As Muslim faithful across the world prepare to mark the end of Ramadan fast this weekend, Islamic scholars have advised adherents of the religion to observe Eid-El Fitri prayers in their houses and avoid congregation at various prayer grounds.
The scholars said this was in compliance with the two-week extension of the gradual easing of the lockdown.
as announced by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, on Monday.
Director of Muslim Rights Concern, Prof Ishaq Akintola, who spoke with SaharaReporters, said Muslim faithful should be role models in observing health protocol in curtailing the COVID-19 pandemic.
He called on Muslims across the country to observe their prayers in their homes, saying that God can answer prayers anywhere.
Akintola admonished them to celebrate Eid-el-Fitri in a limited way and avoid unnecessary gathering.
He said, “As we know that it affected Easter and it was celebrated in a limited way and in the same manner the Muslims should celebrate Eid-el-Fitri in a limited way. Our prayers can still be done inside our houses. We are complying and want others to do so.
“If we say we want to go out and congregate, we would endanger our own lives and other Nigerians because after the prayer, we are still going back to the society.”
The Islamic scholar said disobedience to government in Islam is a sin, adding that the battle is for the whole mankind and humanity to come together to win the war against the virus.
On his own part, National Cheif Imam, Al-habibiyyah Islamic Society, Fuad Adeyemi, said the outbreak of COVID-19 had broadened and enriched their belief in the act of giving to the needy.
He said they had cultivated the habit of giving foodstuff and cash to the poor before the outbreak of the virus as part of their religion obligations.
Adeyemi explained that the reward of praying was the same anywhere in the world and the mosque can be anywhere so far it was not in the toilet or burial ground.
He called on government to create more awareness and ensure strict enforcement of the lockdown order for erring religious leaders fond of flouting the rules.
Recall that Christians in most parts of the world celebrated Easter in their houses as churches were closed and annual pilgrimages cancelled as a result of the lockdown.
