By Bukola Hameed
A renowned Islamic cleric, Sheikh Dhikrullahi Shaafii, has urged all Muslim faithful to embark on adequate preparation towards a rewarding and fruitful Ramadan.
The cleric, who is the Grand Mufti, Conference of Islamic Organisation, CIO made the call at the 2023 annual Ramadan seminar jointly organised by The Muslim Congress, TMC and Al-Amanah Welfare Scheme in Oyo on Saturday.
He said there are so much opportunity for redress and to gain His mercy if we understand the importance and essence of Ramadan. “My brethren, to maximize our gains in Ramadan, there is need for preparation to engage in righteous deeds that will earn us the forgiveness, pardon, love and blessings from Allah. The earlier we begin this preparation the better for us.”
The cleric in his lecture titled Ramadan, the Month of Reformation said Muslims should not only prepare for Ramadan by stocking their homes with foodstuff but by purifying their hearts to usher in the holy month.
He added that “in few days to come now, the Ramadan fast will start and as we know, some people will stock their houses with food which is not a bad idea. But the essence of the fast is to make us closer to Allah, so our preparations should be toward getting our hearts ready for that.
“We have to prepare spiritually through supplications and reading the holy Qur’an when the month comes.”
Sheikh Shaafii said Ramadan was a time to work spiritually and not the time to lazy around due to tiredness.
“The month of Ramadan is a month of favour, where Muslims have the opportunity to ask and be granted by the grace of Allah. So, it behoves on us to make optimum use of the opportunity for the benefits not to pass us by.”
Dignitaries that graced the occasion are Aare Musulumi of Oyo land, Alhaji Tajudeen Kamarise, Onasokun of Isokun, Dr L. A. Adeniran, Imaam Abdulwaheed Tanda Oniquwa, Ameer Maruf AbdulAzeez, Imam Daud Tijani Igi Ogun, Alhaji Jimoh J. B., Dean Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, EACOED, Mr Ojo Balaro, Deputy Registrar, Federal College of Education, Special, Oyo.
Others include Imam AbdulWahab Imran, Imaam Mobolaji Mikail (represented), Imaam, Muslim Community of Mabolaje, Ustadh Kamil Ike ati Ola, Mr Aroyehun Ismail, Alhaji Abdullahi Alawo and Ustadh Ahmad Aroyehun.
