The Minister of Defence Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi rtd, has advised Muslims to adhere strictly to the teachings of Islam guiding fasting as stipulated in the holy Quran and the hadith of Prophet Muhammad , SAW.
General Magashi’s advice is contained in a statement issued by the Special Assistant to the Minister of Defence on Media and Publicity Mohammad Abdulkadri, who expalined that the Defence Minister while felicitating with Muslims as fasting commences with enthusiasm on the part of the worshipers globally, said fasting in the Holy month of Ramadan underscores opportunity for Muslims to embark on spiritual rejuvenation through total abstenance from all vices and to promote peaceful co-existence with neighbours irrespective of religious differences.
While felicitating with Muslims for God sparing their lives to witness this year’s month of Ramadan to observe one of the pillars of islam, he enjoined them to purge themselves of sins and iniquities so that their supplications and abstenance from food from morning till evening will be accepted as act of ibbadah by Almighty Allah.
The Defence Minister said
‘”My heart and prayers go to our gallant troops who are fasting and fighting to defend the nation’s territorial integrity”
” I therefore urged Muslims to pray for the soldiers and their families as well as the repose of the souls of those who paid the supreme price in line of duty”
The fasting period for Muslims is called Ramadan, which is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn until sunset. This period of fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is observed by Muslims around the world as a time of spiritual reflection, increased worship, and acts of charity. The exact dates of Ramadan vary each year because the Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle.
General Magashi besieged Almighty Allah to be with the Commander-in-chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari and the President- Elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu as well as the nation in the threshold of making yet another history to hand over to incoming administration .