By Brave Dickson
Following the marking of this year’s Eid-el Maulud which signifies the remembrance of the birth of Prophet Muhammed, Muslims especially in Rivers State have been tasked to use their Quranic virtues in rebuilding the country.
In his Eid-el Maulud message, the State Islamic Leader and Vice President General, Rivers State Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Nasir Awhelebe Uhor enjoined Muslims in the state to use the remembrance of the Holy Prophet’s birthday to fast and pray for the country to be freed from difficulties.
While making this known to our correspondent via phone calls, the state Islamic leader said: “We should use this occasion to redouble our efforts and pray Allah to rescue this country from difficulties so that there can be peace and happiness among the people.
“If 70% of Muslims can dedicate themselves the way the Holy Prophet did, I tell you that Nigeria will be out of all its problems in no time. So, Muslims should learn how to cooperate with others to make Nigeria a better place. We have the message and tools but it is now left for us to use them in rebuilding Nigeria. And it is our duty to do so.
“The significant of Eid-el Maulud is the remembrance of the birthday of the Holy Prophet Muhammed. The best way Muslims can celebrate it is to follow His footstep. It is meant to observe His birthday and not to celebrate it like Eid al-Fitr and Id el Kabir. The Prophet did not celebrate His birthday neither did His companion.
“We, Muslims should lead the way to ensure peace and harmony in the country. We should do everything possible to ensure that our economy improves so that everybody will have access to better life.
“Again, it also reminds us that we owe an obligation to follow the footsteps of the Holy Prophet. Allah specifically enjoined us in the Holy Qur’an that we should obey Him and the Holy Prophet. And if we can hold on to these two things, we will be successful. So the onus is on Muslims now to engage in all those activities that will bring peace in the country.
“So, how do we observe it? We observe it by supplications, fasting and prayers. In addition to that and very generous at this time. Ordinarily, He is a generous prophet but at this time, He is even more generous. And everything He did within that period indicated that it is not to be celebrated. He never ordered anywhere that His birthday should be celebrated.
“Eid-el Maulud should be an individual affairs. You can sit in your house, pray, fast and ask Allah to bless you. Now in prayer and fasting, what should be upper most in our mind is to ask Allah to forgive us, bless you and then pray for your neighbours and your country.”
You recall that the federal government had declared Monday November 11, 2019 as public holiday to mark the 2019 Ei-del Ma ulud celebration in commemoration of the birthday of the Holy Prophet Muhammad.
