Ramadan: Cleric urges Muslims to be prepared spiritually, steadfast in prayers
Malam Abdulmumin Apaokagi, the Chief Imam of Markaz Al Adaby Mosque in Ilorin has urged Muslims to be spiritually prepared for the forthcoming Ramadan fast by moving closer to Allah and be steadfast in prayers.
Apaokagi made the call in Ilorin on Friday while delivering lecture as the last Friday preceding the Holy month of Ramadan.
Ramadan is the month which Muslims fast for 29 or 30 days as prescribed for them in the Holy Qur'an chapter 2 verse 183 as "O ye who believe, fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that ye may (learn) self-restraint.''
The cleric said Muslims should not only prepare for Ramadan by stocking their homes with foodstuff but by purifying their hearts to usher in the holy month.
He added that "in few days to come now, the Ramadan fast will start and as we know, some people will stock their houses with food which is not a bad idea. "But the essence of the fast is to make us closer to Allah, so our preparations should be toward getting our hearts ready for that.
"We have to prepare spiritually through supplications and reading the holy Qur'an when the month comes.'' Apaokagi said Ramadan was a time to work spiritually and not the time to lazy around due to tiredness.
"The month of Ramadan is a month of favour, where Muslims have the opportunity to ask and be granted by the grace of Allah. "So, it behoves on us to make optimum use of the opportunity for the benefits not to pass us by.
"We should try and seek for forgiveness more with the intention of not going back to sins after the month.'' He, however, urged Muslims to remember Nigeria in prayers for the country to overcome its present challenges. (NAN)
Cloud Tag: What's trending
Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.
Muhammed Aliyu Yusuf Ibitokun Sherifat Senate President Yahaya Muhammad Lateef Alagbonsi Cassava Growers\' Association Bilikis Oladimeji Ibrahim Taiwo Baba Idris Akanji AGF Abdulrazaq Moshood Kashimawo Abiola Jumoke F. Ajao Ajakaye Salihu Ajibola Ajia Arca Santa Maja UNILORIN Alumni Abdulrosheed Okiki Lasiele Alabi Yahaya Isiaka Oniwa Muyiwa Oladipo Kanu Basit Olatunji Yakubu Gobir Babs Iwarere Tinubu Al-Ilory Afetu Of Alabe Gani Saadu LEAH Charity Foundation Mumini Ishola Hanafi David Adesina Kunbi Titiloye Kwara Hotel Oloyede Zulkifli Ibraheem Sobi FM Usman Yunusa Abdulwahab Olarewaju Issa Najim Yaasin Garment Factory Muhammad Toyin Sanusi Sidikat Akaje Folashade Omoniyi Ayinke Saka CCB Ahmed Saidu Rufai Ibrahim Mashood Bureau Of Lands IsDB Saliu Tunde Bello Falokun-Oja Mohammed Ghali Alaaya Jide Oyinloye Mahe Abdulkadir Muhammad Mustapha Suleiman Junior Secondary School Certificate Examinations Shuaib Olarongbe Olatunde Michaels Olabanji Orilonishe Galadiman Ngeri Ishaq Oloyede Adebara Lola Ashiru Abubakar Kawu Baraje Nigerian Supreme Council For Islamic Affairs Niyi Ogundiran KWAFFA Bamidele Adegoke Oladimeji Nigerian Army Lawal Jimoh Umar Ahmed Gunu Agbarigidoma Toyin Abdullahi Sulyman Tejidini Park Presidential Election

