Barr. Ndakwo Tanko Speaks on the Significance of Muharram, Charges Parents to Instill Islamic Doctrines in Children/Wards

By: Joshua Adinoyi

The month of Muharram is the first month of the Islamic Year of the Hijra calendar.

For the Muslim community around the world, the month of Muharram is considered to be one of the holiest month.

Muharram is also called Muharram-ul-Haram and the important day marks the forced migration of Prophet Muhammed from Mecca to Medina.

Just like many other important Islamic observations, Muharram also depends on the sighting of the moon.

In Nigeria, this year’s Muharram began on the 10th of August 2021 as declared by the Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Sultan Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.

A Legal luminary and a devoted Muslim, Barr. Ndakwo Abdulrahaman Tanko, while speaking on the Significance of Muharram described the season as remarkable, saying it calls for Muslims to appreciate Allah for bringing them to a brand new year.

Barr. Tanko noted that Prophet Muhammed (S.A.W) attached great importance to Muharram in terms of Worship, doing good to others, maintaining peace with people of other faith in the society, amongst others.

“The tenth (10th) day of this month is being referred to as Ashura (عَاشُورَاء‎) and the Prophet Musa (AS) fasted on this day because of its Significance and all Muslim faithfuls are expected to do same

“It is a month that all Muslims sees as very sacred, it is a month that Muslims are not allowed to go to war and the holy book also made us to understand that Muslims can as well fast on the ninth and tenth day of this holy month”

He enjoined Muslims not to only fast on the ninth or tenth day of Muharram but also practice the activities expected of them within the period.

Barr. Tanko, a Former Minority Leader of the Kogi State House of Assembly, explained that only few Muslim youths of the present day can explicitly disect the different days in the Islamic Calendar, stressing that the quest for Western Education has eaten deep into the fabrics of the society that the younger ones no longer create time to study the holy Qurʾān.

He noted that parents has roles to play in the quest of ensuring that their children/wards gain Islamic knowledge, pointing out that such will help reshape the society for good.

“It is apalling to see Muslim youths these days who don’t have understanding of the different days we have in the Islamic Calendar, talk more of the significances

“All they are concerned about is just Western Education – which is very good, I am a lover of education as well

“All I am saying is that they need to create time to study the holy Qurʾān, in it you gain wisdom, you will learn how to behave in the society, you learn how to handle positions with the fear of Allah, you learn so many things that you may not be taught in the academic circle

“This is the time for parents too to stay awake in ensuring that our children/wards gain Islamic knowledge, teach them, you too should be committed to studying the holy Qurʾān, they will emulate you with ease”

Barr. Tanko congratulated Muslims for witnessing the 2021 Muharram and prayed Allah to continue to sustain them to witness more in the years ahead.