On Arafah Day, unique prayer session for Nigeria from NASFAT

Last Sunday, September 11, 2016, Nasrul Lahi -l-Fatih Society (NASFAT), maximized the coincidence of its weekly Asalatu programme with Arafah Day to create special prayer session for Muslims to engage in supplication for themselves and the country.

Coordinated by the deputy Chief Missioner, NASFAT, Sheikh AbdulAzeez Onike, the prayer session, which lasted for over four hours, also featured special lecture on Safety Tips for Muslims travelling for Sallah.

The occasion, according to the Vice President 1, NASFAT, Alhaji Muhammad Mejinyawa, was symbolic to maximize the benefits of witnessing Arafah Day, during which pilgrims would converge on mount Arafah in Saudi Arabia.

“We want to benefit from the Rahmah (blessing) of Allah (SWT) as reflected in the encouragement that Muslims who are not on Hajj should fast on Arafah Day. In fact, some of us started fasting from the first day of Dhul Hijjah, the 12th month of Muslim calendar (September 3 precisely) and for the first 10 days… today (Sunday, September 11) is the 9th day, so, we are fasting today just to symbolize what is happening right now in Saudi Arabia. We are not in Arafah. But we are here in Lagos, Nigeria. We must also feel the euphoria of happenings at Arafah. So, we enjoin our members to take today as a special prayer day. And Alhamdu llilahi (glory be to Allah), because it is stated that those who fast today, would have some rewards (forgiveness of sins of two years) in addition to the Quranic verse that declares Arafah Day as the day Allah perfected the religion of Islam,” Meyinyawa said.

He noted further that “NASFAT as a society has always been attuned with the government. We assist government in preaching their message, especially when such message does not contradict any teaching of Islam. So, the message of President Muhammadu Buhari is that ‘Change’ should also reflect in the life of every Nigerian. We should change our character, attitude to everything around us. NASFAT believes that momentum should be sustained in addition to embracing peace. Today, there is plethora of unrests here and there: the avengers, Boko Haram, the herdsmen… the tendency to perpetrate all manners of criminality is very high even in Nigeria, so, our message, especially during this sallah season is to embrace peace and join the government in its mission to rescue the nation from all its calamities.”

The deputy chief missioner also hammered the importance of Arafah Day while explaining the reasons for the special prayer session.