By Usman Gwadabe
Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam. Muslims who are wealthy and healthy in addition with ability to travel in safety are directed to perform it.
Qur’an says: “And proclaim that the people shall observe Hajj pilgrimage. They will come to you walking or riding on various exhausted (means of transportation).
“The people owe it to God that they shall observe Hajj to this shrine, when they can afford it.”
The period of the pilgrimage is specified by the Qur’an where it says: “Hajj shall be observed in the specified months. Whoever sets out to observe Hajj shall refrain from sexual intercourse, misconduct and arguments throughout Hajj.”
Recently, Kano State governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf has broken a history in the ancient and most populous city in the country by allocating Hajj slots to different categories of people.
Among the beneficiaries of Governor Yusuf sponsorship included traditional rulers, Ulama, politicians, singers, celebrities, people with disabilities, journalists, orphans to mention but few.
However, what attracted me much to write this small piece is the way and manner of Governor Yusuf humanistic foresight and loved for less-privileged people in the society decided to allocate two slots of Hajji seats to orphanage, particularly these that are under government care at specified houses.
Indeed, this shows Governor Yusuf’s extra concern and love to these categories of human being whom they have no one to claim as either their biological fathers, mothers, siblings or relatives.
They are certainly in loneness, nowhere to go for visitation except a friend or family who happens to adopt them in good faith.
However, Governor Yusuf’s care for these orphans started since when he assumed office.
One of the places he visited with passion was the Nassarawa Orphanage Home during the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
While having a launch with them, he said: “I want to announce that we have taken full responsibility of all the 95 orphans domiciled in this facility.
“We will take care of their education from primary to tertiary institutions, healthcare services, feeding and other social needs throughout our tenure.
“You are now my children, I will take care of you as my own.
“You will begin to feel good side of life Insha Allah (by God Grace),” the governor assured them.
To testify the truth in the governor’s promises, during the immediate past Ramadan period, he hosted them at Government House, Kano for breaking the fasting.
The food, the drinks, the fruits and other things brought to them were similar to the one he hosted four Emirs, legislators, including the Speaker, commissioners, 44 local government chairmen, Ulama, labour unions and the rest.
It was during an Iftar (breaking of fast) shortly after returning from a journey, Governor Yusuf, after exchanging banters with them, announced allocation of two Hajj slots to them.
The orphans were so excited chanting: “Thank you our father, may Almighty Allah reward you with the highest paradise.”
One of the orphans, Abdullahi Muhammad who spoke on their behalf, appreciated the parental care and concern being accorded to them.
On her part, Malama Maryam, described the governor’s treatment as similar one done to his biological children.
Now that Governor Yusuf has opened a new chapter in taking absolute care of orphanage in the society, there is need for other state governors to emulate him, particularly on this newly introduced Hajj seats allocation to such people.
I am sure this sponsorship of orphans under government custody was the first of its kind in the history of the state.
I also doubt if there is any state which is predominantly Muslims that has ever done this kind of gesture from Governor Yusuf to the orphanage.
This initiative is very significant to the wellbeing of the occupants of the house, which will surely make them to feel being carried along like all others.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasised the importance of supporting orphans and promised great rewards for those who care for them.
The rewards include: Closeness to the Prophet in paradise. The prophet of Islam, peace be upon him, says: “I and the sponsor of an orphan will be in paradise like these two, and he pointed with his two fingers, meaning: the index and middle finger.”
This indicates that caring for an orphan brings you close to the Prophet in paradise, thus highlighting the high status of this act.
Also, in another Hadith, the Prophet said: “The best house among the Muslims is the house in which orphans are well-treated.
“The worst house among the Muslims is the house in which orphans are ill-treated.”
This Hadith emphasises the importance of treating orphans with kindness and compassion in your own home.
However, rewards for caring: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The one who cares for an orphan and myself will be together in paradise like this,” and he held his two fingers together to illustrate.
This Hadith shows that caring for orphans is a righteous deed that earns you a high status in paradise.
Likewise, the Prophet (peace be upon him) warned against consuming an orphan’s wealth, listing it as one of the seven destructive sins.
He said: “Avoid the seven destructive sins… consuming the wealth of an orphan.”
In one of the Hadiths: A man came to the Prophet complaining of hardness of his heart and the Prophet (peace be upon him) advised him to “be merciful to the orphan, pat his head and feed him from your food.
“Your heart will become soft and your needs will be fulfilled.”
You will believe in me that, reward a person will receive in sponsoring people to perform Hajj could not be over exaggerated.
For instance, praying in the Grand Mosque in Makkah (Masjid al-Haram) and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah (Al-Masjid an-Nabawi), which are two of the most sacred sites, carries significant rewards.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “A prayer in this mosque of mine (Al-Masjid an-Nabawi) is better than a thousand prayers elsewhere, and a prayer in Al-Masjid al-Haram is better than a hundred thousand prayers elsewhere.”
Imagine a reward of hundred thousand prayers which is equivalent to more than 80 years prayer elsewhere.
Therefore, by the time someone sponsored a Muslims to perform Hajj and that person stays in Makkah for 30 days with praying the five congregational prayers in the Masjid al-Haram that man rewards would be equal to praying 12,000 years.
Thus, Governor Yusuf’s initiative to sponsor two orphans in addition to over hundreds of others to perform Hajj this year will surely attract him abundant rewards which only God Almighty could know.
The statement is supported by the saying of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him: “Whoever initiates a good practice (Sunnah Hasana) will receive its reward and a reward equal to that of those who follow it, without diminishing their rewards in any way.”
The Hadith emphasises the importance of supporting and promoting good deeds and the rewards that come with it.
I pray to God Almighty to reward Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf with the highest paradise for inculcating happiness in the mind of the sponsor particularly the orphans and others to perform Hajj with him this year.
I also, pray to God Almighty, in His Mercy, to make it easy for him and other Muslims to perform this year’s pilgrimage which is expected to fall on Friday, a similar day our Beloved Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him performed his one and only great Hajj.
I hereby pray to God Almighty to give more strength to Governor Yusuf to continue with this initiative and may God, in His Mercy draw the attention of other governors, who are Muslims, to emulate this good deed.
Gwadabe is the Director Public Enlightenment, Government House, Kano and could be reached via usmgwdb@gmail.com.
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