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MUSWEN urges Ummah to stay safe at salah

By Sulaimon Salau
22 May 2020   |   2:02 am
The Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) has urged Muslims in Nigeria to comply with the Federal Government’s directive to curtail the spread of COVID-19 while celebrating Eid-el Fitri.

. Says observe Zakat el-Fitr before eid

The Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) has urged Muslims in Nigeria to comply with the Federal Government’s directive to curtail the spread of COVID-19 while celebrating Eid-el Fitri.

MUSWEN, in a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Muslih Tayo Yahya however urged the Ummah to watch out for the new moon of Shawwal before Mogrib today and communicate to the authorities.

Felicitating with the entire Ummah of Islam in Nigeria and all over the world on the approach of Eid-el-Fitri marking the end of Ramadan 1441, Yahya said this year’s Ramadan was extremely challenging for the Ummah.

“ It has been the will of Allah to test how resolute and determined we can be in seeking to reach one another as one Ummah and try to please Him as our Creator. A reflection over the circumstances and the atmosphere of the COVID-19 pandemic would show that the Ummah has a great deal of reasons to thank Allah for His mercy.

“Therefore, we have every reason to celebrate the Eid to the best of our ability, but with a great deal of caution and vigilance, and with faith and Taqwa (being mindful of Allah), he said.

MUSWEN rolled out guidelines to marking the festival thus: “From the look of things, it is not likely that the current social distancing regulations put in place by governments in the States in the South West of Nigeria, necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic would be relaxed by Eid day, consequently it is not likely that observance of Eid prayers at the Eid Prayer grounds would be possible.

“However all Muslims are urged to put on their best dresses on the Eid day as recommended by authentic traditions of the Prophet (SAW), but stay safe at home marking the Eid day with the family, in view of the movement restrictions necessitated by the pandemic..

“On the eve of the Eid day or after the Fajir prayer of the Eid Day and shortly before the usual time for the Eid Prayer, Zakat el-Fitri is expected to be given out to the poor on behalf of EVERY member of the family, from infant to the oldest person, male or female.

“The measure of Zakat el-Fitr per person is four measures of the “mudun-Nabiy” (the Prophetic measure) which has been approximated to about 14 usual milk-tins known in most markets of South West Nigeria, in grains popular for food in the area such as rice, beans, maize and millet or other staple food item such as gari. Rice and gari however seem to have a great deal of acceptance in South West Nigeria.

“Similarly, although food items as mentioned above are preferable, some scholars have no objection to monetization, if one calculates the monetary value of the measures of the various items mentioned above. For example, from the current market value of Rice, in most markets the sum of about N700 is calculated as the monetary equivalent to be given out for Zakat el-Fitri per person in the South West of Nigeria this year.

“After giving out the Zakat el-Fitr, it is not forbidden for an individual or the family to observe at home the two-Rak’ah Nafl (supererogatory) Eid prayer in the following manner, excluding only the Khutbah (sermon): For the first Rak’ah, begin with Takbirat al-Ihram, i.e. the initial pronouncement of Allahu akbar, follow by a repetition of same takbir six times, to make seven in all.

“For the second Rak’ah, rise from the second prostration of the first raka’ah with Takbir Allahu akbar till fully standing, then repeat the takbir five more times to make six in all.

“Recite Surat al-Fatihah (Chapter 1 of the Qur’an) followed preferably with Surat al-A’laa (Chapter 87 of the Qur’an), or any other Surah which the worshipper can conveniently recite

“Proceed to ruku’u and follow normal process of the raka’ah up to the second sujuud (prostration). “Recite Surah al-Fatiha, followed preferably with Surah al-Ghashiyah or any other Surah that the worshipper can recite conveniently.

“Proceed to ruku’u and follow normal process of the raka’ah up to the second prostration

“Rise from prostration to the sitting position and recite the at-Tashshud, then the taslim (Assalam alaikum wa rahmatullah…) marking the end of the prayer,” he stated.

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