r everyday living, not the fasting period alone. Indeed, the cardinal message is that although Eid-ul-Fitri signifies the end of Ramadan, the doctrines of moderation, piety, regular supplication to Allah, and unconditional love go beyond Ramadan, and must be obeyed by all in accordance with Islamic tenets.
The belief is that no month is holier than Ramadan nor is any month more attractive of God’s forgiveness and mercy. Islam also emphasises that Allah is ready to answer prayers at all times if these are offered in the same upright circumstances guiding Ramadan. All Nigerians are therefore enjoined to keep these lessons uppermost in their heart as they celebrate the Eid.
A life of grace, humility, self-sacrifice, philanthropy, especially offering aid to the less privileged in the society and love for one another, are the paths to building a strong, peaceful and prosperous country. These constitute the fundamentals of making a nation achieve its manifest destiny. In the joy of this year’s celebration, the faithful and indeed each Nigerian should spare a thought for the entire country and how to confront its challenges of poverty and underdevelopment.
All should remember that although the country is renowned as one of the most endowed on earth, in terms of natural and human resources, it is ironically home to some of the poorest in the world. This remains an aberration and should have no place in the country had Nigerians been keeping to the tenets of Ramadan. Those who profess Godliness, particularly Muslims just coming out of the Ramadan rituals, should be genuinely concerned about the lopsidedness in the distribution of the nation’s wealth; knowing that if this wrong could be corrected, the entire country would be more blessed and less cursed
For the Muslim faithful particularly, it should be noted that observation of Eid-ul-Fitri goes with certain etiquette chief of which is in the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) that Sadaqat-ul-Fitri should be given out preferably before the Eid prayers are observed. It is usually paid for and on behalf of all Muslims in a household, the young and the old. It may be paid in kind and this may feature three to four seers of wheat, barley, rice or any staple food (Sahih Bukhari 24:70). Of recent, Muslims scholars have addressed the necessity of monetising this act of worship based on existential necessities.
Whether it is given out in cash or in kind, the more important issue is the intention behind the act. The intention is to extend the happiness of the occasion to fellow brethren who are experiencing adversity. It should be desired for fellow Muslims and non-Muslims alike the same quality of life the likes of which the Almighty has been kind to grant the haves in the society.
As Nigerians observe the Eid-ul-Fitri marking the end of this year’s Ramadan, it is important that humanity constantly keeps the virtues that the month has come to inculcate in us under focus. Have more empathy for the haves-not. Let Muslims sustain the acts of worship which they engaged in during the month. Steadfastness, patience and perseverance should remain their watchwords.
Ramadan came to call attention to the power of the spiritual realm; it came to take the faithful away from concern for the ephemeral, for that which is eternal. Ramadan came to teach that salvation here on earth and in the hereafter lies in how steady we are in focusing on The Almighty, how grateful we are for His blessings, and how patient shall we continue to be when, as is occasionally the case, the tide of time becomes turbulent and troublesome.
Nigeria’s leaders must find the will to shun greed, corruption, nepotism, and other ills that have stunted the country’s growth as such are completely against the essence of Islam, Ramadan or the Eid-ul-Fitri. For those who may have been caught in the vortex of these vices, there is no better time than now to repent and seek Almighty Allah’s forgiveness.
Nigeria’s purpose and destiny as a great country can be achieved. All Nigerians should seize the occasion of this year’s Eid-ul-Fitri to pray for their country and commit themselves wholeheartedly to the work of rebuilding it.
The Guardian wishes all Nigerians a fulfilling Eid-el-Fitri.
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