MUSWEN Urges Southwest Muslims to Observe Eid-Fitri Prayer at Home

Muslims in the Southwest have been urged to plan to observe the Eid Fitri prayer that marks the end of Ramadan at home.

This is contained in a statement in Ibadan by Executive  Secretary,  Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria,  MUSWEN, Professor Muslih Yahya.

Professor Yahya said since the possibility of relaxing the suspension of religious activities in the region was slim, praying Eid at prayer grounds would not be possible hence the faithful should observe the prayer at home.

“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”.

He said the two Rakaat prayer of Eid that would be observed at home should follow the same process as observed at Eid prayer ground except that there would not be sermon at the end of the prayer. 

 “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)”.

The MUSWEN Executive Secretary enjoined Muslims to put on their best dresses on the Eid day as recommended by Prophet Muhammad and stay safely at home to mark the day with their families.

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 SAFELY AT HOME marking the Eid day with the family, in view of the movement restrictions necessitated by the pandemic”.

He noted that giving of Zakatul Fitri, alms to the poor in form of foodstuffs would start from the eve of the Eid day and would end before the prayer.

“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”.

Professor Yahya called on Muslims in the Southwest to join the rest of the Ummah in Nigeria in looking out for the crescent of Shawwal on Friday evening and wait  for a formal announcement of the exact day of Eid by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar. 

“Muslims in the South West should join the rest of the Ummah in Nigeria in looking out for the crescent of Shawwal shortly before Maghrib of Friday 29th Ramadan 1441, equivalent to 22nd May 2020, communicate any sighting to MUSWEN on 08033579545 or 08096898432 but wait patiently for a formal announcement of the exact day of Eid by the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs. Allah says: “And hold fast to the rope of Allah, all of you together, and be not disunited….” (Qur’an 3:103)”.

He added that despite the atmosphere of the COVID-19 pandemic in which Ramadan fasting was observed, Almighty  Allah deserved to be thanked for His mercy and urged Muslims to celebrate the Eid with caution and vigilance.

“Indeed the Ramadan of this year has been 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, Subhanahu wa Ta’ala 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 Eman (faith) and Taqwa (being mindful of Allah). We beseech Him SWT, to overlook our human inadequacies and have more mercy on us”

Ridwan Fasasi