Author: Muhammad Lawal

Hajj: Medic assures adequate first-aid to pilgrims at Muna, Arfat
First-aid
By Muhammad Lawal
Makkah, June 13, 2024 (NAN) Dr Garba Umar-Kangiwa, a member of the Kebbi medical team, on Thursday, assured the pilgrims of adequate first-aid at Muna, Arfat and Muzdalifah towards a successful Hajj exercise.
He stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The medical expert assured that in case of any eventuality at Muna, Arfat and Mudzalifah, the team would be readily available to provide the necessary first-aid treatment and subsequently convey the patients with complicated illness to other hospitals.
“As I am talking to you, we are working round the clock to see how we can assign a health expert to every tent for quick response, on the alternative, telephone numbers will be provided in every tent for easy access.
“We want to ensure that every health worker is supplied with enough medicine for onward disbursement to the patients.
“We must appreciate the Kebbi Pilgrims Board for procuring and supplying enough medicine for the treatment of not only Kebbi pilgrims but other states too do come by to be attended to.
“We are happy that in this year’s Hajj, the pilgrims board has supplied enough medicine to ensure that pilgrims are well taken care of more than in previous years,” he said.
Umar-Kangiwa advised the pilgrims not to overstretch themselves, especially that the proper Hajj exercise was due to commence by Thursday, 8th of Dhul-Hajj.
“This will give the pilgrims the strength and ability to perform the Hajj with strength and vigour.
“Those suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma or any other diseases and his/her drugs have finished should kindly come and explain so that he/she can be reimbursed with similar medicine,” he advised.
Umar-Kangiwa admonished asthmatic patients to be cautious of dusty environments during the Hajj exercise and always go along with their inhalers to avoid sudden attacks.
He identified body pain due to stress, catarrh due to air conditioners, dislocation due to slippery toilets, heat weather, fever, dysentery and ulcer, among others, as some of the sicknesses mostly affecting the pilgrims.
The expert said illnesses such as high blood pressure and diabetics were illnesses affecting the pilgrims right from their homes but some didn’t know that they were inflicted with the disease, until when they arrived in Saudi Arabia.
He, however, recalled that three pilgrims from the state, two males and a female, had lost their lives not because of negligence on the side of the health workers.
Umar-Kangiwa assured that the health personnel had done their best to rescue their lives but they had reached their destined periods. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
June 13, 2024
Clerics sensitise Kebbi pilgrims on successful Hajj
Clerics sensitise Kebbi pilgrims on successful Hajj
Clerics
By Muhammad Lawal
Makkah, June 13, 2024 (NAN) Kebbi state pilgrims have been urged to engage in the practices that would enable them enjoy a successful Hajj this year.
Sheik Kabiru Umar-Wasagu, the Deputy Imam of Central Mosque, Birnin Kebbi, said this in Makkah during a sensitisation programme for the pilgrims on Thursday.
He said that the state government had arranged for adequate clerics to guide the pilgrims so as to have full rewards from Allah for the exercise.
”The state government has emplaced no fewer that 100 clerics to take care of the religious aspects of the rituals of the Hajj. The essence of the Hajj is to be accepted by Allah.
“We want to ensure that a cleric is attached to every vehicle to always remind the pilgrims of their obligations,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the essence of the enlightenment session is to educate the pilgrims on rituals of the Hajj.
Umar-Wasagu urged the pilgrims to be orderly and exhibit high sense of decorum while boarding buses to Mina, assuring them that nobody would be left out.
According to him, at Mina, the state has made provisions for each pilgrim, as they are entitled to a mattress, blanket, hand fan and umbrella.
The cleric advised the pilgrims to be very vigilant with some criminally-minded people that deceive pilgrims in the name of assisting them to change money.
“Some will collect your 500 sillars6 basic travelling allowance and replace it with equivalent of 5 dollars. They come purposely to deceive and cheat the pilgrims,” he said.
Umar-Wasagu noted with satisfaction that all committees established by the state pilgrims board were working to achieve the mandate for which they were established.
He urged the pilgrims to use the Hajj period to pray for their leaders to succeed, saying that prayers for leaders should form part of their routine.
“Pray for yourself, your family, your relations, your friends, your town, your state, your country and the entire Muslim Ummah.
”Pray for prevailing peace across Nigeria, because peace is the foundation of any meaningful development in a nation,” he said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz
June 13, 2024
Cleric urges opportune Muslims to perform Hajj
Hajj
By Muhammad Lawal
Makkah, June 12, 2024 (NAN) An Islamic cleric, Malam Kabiru Umar-Wasagu, has urged all opportune Muslims not to refuse to perform Hajj so as not to die like those who did so during the pre-Islamic era.
