As we come to the end of this year's Ramadan, muslims all over the world should be full of praises to Almighty Allah, Who gives us the privillege to see the beginning and the end of the holy month. The reasons why all living muslims must say ''Al-amdullillahi" (Allah be praised) are legion.
Looking back, many, together with whom we observed the fasting last year were not alive to witness this year's fasting season, while some who started the Ramadan together with us this year, are also not alive again today to see the end of it. For such muslims who have passed on to the great beyond, we beseech Almighty God to forgive them their sins and continue to have mercy on them.
We, the living muslims, whose lives are spared to witness the beginning and the end of the holy month must not see ourselves as wiser, better or being in any way more pious than those who have aswered the call of Almighty God. It's just by God's grace that we are still alive. Thus, as we celebrate the Id-el-Fitr (end of Ramadan festival) with our family, friends and well-wishers, not only that we must be full of praises to God, we must also remember to pray for the repose of the souls of our departed brethren and even people of other faiths who have transited to the great beyond.
Also as we celebrate, there are those that are alive, but who are not in good condition of health, our prayers must also go to them, so God can have mercy on them and heal them. This is the only way our gratitude to God can be complete and for our celebration to be meaningful. Our message to the muslims in the state and in the country generally is that Ramadan is gone though, all the good works associated with the month do not go anywhere. They remain with us. We must endeavour to continue the good works as obtained in the month of Ramadan.
The month of Ramadan teaches us so many lessons. The lesssons of discipline, endurance, hardwork, exhibtion of love and kindness towards our fellow mortals, closeness to God through constant and fervent prayers, helping the poor and the needy etc are all that Ramadan teaches believers. Therefore, as we consider the observance and the practice of all these virtues obligatory during the month of Ramadan, so must we do the same now that Ramadan has gone. What more? It will further be more rewarding and profitable for us if we endeavour not to go back to those bad habbits - those seedy things that we have abandoned during the month of Ramadan. Better for us not to look back, but to march forward in our pursuit of good deeds with the aim of meeting our creator one day (the day of reckoning) to give accounts of our deeds on earth to Him. All these become imperative for us as Ramadan has cleansed us absolutely through soul rejuvenation and erasing of our sins - thus making every individual muslim who observed the Ramadan according to rules a new born baby.
The Holy Quran makes us to know that Ramadan is a spiritual cleanser and eraser of sins. Coming out of Ramadan (having observed it accordingly) is like coming out of Hajj fresh. Whoever passes through Ramadan or Hajj with genuine intention and abides by their rules tenaciously is sure to become like a new-born baby devoid of sins. This being so, we can see how great is the mercy of God on us and the much love He has for His servants. The onus therefore rests on us to carry on the good deeds as we exhibited during the month of Ramadan within the limit of our ability. This will definitely enhance our positions before Almighty Allah as to slide backward is to toe the path of losers. On the part of leaders, it is pertinent to imbibe the virtues that are associated with Ramadan whether or not they are muslims, as this will basically help them to deliver dividends of democracy to the people.
Ramadan teaches kindness, love, selflessness, justice, fairness, equity, discipline, feelings for fellow human beings and above all, fear of God. These are all our leaders need to show towards the led to be able to lead rightly and provide good governance. Any leader who imbibes these virtues is sure to provide good leadership and record substantial success in terms of meeting the expectations of the electorate.
This therefore, is our wise counsel for leaders at all levels of governance. As we say good bye to this year's Ramadan again, we urge all and sundry - muslims, christians and people of other faiths (free thinkers inclusive) to live by the lessons of Ramadan and not to throw the fear of God into the dustbin. This is the only way we can positively impact on humanity and leave this world better than we met it. May God help us all to abide by His will - Amen. To all muslims in the state and all over the world, we say 'Happy Ed-il-Fitri'.
Osun Defender
As a concerned Nigerian, l hope the Islamic sect, Boko Haram and its allays would imbibe the lessons of Ramadan, and stops its barbaric activities.