17TH EDITION OF VOICE OF THE MIMBARR: WHAT NEXT AFTER RAMADAN- BY DR. RAZAQ BOLAWAYE

EIDULFITRI 1444AH/2023 JUM'AT 21-04-2023/01-10-1444

In the name of Allah the Beneficent the Merciful.

 _Eidul__ _Fitri_ celebration is symbolic in the life of Muslims all over the world. The occasion ushers in the 10th month of the luna calendar, _(Shawwal)_ as the first of the three months of _Hajj_ operation. Customarily, sighting of the crescent is awaited for the _Sallah_ celebration to be declared. This happens on the completion of 29th or 30th day of Ramadan.

This occasion takes paramount the giving of _Zakatul_ _fitri_ (Zakat given on common staple food) on every individual on whom responsibilities of feeding is borne during Ramadan. The _Shari'ah_ quantity is a ' _Sa'ah_ ' which is four ' _Mudd_ ' equivalent to three Derica. This defines the variance in prices of commodities useful for _Zakat_ offering according to locations.

Before long, Ramadan fast offered Muslims tremendous opportunities which should be perpetuated beyond the holy month. A complete spiritual rebirth of Muslims is occasioned through unblemished fast from dusk to dawn, _Taraweeh_ genuflection after _Salatul_ _Ishai_ , _Tahajjud_ _Nawafil_ in the night, _Sahur_ (night meal) as integral to Muslim fast and of course _Iftar_ (break fast) at dawn of fast day. All these project care for self and others in a bid to crave for both vertical and horizontal worship. While the former connects a Muslim directly with Allah the latter connects him indirectly by impacting on others to attract reward.

More often than not, Ramadan present Muslims with forgiveness of sin, un-equal blessing accomplishment, prayer accepted. The pedestals for the golden opportunity include fasting in line with the frontline generation as a symbol of unison of way of life. Others include the blessing of _Laylatul_ _Qadri_  (Night of Majesty) the reward of worship in which equals to that of 1,000 months (83years 4 months); and the descent of _Malaikah_ (Angels) to succor the world in the peculiar night and for herking unto supplications till the day break. Part of the assurance to meet the criteria for night of majesty is the _I'tikaaf_ (Ramadan Retreat) held during the last ten days of Ramadan for no definite indication towards the actual night. Staying all day and night gives the opportunity of meeting the provision offered in the night.

Ramadan came and went off in its ephemera but left taints and lessons to be contented with afterall. The closure of doors leading to _An-Nar_ (hell) as reflected in beating to close to 0% devil-driven outfits like alcoholism and adultery and fornication among others and opening doors of _Al-Jannah_ (Paradise) as reflected in trailing the ways of Sages and Saints during Ramadan as incarnated in knowledge seeking and complete spirituality notwithstanding, Muslims are faced with several questions of moral value of either taking permanent to the Ramadan - imbued way of going back to the former abandoned way of devil.

To this end, it must be remembered that Allah (SWT) that was solely adored and worshipped during Ramadan suffices always and remains challant and dedicated to accept rewarding feats and accept prayers from anyone who deems fit to chanel request towards HIM. Lots of glorification trailing the completion of Ramadan fast is yo show appreciation towards Allah for guidance and opportunity of worshipping HIM alone appears the main import of Glorious Qur'an 2:185. On a similar vein, Allah's assurance to accept all supplications is promised based on proviso that turning to and staying in HIS preferred way can only inherit Muslims not only eternal blessing but also mundane accomplishment (Qur'an 2:187).

Above all, the noble Messenger _(SAW)_ once reported that:"Allah is constantly in the habit descending to the least fermament _(Sama'u)_ during the last one-third of every night, asking: 'Who is there to seek forgiveness of sin and I forgive him; who is there placing prayer request before ME and I respond by approving of his request.' This is the highest honour given to Muslims and non-Muslims alike who crave to offer supplications during the night.

Summarily, the spiritual cleansing Muslims enjoyed at the completion of Ramadan fast provides similitude of a brand new car and its owner. Yes a tear-rubber vehicle with manual guide and tools useful for not only its efficiency but also for durability. The owner sharked and basking in the euphoria of joy, putting the contraption on the 3rd Mainland Bridge to Lekki, Lagos 7 days a week was found not opening the burnet not to talk of checking the water level, oil, transfusion fluid  and hadroilic. His concern is fuel guage and dusting the windscreen. For good six month of premium service, an eventuality occured on the 3rd Mainland Bridge when out of the owner's un-careful attitude, broke down, got tolled with owner to by Task Force in charge of broken down vehicles to an interior part of Lagos Island and subjected to several 'assault' in the hands of touts. The vehicle was only released after settlement of huge fine and thorough repair along with demorage.  

This shows that for a Muslim to avoid eventual break down in spirituality,  Ramadan offered great opportunity to do annual routine check for recuperation, regeneration and re-engineering. To cling unto this way, Muslim need to observe _Sittah_ _Shawwal_ (6 days of fast in Shawwal) as addendum to Ramadan. Monday and Thursday fasting is also meritorious. _Ayamu_biid__ (13th, 14th and 15th days of Lunar months) is also a perfect ground for supplication with fast. Not only that, the crave for knowledge acquisition which was heightened in Ramadan should be sustained while mosques and Muslim entities and principalities should sustain tempo of periodic lectures, media houses should do more of periodic Islamic enlightenment, feeding of hungry as shown in Ramadan is also encouraged and giving relief to less privileged is seen as a virile ground for civility and spirituality.

Till we meet during the next edition, Eidun Mubaarak.

DR. RAZAQ BOLAWAYE UTHMAN, 

Imam Ansar-Ud-Deen Society Ipaja Branch.

- Nigeria