Encomium
The ongoing Ramadan fast commenced across Nigeria on Saturday, June 25, 2014, on a controversial note.
There were two different directives from the leadership of Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) on the commencement that sparked uproar. The first directive stated that fasting was to start on Sunday, June 29, while the second, which came late, around 1am ordered Muslims to begin fasting on Saturday, June 28.
Unfortunately, many missed it, hence couldn’t start fasting until Sunday, June 29, 2014.
“Why do we have two different directives that led to disaffection among Islamic faithful, was the question on the lips of many adherents of Islamic faith. But the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad III aptly responded to the matter, which he described as miscommunication.
He explained, “We have an understanding among us (leaders of Muslim community in Nigeria) that, once it is 9pm (on Friday) and no information about moon being sighted anywhere, we shall conclude our consultations and announce that Sha’aban be counted to 30 days, which was what we did (by announcing that Fasting starts on Sunday).
“The information that changed the earlier position generally agreed upon came at about 10pm. When we received the news that the moon had been sighted in Kebbi and Sokoto, we had to start the process afresh which led the committee that had earlier closed process to re-sitting, screening and, thereafter, I asked the Chairman of the National Moon Sighting Committee, Professor Sambo Wali, to brief the press.” (This was around 1am , when everybody had gone to bed.)
Some discerning minds weren’t convinced about the reasons given by the Sultan, until they saw the movement of the moon particularly the third and seventh day, which confirmed the latter announcement by the National Moon Sighting Committee.
“The moon I saw last night (Sunday, June 29), signified that Ramadan is in its third day not second as some people thought. I am convinced that fasting started on Saturday based on the moon I saw last night. The Sultan was right but the mis-communication could have been prevented to avoid speculations it generated”, a local Islamic scholar told ENCOMIUM Weekly.
Before now, the commencement and termination of Ramadan fast in Nigeria have always generated a lot of controversies. In 2008, some Muslims ignored the announcement of the Sultan to start their fast on different days. This led to the commencement of the fast in about four different days. The issue further generated heated debate when the Sultan declared that Muslims should observe Eid prayer on the day of Arafah.
With the help of Allah and collective efforts of Nigerian Muslim community, the Muslims re-united for the 2009 and 2010 Ramadan. The uniformity recorded was not limited to Nigeria alone as many other Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia and Muslims in the western world began and terminated their fasting on the same day. Similar success was recorded in the last three years until now.
In fact, the disparity in this year’s fast is global, not limited to Nigeria and this is based on their different geographical locations which determine the sighting of the moon. For instance, fasting started in Egypt, Kuwait, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, South Korea, Palestine and Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, on Sunday, June 29. While countries like Lebanon, Turkey, Belgium, Russia, Italy and several European countries and North America announced Saturday, June 28, as the first day of Ramadan.
There is no way the issue of moon sighting could have generated controversies if there was unity among Muslims. The major problem facing Nigerian muslims is deeply rooted in tribalism; the thinking that “Hausa” Muslim is superior to “Yoruba” Muslim and other tribes. Also, everybody wants to be recognised. Nobody wants to take a back seat, when it comes to Islamic affairs. Everyone wants to be referred to as a scholar, declaring fatawa (verdicts) that can destabilize the entire Muslim community.
For instance, before the official announcement from the office of the Sultan, a popular comparative scholar (name withheld) went on social media (Facebook) to declare that fasting would start on Saturday, without any evidence to back it up! Shortly after the controversial announcement, another prominent Islamic scholar (name withheld) also posted on his Facebook wall that he and his followers would start fasting on Sunday.
He cited the following reasons, “The reality of this case is that somewhere along the line there is a crack in the house. what led to the discovery of the moon later in the midnight is known to those who made the announcement. it should be noted that scientifically, the crescent can only be sighted after the sun set, around 7.05pm. why did it take those who claimed to have sighted it six hours before it was eventually discovered? wonders will never cease to happen in Nigeria. however, we are still of the opinion that Ramadan commences tomorrow 29 sept. and to those who have started based on the information at their disposal.
There is nothing wrong in demanding explanation from our leaders, but it should be done with wisdom. It’s high time we started having confidence in the leadership of the NSCIA, not on the basis that its arrow-head is from the North. In fact, the deputy head and secretary-general of the body are Yoruba, the late Alhaji AbdulAzeez Arisekola-Alao (whose office is now vacant) and Professor Is-haq Oloyede, and other officers representing different regions across Nigeria.
Today, many Muslims don’t really trust their leaders, because of assumption that everything in Nigeria, including religion, has been politicised. That’s why leaders of some religious organisations erroneously believed that the two directives declaring the commencement of fasting was political. This is far from truth, and such mentality should be erased.
