Nigerian pilgrims pray for Nigeria, leaders, families in Arafat

  

   Nigerian pilgrims said that they would use the Arafat day to intensify efforts toward in praying for peace, stability and development of the country.

   The pilgrims disclosed this during separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the plain of Arafat on Thursday, Dhul-hijja 9, 1438 AH. The pilgrims also promised to pray to the Almighty Allah for giving them the opportunity to be among the 2 million Muslims who converged for the Arafat.

  Dr Bashir Usman, one the pilgrims, told NAN that the day was significant to all Muslims, whether on Hajj or not.  ‘’The Prophet said, for those who did not have the opportunity to go to Hajj, if they fast the day of Arafat, Allah will forgive their sins for last year. ”He will also do so for them in the preceding year, so, it is the day Allah forgive sins and shower His mercy on his servants.‘’For those who have the opportunity to be in the Arafat, the Prophet said that Allah would forgive them their sins and answer their prayers.

   ‘’I am happy to be here today,’’ he said. Usman said that he would also use the opportunity of the Arafat day to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari. Alhaji Aliyu Mujitaba, another pilgrim, expressed happiness for having the opportunity of standing before the plain of the Arafat.

  He said that he would pray for himself, his family and the country.  Mujitaba also said that he would also pray to Allah to make paradise the final abode for him and his family and give them the good of this world and in the hereafter. Tukur Hassan also expressed delight for the chance given to him by Allah to attend this year Hajj. According to him, Arafat day is significant to all Muslims, adding that it is the day Allah answers prayers of His servants.

   ‘’I am feeling happy today and I will pray for my family and my country. ‘’May Allah bring an end to insurgency in North-East and other problems bedeviling the development of Nigeria, because we don’t have any other country,’’ he said. NAN reports that the pilgrims are expected to leave Arafat immediately after sunset for Muzdalifah where they will past a night before proceeding on other Hajj rites. (NAN)