Kabiru Umar-Wasagu, an Islamic cleric, has urged pilgrims to follow the footsteps of Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Muhammad in their Hajj rituals.

Mr Umar-Wasagu, a member of the Da’awah Committee, Kebbi Pilgrims Welfare Board, stated this at a routine enlightenment session on Sunday shortly after the dawn (Subh) prayer in Mecca, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The cleric said, “Today, it remains where Muslims around the globe face to observe prayer (Qibla). There is a strong relationship between Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and Prophet Ibrahim (AS) in their mode of life, their belief in Allah (Tauhid), among other things.”

The cleric observed that Prophet Ibrahim had never practised shirk (associating Allah with anything) so also Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Mr Umar-Wasagu said God purified both of them, saying that they were all pious servants of God and had never engaged in shirk.

He quoted the Prophet as saying, “It is your father Prophet Ibrahim that gave you the name Muslim, therefore, hold on to it. When you do good deeds, pray to your Lord to accept it just like the way your father, Prophet Ibrahim prayed while re-building the Secret House (Ka’aba).

“We should follow the footsteps of all prophets up to the time of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). We must also follow the Prophet (SAW) in all his deeds, instructions and what he saw his companions observing and kept silent about it.”

“It’s compulsory on every Muslim to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) to the later and do his/her work for the sake of God Almighty, for your deeds to be accepted.”

Mr Umar-Wasagu assured that whoever intends to destroy or do harm against Ka’aba, Allah would destroy them, and the punishment of Allah would be with him, just like the people of the elephant.

The cleric admonished the pilgrims to use the opportunity in the holy land to pray to God Almighty, saying, “Only He (Allah) has 100 excellent names, and we should use them to supplicate. God says He is hearing not the way we hear, He is seeing not the way we see, among others.”

(NAN)