Re: Creating 250 millionaires by planting 25,000 trees

We’veraised250,000 naira (in cash and pledges) from social media after launching our tree planting programme last week. Only a fifth of that is cash, but that’s not too bad in this recession. Further, I’ve not sent a reminder to those who promised to donate. Yet, we’re quite encouraged that many compatriots share our enthusiasm and are willing to help.

However, one of the main concerns of some people is that the fruit would be so available that the market would become saturated. But that is a good problem to have. It would mean we’re inching toward food security. And when we come to that bridge, if it turns out to be a challenging one, there are two obvious benefits. One, it lowers the price of guava so that everyone can afford it. There are countries where affordability of fruits is a given. Two, if the local market is saturated, we can export.

In spite of the few concerns however, when I called on friends (and my bosses) from all over the world to donate, some were ecstatic.

In the name of Allah most beneficent, most merciful, Assalamu Alaikum! This column, which has been an annual one in the last eight years, did not feature last year. This is because of the exigencies of my studies. However, from this Saturday, the column will insha Allah feature throughout the holy month. As I always say, Islam injunctions do not change and the essence of this column is to remind us some of the basic dos and don’ts during the holy month of Ramadan. Therefore, this year’s column will focus on the significance and observances prescribed for all Muslims faithful during the month. It will also bring out the benefits that are derivable from the month through the observances for Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

The Islamic month of obligatory fasting is known as Ramadan. Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is obligatory for all adult Muslims in good mental and physical health who are not on a journey. The month has twenty-nine or thirty days.

- As reported by Bukhari in a Hadith, Allah says that all other deeds of mankind are for themselves, but that fasting is for Him and He will reward it without measure.

- Fasting as an act of worship has no equal in the worship of Allah. As reported by Nasa’i in a Hadith, Allah says that “fasting is mine and has no One hajiya donated from Australia. Dr. Jabir Jibril sent his own from UAE.

But the biggest one yet is from Canada. I received the following mail from my friend, Jamil Jibril, who is based in Canada. Although he didn’t ask me to announce it, to inspire others, I want to do it quickly before he stops me:

“Salam. I saw your post on FB and Twitter regarding the tree planting initiative. I’d like to make a contribution and also adopt a local government in my home state.”

His state is Sokoto. Even though we planned to start with Niger, we’re happy to accommodate this change. Others who want to donate to a cooperative in a specific state can do so now. We would recruit the qualified ones and give them the seedlings and monitor their progress.

So cooperatives from Sokoto should please apply. We are going to send a representative to come and inspect the land, etc. As mentioned in the last column, the number of trees to plant in one LGA is 1,000 and the cost (seedlings, transportation, etc.) is N200,000. So by adopting one LGA in Sokoto, Jamil has donated N200,000. However, although we’ve received equal in my sight. I am the only one to reward it.”

- Supplications offered at sunset after breaking the fast are not rejected by Allah. Baihaqi reported in a Hadith that the du’a (supplication) of a person fasting will not be refused.

- As reported by Muslim, the fasting person has two moments of joy: one is when he/she breaks the fast and the other is when he/she rejoices over his fasting in the hereafter.

- Fasting will intercede for a person on the Day of Judgment. Ahmad reported in a Hadith that fasting will say to Allah, “O Lord, I prevented him from his food and physical desires during the day, so let me intercede for him.”

- The unpleasant body odour of a fasting person is considered a blessing. Ahmad reported in a Hadith that the odour from the mouth of a fasting person is a strong fortress that keeps the person safe from fire.

- Muslims reported that whoever fast one day for the sake of Allah, Allah will remove his face a distance of seventy light years from hell fire.

- Muslim also reported in a Hadith that whoever seeks the pleasure of Allah by fasting for one day will enter Paradise if that day should prove to be the last of his life.

- Bukhari reported in a Hadith that there is a gate called al-Rayyaan through which only those that fast will enter Paradise. The gate will be locked after them, as no one else is permitted to enter through it.

