs of others when we have the means. Ramadan Kareem.

Sunday, 3rd May

The Holy Prophet has a prophetic prayer against epidemic, ‘’Oh Lord I seek refuge in you from leprosy, insanity, elephantiasis and from evil diseases.’’ The likes of this prayer, however, can only be answered in this period of moral decay, if we are able to determine, to refrain from sins and criminality as well as allowing God the almighty Allah to purify our souls.

Fortunately, this year’s Ramadan fasting period coincides with the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, which can only be defeated through divine intervention that requires our sincerity of purpose in our worship. Much as we cannot attempt Tafsirul Quran, that is in depth analysis of the Quran, the opportunity through the media, gives us the chance to listen to sermon as a preferred alternative. The following references from the scripture are tests to this : Psalm 24 :1–10, Quran 10 :57 and Quran 17 : 81–82.

Let us be scripture compliant to be socio-spiritually fortified. Ramadan Kareem.

Prof. Sabitu Olagoke

Founder, Spiritual Head and Grand Imam Shafaudeen-in-Islam Worldwide,Wakajaiye, Ibadan, Nigeria