Umar-Wasagu, the Deputy Imam of Central Mosque, Birnin Kebbi, stated this at a routine enlightenment session shortly after the dawn (Subh) prayer in Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Wednesday
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the essence of the enlightenment session is to educate the pilgrims on rituals of Hajj towards an acceptable Hajj (Hajj Mabrur).
The cleric, who is also a member of the Da’awah Committee, Kebbi Pilgrims Welfare Board, advised the Muslims especially the wealthy ones to use their resources to perform Hajj or else die as ”in the period of Jahiliya.”
He said: “As a Muslim, if you have the opportunity to perform Hajj but you refused, you will die like in the period of fitra or jahiliya (a time when there is no prophecy from God Almighty, this is according to Prophet Muhammad (SAW).”
Umar-Wasagu cautioned those holding strategic offices especially where money flows to exhibit the fear of God Almighty to come and perform Hajj at least once in their life time, assuring that: “This is not optional but obligatory upon them to do so, provided they have the means.”
Speaking on the five pillars of Islam, Umar-Wasagu reminded the pilgrims of the need to strengthen and purify their faith in Allah and stand firm in observing Salat according to the Sunnah of the holy Prophet (SAW).
“For you to become a Muslim, you have to pronounce Kalimah, confirming that there is nobody who deserves to be worshipped except Allah (SWT) and avoid shirk in all ramifications.
“Depend on Allah (SWT) for everything in life, bearing in mind that He is the only one that gives and takes away anything in life.
”Therefore, do not hold on to or rely on anybody for anything that only He (Almighty) has the power to provide,” he cautioned.
The cleric stressed the need for Muslims not to toy with performing obligatory prayers in congregation, adding that it was the only form of Ibadat that a Muslim must perform in all circumstances.
He, therefore, urged Muslims to accord Salat the emphasis it deserved being the biggest form of Ibadat.
Umar-Wasagu, however, said that other three pillars of Islam, Fasting, Zakkat and Hajj “depend on how opportune you are to observe them.”
He said fasting was being observed once a year, adding that a Muslim may have the opportunity to defer it due certain provisions by Sharia.
“You may be alive in the month of Ramadan but inflicted with illness, travelling or a woman who is in her menstrual period and other provisions of the Islamic Sharia, unlike Sallah.
“While Zakkat and Hajj are annual Islamic rituals strictly for those who have the means to observe them. If you don’t have the means, you are exempted,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
June 12, 2024
Transportation of Kebbi pilgrims to Nigeria begins June 22 –Official
Transport
By Muhammad Lawal
Makkah, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Kebbi Pilgrims Welfare Board says the transportation of its pilgrims back to Nigeria from Saudi Arabia begins on June 22.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the board on Tuesday set up an 11-man committee on transport.
The committee had also visited the Mu’assasa in Makkah to ensure the conclusion of arrangements for the success of the operation.
NAN recalls that pilgrims from Kebbi were the first to be transported from Nigeria on May 15 to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2024 Hajj exercise.
The Secretary of board, Alhaji Sani Abarshi, led the delegation to Mu’assasa to ensure smooth flow of the exercise.
The secretary assured that arrangements were on top gear towards ensuring the success of the exercise right from the first to the ninth flights, with the first plane expected to take-off on June 22.
NAN reports that the members of the committee included; Alhaji Usman, Director Personnel Management and Alhaji Umar Ladan, Director, Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Others were; Alhaji Yahaya Yahaya, Deputy Director, ICT, Alhaji Faruku Jabbo, Assistant Director ICT, Alhaji Misbahu Aliyu-Mai-Mai, Alhaji Sanusi Zaki-Jimsy and Sheikh Kabiru Wasagu, Staff Officer of the board. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
June 11, 2024
Hajj, Zakkat opportunity for few privileged Muslims – Cleric
Muslims
By Muhammad Lawal
Makkah, June 11, 2024 (NAN) An Islamic cleric, Malam Lukman Hamidu-Yauri, has charged pilgrims to be grateful to God Almighty for the opportunity to perform Hajj.
He said performing Hajj and Zakkat are only for the few privileged Muslims.
Hamidu-Yauri, who is also a member of the Da’awah Committee, Kebbi Pilgrims Welfare Board, stated this at a routine enlightenment session shortly after the dawn (Subh) prayer in Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Monday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the essence of the enlightenment session is to educate the pilgrims on rituals of Hajj towards an acceptable Hajj (Hajj Mabrur).
