Ramadan: Islamic scholar admonishes faithful on midnight prayers
By Mujidat Oyewole
Prayers
Ilorin, April 24, 2020 (NAN) Prof. AbdulRazzak Alaro, an Islamic scholar, has admonished the faithful to practice special ‘Tahjud’ (midnight prayers) to end the global Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and others ills afflicting the society.
Alaro told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Ilorin that the Tahjud was very important and rewarding especially during the month of Ramadhan.
The don explained that the special midnight prayer was better observed at home and with family members, especially during this lockdown period occasioned by COVID-19.
Alaro said that the Tahjud prayer is an act of performing prayers as many times as possible at midnight, after which all forms of supplications could be made.
The scholar said that Tahjud could be done all year round, but it is most rewarding during the month of Ramadhan.
“The prophet said that it is allowed to pray the Taraweey prayer and also observe the midnight nafilat prayer. Taraweey prayer is observed at the beginning of midnight while Tahjud is observed before morning prayer,” he said.
Alaro said that someone who have the intention of observing Tahjud should desist from praying Witr (odd number) prayer after Taraweey prayer, so as to end his Yahjud prayer with Witri.
“Some scholars are of the opinion that during a congregational prayer, the person that have the intention of performing Tahjud should not observe the Witr rakat with the Imam.
“But it is very rewarding to finish a congregational prayer, therefore the person that have the intention to observe Tahjud prayer should include one more raka’at after the eleventh raka’at with the Imam before ending his prayer.
“This will make his prayer even and give him the opportunity to observe Tahjud prayer and finish it with Witr raka’at, which is one raka’at, that will make his midnight nafilat prayer to be in odd number,” Alaro said.
He said that it is most acceptable to worship Almighty Allah according to the practice and teachings of the holy Qur’an and prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), which is regarded as Sunnah.
“Sunnah is the practice of what prophet Muhammad preach, what he did and all the things that people did in his presence and he was not against
“If the prophet preach an act or he did something, it is called Sunnah, but it is better to follow his preaching because whatever he said is a message from Almighty Allah, but it is also rewarding to do what he did during his life time,” Alaro said.
He urged Muslims to pray for the good in this world and hereafter, and also pray for the peace and unity of the country and the world at large during the month of Ramadhan. also known as month of mercy and blessings
Ramadhan, also known as month of mercy and blessings, is the fifth month of the Islamic calendar.
Friday, April 24, 2020, has been declared by the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, as the first of Ramadhan 1441AH.
Muslims are expected to fast 29 or 30 days of the month, depending on the sighting of the new month. (NAN)
MOB/EOB/MST
Edited by Edith Bolokor/Muhammad Suleiman Tola