By Malam Muhammad Mahmud Turi
In the name of God, the creator and disposer of all affairs. May His everlasting peace and blessings be upon His chosen servant, our master Muhammad and his gifted progeny.
ASSESSING THE VALIDITY OF OUR RAMADAN FAST:
“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that you may learn self - restraint (Al - taqwa)” Qur’an: 2:183. In the prophet’s sermon welcoming the Ramadan fast he said: “O people! The month of God has approached you with his mercy and blessings.
This is the month that is best of all months in the destination of God. Its days are the best of days; its nights are the best of nights; its hours are the best of hours. There is one night (lailatul qadr), in which the reward of righteous deed therein is multiplied to become as that performed in a thousand months” (equivalent to 83 years, four months). God is great!
Fasting as pillar in Islam is abstention from legitimate eating, drinking, and sexual pleasures from dawn until the cover of night.
WHY FASTING?
Attainment of taqwa at both individual and societal levels is clearly stated as the sole rationale behind fasting. While taqwa is literally defined as self-restraint, it is technically considered as abstention from God’s prohibitions and adhering to His commands with the aim of drawing closer and gaining His pleasure. Based on a well known tradition, only God knows the magnitude of the reward of someone that fasts. Thus fasting draws one nearer to God provided it is done as described by the messenger(s).
APPLICATION OF TAQWA IN OUR DAILY LIFE
Muslims all over the world fast in Ramadan, the ninth month of Islamic calendar. No doubt, if this worship is done accordingly attaining the much needed taqwa our bedeviled nation can satisfactorily stabilize socio - economically with multiplier effects positively influencing our neighbors, friends and the society at large.
RAMADAN - A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY
Looking at fasting as a special act of worship enjoined on Muslims with a clearly stated objective, the need for self appraisal cannot be overemphasized. It is very clear that just as the messenger of Allah
highlighted the mercies and blessings there from, he also warned on the dangers of negligence regarding the targeted objective.
WHY TAQWA AND SOCIAL VICES?
Pertinently, it is good to appraise the impact of the recently concluded Ramadan fast. At this juncture, we may ask ourselves at both individual and collective levels; what impact did the fasting make in my life? Generally speaking, does fasting make any difference in our socio - economic lives?
It is very important that we assess the validity of the fasting vis a vis the stated objective so as to check ourselves and the society morally and spiritually in a multi-faceted perspective.
SPIRITUAL
Man is believed to have two sides, a base level, which is his animal side and a sublime, the human. The mission of the messengers is to save the spiritual side to maintain his dignity, morals, wisdom and clear conscience and free him from passion, anger and eagerness so as to stick to God’s commands and avoid His prohibitions, Hence the need to grow the taqwa for the absolute well-being and peaceful co-existence of the society.
Therefore, all significant aspects of worship the believers engaged themselves in, such as prayers, Qur’anic recitation, different forms of remembrances including supplications during the month should not be neglected at all as God is oft-rewarding. And this will help the servant keep a continuous relation to his/her creator for a prosperous life here and attainment of salvation hereafter.
TAQWA AS A POLICING FACTOR
Apparently, whoever lives embodiment of taqwa should have self-control and conscience of God at all times needing neither the police nor any law enforcement agent to make him do well or refrain from evils. The incessant socio-economic problems we face in Nigeria are not unconnected to the fact that taqwa is grossly lacking in the countrymen and women.
Obviously, it is only when people fear God not the police or any other security agent that they can keep away from evils. We may ask if the people were to keep away from malpractices because of the police and other security agents, what of the security agents themselves?
In the name of guarding against corruption in Nigeria successive governments have established various commissions and agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) but we may ask to what extent do these and other relevant agencies achieve their goals?
Unfortunately, many of their personnel become part of the corruption they were tasked to destroy!
SOCIAL
Islam is simply a way of life, physically, intellectually and culturally both as individuals and community. Ramadan is therefore a unique opportunity for Muslims to get acquainted with the teachings of the noble Qur’an as highlighted by the prophet(s), especially in the predominant Qur’anic exegesis by Muslim scholars. The validity of our fasting lies in keeping a very cordial relation with our immediate family, community, country and the world at large during and after the month.
This covers brotherhood, neighbour hood, trade, occupations and all sorts of individual and bilateral relations between countries. Evidently, the moral, ethical and humanitarian aspects in Islam are based on equality of people, brotherhood of believers and justice of the ruling party and acceptance of priority only on the bases of piety, knowledge and hard work for the cause of the society and the people that are apparently attracted to the religion which champions the causes of justice and fair play.
