Eid al-Adha: NSCIA urges compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, congratulates Muslims on the occasion of Eid al-Adha celebration.

The NSCIA, while emphasizing the importance of this year’s celebration, said that the 2020 Eid day is special and significant as Muslim around the world would witness three spiritually important sermons which are the Arafat Sermon on Thursday July 30, 2020, and Eid and Friday sermons both on Friday July 31, 2020.

NSCIA therefore urged Muslims around the world to utilize the joyous moment to seek mercy and blessing from Allah.

It specifically encouraged Muslims especially those who were not on pilgrimage to observe fasting on Thursday, 30th July 2020, the Arafat day, which is one of the traditions of prophet Mohammed (S.A.W).

“Muslims who are not on Hajj were encouraged to fast on the day of ‘Arafat, the 9th day of the month of Dhul-Hijjah, 1441 AH, equivalent to Thursday, 30th July, 2020.” the NSCIA said in a statement

The NSCIA equally emphasized that the issue of security is at the very heart of Islamic law; therefore, it is a duty that every Muslims must perform.

While being security conscious, it said Muslims must avoid social gathering and congregational prayers as the fight against coronavirus pandemic is not yet over.

The body further said that Muslims in places where restrictions have been lifted off congregational prayers should observe precautionary measures by washing hands, wearing masks, maintaining social distancing rules, and most importantly avoid massive gatherings on Eid grounds to avoid possible spread of the infections.

Muslims in areas where restrictions are still in full force are advised to avoid congregational prayers and to abide by the law as their actions would be judged by intentions.

“However, in places where the ban on public congregational prayers and socio-religious gatherings is still in force, Muslims are directed to be law-abiding while appreciating that intentions supersede actions and actions are judged on the basis of intentions, as Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said (Buhari and Muslim),” NSCIA said.

The body also urged Muslims who could not attend the 2020 pilgrimage as a result of the pandemic to use some part of the funds meant for the pilgrimage for charitable causes that could earn them pilgrimage equivalent rewards.

“The NSCIA calls on Nigerian Muslims who had intended Hajj but could not actualise their intention to consider using part (if not all) of the funds meant for the pilgrimage for charitable causes that are capable of earning them the reward of Hajj and much more,” said the NSCIA.