Don’t see tribulation as punishment, says Basiru
National Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has urged Nigerians not to view challenges and tribulations as divine punishment, but as tests meant to strengthen their faith
National Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has urged Nigerians not to view challenges and tribulations as divine punishment, but as tests meant to strengthen their faith and character, as Muslims.
Basiru, while delivering the Fifth Ramadan Lecture of Al Tasnim in Osogbo, Osun State, said Allah tested the faith of the prophets and generations.
The APC secretary cited the story of Prophet Ayyub, who was endowed with wealth, but lost everything.
He said “Prophet Ayyub didn’t despair. He faced the tribulations with patience and steadfastness in Allah. At the end of the day, Allah healed him of the sickness and returned all he lost in wealth and family. Allah tests believers with their health, livelihood and even hunger.
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“But it is important we pray to God and whenever He does good things for us, we must be grateful. In the context of our nation building, it teaches us to have faith in perseverance and believe in Him that things will be okay.”
Basiru referenced “Prophet Ibraheem, who was given a child at old age, saying despite his dream that he slaughtered the child, he made it a reality by slaughtering Ismail but the patience of the father and son gave birth to the Islamic world we are proud of today.”
He stressed that trials and tribulations are meant for humans but Muslims should confront the two with prayers, patience and perseverance.
Earlier, Dr Zaynab Shittu-Adenuga of Faculty of Law at Fountain University, Osogbo, spoke on the need for parents to raise their children with the fear of Allah and instil Islamic virtue in their wards.
Also, Convener of Al Tasnim, Chief Magistrate Habeebah Basiru, said she decided to hold the Ramadan lecture for spiritual growth and renewal and to reach out to the less privileged.
