Muri Adio “Baba Bariga” is one of the popular Sheikhs in Lagos. Though many don’t know that this popular Muslim Scholar’s real name is Sheik Muritadoh Bolaji Abdul Kareem. He is one of the respected Mallams, who know what Rosuli says and he follows it to the letter.
Penultimate week, he was at City People head office, Gbagada area in Lagos, where popular Islamic Musician, Saoty Arewa, was the guest of the magazine and City People’s Assistant Society Editor, ABIOLA ORISILE, and the On-Line Editor, SEUN JOSEPH, had an exclusive interview with him. He spoke on what a Muslim should do in the holy month on Ramadan.
What makes Ramadan Special than every other month?
Well, Ramadan is very special. Just like the Almighty God makes some people leaders, that is exactly what Ramadan is to other Islamic months. Almighty Allah made Prophet Muhammed the boss of other prophets. Almighty Allah also made Friday a special day among other days of the week. But what makes Ramadan special is that, Almighty Allah gave human beings the Holy Quran in the month. Almighty Allah also made a Night in Ramadan Special and that is “Night of Wonders”. That is the Night Almighty Allah changes destiny. If you have a bad destiny, Almighty Allah could turn it to good. The night is called “Lailatul Quadri”. If you are opportune to reap the benefits of the Night of Majesty/Wonder” Almighty Allah will grant all you ask for in the holy month.
There is something call “Kodo” you are a man, Almighty Allah has the power to turn you to a female! But he won’t do that. Another one is “Kadara” and that means Almighty Allah can change things as He wishes. A good example is Almighty Allah turning a poor man to a rich man and that usually happens during Ramadan. Almighty Allah offers many Bonuses in Ramadan. That is why many Muslims look forward to Ramadan for blessings as Almighty Allah changes destiny in that holy month.
What do we do to prepare for Ramadan?
Well, this doesn’t have to do with Ramadan alone. I will analyse what a good Muslim must do to prepare for Ramadan. What they should do after Ramadan and what they should do during Ramadan. As a Muslim, we must live our life as if we are going to die tomorrow. Live as if it is just your last day on earth. This is because it will make you do good. But people love doing good during Ramadan because of what they stand to gain. We as Muslims must always prepare for death before Ramadan during Ramadan and after Ramadan, it will make them do good. Ramadan makes us run away from sins, but without Ramadan, we must stay away from sin. We must also pray. That is observing the 5 Rakats, before Ramadan, during Ramadan and after. We must shun looking at women, having sex during Ramadan, eating and using vulgar language during Ramadan. We must shun vices before Ramadan and after Ramadan. Give to the needy before and after Ramadan.
Some women cover their heads during Ramadan and leave it open after Ramadan, what is your take on this?
Lots of women do this, it is a sin. Almighty Allah forbids women leaving their hair uncovered. It is a huge sin. It is even written in the Holy Quran that no mature lady must expose her hair. Exposing your hair is like walking naked. It will make you attractive to men. Do you know somebody can fall in love with you because of your hair?
Women must cover their hair. if you see a beautiful women, look at her hair. It is not just about hair, a woman must cover her nakedness during, before and after Ramadan. It is not good for a man to spot a floor-length clothe, but is not a sin for a lady to adorn same. If you are a mature woman and you don’t want to cover your hair, the holy Quran said you must scrap it bold with no hair at all. It must be bald. When “Malaika” (Angel) sees a woman hair, they walk away from there. So a woman nakedness -start from hair, neck, arms, hand and Legs. This must all be covered not during Ramadan but after Ramadan. So only children can leave their hair open.
Let’s talk about the odd days in Ramadan and what do we do in these odd days?
Well, Lailatulquadri is Night of Majesty and God said that the Night is the Night that he sends. His Malaika to earth to listen to people. On the odd days, nobody can say which day is the LaiLatuLquadri. It is said that before Prophet Muhammed came, prophets before him used to have their Lailatulquadri on day 21 and 23 but Prophet Mohammed did his on the 27th day of Ramadan. If you go to Saudi Arabia, their Lailatulquadri is on the 27th day. But I want to say that Almighty God created us special than the others but you can make yourself special by praying a lot in Ramadan.
God loves us calling on Hm ourselves. There is no harm in telling somebody to pray for you, but tell God what you want. Pray and do Tahajud a lot in Ramadan. Pray alots during Ramadan.
How did you get your name Baba Baringa?
It is a long story. But I will like to say that my father was one of the foremost and respected Alfas in Bariga, but people never called him by that name. But there is this popular Muri Thunder, a musician, and he sang a song talking about this alfa, so he sang a song about me calling mi “Muri Baringa” but many of my friends, who love me and what I stand for didn’t want to call me names, so they gave me “Baba Baringa”.
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