An Islamic scholar in Abuja, Ustaz Rasheed Haashim, has called on Muslims to properly plan their time ahead of the forthcoming Ramadan in order to fully reap its benefits.

Ustaz Haashim made the call while delivering a lecture during the pre-Ramadan seminar organised by the Organisation of Tadhamunul Muslimeen (OTM), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter. Speaking on the topic "Ramadan: The Month of Reformation,""the scholar advised fasting Muslims against wasting their precious time on frivolous issues and arguments which could lead to conflicts.

He also observed that addiction to the internet or social media could prevent fasting Muslims from using their time on the real acts of worship. The former Ameer of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), University of Ilorin, also encouraged Muslims to do medical check-up so that they could be physically fit ahead of the fasting period.

He said the compulsory fasting in the month of Ramadan "will reform our behaviour, the way we worship our creator, the way we spend our resources, the way we relate with our families and the way we live in our society. "Ramadan has come to correct the sins we make through our tongue. Fasting is not limited to the abstinence from food and water, but it also entails moving away from telling lies, evil talks, gossip, backbiting, vain utterances that are contrary to the teachings of Islam.

"It reformed our pious predecessors to the extent that they talked less. They engaged in acts of worship. If someone wants to fight you, say you are fasting. A fasting Muslim is expected to be morally upright," he added.

Ustaz Haashim, however, said Ramadan should not be used as an excuse for laziness at work, especially those working in government or private establishments.

"You need to move away from too much eating. By the time you eat too much, sleep will overtake you. Ramadan is not a month of eating. It's the month of training. Don't stress yourself too much. By the time you stress yourself on frivolous and irrational activities, you will be affected during the night," he advised.