In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful'It is the month of Ramadan in which the Qur'an was revealed'' (Quran 2:185)DEAR Brethren, this week, I propose we 'listen' to the perspectives of two of our compatriots who reacted to the first part of this sermon that was printed last week. The first is from a Muslim sister by name Gbadegesin Ameenah Oyinkansola. Note that I am reproducing the mail largely unedited.She says: 'Asalam alaeykum waramotull'ahi wabarakatuhu.''Dear brethren in Islam, I am a conversant reader of your page in The Guardian newspaper every Friday. Insha Allahu, your articles made me to understand Islam, the true religion of Allah (swt). Most of what you write (on), we muslims were not taught, and this does not favour the development and growth of Islam in Nigeria. The very basis of oneness of Allah is not understood by most people. I pray that Allah in His infinite mercies grant you the wisdom (robil sidni ilma) and understanding to enlighten Muslims throughout the globe. Ma salam.'My first reaction was to thank Ameenah for finding time to read the sermon and for sending in her reaction. Second, while it is true that ignorance of what Islam actually stands for is a major factor for the sundry challenges facing us as Muslims in this country, I would argue that failure to make correct use of the little we know of and about Islam is equally a major problem. In-between the typhoon of ignorance of Islam and the refusal to make use of what we know of the religion lies the third problem: that of those who do not know but posture and claim that their own understanding of Islam is the only correct one.My sister, this is partly responsible for the roguish dance currently going on in parts of the North where criminality has found refuge under ignorance of the true position of Islamic law, its philosophy and indeed the Will of the Almighty in creating us as Muslims and Christians. Whenever a Muslim suffers the assumption that unwarranted violence is key to the realisation of either an individual or communal aspiration, such a person has not only assaulted the Divine Will, but has equally wronged his own soul. It is from this standpoint that I considered the mail of James Akpeokhai very apposite.He wrote: 'My Dear Mallam Afis A. Aladosu, I just read your message of Friday 27th July, 2012. I must confess that it is quite a good piece. I am a Christian and yet I have learnt a lot from the article. Your understanding of the subject of fasting, the benefits therein and your linking the message to our everyday lives is very informing.I see the month of Ramadan as a month of character molding and reshaping. It is only a good character that can birth a good society. And by extension, it is only a good society that is capable of birthing good leaders. Without good leadership, the nation is doomed. The lessons learnt during the Ramadan must not end with the month of Ramadan. Such lessons must be a part and parcel of our daily lives. As we interface daily, in our social, economic and religious lives, the lessons of Ramadan must be reflected.We have realised that the common enemy of our nation of Nigeria is not the Muslim nor Christian nor the Northerner nor the Southerner. Our common enemy is the leader with bad characters. We must not only know what to do, we must do the good, which we know for the good of humanity and for the glory of God. The fear of God and the love of our fellow man must be in us 24/7 before we can live right. The awakening of the character of living right is the essence of Ramadan.Thank you for work well done. I wish you a peaceful and fruitful Ramadan.'Regards. James AkpeokhaiOnce again, I wish to thank James for his mail. I have always argued, and that is in line with the philosophy of Islam, that once a Muslim's spiritual capital negates the social or political, such a Muslim would 'be at war' with Islam without knowing it. This is the reason I approach or view the month of Ramadan as a school where we engage in refresher courses that would make us better Muslims.In the school of Ramadan we 'unlearn' in order to 're-learn.' We 'unlearn' and purge ourselves of all evils in order to learn how to walk under the canopy of the Almighty. We 'unlearn' the assumption that the Almighty is not capable of hearing us tell lies each time we do, in order to learn that He hears and listens to us such that the only cosmetics we can now beautify our tongues and lips with is the truth. The Prophet is reported to have said that the Almighty says: ''Fasting is a shield. On the day you fast, do not use obscenity, nor yell at others, nor act ignorantly towards them. However, if anyone abuses you verbally or attempts to draw you to fight with him, say 'I'm fasting, I'm fasting'.When you say, 'I'm fasting' you are actually engaging in a refusal to succumb to the temptation of shaytan; you are holding up a flag of harmony and peaceful coexistence. A Muslim who does this in Ramadan and thereafter imbibes the virtue on a permanent basis has a promise from the Almighty. The Prophet says: 'By Him in Whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad, Verily, the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is sweeter to the Almighty than the smell of musk. There are two occasions of joy for one who fasts: one when he breaks his fast and the other when he meets his Lord'.Dear brethren as we cross the 'bridge' to the second half of this holy month, I want you to do self-assessment in order to set new attainable goals for yourself for the next 15 or 14 days. Begin with your five daily compulsory prayers. For example, have you been observing your prayers in the mosque, with concentration, and at the right time' How far have you gone with the optional prayers' How many times have you read or do you intend to read the whole Quran in this month' Remember, each letter of the Quran that you read you get a minimum of 10 rewards up to 700 and multiplied by 70 in Ramadan. Then imagine the reward that would accrue to you from reading one juzz!Brethren, what about charity' How much have you spent or do you intend to spend during this month in the cause of the Almighty' What about inviting the less privileged to come over to your 'palace' for iftar and partake of the blessings the Almighty has endowed you with'Brethren! Our leader, Prophet Muhammad says: 'A fasting person, upon breaking his fast, has a supplication that will not be rejected.' Thus, just before you break your fast everyday, remember to supplicate to the Almighty and make sure you remember your country and brethren in bondage. May our 'departure' be better than our 'arrival.'(guardianfridayworship@gmail.com)
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