POLITICAL
Islam attaches a lot of importance to political life which it does not just mention but covers extensively. The religion considers political power as a trust of God vested on the political power holders. As such a leader with taqwa considers self as the custodian of the people and the power a trust from God that he/she must perpetually guard. It is pertinent to emphasize the need for all office holders to think and work in this direction. They should know that God is aware of all they do and cannot hide away from His vigilance. Abuse of power in any way attracts the wrath of God; therefore all power holders must take care to protect themselves from His fury.
Should the president, governors and their cabinet members, legislatures, political appointees and local government executives seriously take note and adhere to this, the story will be different!
Misappropriation of public funds and embezzlement among others should not be the order of the day!
Take lessons from your predecessors from among the dead, removed and retired so that you may act uprightly and contribute your best to the betterment of the common man in aspiration of the mercy of God and leave behind a good legacy, instead of competition in accumulation of public funds.
ECONOMIC
From the lessons learnt in Ramadan and taqwa there is emphasis in line with the Islamic economic system of charity. Apart from Zakatul – fitr distributed to the less privileged at the eve of Sallah ceremony, the month generally encourages humanitarian assistance to the poor and the destitute.
The Islamic economic system promotes flexible, fair and interest-free business transactions on trust, empowerment, co-operation and overall philanthropic activities. Taqwa must therefore be strictly observed in all our monetary dealings at all levels, just as we must learn to be considerate and kind to the poor and the needy.
CONCLUSION
Corruption is generally accepted to be the root cause of all our problems in Nigeria despite the fact that the country is immensely endowed with diverse resources and overwhelming populace. Why are people, especially the political and working class, corrupt? They are very selfish as taqwa is grossly lacking in them. This is why we find ourselves in embarrassing and lamentable situation that affects all sectors of our life in the country; the power sector, security, education, health, agriculture, infrastructures and social justice to mention just a few.
Although all over the world, every government is charged-through its officials-with the responsibility of putting things right, but what if the officials were the bedrock of the corruption itself? God forbid!
Finally, I call on all, particularly the political, business and working class, to fear God the creator and master of the last day and enthusiastically embrace taqwa as an inevitable tool for our societal reform just as the popular saying goes “the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom”!
In the name of God, the creator and disposer of all affairs. May His everlasting peace and blessings be upon His chosen servant, our master Muhammad and his gifted progeny.
ASSESSING THE VALIDITY OF OUR RAMADAN FAST:
“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that you may learn self - restraint (Al - taqwa)” Qur’an: 2:183. In the prophet’s sermon welcoming the Ramadan fast he said: “O people! The month of God has approached you with his mercy and blessings.
This is the month that is best of all months in the destination of God. Its days are the best of days; its nights are the best of nights; its hours are the best of hours. There is one night (lailatul qadr), in which the reward of righteous deed therein is multiplied to become as that performed in a thousand months” (equivalent to 83 years, four months). God is great!
Fasting as pillar in Islam is abstention from legitimate eating, drinking, and sexual pleasures from dawn until the cover of night.
WHY FASTING?
Attainment of taqwa at both individual and societal levels is clearly stated as the sole rationale behind fasting. While taqwa is literally defined as self-restraint, it is technically considered as abstention from God’s prohibitions and adhering to His commands with the aim of drawing closer and gaining His pleasure. Based on a well known tradition, only God knows the magnitude of the reward of someone that fasts. Thus fasting draws one nearer to God provided it is done as described by the messenger(s).
APPLICATION OF TAQWA IN OUR DAILY LIFE
Muslims all over the world fast in Ramadan, the ninth month of Islamic calendar. No doubt, if this worship is done accordingly attaining the much needed taqwa our bedeviled nation can satisfactorily stabilize socio - economically with multiplier effects positively influencing our neighbors, friends and the society at large.
RAMADAN - A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY
Looking at fasting as a special act of worship enjoined on Muslims with a clearly stated objective, the need for self appraisal cannot be overemphasized. It is very clear that just as the messenger of Allah
highlighted the mercies and blessings there from, he also warned on the dangers of negligence regarding the targeted objective.
WHY TAQWA AND SOCIAL VICES?
Pertinently, it is good to appraise the impact of the recently concluded Ramadan fast. At this juncture, we may ask ourselves at both individual and collective levels; what impact did the fasting make in my life? Generally speaking, does fasting make any difference in our socio - economic lives?
