By Ishola Balogun

Allah created the heavens and the earth; He made the days; the months and the years.  Another year has rolled by when we saw this month.  Many who failed to appreciate the blessings of Allah have another opportunity of glorifying Him today. At least for being part of those who welcome another month of Rajab.

The days, months and years will continue to move according to the dictates of Allah, whether we still exist of not, until the appointed time when everything will cease to be. But Alhamdullilah that we are able to observe another Rajab.  May Almighty Allah spear our lives beyound Shaaban, Ramadan  and give us the grace to witness many more years.

Believers, every minute of the day counts as glorious opportunity to make amends where we’ve wronged.  After the last Ramadan, a lot of Muslims went back to their shell of docility, of complacency and became very weak spiritually.

For those who were steadfast during the last month of Rajab to Ramadan and those who were regular in their supplication and duas as well as those who committed substantial part of their wealth to charity during Rajab, Shaaban and Ramadan; it is time to continue and reap even bigger this year.  It is  time again to reawaken ourselves to major essence of our living. It is time for repentance, it is time for charity, it is time to intensify on our dua and it is time to prepare for the holy month of Ramadan.

The month of Rajab is the month of planting the seed. Shaaban is the month that the seed wil grow and bears fruits in Ramadan.  So, how are we prepared for the exercise.

Although, the fasting in Rajab is not obligatory on you in Rajab, but if you do, you will win big for yourself.

If we show respect to only one night properly, and do what we are supposed to do during that month, then Allah (SWT) will remove  punishment away from that person for one year.

Hear what the Prophet told a very weak man who complained he could not fast in the month of Rajab. The Prophet said (s.a.w): “Fast during the first day of the month and during the day that comes in the middle of it, and also during the very last day of the month, for then you will be given the same reward as someone who has fasted through the whole of the month, since one good deed is equal in value to ten of the same kind.”  But that was meant for the weak person, what about you.

The crimes in our country are so monumental that our government seems helpless.  But who will rescue Nigerians from the grip of these  vampires;  who will deliver us from these orgies of killings, kidnappings, and cultism? Certainly, it is only Allah that can restructure our destiny, but only when we are in good relationship with Him.

Using this month of Rajab, we can wake up, turn around and seek forgiveness. The door of forgiveness is always open. The opportunity is beckoning again and mercy will descend to His servants. Whatever error you must have committed, turn around and ask Allah, you will be forgiven. InshaAllah ar-Rahman.

That is one of the reasons the month is referred to as Shahrullah al-Asabb, which is the Bountiful Month of Allah. It conveys that Divine Mercy (Rahmah) will descend more upon His servants during the period, with generous favours and rewards like never before.

It is also called Shahrullah al-Asammuh,  Uthman, one of the caliphs went onto the pulpit during a Jumat prayer and declared that  “Well now this is the ‘Deaf Month of Allah’.”  The reason it was called deaf month of Allah (Shahrullah al-Asamm) was because as soon as the new moon was sighted for Rajab, the Arabs, who were perpetually engaged in feuding with each other, would lay down their arms. As a result, the noise of the clashes of arms and spears would not be heard for the duration of the month.

The issue is not in the name but what we use the period for. How many people know if they will see another Rajab? As believers, you should care less about tomorrow but make your today better and live as though it is your last.

If you let this month fly away just like that like other months, then you may not be able to catch up easily with the spiritual benefits of the next two months. (Shaaban and Ramadan).

May Allah make it easy for us. Allahuma Barik lana fi Rajaba, wa Sha‘bana, wa ballig-na Ramadan – O Allah bless us in Rajab and Sha‘ban and let us witness Ramadan. Amin.

Muslim groups hail Oloyede, Arisekola’s NSCIA appointment

Some Muslim groups in the country have commended the appointment of Prof Ishaq Oloyede as the new scribe of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).

In separate congratulatory messages made available to Facing The Kaabah, the groups said the appointment of Oloyede and others would usher in a pro-active council. The groups include Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN), Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates Association (UNIFEMGA), Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) and Muslim Consultative Forum (MCF).

Oloyede, a former Vice chancellor of University of Ilorin and Executive Secretary of Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), was recently appointed as the new Secretary-General of NSCIA at the National Executive Council meeting of the council in Kaduna. Other appointments by NEC of NSCIA was Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola-Alao as the Deputy President-General (South) and Prof. Tijani El-Miskeen as Deputy- Secretary- General (North).

Others were Sheikh Adam Idoko as Deputy Secretary- General (South) and  Maj. Gen. Abdullahi Mamman (rtd) as National Treasurer.

In the congratulatory message, MMPN Chairman, Abdur-Rahman Balogun said the coming on board of Oloyede should serve as a catalyst for the apex board.

The Muslim media group urged Oloyede to ensure that he replicated the feat performed as the Vice chancellor of University of Ilorin, where the institution was for three years ranked first among Universities in Nigeria.

The group extended its warm felicitations to the new scribe, assuring him of the total support that would make the task ahead easy for Oloyede and others.

In the same vein, the National President of UNIFEMGA, Prof. Wahab Egbewole expressed delight with Oloyede emergence, saying he was “the round peg in the round hole’’.

UNIFEMGA urged Oloyede to use his new post to reposition the apex Islamic body in such a way that it would discharge its duty to the Muslim community in the country.

While praying for Allah’s guidance and wisdom for Oloyede in his new assignment, UNIFEMGA urged all Muslim groups to rally round the NSCIA to be able to perform its leadership role.

In its letter of congratulation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), welcomed Oloyede “to this new and challenging office.’’

MURIC message signed by its Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, stated “ we commend the leadership of the NSCIA for its transparency and vision. The synergy manifested in the exercise adds another feather in the cap of the NSCIA’.”

MURIC recalled how Oloyede took the University of Ilorin to great heights as its Vice Chancellor for five years which earned him Chairmanship of all African Vice Chancellors.

Similarly, the Muslim Consultative Forum (MCF) felicitated with the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the NSCIA, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III and the Nigerian Muslim community on the meritorious feat.

MCF in a message signed by Hajia Shifa Garba urged the new NSCIA scribe to remain focused, diligent and God-conscious in the discharge of his duties.