“You should be grateful to your creator, who has chosen you out of millions of people to come and perform one of the pillars of Islam. Only the privileged few are usually given the opportunity,” he said.
The cleric tasked the pilgrims on purity of intention to be able to earn the desired reward from the Almighty Allah, saying that worship (Ibadat) “is due to Allah (SWT) alone.”
Taking his text from the Hadith of the holy Prophet (PBUH), the cleric said on the day of judgement (day of Qiyamah), a knowledgeable person would be brought before Allah (SWT) and Allah will ask him.
“We have given you knowledge, what did you do with it. The man will reply, I have used it to teach people your religion.
”I have done this and that. Then the Almighty will say, no, you taught them to gain recognition from the people and you have gotten it.
“A wealthy person will also be brought before Allah (SWT) and he will be asked, we have enriched you with money, what did you do with it? The man will reply, I have used it to assist people, feed the needy among others.
“But Allah will say no, you have done that not for my sake but for people to see and hail you and they did,” the cleric noted.
He added that the third person would also stand before his creator and Allah (SWT) would ask the same question and the person would give an answer similar to the duo but without any fruitful result.
Hamidu-Yauri stressed the need for the people to appreciate God Almighty, saying,”If God showers His blessing upon you, accept the gift, appreciate and pray to God to increase you in faith.”
On his part, Prof. Muhammad Abubakar-Walid urged the pilgrims to remain disciplined and obey all the constituted authorities
He cautioned them against using their Ihram illegally to perform another Dawaf, warning, “this is illegal and not encouraged.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
June 11, 2024
Acceptable Hajj sure path to paradise – Sheikh Gadon-Kaya
Hajj
By Muhammad Lawal
Makkah, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Sheikh Abdallahi Gadon-Kaya, one of the famous Islamic scholars, says an acceptable Hajj (Hajj Mabrur) is a sure and genuine path to paradise.
He stated this while presenting a lecture on rituals of Hajj to the Kebbi pilgrims at Hotel Number One in Qudai, Makkatul Mukarrama, otherwise known as Kebbi House on Monday.
The cleric quoted the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) as saying: “Acceptable Hajj (Hajj Mabrur) has no reward except paradise.”
Gadon-Kaya, who summarised the entire Hajj exercise in ten steps, observed that every pilgrim that had the opportunity to come to perform Hajj, “God Almighty wants him to enter paradise with ease.
He said, “Therefore, just feel in your mind that after the completion of your Hajj exercise, you will become a companion of paradise. So, we should be happy for this great opportunity from our creator.”
The cleric recalled that many famous Islamic scholars who published numerous books didn’t have the opportunity to perform Hajj, citing Sheikh Uthman Danfodiyo as an example of such scholars.
“Hence the need for you to appreciate God Almighty for this great opportunity,” he said.
Gadon-Kaya enumerated the ten steps to include; intention after wearing of Ihram, entering Makkah, circumambulation (Dawafil Ifadha/Dawafil Hajj), farewell circumambulation (Dawafil Wadah), trekking between the mount of Safa and Marwa (Sa’ayi) and going to Muna.
Others according to him are; standing at mount of Arfat, going to Munzalifa, stoning of Jamrat with pebbles, slaughtering of animal (sacrifice) for those pilgrims that perform Tamatu’i or Qirani form of Hajj, while the last and the tenth is cutting of hair.
While advising the pilgrims to hold on to the steps for smooth and easy exercise, Gadon-Kaya urged them to be orderly and ensure respect for constituted authority towards a successful Hajj operation.
He said the entire Hajj exercise was being conducted in just four or five days, from 8th to 13th of Dhul-Hajj, advising that pilgrims should use the knowledge acquired from different clerics to put the steps into practice.
The cleric reminded the pilgrims that standing on the Day of Arfat remained the vital organ of Hajj, recalling that the Prophet (PBUH) said : “Hajj is Arafat (Al-Hajju Arafat)” meaning without Arfat there would be no Hajj at all.
“The Prophet (PBUH) said Allah (SWT) accepts supplication on Arfat day and the best of supplication is the supplication on the day of Arafat.
“Supplication on Arafat day starts by Zuhur prayer after pilgrims jointly prayer Zuhur and Asr prayer in a short form (qasru). The Prophet raised his hand after Zuhur prayer supplicating to Allah, he did not bring down his hand until after Magrib,” he said.
Gadon-Kaya cautioned the pilgrims against wasting time doing nothing on Arafat day, saying, ”instead, they should devote their time for supplication, begging God Almighty to bless them with good here and good in the hereafter.”
