Islamic cleric and lecturer of Islamic Studies at Lagos State University Ojo, Dr Sidiq Uthman, has advised Muslims to first undergo medical checkup to ascertain their eligibility to fast.
The cleric spoke in a lengthy interview with The PUNCH.
Explaining the purpose of fasting, Uthman says, “The purpose of fasting during the month of Ramadan is for all to be conscious of Allah, the creator of the heavens and earth.
“In Qur’an 2: 183, Allah says, ‘O ye who believe, fasting is prescribed/enjoined/compelled on you, as it was for those before you, that you may (learn) self-restraint.’ ‘Taqwa’, which is the main essence of fasting and other pillars of Islam includes but is not limited to being fearful and conscious of the Creator (Allah), working in tandem with the guidelines in the Quran, total submission to the wills of Allah, righteousness and being advocate of peaceful co-existence in society, and having second thoughts every day about one’s disappearance from this world.
“This implies working towards making a better place than the one we met since our lives have a terminal date. From all these analyses, it can be seen that fasting in Ramadan is more or less a spiritual workshop or spiritual training for every living man. There is no way we can exclude spirituality from our lives.”
On how Muslims must approach fasting in the month of Ramadan, he said, “The most important preparation is the fear of Allah and the hastiness to forgive those who have wronged us.
“Another important way to prepare is for us to go for a medical check-up to ascertain our level of readiness in terms of our health.
“We should also buy necessary food items that can sustain us. Even though the situation in the country is very challenging right now, we cannot fast on an empty stomach. The little we have should be used judiciously. The rich should remember the poor, though, I have my reservations with the trending ‘feed a soul’ programme that has become the order of the day.
“My concern is that some people are using this programme to cash out. The best charity in Ramadan, at this time, is to feed one’s family, both nuclear and extended and also reach out to others in the neighbourhood.
“Let whoever Allah has blessed or is blessing right now remember that there’s hunger and starvation in the land. As we prepare by buying necessary foods and beverages, let us remember the poor, the needy, orphans, widows and our brothers and sisters in bondage.”
