The Secretary General of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) Prof Khalid Abubakar Aliyu has called on traders not to overprice goods and services in the spirit of the coming month of Ramadan.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and Muslims around the world spend it in fasting and engaging in other recommended acts of worship, such supererogatory prayers and charity to the less privileged.
Prof Khalid spoke at a pre-Ramadan lecture at the Maiduguri Road Jumu’ah Mosque in Kaduna on Saturday.
“Ramadan, as we all know, is a month full of benefits. The companions of the prophet start preparing for the month long before it’s arrival. We should therefore use the days in the recitation of the Holy Quran, observing acts of worship and seeking for forgiveness from Almighty Allah.
“I will also call on our traders to show mercy to the people, especially in this time of hardship, so that the Almighty Allah will also show mercy to them.
“Those hoarding goods should also fear Allah and release food items, especially grains into the market so that the price will come down for people to be able to afford them.
“If they won’t heed this call, the Federal Government should open the borders for importation for just a number of days. This will force hoarders of goods to bring them out and food will become available to the people.”
Speaking further, the JNI scribe also urged the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and across the globe to strive and make the most of the fasting month so as to reap its numerous bounties.
“We should commit ourselves to doing good in this month and even after it. We should also repent sincerely and seek forgiveness from the Almighty Allah. Let’s also pray against insecurity, fear, hunger, and other forms of hardship and challenges”.
Discussing the lecture, Prof Imam Isa Abdulkareem of the Kaduna State University (KASU) said Muslims should do good and shun evil, adding that the reward for an acceptable fasting is admission into paradise.
“People should not misuse this opportunity in Ramadan because we don’t know if we would be alive to witness this month or even see its end,” he said.
Also speaking at the lecture, the chief Imam of the mosque Prof Yahya Mujahid said the event was organised to remind the people of the reapable bounties in the month of Ramadan and they must strive to do good and avoid evil.
He also announced that there will be weekly Ramadan lectures for women, while this year’s Ramadan tafsir will commence on the first day of fasting from 4-5pm.
