Ramadan: Islamic scholar preaches piety, charges Muslims to use the 'Holy Month' as Sustainable Development of the society
Posted by Ahmed Iyanda | 4 years ago | 872 times
Sheikh Luqman Mustapha Bolajoko, an Arabic and Islamic educationist, has called on Muslims in Nigeria to be pious, and move closer to God as they commence the holy month of Ramadan. He charged them to use the holy month as sustainable development of the society.
He made the call at the 2021 Pre-Ramadan Public Lecture, a Webinar hosted by AT-TIBYAN ISLAMIC FOUNDATION, which focused on the theme: "Fasting in Islam: its Excellence, Benefits and Use for Sustainable Development of the Society."
"I urge Muslim faithfuls to use this holy month to reflect on, and commit ourselves to the themes of piety, personal discipline, compassion, good brotherliness, and selfless service to humanity which Ramadan embodies."
"The aim of fasting is to achieve taqwa (piety), and hold back the selfish soul to discipline and control it. Fasting is an act of worship through which Muslims can attain taqwa. Another quality developed by fasting in Ramadan is patience. The Arabic word for fasting, sawm, means to refrain oneself. Any form of abstinence requires patience. In the month of Ramadan, Muslims can learn to be grateful to Allah for what they have by understanding the difficulties of the poor who suffer from lack of food and means of livelihood."
Mustapha, who attained his B.ED in Arabic and Islamic studies at Al Azhar University Cairo, and currently doing his MSc in Curriculum and Methodology, said that spiritual benefits of fasting are manifolds as they provide unique opportunity to show immense love for Allah- Almighty. Fasting is an exceptional form of reverence which establishes a two-way connection, one with Allah, and the other with fellow human beings.
Speaking further, he attributed the nation’s travails to failure of Nigerians to obey Allah’s injunctions, charging Muslims to use the fasting period for spiritual rejuvenation, and pray for the country's development.
He said Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. He urged Muslims to be proactive in their decisions, and actions that would ensure their participations in the fasting.
On his last, the Rector of the Foundation, urged Muslims to emulate the life, and ways of the holy Prophet Muhammed.
The Rector who wished Muslims smooth, and successful fasting for the next 29/30 days, enjoined Muslims to use the holy month to maximise the spiritual, and physical benefits inherent in it.
He identified good intentions, prayers, and firmness of purpose in the pursuit of good deeds as conditions for reaping the benefits of the holy month.
