By Ishola Balogun

ALL the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. May His Peace and Blessing be upon our Holy Prophet, Muhammad at all times.

It is important to still say to all  Muslim brothers and sisters and of course the readers of this column, though belatedly,  “Eid Fitr Mubarak”!! May Allah accept our fasting and all our righteous deeds in the most blessed month of Ramadan. Amin.

The new cloths, visits to friends, sharing love and happiness; and the sumptuous delicacies, the exchange of gifts and of course the greetings and messages that marked the day were soul lifting and enough to confirm the popularity of Islam.  It was indeed a joyous 3-day celebration to commemorate the 30-day spiritual activities.

It was a time to give gratitude to God for the grace to be part of the intense spiritual renewal and emerging as a better being.  Remember, not all those who started the month were given the grace to finish it. Alhamdullilah. There were others who could not have the grace to fully celebrate the day as a result of one impediment or the other.

We heard of some areas in Kano and Bauchi where gunmen threathened to resume duty and worshipers were scared to go to prayer grounds for their eid prayers.  Infact, a reliable source indicated that a prominent Muslim in Kano could not go out as a result of security reports.  But we still give glory to God for bringing the situation under control.

Inspite of all that, no month is comparable to Ramadan in the lives of a Muslim.  That is why any sincere Muslim will always wish that Ramadan stays, or at least wishes to live the spirit of the mongh throughout the year. But now, Ramadan, 1433 AH is over.

What next? What can we do to live the spirit of Ramadan until next Ramadan? We have to continue as though we are in Ramadan. Keep the good deeds, charity, fasting for 6 days in the month of Shawwal, fasting on Mondays & Thursdays, giving alms to the poor, loving our neigbours as ourselves no matter their religion, observing the five daily salat at the appropriate time, observing the night prayers (Tahajud at least 2 rakats every night), reciting the Holy Quran (at least a page every day), abstaining from all evil deeds such as lies, promiscuity, back biting, malice, hatred among others.

The Qur’an says: “O ye who believe, fear Allah and let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow – and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is acquainted with what you do.) And be not like those who forgot Allah, so He made them forget themselves. Those are the defiantly disobedient.) Q59:19-20.”

Dear brothers and sister in Islam, be concerned more about the acceptance of your deeds than the deeds itself, for, no one is important before Allah accept the pious one.

With the departure of this month, a stage of our lives has passed. This is how we pass daily stages on our way to the everlasting abode. Indeed, continuation of good deeds at all times is the character of righteous people; remember,  the acts of obedience do not have a specific time. Oh Allah! let us know the truth and enrich us towards sticking to it and let us know the otherwise so that we can abstain from it.

Umurah
The Umrah is a holy pilgrimage of the Muslims to Makkah. It is otherwise called the lesser hajj.   Going on such a pilgrimage is highly recommended as Muslims will have the opportunity to observe their itkaf in Kaabah as well as devote the last ten days of Ramadan, a period of istijabah, for prayers.

Although, it can be performed at other times of the year except the month of Hajj which is dedicated for the full Hajj rites.  Vice President Namadi Sambo returned from Umurah on the Sallah day.

Muslim governors like Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Ibikunle Amosun, Raji Fashola of Osun, Ogun and Lagos respectively and a few others were in the Holy land to take advantage of the period. But for those of us who missed the opportunity like me, the Hajj period is another better time.  May Allah spare our lives. Amin. Have a blessed day!

Lets continue the deeds
By  Harun Rasaq

THE month of Ramadan has come and gone. Let those who have done good according to ‘Ali (RA) have a greater concern for the acceptance of their deeds than the amount of deeds they have performed and also continue on the same for the best of all acts of obedience are the ones followed up with its like.

A Muslim must continue the act of goodness exemplified in the month of Ramadan, Among the deeds of the month which we must carry over is fasting.

Therefore, it is highly encouraged to observe certain recommended fasting after Ramadan and to understand that some fasting are not recommended in Islam for example Siyaamud Dahr (fast everyday of the year) and others that we shall mention later. The recommended fasts include:

6 days of Shawwal  (the tenth month of the Islamic calendar) as narrated by Abu Ayyub (RA) that Allah’s Messenger, (SAW), said: “whoever fasts during the month of Ramadan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal will be rewarded as if he had fasted the entire year.”

It is a misconception that these 6 days of fasting must be undertaken consecutively, as there is no hadith that supports or stipulates this notion. Also it is not allowed begin fasting on the first day of Shawwal which is the day of Eid ul-Fitr.

Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays: (i) it was narrated from Abu Qataadah al-Ansaari that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) was asked about fasting on Mondays. He said: “On that day I was born, and on it the Revelation came to me.”

(ii) It was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah (RA) said: The Prophet (SAW) was keen to fast on Mondays and Thursdays.

Fasting for 3 days in every month: (i) it was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (RA) said: “My close friend-the Prophet (SAW) advised me to do three things which I will not give up until I die: fasting 3 days of each month, praying Duha, and sleeping after Witr.

The Day of ‘Arafat: The Prophet said: “The ‘Arafat fast redeems two years – one past and one future.”

Day of Ashura: Ibn ‘Abbas (RA) said: “I know of no other day than Ashura, which the Prophet fasted in recognition of its merits over all other days”.

Month of Muharram:The Prophet (SAW) was asked about the best fast next to Ramadan. He said: “al-Muharram.”
Month of Sha’ban:  ‘Aisha (RA) said: “The Prophet (SAW) used to fast for a complete month only in Ramadan. Next to that he fasted most often in Shaban.