Ramadan

 Tuesday 19th May 

We are supposed to be by now better in understanding of the scripture for self realization. It is in clear terms, we should all be able to attest that sins always bring about the wrath of God. And that the best for the atonement of sins is in our determination to go and live by the culture of soul purification to refrain from evil thoughts, occultism and abuse of terrestrial and subterranean power.

 Furthermore, we need to go into body preservation from sins and crimes to sanctify the body by refraining from indulging in illicit ecente, such as fornication, adultery, bestial acts, incest, drug abuse, human trafficking and the sponsorship of clandestine gangs.

These are preconditions to live exemplary lifestyles which can satisfy the conditions for the use of the houses of God, to seek God’s favor and for ease of beneficially impacting on the society for peace and development. Let us emulate Jesus Christ and the Holy Prophet Mohammed on this. Ramadan Kareem.

Wednesday, 20th May 

Let us realize that this is a period of harvesting the fruits of the planted trees in the month of Ramadan which marks the significance of Iti’Kaf or spiritual retreat an an esoteric research into identifying the very day to meet with God during the glorious night of power, Laelaetul Quadri, for a successful exercise of this, we must totally and committedly refrain from sins and crimes as well as all forms of evil deeds. This is because according to the Bible-James 13 : 15 ‘’ When a person is been tempted, he should not say, God is tempting me, evil cannot tempt God and God himself does not tempt any person. It is the evil things a person wants that tempts that person. His own evil desire leads him away and holds him. This desire causes sins, then the sins grows and bring death’’. This should be taken as a statement of truth that is fundamental to every human life. Holiness for Allah brings about an ease of complying with the concept of the fear of God, which is the import of the whole Ramadan fasting exercise. Let us live a modest life. Ramadan Kareem.

Thursday, 21st May

This year’s Ramadan admonishes for human consistency in goodness. This demands that we must realize that there must be limit to which we van continue to indulge in sinful acts.

The Holy Quaran 4 : 137 refers ‘’ Those who believe reject faith and go ion increasing in unbelief. All will neither forgive them nor guide them on the way’’. This is because in another verse of this chapter states clearly, ‘’Allah accept the repentance of those who do evil in ignorance and repent soon afterwards, to them Allah turn in mercy for Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom’’. 

The scripture continues to emphasize on consistency in goodness in the follow up of this verse of the Holy Quaran, where unmistakable affirmation is made.

 Quaran 4 : 18 sates ‘’of no effect is the repentance of those who continue to do evil, until death faces one of them, and he says’’ now have I repented indeed’’, nor of those who die rejecting Faith ; for them have we prepared chastisement most grievous. Let us use this to rebuild our character into discipline and morality to Path find the lost glorious value of integrity’’. Ramadan Kareem.

Friday, 22nd May

The essence of the content of Ramadan is to ensure that we are less passionate about the world of materialism, but to build self and community with high level of spiritual state of piety based on holiness for God. Like in the electromotive force for system energisation or latent heat of energy increases human immunity against life hazards.

This is the essence of religion in every society.

Unfortunately, where sufficient heat is not supplied, we can’t realize the latent heat of energy; hence water would remain liquid without going into vapor or remain solid without going into liquid form.

The inability of our faith based house of God to be scripture compliant in teaching and learning makes the adherents and the society to remain morally decayed because Jesus Christ said that man shall not live by bread alone. People’s lives depends on what God has in stock for them. This is why the Holy Quaran 91 : 7–10 says ‘’ by the soul and proportion and order given to it and its inspiration as to its wrong and its right, truly he succeeds that purify it and he fails that corrupts it’’. Let us be spiritually rejuvenated to goodness. Ramadan Mubarak.

Saturday, 23rd May

After Ramadan what are the expectations to justify the rigors of the exercise, I have the joy to declare the death of the coronavirus pandemic, most especially in Nigeria. Much as we appreciate government’s efforts in stopping curtailing the spread, religious people must be joyous enough that divine intervention has justified our claim that the solution rests with God, the houses of God are expected to be open for use, but with caution against waywardness and frivolities because we are expected to be scripture compliant and refrain from evil deeds, thoughts, words and acts, with clear mind full of love for our fellow human being. The sanctity and sacredness of the Churches and Mosques are germane, not to further attract the wrath and anger of God.

The Holy Quaran 10 : 21 admonished all on this ‘’when we make mankind taste on some mercy, after adversity has touched them, behold they take to plotting against Our signs say : ‘’swifter to plan is Allah verily, Our messengers record all the plots that he make’’.

While going out of the training sessions offered by Ramadan please reflect on this practically : ‘’come, I will rehearse what Allah has really prohibited you from’’; Join not anything with him : be good to your parents; kill not your children on a plea of want; and-will provide sustenance for you and them;-come not nigh to indecent deeds, whether open or secret; take not life which Allah has made sacred except by way of justice and the law : thus doth he command you, that you may learn wisdom and come not nigh to orphan’s property except to improve it, until he attains the age of full strength; give measure and wait with full justice ;- no burden do we place on any soul but that which it can bear;-whenever you speak, speak justly even if a near relative is concerned; and fulfill the covenant of Allah : thus doth he command you that he may remember’’.

This is a standard form of exemplary lifestyle. Ramadan Mubarak.

Prof. Sabitu Olagoke

Founder, Spiritual Head and Grand Imam Shafaudeen-in-Islam Worldwide,Wakajaiye, Ibadan, Nigeria

Thursday 14th May 2020

The Ramadan agenda on I’’Itikaf or spiritual retreat into the mosque generally when Jumat services are observed is equally a very good point of study for human rumination. Three things are expected to happen while spending the last 10 days in and around the premises of the mosque.

