Nigeria: Point of view | Sunday Islamic activities are not obligatory

We use Sunday, which is for us feedback. The benefits are tremendous. The people's lives have been enriched. Many Muslims are now sure of what they believe. Many Muslims come back and testify about how their lives have changed for the better because they are makingprogress in their families and businesses. 

Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Int'l Desk
Source & Credit:The Guardian - Nigeria
By TAOHEED OLAOSEBIKAN SOBOYEDE,
Administrative Secretary, National General Secretary
Ahmadiyya Muslim Juma'at, National Headquarter

FRIDAY worship service is quite monotonous. The faithful just come in for prayers, listen to the sermon and go back without being able to ask questions or make observations. Hence, many know very little about their religion. As a result, many become very vulnerable and are easily lured into other religions. Others are willing to cause problems in the name of fighting for God. That is why Islamic leaders saw the need to have another day added to the Friday time of worship. After carefully considering it, they decided that Sunday was the ideal day since it was a day of rest.

On that Sunday, we hold Assalatu lectures, business and marriage seminars. Instead of talking with both sides of the mouth, these missioners, Imams, and professionals in various disciplines take them through the Holy Quran, and speak on how to network in their business, solve family problems and relate peacefully with others. The hamadryad movement is divided into five auxiliary bodies. The first is Majlis - Atfal organization, made up of boys from ages seven to five. These boys engage in all kinds of activities like camping, workshops, picnics, excursions and are taught how to save for the future. The second is the Nariratul Alhmadiyya, which is for young girls between ages seven to 15. They are taught all kinds of household activities as well as crafts.

The third group is the Majlis Khuddamul - hamadryad aged between 16 to 40. They are the vanguard of the movement, our engine room. The fourth is the women organisation, the Lagma Imaillah. They consist of various professionals like lawyers, engineers, accountants, etc., who come together to educate themselves in areas of common interests. The last is the Mojlis-Ansarullah, aged 40 and above.

The Sunday service is important because the needs, desires and aspirations of all these people are given equal attention. It helps us meet their physical, emotionally and spiritual needs. They interact; ask questions on family planning, marriage, business etc.

Dr. Is-haq Akintola is the author of the book, The Friday Question. He is in the frontline for the agitation that Friday should be a work free day. Although the agitation is in line, it does not have Islamic backing. The fact that Christians go to church on Sundays and rest afterwards does not mean Government must allow Muslims to take Fridays off too. People can declare a day for rest for themselves if they run their own business or if their workplace allows it. But in a multi-religious society like ours, it will be difficult for Friday to be declared as work free, since we already have Sundays and Saturdays that is already a half day. If Friday is also taken as a day of rest, there will only be four days of work in a week. So our leaders saw Government's reluctance, they decided to settle for Sunday, which is a day of rest for all.

We use Sunday, which is for us feedback. The benefits are tremendous. The people's lives have been enriched. Many Muslims are now sure of what they believe. Many Muslims come back and testify about how their lives have changed for the better because they are making progress in their families and businesses. Sunday worship, rather than cause disaffection, can promote inter-religious peace, if we use our services to teach peace, religious tolerance and love for our fellow men. Muslims and Christians should respect and understand each other's views and activities. We should not antagonise each other. We should not incite our members because even the Holy Prophet (SAW), was hospitable to Christians. He allowed Christians from Anuran to pray in his mosques since they were praying to the same God of heaven and earth. There is no greater love and tolerance than this. His ethics of war is that no elderly person, woman or child is killed, no fruitful tree is cut down or synagogues destroyed. Our northern brothers need to learn from the Holy Prophet so that they will desist from 'killing for God' in the name of religion. You cannot help God. He can fight for himself.

'Sunday Has Promoted Brotherly Love Among Muslims'

Read full article here:  Sunday Islamic Activities Are Not Obligatory