Fasting, which is the third pillar of Islam, begins with millions of Muslims around the world getting prepared to see that the Ramadan period, which is the prayer month, comes with less stress to enable them to fast without much problem.
Newsline Newspapers went around Minna town to hear public opinions on how they prepared for Ramadan.
Mohammed Jimma, a Barber; said that fasting has come and we have yet to prepare for it because we don't have money. Mohammed said everything in the market now is expensive, and the poor don't have the means to buy, but for as long as we are going to fast because of God, then God will not leave us He will surely provide us with what we will need and use throughout the Ramadan period.
He also said that although prayer is the paramount thing during the Ramadan period, we still need to eat to be able to worship properly. I have faith that God will make things easy for us.
Hajiya Fati Umar, a teacher, we don't have anything to be prepared for because it is a thing that we are used to, something that comes yearly.
Allah has made it easy for us, that is, you don't have to start frustrating yourself just to buy things that you cannot afford, all in the name of fasting. Just use the little you have, and God knows your intentions and conditions; he will not leave you in vain.
Hajiya Umar said don't bite more than you can chew; for me, I only depend on the few things I have on hand rather than building myself on credit. We should all be smart; if we cannot afford them now, we will afford them later.
Mal. Isah Jibril, an Islamic scholar, said Fasting is not all about eating and eating too many different kinds of food after breaking fast, as some people are taking it to be. He said fasting is an act of ibadah that makes us feel what the poor people are undergoing in terms of starvation and difficulties when it comes to feeding. He said that Allah wants us to feel pity for and sympathise with the needy to provide them with food and take care of their families.
The Islamic scholar said fasting during the month of Ramadan has many wonderful things in it that will clear your sin and get you closer to your creator. It is not about going out for shopping or stocking the house with food for the Ramadan period; it is not all about eating but to worship and assist the less privileged.
Musa Suleiman, civil servant, said it is Allah that has been providing for us whether during fasting period or not, and it is the same Allah that will still provide for us.
Musa said everything in the country is now expensive, so we have to manage anything we have at hand. I am really not preparing for anything because I don't have the money for the preparation, but God will make things easy for us.