Senator Kola Balogun has urged Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic and religious biases, to always be more closer to God and also continually pray for the country.
The senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District stated this in a statement to felicitate Islamic faithful on the commencement of the Ramadan Fasting.
During the Ramadan, Muslims all over the world aimed to grow spiritually and become more closer to Allah and their loved ones.
This they do by fasting and abstaining from pleasures like smoking, drinking and sexual intercourse between sunrise and sunset, each day, during the entire one month of Ramadan.
Fasting during Ramadan, as one of the five pillars of Islam (the other four being faith, prayer, charity and pilgrimage to Mecca), includes prayers, charity and reflecting on the Holy Quran.
Senator Balogun however urged Nigerians not to limit themselves to praying for the country only to the period of Ramadan, noting that preaching the message of love to fellow humans should be a daily affair.
“Alhamdulillah!!! The month of blessing is here. May Allah grant our supplications and forgive our sins. May Allah perfect our dealings and favour us in this Holy Month and beyond.
“Tenets of Islam and the Quran admonish us to fast in the blessed month of Ramadan so that we may attain God-consciousness, being the purpose of fasting.
“Abstaining from food, drink and sexual relations, for certain parts of the day, teaches us the aspect of patience and tolerance.
“As stated in the Quran, we are told by Allah to obey Him and ponder on the teachings of His beloved Messenger, Prophet Muhammed (Pbuh).
“Ramadan is the very time to develop a love for and connection with Allah, our Lord, without Whom, we are nothing.
“He has allowed us to be honoured, despite our disobedience towards Him. So let us turn to Him fully, every day, not just for 29 days or 30 days.
“We should continually seek to be closer God everyday. We should always pray for our country and seek to love our fellow human beings.
“We should allow the blessings of this month to enter the soul in a manner which leaves the soul in a state where it yearns for its Maker.
“In essence, this is God-consciousness. The thought otf Allah never leaves our mind and so we are protected from committing much wrong.
“If we are able to attain this level of Goad-consciousness, we will, Insha Allah, attain the purpose of Ramadan.
“It is on this note that my wife, Mrs Gbonjubola Kola-Balogun and I wish you a happy Ramadan. I pray the blessings of the month of Ramadan be on all of us.
“May Allah forgive our sins, have mercy upon our souls and accept our prayers and fasting. May Allah see us through this blessed month and many more. May He accept it as an act of worship and Ibadah.
“As we started the Ramadan with Bismillah, may we end it with Alhamdulillah Ameen. Ramadan Kareem,” Senator Balogun stated in the statement.
