Muslims across Nigeria have been urged to uphold the virtues nurtured during Ramadan, as emphasised by Islamic scholar Professor Abdulrazzaq Abdulmajeed Alaro. The call coincided with the Saudi Arabian Embassy’s distribution of food packages to 1,200 Muslim residents in Ilorin, Kwara State, to mark Eid al-Fitr.

Professor Alaro, a Professor of Islamic Law and founder of the Assunnah Academy of Da’wah in Ilorin, described Ramadan as a “month of reformation” during a press briefing. He cautioned against reverting to pre-Ramadan habits, stressing the need for sustained spiritual discipline. “Ramadan is a time for self-purification and renewal. Muslims must strive to retain these values and avoid sinful behaviours,” he stated.

The Saudi Embassy’s initiative, praised by local communities, provided essential supplies to vulnerable groups, reinforcing cross-cultural solidarity during the festive period.

“Whatever we have refrained from during Ramadan because we know it is not pleasing to Allah, we should not return to afterward.

“As Muslims, we should not be pious only during Ramadan and act differently before or after it. Consistency is what Allah demands, and it is through this that we can achieve the success we all pray and yearn for in this life and the hereafter,” he said.

The don added, “We will have a better nation if Nigerians can abide by Allah’s instructions on piety.

“Whether in public or private, our actions must align with God’s commandments. This is the key lesson I want us to carry beyond the month of Ramadan.”

Alaro, who was recently honoured by the Islamic University of Medina as one of its 10 most outstanding alumni, further noted that the Saudi embassy selected Assunnah Academy in Ilorin to provide Iftar during the fasting period.

“You know, Iftar is a tradition during Ramadan, where food is extended to people to break their fast, beyond just our families, as encouraged by the Prophet (SAW).

“As part of this tradition, although we had our own programme at the academy where we fed 100 people daily throughout Ramadan, it was expanded during the last two days to feed 1,200 people, courtesy of the Saudi Arabian embassy in Nigeria, through their Ministry of Islamic Affairs.

“They have a programme worldwide, but they selected several mosques in Nigeria, with Assunnah Academy being chosen for Ilorin to provide Iftar.

“Saudi Arabia is an Islamic state with a dedicated Ministry of Islamic Affairs and a budget for such initiatives. Whatever Islam mandates is not merely a recommendation, but an obligation for them,” he explained.

He also mentioned that, apart from Iftar, the Saudi embassy, through the ministry, is involved in building mosques and providing scholarships to indigent students.

“Another organisation from the kingdom was here a few weeks ago to distribute scholarships and food to the underprivileged, courtesy of the embassy,” he said.