Arafat day: Seek Allah’s intervention in resolving Nigeria’s multifaceted challenges, JNI urges Muslims

THE VIRTUES OF INCREASE REMEMBRANCE OF ALLAH AND PERSISTENT PERFORMANCE OF RIGHTEOUS ACTS IN THE REVERED FIRST TEN DAYS OF DHUL-HIJJAH 1438AH (2017)

With gratitude to Allah (SWT) for His abundant blessings on our lives, especially for sparing our lives to witness yet another most rewarding days i.e. the beginning of the month of Dhul-Hijjah, 1438AH. Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), under the leadership of His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, the Sultanof Sokoto and President-General, JNI, is most pleased in congratulating the teeming Nigerian Muslim Ummah and the world over, for being ushered into the celebrated, most honoured, most cherished and most distinguished days in the sight of Allah, the Exalted, in which He, the Most High swore with, indicating their solemnity . He says “…by the ten nights, the even and odd (contrasted), and by the night when it passes away…”Q89:1-5.

These days and nights which commenced, Wednesday, 23^rd August, 2017, are of great significance, filled with enormous bounties and exaltedness (in blessings), above all other days. They are so spiritually elevated and granted honour by Allah, the Most High. In a sound Hadith transmitted by Bukhari, narrated by Ibn Abbas; the Prophet (PBUH) stated that no days are more beloved by Allah for a servant to perform righteous deeds than the 1^st Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah, the companions enquired even to go on expedition of Jihad and he replied; yes even to go on expedition of Jihad, except a person that spent his wealth in the way of Allah and achieved martyrdom. Whilst in the transmission of Tabarani, he (PBUH) sated that no days are as great and most beloved before Allah, the Most High in which a servant can perform righteous deeds. Therefore, celebrate His glorification through remembrance of Allah, as much as you can. In another transmission, it stated that the most excellent days of the world before Allah, the Exalted, are the 1^st Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah. In fact, according to Bukhari, Ibn Umar and Abu – Hurairah (PBUT) do go to the markets to shower glorifications during these days i.e. (remind the people the significance of Dhikr – constant remembrance of Allah, by glorifying Him and thanking Him, in days).

The Expected from the Believers

1.    Fast the whole 9 days for those who could, most especially the 9^th Day i.e. the Arafat day, for the non-pilgrim.

2.    Performance of Hajj and Umrah for those who can afford, because of the embedded spiritual excellencies therein.

3.    Committing oneself to unlimited Dhikr i.e. Dhikr at infinity (in every circumstance), due to the spiritual significance of Dhikr which cleanses the heart, purify the tongue, strengthens the limbs, resets mental alertness, and the greatest antidote against satanic inspirations.

4.    Punctuality to congregational prayers.

5.    Making a lot of supplications, as it is a period of acceptance of supplication by Allah, the Exalted.

6.    Reciting the Glorious Qur’an, as much as possible.

7.    Being very generous and kind to the needy and the poor, most especially of the kinsfolk (closer relations).

8.    Avoiding all forms of misbahaviours and disobedience to Allah, the Most High. This is because for any kind of misbahaviour and disobedience to Allah in these most honoured days before Him, attracts the harshest punishment from the Almighty.

9.    For those who are economically viable, it is an avenue to buy sacrificial animal and slaughter same as Udhiya (sacrifice). This act attracts great reward from the Almighty.

10. It is emphatically desirable upon whoever has the ability of possessing a sacrificial animal to refrain from shaving all forms hair, cutting of finger and feet nails, until the ‘Eid day i.e. after the ‘Eid prayers.

11. It is also desirable for those who would offer sacrificial animal not to take breakfast on the ‘Eid day, until after observing the ‘Eid prayers and slaughtering of their respective animals, and then eat from it.

12. After the ‘Eid prayers, Muslims are to resume back to Dhikr after each obligatory prayer from the 10^th day (after Zuhr – afternoon prayers) until after the Subh – early morning prayer of the 14^th day.

As usual, at this sacred period, the annual ‘Eid-el-Adha is celebrated along the accompanying momentous sacrifices and the spiritual attainment of Hajj. Therefore, it is recommended to Muslims, the Arafat day which comes up on Thursday 31^st August, 2017, as endeared by the Prophet (SAW) for the non-pilgrims. We should also use the opportunity to seek Allah’s forgiveness, adore and worship Him more. We should intensify prayers for ourselves and our nation for Allah’s intervention in resolving the multifaceted challenges bedeviling the nation.

By and large, as JNI wishes all Muslim brethren who are currently observing this year’s pilgrimage in the Holy land a hitch-free Hajj and safe return to their respective families, we also wish the Ummah an accepted Udhiya (sacrifice) and peaceful occasion.