Christians and Muslims in Nigeria have been advised to first change their ways by loving their fellow human beings before turning to pray to God for the peace and progress of the country.
Mallam Yahaya Abdullah, an Ilorin-based cleric, gave the advice on Friday in his sermon at the An-Nawawi Mosque, Ilorin.
While not doubting the power of prayer to turn away the adversity of the country, Abdullah called for everyone praying to first and foremost mend his or her ways.
“All faiths, both Christian and Muslims, must turn back and pray fervently to the Almighty, but we must change our ways first so that our prayers can be answered,” he said.
He explained that Allah had promised to take away all distress if people turn back to Him and mend their ways.
He noted that the state of insecurity and the spate of kidnapping called for serious concern, adding that citizens can turn towards Allah to seek His intervention, even on the economic downturn in Nigeria.
“The situation is deteriorating and defying our thinking and interventions to curb the menace.
“If such a situation happens, Islam has taught us to turn back to Almighty Allah; call upon Allah for He is nearer to you than your jugular veins.
“All situations are defying us in the country. We cannot contain the situation in our midst; we should know that situations and insecurity do not defy Allah.
“He is the one that contains all situations. We should beg Allah to forgive our shortcomings and we must mend our evil ways.
“For Allah to answer our calls and wipe our distress in the country, we must follow the laid down rules; we must do well to our fellow humans,” he said.