Sentiments apart, the commencement and termination of fasting in Nigeria should be based on the announcement by Sultan of Sokoto, who is today, the head of Nigerian Muslim community based on his position as the Head of NSCIA. However, on sighting the moon, such should be communicated instantly to the muslims faithful across the country. It’s much easier now that the whole world is a global village via the advent of social media.
It doesn’t matter who sighted the moon first or where it’s sighted. So far the person is a Muslim and an honest man, who can be trusted. This is based on an authentic hadith narrated by Abdullah Ibn Umar, who said, “One day people tried to spot the new moon of Ramadan and all failed except me and I had seen it. Allah’s Messenger then fasted and ordered the people to fast.”
Therefore, if a trustworthy person claims to have seen the moon, it’s the responsibility of Muslim community under the leadership of Sultan of Sokoto to accept his testimony as genuine, and it’s compulsory for all to start fasting. However, the sin of not commencing the fasting and terminating as at when due is on the leaders who proclaimed to have sighted the moon when nothing like that had happened. And whatever sins committed by those who followed his instruction would be answered for by him on judgment day.
Both leaders and followers have roles to play in ensuring uniformity at the end of the 29 or 30 days long-fasting. For the followers, we must obey constituted authority, as entrenched in the glorious Qur’an and the prophetic traditions.
The leadership of the NSCIA and the Moon Sighting Committee should intensify their effort by not limiting themselves to the sighting of the moon at Ramadan alone. They should try and make public the reports of their monthly activities, especially the one that has to do with moon sighting so as to adequately inform, educate and enlighten all Muslims generally.
HOW TO COMPLETE TWO QUR’AN IN RAMADAN
Reading the glorious Qur’an is the best act of devotion in Ramadan, said the Prophet (peace be upon him). Our findings therefore have shown that the glorious Qur’an has 600 pages approximately. If you divide it on 30 days, that’s 20 pages a day. You might find it difficult to read 20 pages in a day but if you divide it on the five prayers a day, it gets easier; if you read four pages after every five daily prayers in Ramadhan, then you’ll complete the Qur’an in 30 days. If you want to complete it twice, you read four additional pages after every prayer plus initial one before prayer. Therefore, make sure you don’t miss all your prayers and try as much as possible you get to mosque at least 20 minutes before prayer and stay for another 20 minutes after prayer.
ADHKAR
Adhkar means remembrance and it’s an obligation for every Muslim to remember Allah during Ramadan and every other day. This is evident in the word of Allah, where He says, “…and remember your Lord much and glorify Him in the evening and in the early morning,” and “Those who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides…” (Q. 3:41, 191). It’s therefore expected of every Muslim to chant countless adhkar during this month so as to seek Allah’s guidance, mercy, blessing protection and forgiveness. If Prophet Muhammad (SAW), whom Allah (SWT) has forgiven his sins, would do 70 istigfar (prayer of forgiveness) in a day, what stop us from doing more than that?
Therefore, always be with a Mishahah (rosary) and chant daily the following…
Allahu Akbar (God is Great) minimum of 1000 and above
Alhamdulillah (Praise be to God) ditto
Astagafirllah (Oh, Allah, forgive me) ditto
Allahumo Sali alasehidina Muhammed waseleem (prayer to the Prophet) ditto
Laa ilaaha illaa Allah wahdahu laa shariikalahu, lahul mulku walahul hamdu wahuwa alaa kulli shay’ii qadiir ditto
…And several other adhkar. (Buy a copy of Al-Mathuraat and Isnul Muslim, the Citadel of a Believer for further prayers).
WAYS OF EARNING ALLAH’S REWARDS DURING RAMADAN
There are many ways to maximise Allah’s rewards during this holy month. ENCOMIUM Weekly’s AL-FAHM presents you ways of achieving this… Endeavour to create Ramadan awareness in the neighbourhood through greetings, via the media, public lectures, printing of flyers, handbills or pamphlets at least a week before Ramadan.
Strive to place Ramadan messages in homes, neighbourhood mosques and centres.
Strive to mobilize funds to sponsor Tafsir al Qur’an (explanation of the Qur’an) lectures on air .
Strive to make Rabbanniyyah (getting close to Allah) your focus for this Ramadan.
Hasten towards sincere repentance as Allah says, “And repent unto Allah all together Oh believers that you may prosper”, (Q. 23:31)
Adopt the policy of mutual forgiveness, pardon and overlooking to preserve the bond of brotherhood. “The believers are but a single brotherhood” (Q. 49:10)
Constantly renew the intent and purpose of every action, no matter how unimportant they may be. “Actions are but with intentions” (hadith 1 nawawi)
Ensure you are constant with the daily solawat (prayers) in jamah (congregation).
Strive with determination to read the whole Qur’an at least two times in the month since the Qur’an was revealed in it.
Take time to visit relations, especially parents, and break the fast with them as frequent as possible
…To be continued next week, in sha Allah. RAMADAN