He also urged them to pray for their leaders to be able to fix the nation’s economy, urging, “you should also pray for prevailing peace across Nigeria.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mnai
June 11, 2024
Kebbi to transport female pilgrims to Mina Thursday
Transportation
By Muhammad Lawal
Makkah, June 10, 2024 (NAN) Alhaji Faruku Aliyu-Enabo, Executive Chairman, Kebbi Pilgrims Welfare Board, says the board will commence the transportation of female pilgrims to Mina on Thursday, 7th Dhul-Hajj.
He stated this while addressing pilgrims at Hotel Number One otherwise known as “Kebbi House” in Qudai, Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Monday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the chairman was outlining the requisite preparations put in place by the board towards ensuring the conduct of a successful Hajj exercise.
“According to our arrangement, we are going to start transporting pilgrims on 7th Dhul-Hajj, that day will be purely for the women, while the male pilgrims will follow on 8th Dhul-Hajj.
“Therefore, I want to advise the male pilgrims, make sure that you take your bath between 2:00a.m. and 3:00a.m. because you are many in each room. Do not wait until after Subhi (dawn) prayer.
“Transportation of male pilgrims will commence immediately after Subhi prayer, it will be done Local Government by Local Government.
”Remember, the season of Hajj is a season of excitement, worship, supplication, Zikir and all other forms of worship according to the Sunnah,” he urged.
Aliyu-Enabo advised the pilgrims to use the season to glorify Allah, the Most High, saying: “Pray for yourself, your parents, your children, your family, your country, your state and of course your governor and the entire Muslim Ummah.”
The chairman passionately appealed to the pilgrims to pray for the board, just as it had started the work well, may Allah (SWT) assist it to complete the job diligently.
Aliyu-Enabo noted with satisfaction that Kebbi was leading in all aspects as far as 2024 Hajj is concerned, including preparation, housing, logistics, feeding and discipline, among others.
He appealed to the pilgrims to remain orderly especially during their transportation to Mina, adding that nobody would be left out.
“During the movement, when the pilgrims from Argungu are called to join the bus, please you from Augie, Dandi or Bagudo should not come out but wait for your turn.
“Therefore, I urge you to obey those saddled with the responsibility among you, give them the necessary support and cooperation to discharge their duties diligently,” he advised.
The chairman assured that all the leaders would not leave Makkah for Mina until all the pilgrims, especially the ordinary citizens were completely transported.
He warned that on Arfat day, nobody should come out from his/her tent unless they were called upon to do so.
Aliyu-Enabo said, ”We, as leaders, will not leave Arfat until all the pilgrims are evacuated.”
He said Gov. Nasir Idris would perform the Hajj together with the poor masses of Kebbi to give them a sense of belonging.
The chairman added that the governor has directed that his pilgrims be served with delicious meals with chicken, fish and eggs throughout the period of Hajj.
Aliyu-Enabo used the medium to appeal to the pilgrims to pray for a successful and peaceful conduct of Local Government elections scheduled to hold in due course across the state.
He observed that the success of the elections would be a landmark achievement of the governor.
The Day of ‘Arafah is on the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar.
This followed the sighting of the moon, this year the Day of ‘Arafah falls on Saturday 15th June 2024.
Consequently, the Eid-al-Adha will be celebrated across the globe on Sunday, 10th Dhul Hijjah, equivalent to June 16. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
June 10, 2024
2024 Hajj: Another Nigerian pilgrim dies in Makkah
Dead
By Muhammad Lawal
Makkah, June 9, 2024 (NAN) The Kebbi Pilgrims Welfare Board has announced the death of another pilgrim in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
A statement by Alhaji Ahmed Idris, Chief Press Secretary to Kebbi Governor, gave the name of the deceased as Abubakar Abdullahi from Gulma town in Argungu Local Government Area.
The statement said that the pilgrim died after a brief illness.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Abdullahi is the third Kebbi Pilgrim to die in the holy land.
The statement quoted Gov. Nasir Idris as expressing shock over the death and praying to God to grant the deceased eternal rest.
“The governor also urged the immediate family of the deceased, friends and Kebbi pilgrims to take heart and accept the will of God in good faith,” it added.
It said that the deceased had since been buried according to Islamic rites after a funeral prayer at Masjid Al-Ihram (Ka’aba), on Friday. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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June 10, 2024
Cleric urges Muslim pilgrims to emulate Prophets
Footsteps
By Muhammad Lawal
Makkah, June 9, 2024 (NAN) Malam Kabiru Umar-Wasagu, an Islamic cleric, has urged pilgrims to follow the footsteps of holy Prophets like Ibrahim and Mohammed in their Hajj rituals.
