He said challenges are part of human existence and when challenges beckon, it behooves Muslims to put their trust in God as He alone has the power to help the needy and those who call on Him.
Onikijipa, who is also the fourth Grand Mufti (Islamic jurist) of Ilorin, gave the charge during his Khutbah (Eid sermon) at the Eid praying ground in Grammar School, Ojodu Berger, Lagos on Friday.
He noted that even the prophets were faced with challenges but they were able to overcome them after they put their trust in Allah (SWT) alone.
He cited the example of Prophet Moses (ASW) when he faced Pharaoh and his fighters, saying in the face of palpable fear, Musa assured his people that “His Lord is with him and Will not forsake him”.
Onikijipa said with utmost trust in Allah, Moses was delivered from Pharaoh and he overcame the challenges by crossing the Red Sea with his team while Pharaoh and his fighters perished in it.
The cleric, who delivered his sermon in Arabic with a translator beside him, said only Allah can deliver Muslims from challenges.
“Our act of worship – Ramadan fast, prayers, enjoining what is right, and doing good deeds – are what Allah uses in preparing us for challenges. When challenges come, these are what we must exploit, with trust in Allah, to overcome.
“It is only Allah we must and can turn to during challenges,” he added.
On the benefits of the Ramadan fast, the cleric explained that the month-long exercise helped the Muslim ummah to remember the essence of their existence, duty to Allah and mankind.
He added that Ramadan helped the Muslim faithful to draw the line between excesses, remembered the needy, enjoined goodness, and made them conscious of their creator at all times.
Onikijipa, however, enjoined Muslims to sustain all the restraints, good deeds, and religious activities they practiced during Ramadan so as to benefit from the full blessings they were promised by their creator.
Speaking at the sideline, Ibrahim Onikijipa, used the Eid occasion to urge Nigerians to shun divisive rhetorics, remain united and work toward making Nigeria great.
“This is enshrined in our coat of arms. Peace, unity and progress. Nigerians shouldn’t let what has happened in the past hold us down. We must remain united for the greater good of the country,” he said.