Pondering over sermons and reading to a comprehension level the verses of the Holy Quaran for ease of application to the real life situation and for necessary attitudinal adjustment.

This is reminiscent of the power therein contained in the sermon as explained in narrative in the Quaran 10 : 57. ‘’ O mankind there art come to you an admonition from your Lord, and a healing for the diseases in your hearts, and for those who believe in Guidance and Mercy’’.

While observing this at home, because of the lock down, let us all strive to get spiritually elevated to the height of this Quaranic verse. Ramadan Kareem.

Friday 15th May

 The injunctions God on the sacredness of Friday can equally be observed at your home before and after the afternoon Solat-Zhuur.

The consciousness of the the heart and mind while the period of Jumat is approaching is equally a process of achieving the fear of God. It is equally with Godly reward-studying the Quaran needs to preoccupy one before observing the afternoon Solat and after it, one is allowed to venture into serious supplications for God’s intervention. The gains of the reward of observing Jumat service , virtually, through the mind and basically by the four Rakats of Zhuur will make one achieve the first fundamentals of sermon which would have been enjoyed by Khutbat of the Jumat service, if there had not been a lock down. All these are implied as embedded in the verses of the Holy Quaran on the significance of the Jumat service. Quaran 62 : 9–10, states ‘’ O ye who believe ! When the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday, the day of assembly hasten earnestly to the remembrance of Allah and leave off business and traffic that is best for you, but if ye but knew ! And when the prayer is finished then may ye disperse through the land and seek for the bounty of Allah-and remember All frequently that you may prosper’’.

It is imperative for any human being not to be carried away by the distractions of the situation, most especially when it comes to matters concerning our relationships and duties with and towards God.

May the almighty Allah continue to protect us from the harshness of the COVID 19 pandemic. Ramadan Kareem

Saturday 16th May

Let us remember that religion is a school of life for socio-spiritual rejuvenation of the adherents to have tranquility of the mind and a secured environment, in order that an individual would be able to maintain and sustain man/God perfect relation. But this is only achievable through imbibing the culture of the fear of God, as socially translated by Jesus Christ in John 4 : 34, ‘’Jesus said ‘’My food is to do what the one, God sent me and wants me to do. My food is to finish the work that he gave me to do’’. This is an exemplary lifestyle. recommended for all human beings most especially the Muslims as contained in the Holy Quaran 2 : 208–209. ‘’O ye how believe enter into Islam wholeheartedly, and follow not the footsteps of satan for he is to you an avowed enemy. If ye backslide after the clear signs have come to you, then know that Allah is exulted in Power, Wise.’’ Let us be an example to others. Ramadan Kareem.

Sunday 17th May

Salam, three things are germane to meet up with the goal of Ramadan fast in establishing for mankind the culture of doing things aright without transgressing and according to respect for ethical values, the demand for societal development through transparency and accountability, minding the fact that apart from human auditing, the almighty Allah is always fast without fatigue in bringing every individual to pay for the account of his deeds or misdeeds, actions and inactions. Three important articles of faith are fundamental to develop the ability deliver without deceit and destruction.

1. The practical use to which we put the teachings received from the scripture.
2. The processes of actualizing our desired status, aims and objectives. The bottom line revolves on , are they through illegitimate means ? Haram or legitimate means-Halal ?
3. The unconscious evaluation of us through our character by our neighbors-bad or good ?

Sermon offers us the opportunity to SWOT analyse ourselves and make amends.

Meditation in isolation or retreat would help us esoterically into the hidden treasures of life for us to have a close contact with the almighty Allah, while our concern through counseling others for good would bring about divine favor and the authority to live by what we profess.

However, the almighty Allah does not want us to be bags of deceit and disbelief, otherwise our prayer request would not be entertained.

Quaran 17 : 82 refers ‘’we send down stage by stage of the Quaran that which is a Healing and a Mercy to those who believe : to the unjust it causes nothing but lose after lose’’.

 let us be modest and moderate in our affairs. Ramadan Kareem.

Monday 18th May

From time immemorial till date, Muslims have been going to Mecca, and Christians have been going to Jerusalem for spiritual rejuvenation because they consider the places clean fit for prayer efficacy. Muslims in addition, go for Umrah or lesser hajj.

However, we must all be warned that spiritual tour of such dimension must never be likened to tourism. Even though they would be opportuned to visit many places of historical importance.

Since the almighty Allah is everywhere, spiritual retreat in Mecca-I’’Itikaf is not supposed to be different from the one observed in the local mosque, in one’s own country because God does not appreciate humankind based on the differences i their social status and degree of affluence.

However, the status of may local mosques and other spiritual centers are devil controlled, making them to be highly unsuitable for nay spiritual retreat.

A return from Mecca or Jerusalem therefore, demands that we should work on the spiritual status of sacredness for our worship centers. Quaran 9 : 17–18 refers ‘’it is not for such as join gods with Allah, to maintain the mosques of Allah, while the weakness against their own souls, to infidelity, the works of such bear no fruit, in Fire shall they dwell. The mosque of Allah shall be visited and maintained by such as believe in Allah and the last day, establish regular prayers and pay Zakat. It is they who are expected to be on true guidance’’. Say not to profanity but uphold sacredness.

Examine yourself through correct assessment and evaluation to measure the degree of the state of your piety.

Make necessary amends today. Ramadan Kareem.

Prof. Sabitu Olagoke

Founder, Spiritual Head and Grand Imam Shafaudeen-in-Islam Worldwide,Wakajaiye, Ibadan, Nigeria