Umar-Wasagu, who is also a member of Da’awah Committee, Kebbi Pilgrims Welfare Board, stated this at a routine enlightenment session shortly after the dawn (Subh) prayer in Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on Sunday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the essence of the enlightenment session is to educate the pilgrims on rituals of Hajj towards an acceptable exercise.
The cleric recalled that it was Prophet Ibrahim who rebuilt the Sacret House (Ka’aba) on the instructions of God Almighty.
“Today, it remains where Muslims around the globe face to observe prayer.
“There is a strong relationship between Prophet Mohammed and Prophet Ibrahim in their modes of life, their belief in Allah, among other things.”
The cleric observed that Prophet Ibrahim had never practiced shirk (associating Allah with anything), just like Prophet Mohammed never did.
Umar-Wasagu said that God purified both of them, adding that they were all pious servants of God.
He quoted the Prophet as saying: “It is your father Prophet Ibrahim that gave you the name Muslim, therefore, hold on to it.
“When you do good deeds, pray to your Lord to accept it just like the way your father, Prophet Ibrahim, prayed while re-building the Sacred House (Ka’aba).
“We should follow the footsteps of all prophets up to the time of Prophet Muhammad. We must also follow the Prophet in all his deeds, instructions and what he saw his companions observing and kept silent about it.
“It is compulsory for every Muslim to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet to the later and do his/her work for the sake of God Almighty, for your deeds to be accepted,” he advised.
The cleric admonished the pilgrims to use the opportunity in the holy land to pray to God Almighty. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
June 9, 2024
Hajj: Cleric urges pilgrims to pray for Nigerian leaders
Prayer
By Muhammad Lawal
Makkah, June 8, 2024 (NAN) An Islamic cleric, Malam Hussaini Abubakar-Giro, has charged Nigerian pilgrims to rigorously pray for prevailing peace across Nigeria.
He also urged them to pray for Nigerian leaders by seeking divine intervention on the nation’s lingering economic predicament.
Abubakar-Giro, a board member of Kebbi Pilgrims Welfare Board, gave the charge at a routine enlightenment session shortly after the dawn prayer (Subh) in Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the essence of the enlightenment session is to educate the pilgrims on rituals of Hajj towards an acceptable Hajj (Hajj Mabrur).
The cleric, who is a son to one of the famous Islamic scholars, late Sheik Abubakar Giro-Argungu, said: “We must always devote time for seeking divine intervention for God Almighty to fix our major problems of lingering insecurity as well as economic difficulties.
“We must therefore, pray for our leaders to be able to tackle these challenges. The more they tackle the challenges, the better for us.
“Since your arrival here in Saudi Arabia you have never heard of any Imam accusing the leaders, hence the need for us all to emulate and pray for Nigerian leaders to succeed.”
He advised the pilgrims to beg God Almighty for good both here in the world as well as the hereafter, saying that those who beg for worldly things alone were not of the successful.
While encouraging the pilgrims to repent to earn Allah’s favour, the cleric said nobody knew when he/she would answer the call of his/her creator (die).
Abubakar-Giro also cautioned them against mistrust, backbiting and other forms of sin to be able to scale through peacefully on the Day of Judgement (Quyama).
“Prophet Muhammad (SAW) asked his companions, who is a poor (muflis), they replied, he is somebody who has neither gold nor silver.
“But the Prophet (SAW) replied: muflis in my Ummah is he who will come on the Day of Judgement with good deeds but he has cheated different people through backbiting, mistrust, deception, stealing among others.
“At the end, his deeds will be used to compensate these people he cheated and he will end up with nothing and he will be sent to hell fire,” he said.
He, however, quoted the holy Prophet (SAW) as saying: “Had it been that we don’t commit sin and at the same time repent to God Almighty, He (God) would have cleared us all and created another set of people who will workshop Him more than us.”
In his contribution, Malam Kabiru Umar-Wasagu reminded the pilgrims that whenever a Muslim prays and couldn’t get what he wanted, he should bear in mind that Almighty Allah had changed it for something good.
While charging them to always pray for the best from God (Allah’s choice is always the best), the cleric urged the pilgrims to use the Hajj to purify their minds to go back home clean and pure.
He also encouraged the entire Muslims to do everything possible to exhibit good human relationships with fellow human beings, saying: “No matter your good deeds, if you do not have good relationship with people, it might throw you into hell.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
June 8, 2024