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.
Modupe Oluwole Odo-Owa Garba Idris Ajia IESA NIRSAL Kwasu Bola Magaji Okanlawon Musa Fatai Adeniyi Garba Sebastine Obasi Sadiq Buhari Ajibola Saliu Ajia Ishak Mohammed Sabi Yoonus Kola Olatinwo Saidu Isa Council Of The Wise Abdulazeez Arowona Elerin Of Adanla Irese Ahman Pategi Sobi FM Eleja Taiwo Banu National Association Of Nigerian Students Nurudeen Mohammed Riskat Opakunle A.O. Belgore Sabi Saliu Ajia Bolakale Ayo Eleyele Abubakar Baba Sulaiman Chartered Institute Of Personnel Management Of Nigeria Babajide Ajayi Bashirat Bola Bello Isiaka Gold Shero Aso Ofi Gaa Olobi Mohammed Jimoh Faworaja Nagode SWAN Madawaki Ahmad Uthman Alfa Belgore Fawenu Students Union Government Chief Imam Of Ilorin Adeniyi Ojo Adamu Atta Olatunji Abdulmumeen Amule Elementary School United Nigeria Airline Waziri Yakubu Gobir Monthly Sanitation Exercise NTA Ilorin Ajayi Okasanmi Oko Erin Jawondo David Oyerinola Adedunmoye Borgu IYA ALFA NLA Isiaka Rafiu Mope Femi Ogunsola JAMB Gbemi Saraki Osuwa HICA Baboko Wahab Issa Onikijipa NULGE Kayode Oyin Zubair Ibrahim Abikan Segun Abifarin Abdulrahman Abdulrazak Abioye Bello Egbewole Emmanuel Bello

