The Sultan of Sokoto, Dr. Sa’ad Abubakar, has urged Muslims to begin special prayers nationwide to seek Allah’s intervention for an end to the current security challenges in the country.
The Sultan made the call in a statement issued on Sunday in Kaduna State by Dr. Khalid Aliyu, Secretary-General of Jam’atu Nasril Islam (JNI).
The statement said that the Sultan expressed deep concern over the resurgence of terrorist attacks in the country, and stressed that it was imperative to seek divine intervention for peace and stability of the country.
“His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and the President-General, JNI, uses this medium to call on the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to engage in sustained supplications and prayers at this moment of grief.
“This call has become imperative bearing in mind that human lives have continued to be exterminated and even immolated unchallenged.
“As we saw in Benisheikh, Kaga local government area of Borno state and Gidan Bawa, Isa local government area of Sokoto state.
“Muslims are therefore implored to fervently and faithfully resort to Allah, the exceedingly beneficent and benevolently merciful in the face of these calamities by engaging in Al-Qunoot special supplication in the last Raka’ah of each obligatory and non-obligatory prayers, specifically to seek intervention from Allah.
“We should sincerely devote time at nights and call unto Allah, the Responder to prayers.
“The Sultan further calls on all Imams, knowledge-seeking gatherings, study circles, Islamic schools as well as the leadership of all Muslim organizations and societies’ in Nigeria to commence the special prayers.”
The statement said Muslims should make it a point of duty to always pray against kidnapping, Boko Haram cum ISWAP insurgency, political rascality, and all forms of criminalities.
“May Allah, the most merciful forgive all victims of the killings and bless them with ‘shahadah, may He console their respective families and strengthen them to bear the loss.
“May He also assist, direct and energize those in authorities willing to discharge their first responsibility of protecting lives and properties.
“May the enemies of the Nigerian state be destroyed and their plans be disseminated on them.”
It called on Government at all levels to brace up to the daunting challenges of good governance, as those in authority will answer for their actions before Allah on the Day of Reckoning.
