The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has asked that Nigerian Muslims observe the congregational prayers for this year’s Eid-el-Fitri in their homes.
The Eid-el-Fitri for this year, to mark the end of the Ramadan amid coronavirus outbreak is scheduled for Saturday or Sunday and the Sultan has informed Muslims to look out for the sighting of the moon.
Abubakar, the leader of Nigerian Muslims, has also suspended all prayers, gatherings in the outskirts of towns and cities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Sultan, speaking through the JNI Secretary-General, Dr Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, in a statement in Kaduna, informed that in states where government had reached decision to mark the Eid-el-Fitri, Muslims should stay safe by observing social distancing, wearing face masks and using the hand sanitisers provided for worshippers to hinder the spread of the COVID-19 during the gathering.
The Sultan also gave warning to Muslim leaders against unguarded utterances for the overall interests of the Nigerian Muslim community.
The statement read in part, “The Jama’atu Nasril Islam under the leadership of His Eminence, Alhaji (Dr) Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, Sultan of Sokoto, in a mandate to the JNI Fatwa Committee, under the leadership of Sheikh Sheriff Ibrahim Saleh Alhusainy, CON, to come up with Fatwa regarding the year 2020 ‘Eid-el-Fitr prayer, and the committee after due consultations, as well as considerations of the current state – COVID-19 pandemic and the serious threat it poses to life, reached the following decisions:
“‘Eid-el-Fitr congregation in the outskirts of towns and cities should be temporarily suspended.
“That the said ‘Eid-el-Fitr Prayer be observed at home with family members or alone at home.
“However, in states where governments have reached concrete decisions to observe the Eid-el-Fitr prayer, based on their medical experts advice, strictest measures of distancing, face masks and sanitisers be taken to protect worshipers. In this case, neighborhood mosques can be utilised if it becomes necessary.
“Ulama should fear Allah, the Most High and be mature enough in guarding their utterances and actions for the overall interest of the Deen and the Ummah
The JNI statement added, “Nigerian Muslims are therefore called upon to reflect their minds to the good virtues of the month of Ramadan and keep to its teachings all through their respective lives, as the Lord of Ramadan is still and shall remain the Lord of other months, above all keeps the records of our actions and inactions. More so, Muslims are reminded to keep to the ordinances of the glorious Qur’an, for the prestige of the Muslim Ummah.
“JNI wishes all Muslim faithful an accepted Ramadanand successful ‘Eid-el-Fitr.”
Source:https://punchng.com/observe-sallah-prayers-at-home-sultan-tells-muslims-again