Group holds lecture ahead of Ramadan

Ahead the holy month Ramadhan, Muslims have been urged to take advantage of the season to fervently seek the face of God for mercy and blessing for the transformation of the country.

This admonition was made at a pre-Ramadhan lecture organised by Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO) in Lagos, where Muslims were advised to be virtuous both during and after the fasting period.

Its leader and scholar, Sheik Zikirullah Shafi said it is not enough to fast by denying oneself of food and water, but the whole body particularly tongue, eyes, ears, legs, should be deployed in observing the fasting period.

Speaking on the theme: “I Fast that I may be Pious: Relationships between Fasting and Piety,” Shafi said God prescribed fasting not as a form of punishment for Muslims but to bring them to the righteous path and open His doors of mercy for those who obey His commandments.

He said; “Not all those who fast during the Holy month get the reward for their fasting. If you fast in this month and your actions, practices and attitudes do not change from what they were before the holy month, then you may not have fasted at all.

“A true Muslim talks less during this period and only listens to things that will be beneficial to their faith. The lessons drawn during the period are meant to live with Muslims even after the holy month.”

Another lecturer, Sheik AbdulGaniy Adenle, condemned fortunetellers, saying any Muslim who visits them would have their prayers unanswered for good forty days. Imam said being righteous is by being patient unto God and fulfilling God’s commandments.

The Secretary of the group, Imam Luqman Balogun, said the essence of the lecture was to prepare Muslims ahead of the fasting period, saying the benefits of the holy period are too numerous for Muslims not to take the advantage.

Balogun explained; “The benefits of this holy month are so important to Muslims that adequate preparation is very much necessary. It is the practice of CIO to do this annually and we thank Allah for giving us the grace to do it again this year. We hope Nigerians will take advantage of this holy month to get themselves back to the right track and stop the unnecessary accumulation of wealth.”