It is very important that we assess the validity of the fasting vis a vis the stated objective so as to check ourselves and the society morally and spiritually in a multi-faceted perspective.
SPIRITUAL
Man is believed to have two sides, a base level, which is his animal side and a sublime, the human. The mission of the messengers is to save the spiritual side to maintain his dignity, morals, wisdom and clear conscience and free him from passion, anger and eagerness so as to stick to God’s commands and avoid His prohibitions, Hence the need to grow the taqwa for the absolute well-being and peaceful co-existence of the society.
Therefore, all significant aspects of worship the believers engaged themselves in, such as prayers, Qur’anic recitation, different forms of remembrances including supplications during the month should not be neglected at all as God is oft-rewarding. And this will help the servant keep a continuous relation to his/her creator for a prosperous life here and attainment of salvation hereafter.
TAQWA AS A POLICING FACTOR
Apparently, whoever lives embodiment of taqwa should have self-control and conscience of God at all times needing neither the police nor any law enforcement agent to make him do well or refrain from evils. The incessant socio-economic problems we face in Nigeria are not unconnected to the fact that taqwa is grossly lacking in the countrymen and women.
Obviously, it is only when people fear God not the police or any other security agent that they can keep away from evils. We may ask if the people were to keep away from malpractices because of the police and other security agents, what of the security agents themselves?
In the name of guarding against corruption in Nigeria successive governments have established various commissions and agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) but we may ask to what extent do these and other relevant agencies achieve their goals?
Unfortunately, many of their personnel become part of the corruption they were tasked to destroy!
SOCIAL
Islam is simply a way of life, physically, intellectually and culturally both as individuals and community. Ramadan is therefore a unique opportunity for Muslims to get acquainted with the teachings of the noble Qur’an as highlighted by the prophet(s), especially in the predominant Qur’anic exegesis by Muslim scholars. The validity of our fasting lies in keeping a very cordial relation with our immediate family, community, country and the world at large during and after the month.
This covers brotherhood, neighbour hood, trade, occupations and all sorts of individual and bilateral relations between countries. Evidently, the moral, ethical and humanitarian aspects in Islam are based on equality of people, brotherhood of believers and justice of the ruling party and acceptance of priority only on the bases of piety, knowledge and hard work for the cause of the society and the people that are apparently attracted to the religion which champions the causes of justice and fair play.
POLITICAL
Islam attaches a lot of importance to political life which it does not just mention but covers extensively. The religion considers political power as a trust of God vested on the political power holders. As such a leader with taqwa considers self as the custodian of the people and the power a trust from God that he/she must perpetually guard. It is pertinent to emphasize the need for all office holders to think and work in this direction. They should know that God is aware of all they do and cannot hide away from His vigilance. Abuse of power in any way attracts the wrath of God; therefore all power holders must take care to protect themselves from His fury.
Should the president, governors and their cabinet members, legislatures, political appointees and local government executives seriously take note and adhere to this, the story will be different!
Misappropriation of public funds and embezzlement among others should not be the order of the day!
Take lessons from your predecessors from among the dead, removed and retired so that you may act uprightly and contribute your best to the betterment of the common man in aspiration of the mercy of God and leave behind a good legacy, instead of competition in accumulation of public funds.
ECONOMIC
From the lessons learnt in Ramadan and taqwa there is emphasis in line with the Islamic economic system of charity. Apart from Zakatul – fitr distributed to the less privileged at the eve of Sallah ceremony, the month generally encourages humanitarian assistance to the poor and the destitute.
The Islamic economic system promotes flexible, fair and interest-free business transactions on trust, empowerment, co-operation and overall philanthropic activities. Taqwa must therefore be strictly observed in all our monetary dealings at all levels, just as we must learn to be considerate and kind to the poor and the needy.
CONCLUSION
Corruption is generally accepted to be the root cause of all our problems in Nigeria despite the fact that the country is immensely endowed with diverse resources and overwhelming populace. Why are people, especially the political and working class, corrupt? They are very selfish as taqwa is grossly lacking in them. This is why we find ourselves in embarrassing and lamentable situation that affects all sectors of our life in the country; the power sector, security, education, health, agriculture, infrastructures and social justice to mention just a few.
Although all over the world, every government is charged-through its officials-with the responsibility of putting things right, but what if the officials were the bedrock of the corruption itself? God forbid!
Finally, I call on all, particularly the political, business and working class, to fear God the creator and master of the last day and enthusiastically embrace taqwa as an inevitable tool for our societal reform just as the popular saying goes “the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom”!
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