Prof Biliamin Ayinde, Chief Imam, University of Benin (UNIBEN), Benin Edo State, has tasked Muslim faithful to pray for the peace of Nigeria and its leaders during Ramadan.
Ayinde, a Guest Lecturer, gave the advice on Sunday at a maiden Ramadan Lecture organised by the Muslim community of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, Ondo State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the Ramadan lecture was “Ramadan Lessons to the World”.
Ayinde, also a Professor of Pharmacognocy, UNIBEN, stated that the country and it’s leaders needed prayers for a social, political and economical turn-around of the country for the benefit of the masses.
According to the cleric, Ramadan is the time that Almighty Allah communicates, forgives sins and gives speedy answers to solemn prayers and supplication from clean-minded faithful.
He also admonished all Muslim faithful to flee away from all sinful acts and imbibe the teachings of the Quran and Muhammed (SWA) during the Ramadan fasting
The professor explained that being pure would ensure that prayers during the fasting would be acceptable by Almighty Allah.
Ayinde also urged all Muslim faithful to imbibe the acts of giving alms, especially to the poor and needy which comes with bountiful blessings from Almighty Allah.
According to him, Ramadan is not a time to do away with food and drinks alone, but a time of reflection and spiritual training of our souls.
“We must do away with all acts of sin like alcohol intake, smoking, fornications, lustful acts, backbiting, stealing, betting, oppression, false witness among others.
“Allah made this time compulsory for all faithful for us to reflect and became a renewed person for His blessings to come upon us all because He is the only one who rewards mankind.
“So, let us also use this Ramadan period to pray for Nigeria and its leaders for the county to turn-around for the betterment of Nigerians,” Ayinde said.
Also, Prof. Temi Ologunorisa, OAUSTECH’s Vice-Chancellor, thanked the Muslim community for putting the Ramadan lecture in place for staff, students and the university community to learn from Ramadan teachings.
He said that Nigeria had the largest natural, human and capital resources, yet the country was lagging behind socially, politically and economically.
“Nigeria possesses all natural, human and capital resources to be one of the best countries in the world.
“I think it needs lots of prayers and God’s intervention for it to reclam it’s lost glory in all ramifications,” Ologunorisa said.
