By Sadiq Abdulfatah

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has directed Imams across Nigeria to begin observing Qunootun-Nawazil—special supplications during times of calamity—during the last rak’ah of all five daily congregational prayers.

He also instructed that the first Friday Jumu’ah prayer of the new Hijrah year, scheduled for June 19, should be dedicated to intensified prayers seeking divine intervention against insecurity and other national challenges.

In the same message marking the Islamic New Year, the Sultan called on religious leaders to deliver solemn sermons and increase supplications for peace, stability and good governance in the country.

The statement, issued through the Secretary-General of the JNI, Professor Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, said the Sultan noted that the current wave of insecurity appears to be persisting despite ongoing efforts to contain it, making continued prayers and collective action necessary.

He urged Muslims to remain law-abiding, God-fearing and committed to lawful means of livelihood while also contributing positively to national development.

The Sultan further encouraged the observance of voluntary fasts of Tasu’a and Ashura on June 24 and 25, in line with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), describing the Hijrah as a period of reflection, sacrifice, piety and positive transformation.

He prayed that the new Hijrah year would bring peace, prosperity, security and abundant blessings to Nigeria and the wider Muslim Ummah.

Source: Daily Nigeria