There was something about today.

I woke up feeling unlike myself (we all know what happened the night before with my little one). I wasn’t as upbeat as I usually am. My mind was racing, and I found myself overthinking so many things that have been happening lately.

I tried to do my devotion, but I just couldn’t focus. I tried to pray, but the words wouldn’t come. I even put on Nathaniel Bassey’s The King Is Coming album, something that usually settles my heart but today, it just wasn’t enough.

Somehow, I still found my way to church.

The Bible passage for the day was exactly what I needed. It quieted the voices in my head that were trying to fill me with worry, resentment, and fear. It wasn’t the first time I’d read those verses, but today, they met me exactly where I was.

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24–26 (NIV)

The part that stayed with me was, ”…and give you peace.”

Not answers.
Not explanations.
Not everything falling into place overnight.

Just… peace.

I felt those words deep within my soul, and all I could whisper was:

“Lord, please give me resounding peace.”

Amen.

The difficult days will come. There will be moments when our hearts feel heavy and our minds become noisy. But I’ve been reminded today that God’s peace is real, and His help is never far away.

Sometimes, it’s just around the corner.

The Angel of Death, known as Malak al-Mawt, visits every home five times a day, knowing each person’s appointed time. "Indeed, the Angel of Death, who is entrusted with you, will take your souls. Then to your Lord you will be returned." (Surah As-Sajdah 32:11).

A devout young man from the Children of Israel often sat in the gatherings of Prophet Sulaiman (peace be upon him). One day, the Angel of Death appeared, and the man, recognizing him, turned pale and trembled, knowing his time had come. In fear, he begged Sulaiman to ask the wind to carry him to India. Sulaiman, by Allah’s permission, commanded the wind, and the man was swiftly transported.

Later, Sulaiman saw the Angel of Death and asked why he looked surprised. The Angel replied, “I was commanded to take that man’s soul in India today—but I saw him here with you.” Sulaiman then realized that no one can escape their destiny, no matter how far they flee.

Moral Lesson:

death will find us exactly when and where Allah has decreed—no earlier, no later, no matter the distance traveled.

One day, Prophet Sulaiman saw a tiny ant carrying a grain of food. Curious, he asked:

“O ant, how much food do you need for a year?”

The ant replied:

“Just one grain is enough for me.”

Sulaiman, amazed at how little it needed, decided to test this.

He placed the ant in a small container and gave it one grain of food, then closed it for a year.

After One Year…

When Sulaiman returned and opened the container, he found:

The ant was still alive

But it had eaten only half of the grain

Surprised, he asked:

“Did you not say one grain is enough for a year? Why didn’t you finish it?”

The ant answered:

“Before, I relied on Allah to provide for me, so I ate without worry.

But now, I depended on your promise, so I feared you might forget…

That is why I saved half.”

Lessons from the Story:

Even though it’s not from the Qur’an, it teaches powerful lessons:

Trust in Allah (Tawakkul) is greater than relying on humans

Humans can forget, but Allah never forgets

Even the smallest creatures show wisdom and awareness

The Story of Sumayyah bint Khayyat – The First Martyr of Islam

In the city of Makkah, long before Islam had spread beyond a few devoted hearts, the Quraysh ruled with pride and cruelty, worshipping idols and punishing anyone who dared challenge their ways. Among the early believers was a woman named Sumayyah bint Khayyat. She was a slave, living under harsh conditions, yet her heart was full of courage, faith, and devotion to Allah.

Sumayyah married Yasir, a kind and faithful man, and together they accepted the message of Islam. They understood that embracing Allah’s guidance could bring hardship, but they chose faith over fear. Their home became a quiet sanctuary of belief amidst a city that rejected truth. Their son, Ammar, was raised witnessing the strength, patience, and love for Allah that both his parents embodied.

The Quraysh leaders, particularly Abu Jahl, were furious at anyone who abandoned idol worship. They sought to crush the young Muslim community by inflicting fear, torture, and death. Sumayyah, Yasir, and Ammar became targets. Abu Jahl and his followers captured them, dragging them into the streets to punish them for their faith.

