The Chief Imam, Diobu Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, Alhaji Abdul- Salam Suleiman, has charged Muslims to avoid alcohol, drug addiction, promiscuity and indecent dressing during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
Suleiman made the call when he spoke on the importance of the Sallah celebration with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
He said anybody indulging in drug addiction or drunkenness had no self-control and could get involved in violence, which he said, was not the teachings of Islam.
According to him, all Muslim practices today are a reflection of the life of Prophet Mohammed.
“Eid-el-Kabir is a day set aside by Muslims all over the world to honour Prophet Mohammed who upheld the precepts of the Almighty Allah.
“Nigerians should obey the holy Quran. Today, most women in Nigeria prefer to expose themselves, this is against Islam,” he said.
Suleiman charged Nigerian Muslims to see hajj as a doctrine of Prophet Mohammed that should be upheld in the same manner that portrayed peace.
He attributed the repatriation of some Nigerian pilgrims from Mecca to the efforts to curb the menace of indecent dressing but thanked Allah that they were later called back.
According to him, Islam does not tolerate adultery and the best step is to avoid luring men through indecent dressing by the female folk.
Suleiman urged Muslim faithful not to allow the present hardship and insecurity in the country to discourage them from celebrating the Ed-el-Kabir.
He said it should be seen as periods of thanksgiving to Allah and spiritual strength for the times ahead.
“It’s not compulsory to slaughter rams as a mark of celebration but if there is money for slaughtering of rams, nobody is exempted from doing so.
“Slaughtering of rams is not determined by age; a 10 year-old boy as well as a 100 years-old man could slaughter a ram if he could afford it.’’
The Imam advised Muslims and Christians alike to obey the holy books, the Bible and the Quran, as they serve as a guideline for a perfect life.
He, therefore, encouraged youths in the country to develop interest in reading religious books so as to be inspired in the service of God.
Suleiman urged youths to take advantage of the spiritual inspirational books authored by Muslims and Christian writers to build good morale that would benefit the society. (NAN)