The Islamic police in Kano, Hisbah has arrested Muslims seen eating and drinking publicly, as well as those selling food during Ramadan when Muslims are expected to fast from dawn until dusk.
According to the deputy commander of the Hisbah, Mujahid Aminudeen, twenty people have now been arrested for not fasting and five others for selling food. He further stated that the operations which began on Saturday, will stretch till the end of the month.
Aminudeen also stated that “we don’t concern ourselves with non-Muslims” and that any “disrespect” for Ramadan would not be condoned.
“It’s heart-breaking that in such a holy month meant for fasting, adult Muslims would be seen eating and drinking publicly. We won’t condone that and that’s why we went out to make arrests,” he said.
The Hisbah official revealed that all 25 arrested offenders had been charged in a Sharia court and would be punished accordingly.
He further highlighted that they sometimes get tip-offs when people are seen eating.
“We do get calls from people who are enraged after seeing people eating in public and we act fast by going to the area to make arrests.”
Last year, those arrested for not fasting were freed after promising to fast, while the relatives or guardians of some of them were summoned and ordered to monitor them to make sure they fast.
Those arrested this year were not so lucky as they will have to face the court.
Ramadan has a special significance in Islam. It is usually observed during daylight hours and lasts 29 or 30 days each year. This year, it is expected to end on Sunday 30 March.
GI’s Legal Corner
Sharia law was introduced to work alongside secular law in 12 of Nigeria’s northern states just a little more than two decades ago.
Under the Sharia Law, fasting during Ramadan is considered one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is obligatory for all Muslims who are physically and mentally capable. This ruling is based on Quran 2:183:
“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.”
It is also based on the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad:
“Whoever does not fast (in Ramadan) without a valid excuse, will not be able to compensate for it, even if he fasts for the rest of his life.”
In Nigeria, the Sharia law ruling on fasting during Ramadan is widely observed by Muslims, particularly in the northern regions where Sharia law is more prevalent. Muslims in Nigeria are expected to refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan.
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