By Mohammed Baba Busu
Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger Council of Traditional Rulers, has called on Muslims and Nigerians at large to rededicate themselves to the worship of God and to remain steadfast in faith during the Holy month of Ramadan.
The royal father made the call on Thursday at the Ramadan Tafsir held at the Etsu Usman Zaki Central Mosque in Bida.
He urged the Muslim Ummah to guard their fasting against any acts capable of diminishing its spiritual value, stressing the need for discipline, sincerity and total submission to the will of Allah throughout the sacred month.
According to him, Ramadan is a period of spiritual renewal, self-restraint and increased devotion, and therefore requires believers to consciously avoid actions and utterances that could invalidate or spoil their fasting.
The Etsu Nupe emphasised the importance of patience in the pursuit of worldly aspirations, advising Nigerians to trust in God’s timing in all circumstances.
“If God grants us what we desire, we should be patient and grateful, and if it has not yet happened, we must remain patient and have firm trust that it will come to pass at the appropriate time destined by God,” he said.
The highly revered traditional ruler further urged the faithful to cultivate the habit of appreciating God in every situation, noting that gratitude and patience are key virtues that strengthen faith and attract divine blessings.
The royal father prayed to Allah to grant Muslims the patience and steadfast faith required to reap the full spiritual benefits of the holy month.
He also sought divine acceptance of the fast and supplications of the faithful, and protection against anything that could invalidate their acts of worship.
The Etsu Nupe also offered prayers for peace and stability in Nigeria, stressing that national peace is essential for meaningful development.
He prayed that God would grant the country lasting peace so that leaders at all levels could effectively deliver the much-needed dividends of democracy to the people.
In addition, he prayed for the forgiveness of parents, both living and deceased, asking Allah to shower His mercy upon them.
The Ramadan Tafsir was attended by Islamic scholars, traditional title holders and members of the Muslim community in Bida and its environs, among others.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
