Clerics to pilgrims: Use hajj to pray for Nigeria… our country needs divine intervention

Islamic clerics who are members of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Ulama team in Saudi Arabia have sermonised Nigerian pilgrims against cursing the nation’s political leaders.

Speaking with journalists in Makkah on Thursday, Rafee Al-Ijebuwi, the grand mufti of Ijebu-Igbo in Ogun state and member of the NAHCON Ulama team, said Nigeria needs divine help rather than a curse.

Al-Ijebuwi said pilgrims should take a cue from Prophet Muhammad, who prayed for Makkah out of love for his homeland.

He added that it is the duty of every pilgrim to seek divine inspiration for those in authority.

“As far as the country is concerned, every pilgrim here in the holy land should love Nigeria and should pray for Nigeria,” he said.

“He or she should love Nigeria the way Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) loved Makkah.

“As for our leaders, it is the responsibility of every pilgrim, male and female, to pray that Allah should inspire our leaders with what will benefit the masses of the country.

“No pilgrim should curse the leaders because they are the products of your society. You and I should adjust where it is necessary.”

Garba Al-Yolawi, the chief imam of Area 10 mosque in Abuja, also called on pilgrims to pray for Nigeria’s leadership.

Al-Yolawi said the country is grappling with challenges in the areas of security, economy, morals and governance which need divine intervention.

“We need divine intervention. With about 50,000 pilgrims sincerely praying, Allah can change things,” he said.

He warned against wishing harm on leaders, saying such prayers could backfire.

“But we must not pray for the driver of the car (our leaders) to crash while we are still passengers in the same car. If the driver crashes, so do we,” he said.

“We must pray for guidance and change, that Allah directs our leaders aright, and that He opens their hearts to do good.”

He said sincere prayers can lead to transformation, loss of power, or a return to sound judgment.

“Prayer can manifest in many ways; it can cause a person to change, lose power or regain a sense,” he said.

“All of these are possible responses to sincere prayers.”