By Haroon-Ishola Balogun

Today, the 29th of Shaaban as declared by the Sultan of Sokoto, and President, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, His Eminence, Alhaji Sa’d Abubakar, marks the beginning of our activities towards welcoming the blessed month of Ramadan. This is done by looking out for the crescent of the month.

There is the time every Muslim anticipates merely because it is the formal way of starting the blessed month as taught by Prophet Muhammad. (S.a.w).

Dear Muslims, as we begin our spiritual journey into the 29 or 30-day fasting, devotion and reflection, we ought to have heightened our preparations for the exercise even before now.

Allah says: O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was done for those before you, so that you will gain piety. Q2:183. The essence and quintessence of fasting is the taqwa, growing and strengthening our relationship with Allah through one of the sublime means of worship which Allah loves – abstinence from food, drink and sexual relationship with our spouse during the day of the entire month.

Other acts we are expected to do are charity, selfless acts and abstaining from gossiping, lying, backbiting, slandering, corruption, mischief and other acts of dishonesty.

Welcome the month of mercy and forgiveness, the month of intense worship and not lethargy, the month of spiritual actions and not inertia. It is indeed a period that perks up penitence, enlivens moral rectitude and latches Muslims to a renewed life of spirituality, charity, love and peaceful co-existence. Welcome O’ Ramadan.