Diverse pundits reiterated the importance of Ramadan and its significance to the Muslim brethren at the Iftar hosted by Barrister Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) at his residence in Onireke, Jericho, Ibadan, Oyo State capital in Nigeria on Saturday, 11th of May, 2019.
The gathering of Muslim brethren, listening to Quaranic citation, lectures and fast breaking in unison had the attendance of dignitaries like The Chief Imam (NASFAT), the Aare Muslumi of Yoruba, Edo and Delta, the Chairman POT, Fountain University, Federal Association of Muslim Women, Professor Oladosu, Chairman Muslim Community Oyo state to mention but a few.
The Chief Imam portrayed an apt master of knowledge in relation to the significance of Ramadan, and the communal of the Islamic brethren.
The Chief Imam in his lecture gave a relatable exposition on Solat, being one of the core concepts in Islam.
Solat being an organized way of talking to Allah, and Selim as a means of communication between a creator and his creature without any intermediary birthed the model of the five W’s and one H that were given by the Chief Imam, addressing what is happening in the contemporary age.
In the vein of asking what Solat and Ibadah are, our involvement in Ibadah, why facing the Qiblah, praying in Arabic, and how Solat is been prayed, he said “we face Qiblah because Allah says we should face Qiblah.
“But if you are travelling, and you do not know where Qiblah is, you can face anywhere; because to Allah belongs the east and the west.”
“We pray in Arabic because that is the way the lawgiver asked us to pray. We pray in Arabic for unity sake and because Allah instructed us to do so.
“Allah is worshipped because he deserves to be worshipped and without praising him, nothing can be removed from his kingdom,” he added.
The doctrines of Islam had been said to build questions in the mind of the people, ranging from the mode of dressing, worship, prayer and the likes.
While feeding questions from CEOAfrica, the Chief Imam discussed that: “Most of the things we do in Islam have reasons why we do them.
“For some, we have to dig into the archives to get the reason why we do them.
“And when asked questions we cannot answer, we would simply say we cannot answer”.
Having seen host of academics, sound clerics, protégées and Muslim brethren all gathered for the Iftar, the Chief Imam identified NASFAT as one of the aims at the Iftar held that day.
“NASFAT as a society started in 24 years ago in a room of one of us with ten families. But now, the society has over 1million members in over 350 locations including; Congo, Germany, UK and US.”
In same vein, the president of NASFAT society of Nigeria, Abayomi Bolarinwa added that “it is our prayer that people will continue to behave accordingly even after Ramadan just like they do during Ramadan.”
The Iftar had number of pundits showcasing a worthwhile exposition on Ramadan.
CEOAfrica getting the expositions from the pundits, Dr Bashir Olanrewaju, the Oyo state Missionary for Ansarudeen Society of Nigeria in his opinion explained that “Ramadan itself is a school where one gets proper training; spiritual training, moral training, ethical training.
“If one passes through such a school and he becomes a nuisance after the period, then the practice of Ramadan does not reflect in his life. And I doubt if he will eventually become an upright Muslim.”
Giving clarification to the misconception of what Ramadan truly is, he added that “It is not about starving. It is about upgrading oneself spiritually.
“It is about one making frantic effort towards attaining the pleasure of Allah.
“It is not a good case for one who has attained the pleasure of Allah during the Ramadan period to go back to satanic deeds.”
The delegate from Fountain University while presenting gifts to the host and his need to partner with the institution added that “Ramadan is about moving close to Allah and the way we relate with one another; with our neighbor, at work and generally about life.
“It serves to remind us that we came from God and to him we would return.
“And that everybody would be held accountable for his deeds”
In the footnotes of Professor Afeez Oladosu, he acknowledged the kind gesture of the host for deeming it fit to host such gathering for great minds that have passion for the fulfilling movement of Islam.
Relating the mightiness of God to the residence, he added that “If this place could be as magnificent as this, how much more will paradise look like?”
In his admonition to the host and others present, he added that “as all things are blooming and smooth in life, how will it be after life?
“We should not look into the mirror and say that this is my worth which could nurture pride.”
Barrister Fagbemi expressing how honored he was to host this gathering of the Muslim brethren encouraged that people should fear Allah and live accordingly, bearing in mind that everyone will be accountable for every act they commit on earth, in which they will stand before their creator to receive judgment for every of their deeds during and after Ramadan.
