My Reflections on Tilaawah '2018
I marvel at how good I was before joining the Community of Shaykh Abdullahi Maikano Jallo, In fact, I wasn't good at all. This Community is filled with Scholars, Saints, Intellectuals and Sufis who embodify God and the Prophetic maxim.
We are happy that, Prang has independently become a district of its own: Pru West. Few weeks. Prang, the Sanctuary, and Heavenly abode called once again, many answered, glad to be part of the thousands who joined. Here, serenity parachutes in, evoking through and penetrating past, present—future. The gathering from Wednesday — Friday 23rd March 2018 was a success.
Paraphrasing Shaykh Fode Drame: ''One of the duties towards your brother is not to bring him grief, not to bring him fear.'' I bring to you good news:
The purpose of meeting was good, however one cannot tell what intention we all had individually, The Centralized intention was: For Peace & Harmony for Mother Ghana, Love and Progress for Islam and Muslims globally, To earn God’s trust in order to fulfill Humanity’s need, and that is the foremost request of the Initiator, Shaykh Abdullahi Maikano (raḍiya llāhu ‘anhu) from the Most High, May God accept from us.
Why this story?
Stories need to be told, new and from memories old. My first written story '’My first trip to Prang’' captured the attention of many including Brother Abdul-Malik Masoka of South Africa. The critiques and criticism helped it sail further, It was discussed at the front of Shaykh Abulfaid Maikano, the successor and President of the Tijaniyyah Muslim Council of Ghana. He prayed and wishes stories like this would circulate social media. Shaykh Muttawakillu illimi congratulated it, I also had a vision which I cannot tell the full contents but working for the Awliya’Allah is working for God. I encourage you to write too, as much as you can, be faithful with your work, and for sure it would be fruitful. You have to read to write, Let us read, write and re-write our story: His-story.
To wrap things up, all the three arms of government were fully represented in the just ended 2018 Quranic recitation. The Vice President, Dr. Alhaji Mahamoud Bawumia was there some, Navy Representative was there, Alhaji Saeed Gyan represented the Chief Justice, Speaker of Parliament: Represented by Hon. Rashid Pelpuo, Hon. Boniface Minister for Inner-City and Zongo Development, was present there. After the Jumuah Prayer and conclusion, The Vice President and some staffs en routed on, as the Helicopter (The Ghana Air Force) flew them back. A beautiful plane, with a logo, rounded Ghana flag colors with a green dot centered instead of the black star. I popped up to see this giant plane whiles we were joyfully sipping atāya, we never get tired of it :-) .
On the road to Ejura, I was reading a Novel: The Mermaid Chair highlighting this: ''Remember you are dust, to dust we shall return.'' Sue Monk Kidd is a great weaver of story, you need to read her.
At the Mawlid ground, Ejura in the Ashanti Region. Shaykh Uthman Ali Cisse (raḍiya llāhu ‘anhu) preached: It is important for the Muslim to consume his time with God’s remembrance (Dhikr), Fasting and adopting good moral values, seeking through bountiful prayers and recitation of the Quran. After the breaking down, of the genesis of Tilaawah from '63 during President Kofi Abrefa Busia’s time, I couldn’t race names of the contributors, but the Pioneers need to be honored dully.
Shaykh Abdullahi Maikano (ra) has warned us to recite in accord not in haste, to be sure every word gets pronounced, not to stumble on God's word, every information gets in us, and so on. ''Ban son kuna darzan al-Qurani''
The Holy Quran was Totally recited 59,400 times and 4,201,320 recital of Sūrat al-Ikhlāṣ. Three recitals of the Sūrat al-Ikhlāṣ equivalents the blessing of full Quran. Those who couldn't read the Full Quranic text recited three times of May Allah bless their effort and kindness.
My read was on 13th of 30th grouped of Quran and being centered on Freedom and Captivity: Prophet Yusif (Alayhi s-salām) was sold as a slave, betrayed by his own Brothers. Slavery is a reality most people would like us to forget. Talking about freedom cannot free us, freedom is a constant struggle against all impediment. There is but One God, and Muhammad is his servant and Messenger, I bore witness, a lady and a gentleman reverted to Islam on before Jumuah prayers proclaiming the name; Lateef and Lateefah.
I have learned a lot on this trip and to sum up; All the great Men of God were powerful and they would not have achieved 'a thing' without consistency. Consistency is the Master Key to success.
Verses I wrote down for Reflection:
''We sent not an apostle except (to teach) in the language of his (own) people, in order to make (things) clear to them. Now God leaves straying those whom He pleases and guides whom He pleases: and He is Exalted in power, full of Wisdom.'' (Surah Ibrahim verse 4)
"Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction in the
remembrance of God: for without doubt in the remembrance of God do hearts find satisfaction.'' (Surah Ar-Ra'd Verse 28)
''...Verily never will God change the condition of a people until they change it themselves (with their own souls).'' (Surah Ar-Ra'd Verse 11)
Thank you for your time. Wassalāmu Alaykum.
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Nasiru Deen Abdul Jabbar | Travel, lessons and reflections from Tilaawa '55th, Prang Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana.
