Why RAMADAN Is Important To Moslems

• What Sheikh ASUKUNA Told City People

Over the last few days, popular Lagos Islamic Scholar, Alhaji Sirajudeen Akanni Asukuna has been talking about what is expected from Muslims in this Holy Month of Ramadan. Are there things that Muslims are supposed to do as  Ramadan unfolds, we asked him? “There is nothing than to prepare your mind because the month of Ramadan is a Holy month. You need to have the right mindset. You have to drop all wrong doings, with that in your mind, you will definitely know that you are approaching something religious and pious time. Your preparing and focus has to be on God. I implore everyone to let their minds be focused on this Holy month of Ramadan”.

Some Muslims have categorised the entire 30 days. They say there are certain things that you need to do in the first 10 days, then in the next 10 days and in the last 10 days. How true is this? “It is true. They categorised the month into 3. The 1st ten days of Ramadan means Blessing. The second 10 of Ramadan is for Forgiveness. The last 10 days of Ramadan is from Slavery to becoming a Master. So, if you fast and pray for the first 10, you will get the blessings of almighty Allah. The second 10, you will get forgiveness of Allah. The 3rd 10 days is out of Slavery into Freedom that is how they categorise Ramadan.”

“The most important thing in that month is that, this was the month, Allah revealed the Holy Quran to Prophet Mohammed Solalahu Alaehi Wa Salam (SAW). During Ramadan, there is a night called Destiny Night (Night of Destiny). The blessings for just that night is more than 1,000 months. So, everybody is looking towards that night. And you can’t see the night in any other month, except the month of Ramadan. That is the importance of that month. That is the month that almighty Allah revealed the Holy Quran to Prophet Mohammed. It makes the month to be superb and superior to any other month.

What is the importance of fasting during Ramadan we asked him? According to Islam, Fasting is one of the pillars of Islam. We have 5 pillars of Islam. 3 are compulsory, while 2 is if you have the capacity. Like Zakat now, if you don’t have money, or excess money, the Zakat is not compulsory on you. But you can do Zadaka. Like Hajj, if you don’t have money, you cannot embark on Hajj pilgrimage. But, to testify to the awesomeness of Almighty Allah, that is compulsory. To pray your 5 times daily prayer is compulsory and to Fast during the month of Ramadan is also compulsory. And it is Obligatory for Muslims. The Fasting we are talking about starts from Sunrise to Sunset that is between 5am to 6.30pm or 7pm (according to the weather). That is fasting for you. And during the Fasting it is not just about not eating food-No. There are a lot of things that you can’t do. When you are fasting, you are doing it with all your body. You can’t be fasting now and be going to where they are drinking, doing all sort of fallacy. When you are fasting the only place that is good for you to go to apart from your offices is where you hear lectures, the word of God, the Quoran. You go to the Mosque, you read Quoran often and often because it is a month of Quoran. Those are the things someone that is fasting has to be doing.”

“So for that one month you have to leave all the worldy things we do just to face your God directly. You should indulge in anything or whatever that will give you reward from almighty Allah. That is why they call it Holy month of Ramadan.”

What is his message to Muslims out there who are observing Ramadan? “It is to let people know that they are Muslims by exhibiting a very good character, by doing things that will make people know that they are Ambassadors of Islam. They have to portray all the good deeds that people will see in them that will make people say oh this is a Muslim. Their character must show they are good Muslims particularly during that  month of Ramadan.

What are the benefits of Fasting? “The benefits of fasting are too numerous to mention. Hygenically, healthwise, if you fast you will be ok. You will get healthier, because eating all sorts of foods without stopping will no longer happen. You will gain a lot health wise, during the fasting period.

Religiously, you will be more closer to God during that time, because there will be no fornication, no drinking of alcohol. All these has to stop. You can see it everywhere. You can also feel it. The Bukas where they are selling food there will be low patronage at that time. The Clubs will have low patronage. The Beer Parlours will have low patronage.”

“All these will show that the month is a pious month, it is a Holy month. For those who can abstain from all these during Ramadan, Almighty Allah promised them a very BIG, bountiful reward. Those are the benefits for anyone that engages in fasting during that month of Ramadan.” Who are those that can’t fast? Those who are exempted from fasting are old people, sick people, women on their monthly period. Those are the people that can’t fast. And somebody with health challenges like Ulcer patients. But you will need to do something else to make up for it or supplement it, by giving somebody that is fasting food during the night and time for breaking of fast. If you do this, it will replace your own fasting that you can’t meet up with. Also exempted are pregnant women. They are not supposed to fast. But if the pregnant woman can make it, she can fast. If her health is capable of doing so she can fast.”

What can Muslims use to break their fast? “We always break our fast with fruits or water. You can take fruits or water during the break time. But for your early morning food we call Sari you can take whatever that can take you throughout the day (the fasting time).