- “The night that is better than a some inquiries from that state, no cooperative from Sokoto has applied.

So far, the following people have also donated: Dr. Mohammed Paiko, N10,000; AlhajiAbdulkadir Ahmed, N5,000; Alhaji Anonymous, N10,000; Fatima Shettima, N10,000 and others who don’t want their names mentioned.

Following are some of the comments and support we’ve received.

Muhammad Alibaba: Very bold and promising initiative. I sincerely salute your courage to move beyond precepts to ACTION. Practice / Implementation is key to the viability of any idea. After all, it’s been long established that the taste of the pudding is in the eating. More grease to your elbows! My contribution is certainly assured.

Dr. Abubakar Kaka Sanda: Very good initiative. I was at the work place. In my less busy moment I tried to ‘glance through’ the Internet to see what’s trending. I now saw your post. When I started reading it, I realized it needed more attention that I was giving. So I logged out of Facebook and said to myself; this important post should be read when I’m at home, so that I can fully understand. Count me thousand nights” is in the last ten days of the month of Ramadan. The Holy Qur’an was revealed during this night (Lailatul Qadr).

- Bukhari reported that when Ramadan begins the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of hell closed, and the devils are put in chains.

- Ramadan fasting, as reported by Ahmad, is equivalent to ten month’s fasting. This means that the rewards of fasting during Ramadan are equivalent to those of fasting during ten other months.

- Ramadan fast, as reported by Bukhari, attracts Allah’s forgiveness of previous sins. As a Hadith says, all previous sins of whoever fasts during Ramadan out of faith and with the hope of rewards will be forgiven.

- Ahmad reported that Allah frees those that fast from hell fire and a Hadith says: “At the breaking of every fast, Allah chooses people to free from hell fire.”

Though the above listed virtues are by no means exhaustive, they indicate what benefits could be derived by fasting if performed for the sake of Allah alone and according to the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

Much of the wisdom and many benefits attaching to fasting as an act of worship have to do with piety (taqwa), as mentioned by Allah in chapter 2, verse 183 of the Holy Qur’an. This means that it would be easier for anyone to avoid sin and become pious in!

Muktar Ibrahim: I am what you may call a guava expert. How can I help?Growing guava is never an easy task, it needs fanatical commitment, perseverance and patience. I can help, especially with the one that’s called the jumbo size, white inside, commonly on sale at Zuba, Wuse and Maitama fruit market.

Hassan Mohammed: Alhamdullillahi. With these progressive minds like you, there is a future for our youth. Thumbs up!

Muhammad Bello Kusharki: In JCI [Junior Chamber International] Abuja, tree planting is one of our numerous projects. This year alone, we have planted close to 300 trees across two schools in Abuja. And we created JCI GoGreen Ambassadors among the students whereby each ambassador is to nurture a plant till it grows. We did this with our own money and sponsorship from FCT Agricultural Horticulture unit. Tree planting is amazing.I love humanitarian work.

Dr.Kamaluddeen Usman Danyaro:I’m 100% in support Dr. Ibraheem Dooba. May Allah purify our intentions.

MalAhmed Abdulkadir: May Allah reward you, Dr. Ibraheem Dooba. Please send me the account number for the donation.

Abdullberqy U Ebbo: I will give 10, 000 naira.

RabiuAdamu:Very interesting. Pawpaw could be very nice source of income too.

Yariman Buhari Maijamaa: I must be a donor! And I want my women cooperative to benefit, but we are outside Niger. who observes Islamic monotheism (halaal) out of the desire to earn Allah’s pleasure or fear of His punishment.

• It trains individuals to avoid desires that lead to sin. Fasting helps a person to overcome his own nature and weans him from sinful habits. The problem of disorganisation and lack of punctuality, which afflict many people, could be solved by fasting since one would usually be punctual in starting and breaking the fast.

