By Ali Edo.
All concerned Islamic Clerics and Muslims are advised to observe and abide strictly to the guidelines laid down by Jama’atu Nasril Islam(JNI) headquarters in respect of the conduct of TAFSEER and general preaching in the Holy month of Ramadan.
This appeal was given today in Lokoja during a press briefing by the State Chairman of Kogi JNI,Ambassador Usman Bello at the State Secretariat of the organisation.
According to him,the guidelines being reviewed were carefully put together by the consensus of Ulama,critical Islamic jurists and major critical stakeholders, which had been considered,presented and accepted by the National body of JNI under the leadership of His Eminence, Alh.Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III,the Sultan of Sokoto.
He said:” Jama’atu Nasril Islam(JNI)as the apex Islamic Organization decided to hold this Annual press briefing in conjunction with all partnering Islamic organizations,Ulama,critical stakeholders in the state to enable the Ummah and it’s leadership know their responsibilities in the Holy month of Ramadan”.
While wishing everyone, a very rewarding and beneficial Ramadan, Ambassador Bello said, inline with the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad(SAW), the announcement of moon sighting will be made by His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sardauna of Sokoto and President_General of JNI.
All Muslims are therefore advised to look for the moon in the days ahead, and directing that the sighting of the moon should be communicated to His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto directly or through any of the Zonal traditional heads/Chiefs thus: His Royal Majesty, Alh.(Dr.) Ado Ibrahim_ Vice President General, His Royal Majesty, the Ohimege_Igu of Koton,karfe,His Royal Highness, Ejeh Dekina, His Royal Highness, Maigari of Lokoja and His Royal Highness, the Olukokotun of Ife_Olukotun.
Ambassador Bello gave the following guidelines as approved by the National Headquarters of JNI for the Ramadan programme. That:
1.the central focus of preaching/Tafseer shall be to explain the meaning of the Qur’an using the Qur’an,Hadith and the sound statements of the past renowned scholars with the aim of increasing frat of Allah and piety in the hearts of the Muslims. 2. that preaching should be delivered with major highlights on what is Halal and what is Haram and to enlighten Muslims to shy away from all Mustabahats(ambiguous things). 3. that the Ulama should not engage in controversial issues that are capable of dividing the Ummah and diverting attention from the problems affecting the Ummah.4. that preaching should address matters that will improve the individual Muslim, his family and the society in general. 5. that the Ulama should during preaching proffer solutions to problems that have become endemic in our society; specifically, corruption and injustice at all levels, political thuggery, adultery, secret society/cultism,witchcraft, ritual killings, breakdown of Muslim family system, gambling and intoxication 6.that the importance of observing Salat(Prayers) in its correct mode(from purification to the end) should be included in the opening or closing remarks of every preaching. 7. that the correct ways of collection and distribution of Zakkat should be explained constantly during preaching session. 8. that the pathetic conditions that the Muslim Ummah finds itself in,like poverty, ignorance, illiteracy, backwardness and low socio_economic status should be addressed during preaching. 9. that preaching should at all times take into consideration the Maslaha of the Muslim Ummah as a whole and emphasize the necessity of Muslim Unity,brotherhood and respect for differences of opinion.
Anf that, as a reminder, JNI HSS stated that a Mufassir should be guided by the following provisions:
1.He should not promote or propagate his personal opinion or creed using the Tafseer platform. 2. He should use refined language and explanations during his Tafseer. 3.that it is pertinent upon him to expand his knowledge horizon through researches and preaching. 4. He should understand the history of the community and the norms,values and customs of different communities. 5. He should avoid using the glorious Qur’an to protect blind followership or personal interest. 6. He should also eschew from using the Qur’an as a platform to attack others.
The JNI state Chairman thanked all Islamic Scholars, Ulama,Imams and the commentators of the text of the Qur’an (Mufassirun) including their teeming followers hip for conducting last years Ramadan programme in the best form of manner.
“I thank you all for the sustainability of religious harmony in the state.I also thank our Imams/preachers for the conduct of the year 1442AH preaching/Tafseer which was devoid of hate speeches and to remind you once again that the Unity,peace and security of the Muslim Ummah is very essential”.
Ambassador Bello equally thanked Kogi state Government for the promotion of peaceful co_existence of religious bodies in the state.
He enjoined all Muslims to use the Holy month of Ramadan to pray Allah for his forgiveness and mercy.
He thanked Allah saying that the impact of Civid__19 in Kogi state has been very minimal and then prayed for total elimination of Covid_19 pandemic in Nigeria and the world over.
He cautioned that: ” We should all remember that every one of us will give account of his/her stewardship one day” and therefore, admonished the fear of Allah in all our activities and behaviours.
Meanwhile, in his vote of thanks,Secretary of Kogi state JNI, Alh.Isa Adeboye appreciated the sustainability and supportive role of all religious organisations in the state to Kogi JNI, stating that the religious body commissioned many projects, supported many Islamic organizations and the indigent people in their midst. He prayed for Allah’s protection over everyone throughout the Period of Ramadan.
