Imam Abdul-Azeez Onike, Chief Missioner, Nasrulahil Fatih Society (NASFAT), has urged Nigerian Muslims currently in the Holyland to internalise the lessons of Hajj rites.
The Chief Missioner, who doubles as the Amirul Hajj of NASFAT, spoke from Makkah on telephone on Wednesday.
Onike urged the pilgrims to internalise all the Hajj rites, which he said were mostly symbolic in nature (Q2:177).
He also advised them to use the opportunity of the spiritual rebirths to remember their country, Nigeria, in prayers to overcome its current insecurity challenges.
Onike listed the goals of Hajj rituals as quoted by Sheikh Ibrahim Hindy, to include: “tapping into deep human emotions and providing the opportunity to transform behaviour positively.
“Connecting us to a purpose larger than ourselves, to a community larger than ours and to a legacy and history of greatness: the legacy of Abraham.’’
Onike listed the goals of Hajj rituals, quoting Sheikh Ibrahim Hindy as saying: “Tapping into deep human emotions and providing the opportunity to transform behavior towards the positive.
“Connecting us to a purpose larger than ourselves, to a community larger than our own, and to a legacy and history of greatness: the legacy of Abraham”.
Onike said in the last 11 days, in the Muslim world, he has been eating, drinking and sleeping on the same rug and praying with fellow Muslims from other parts of the world.
“I felt the same sincerity that I felt among the black African Muslims of Nigeria, Sudan and Ghana. We are truly all the same brothers, (Ibrahim Hindy, 2018),” he said.
According to him, Islamic rituals are not aimless in purpose, but rather seek to evoke emotions in the hearts of believers.
“It’s not just a bunch of mechanical exercises, but means of attaining good relationship with our creator and our fellow human beings,’’ Onike said.
