A renowned cleric and the founder of Shafaudeen in Islam worldwide, Prof. Sabit Ariyo Olagoke, JP, has urged the Muslim Ummah to emulate the patience and endurance of the Prophet Muhammad, which propelled Islam to a very high level within the shortest period in history.
He stated this while felicitating with the Muslim Ummah in the state as they join the rest of the Islamic world in marking the commencement of the new Islamic year, 1444 AH.
The cleric said it was appropriate to use the occasion to thank the Almighty Allah for the privilege He mercifully granted Muslims to witness the New Year.
He maintained that the occasion is a vivid reminder of what Hijrah represents in the lives of Muslims, in which Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had to emigrate from Makkah to Madinah after a prolonged threat to his life, with accompanying perseverance and patience with the Makkah pagans who were persecuting him.
According to him, his endurance and steadfastness eventually paid off in Madinah, where he succeeded in establishing an Islamic state with the first democratic constitution in the world based on truth and justice, which formed the foundation for other subsequent constitutions in the world.
He noted that without his endurance and patience, only Allah knows what would have become of Islam today, saying the essence of that historic endeavour was to enable Muslims to know that after every period of difficulty comes relief.
He urged the Muslim faithful to uphold the spirit of sacrifice and selflessness and continue to pray for the peace, progress, and development of Oyo state in particular and the country as a whole.
According to him, “The role of the Muslim Ummah in the celebration of Hijrah year is to emulate the patience and endurance of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) which propelled Islam to a very high level within the shortest period ever in history.
“This as a privilege for us as individuals and as a Nation of the Faithful deserves our gratitude to Allah. As we begin the New Year, I enjoin us all not to relent in living by the injunctions of our Faith and our prayers for peace in our state and country as a whole. While following the tenet of good parenting and credible leadership with pious life (Q16 vs 151, Q38 vs 26).
“We should also continue to fervently seek the intervention of Allah in our affairs as we seek an end to the challenges facing our country”.