• It keeps man’s faculties from feeling hunger or lust. If the stomach is full the tongue, eyes, hands and libido could become excited and feel hungry. Fasting therefore defeats the devil (shaytan). It controls the desires and protects one’s faculties by giving them rest.

• Fasting demonstrates the unity of Muslims since the Ummah (community) fasts and breaks the fast at the same time. Muslims all over the world fast in the same month and manner.

• People flock to the mosque in the month of Ramadan. Those that do not visit the mosque regularly otherwise would be found to come with open hearts, the month of Ramadan therefore provides the opportunity to call everyone to Allah - to preach, teach appropriate lessons, and speak beneficial words while cooperating in righteousness and good deeds.

• Fasting equalizes the poor and the rich. When a wealthy person feels the pangs of hunger, he experiences what the poor frequently endure. He may therefore develop greater compassion for the poor and give them alms to ward off hunger.

The aspects that are obligatory in fasting are niyya (intention upon the sight of Ramadan crescent),

KasimSulaiman Abdullahi:Dr., I am in. I also want to use this medium to appeal for some seedlings of the guava to be planted at my poultry farm to serve as shelter. I am sure with constant watering and application of chicken droppings the trees will blossom.

Dr. Umar Mohammed Saganuwan:Good initiative. This is worth supporting.

Abdullahi Muhammad Awwal:I love this beautiful initiative Doctor, how can I deposit? AndI also need the constructed messages to send to some of my contacts.

Ibrahim A Wachiko:May the Almighty God bless this project to succeed. “He sends down from the sky water for your drink, and to grow trees for your benefit.”Qur’an 16:10.

Dr. Mohammed Paiko:I have been discussing with my LG chairman on sponsorship of tree planting and he has been dodging, then this unique and beautifully packaged initiative came along. Looks like we think alike and should discuss regularly. Please give me the account number to send in my initial contribution in honor of my late father, Aliya JejigoBabanlarai. I will also apply as the co-operative from Paikoro. Thank you.Greatly appreciated. We shall CHANGE Nigeria, one Guava tree at a time.

That is it from our benefactors. Now, if you also want to donate, please text or email me to do so. Remember that what you donate is sadaqa from which you will receive rewards in multiples - including peace of mind and the satisfaction that you’ve helped our youth. Done in Ramadan, it’s even better. abstinence from eating, drinking and sexual intercourse. Some aspects are recommended as follows:

• The prohet (pbuh), as reported by Bukhari, said: “Have sahur, for in sahur there is blessing.”

• Sahur is eating or drinking towards dawn. The person that fasts should wake up before the call (Adhan) for Fajr (morning) prayers and partake of sahur. It should however be delayed until 30 minutes or so before dawn.

• Break the fast immediately after sunset without delay. Bukhari reported that the prophet (pbuh) said: “The people will be fine so long as they do not delay iftar (breaking of the fast) and delay their sahur towards dawn.”

• Tirmidhi reported that the prophet (pbuh) used to break his fast with fresh dates before the magrib (sunset) prayer immediately after sunset. If fresh dates were not available, he would eat dried dates. If dried dates were not available, he would have a few sips of water because there is purity in water.

• The prophets (pbuh), as reported by Abu Dawud, made the following supplication after iftar: “Dhahabal zama’u; wa’btallatil urooqu wa thabatal ajaru inshaAllah.” This means: “Thirst is gone, the veins are flowing again, and the reward is certain, inshaAllah.”

• A fasting person must keep away from sin. The prophet (pbuh) is reported by Bukhari as saying: “When any of you fasts, let him not commit sin. Allah has no need for anyone to up his food and drink who does not stop speaking or acting in accordance with falsehood.”

InshaAllah, next week we will continue the discussion on sunnah and etiquettes of fasting. Before then, for observation, corrections, suggestions and other contributions please contact 0803-8608418 or liman.isa@gmail. com