MUSWEN issues guidelines on Eid Prayer, Zakat el-Fitri

Following the outbreak of coronavirus and closure of mosques across the country, the leadership and Management of MUSWEN, on behalf of the entirety of the Ummah in the South West of Nigeria, has issued guidelines on the celebration of this year’s Eidul-fitr.

This was disclosed in a statement released on Wednesday May 20, 2020, by Professor Muslih Tayo, Executive Secretary of MUSWEN.

“We join the President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, in felicitating with the entire Ummah of Islam in Nigeria and all over the world on the approach of Eid-el-Fitri marking the end of Ramadan1441.

“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,” the statement reads.

MUSWEN also expressed gratitude to almighty Allah over the circumstances and the atmosphere of the COVID-19 pandemic. It stressed that the Ummah has a great deal of reasons to thank Allah for His mercy.

While appealing to Muslims to be mindful of Allah in the celebration of the Eid, it called for a celebration with a great deal of caution and vigilance, and with faith.

In the light of the pandemic, MUSWEN therefore issued the following guidelines and some observations.

MUSWEN asked that, as Muslims in the South West 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, any genuine regarding moon sighting should be forwarded to 08033579545 or 08096898432.

It also urged Muslims to wait patiently for a formal announcement of the exact day of Eid by the President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.

It added that since it is unlikely that the current social distancing regulations would be relaxed, observance of Eid prayers at the Eid prayer grounds might not be possible.

While urging all Muslims to comply with the social distancing order, the Body stated that Muslims should put on their best dresses on the Eid day as recommended by authentic traditions of the Prophet (SAW), but stay safely at home to mark the Eid day with the family.

It disclosed further that 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.

It therefore explained that 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 WestNigeria.

“Similarly, although food items as mentioned above are preferable, some scholars have no objection to monetization, if one calculates the monetary value of the measures of the various items mentioned above.

“For example, from the current market value of rice, in most markets the sum of about N700 (seven hundred Naira only) is calculated as the monetary equivalent to be given out for Zakat el-Fitri per person in the South West of Nigeria this year,” MUSWEN said in a statement.

Concerning the individual or family observance of the Eid prayer, two-Rak’ah Nafl, the following guidelines were issued.

According to the statement, the first Rak’ah, begins with Takbirat al-Ihram, the initial pronouncement of Allahu akbar, and it is followed by a repetition of same takbir six times, to make seven in all.

Then Surat al-Fatihah (Chapter 1 the Qur’an) will be recited. This is followed preferably with Surat al-A’laa (Chapter 87 of the Qur’an), or any other Surah which the worshipper can conveniently recite. Next, proceed to ruku’u and follow normal process of the raka’ah up to the second sujuud (prostration).

For the second Rak’ah, rise from the second prostration of the first raka’ah with Takbir Allahu akbar till fully standing, then repeat the takbir five more times to make six inall
Recite Surah al-Fatiha, followed preferably with Surah al-Ghashiyah or any other Surah that the worshipper can recite conveniently.

Then, proceed to ruku’u and follow normal process of the raka’ah up to the second prostration.

Rise from prostration to the sitting position and recite the at-Tashshud, then the taslim (Assalam alaikum wa rahmatullah…) marking the end of the prayer.