The torture was cruel. Yasir was beaten mercilessly; Ammar was terrified but tried to remain steadfast. Sumayyah endured unimaginable suffering, yet she never cried out in despair or renounced Islam. She whispered to her husband and son, giving them strength:

"Do not fear them, my family. Be patient, for Allah is with the patient, and Paradise is for those who endure for His sake."

Abu Jahl, enraged by her refusal to abandon her faith, finally killed Sumayyah with a spear, making her the first martyr (Shahida) in the history of Islam. Her blood was spilled, but her faith remained unshaken. She passed from this world, yet her courage, steadfastness, and love for Allah left a mark that would inspire generations.

Her son Ammar ibn Yasir survived, carrying forward the lessons of patience and devotion. He became one of the most loyal Companions of the Prophet ﷺ, spreading Islam and serving Allah with courage and sincerity.

Sumayyah’s story teaches us that true love for Allah transcends fear, suffering, and even death. Her unwavering faith in the face of cruelty reminds every Muslim that spiritual strength is the highest form of courage, and that sacrifice for the sake of Allah leaves an eternal legacy.

Eid Mubarak 🌙✨

Alhamdulillah for the completion of thirty days of fasting. May Allah accept our fasting, prayers, charity, and all our acts of worship.

Ya Allah, as You allowed us to witness the end of Ramadan, let us also witness many more in good health, strong Iman, and peace of mind.

Forgive our sins, answer our prayers, and grant us happiness in this life and the next.

May this Eid bring joy to our hearts, blessings to our homes, and success to our lives.

Eid Mubarak to you and your family. 🤲🌙

On this last day of Ramadan, I pray that Allah accepts all our fasting, our prayers, our tears, and every good deed we have done in this blessed month. May He forgive our sins, both the ones we know and the ones we do not know. May He purify our hearts and make us among those who are saved by His mercy.

Ya Allah, as Ramadan is leaving us, do not let its blessings leave our lives. Let the discipline we learned remain with us, let the patience we practiced stay in our hearts, and let the light of this month continue to guide us.

O Allah, forgive our parents, forgive our families, forgive our friends, and forgive every Muslim, living and dead. Heal the sick among us, provide for those who are struggling, ease the worries of those in pain, and grant success to those who are searching for a better life.

Ya Rabb, if we witness another Ramadan, make it better for us. And if this is our last Ramadan, make us among those You have forgiven completely and written among the people of Jannah.

May Allah accept from us and from you.

Ameen.

LEAGUE OF CHIEF IMAMS CAUTION NIGERIANS AGAINST MEDDLING IN MIDDLE EAST CRISIS

•Warns against protest, allowing global events to trigger local unrest

Nigerians, especially Lagos residents, have been cautioned against any kind of protest, disaffection or act that can jeopardise peaceful coexistence in the country due to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. They were also warned against meddling in the ongoing war between Iran, Israel and the United States.

The League of Chief Imams made the appeal while speaking at the 2026 Ramadan Tafsir/Iftar programme, held at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday night.

The position of the Chief Imams was a reaction to the protest staged in some parts of the country, particularly by members of the South-West chapter of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria on Monday in Lagos over the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, during recent United States-Israeli strikes on Iran.

Reacting to the development, the League of Chief Imams who spoke through the National Missioner and Chief Imam of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdulrahman Ahmad, called for calm and restraint, warning that Nigeria must not allow global events to trigger local unrest.

He said that Ramadan and Lent periods should be used to pray for the continuous peace of Lagos and Nigeria rather than embarking on protests or any form of disaffection over the Middle East crisis, noting that any form of demonstration or protest should be disallowed.

The Islamic cleric noted that Nigeria is also affected by current global happenings; hence, the need for reflection, solution-solving and constant prayers for the government to succeed at both the state and federal levels.

He said: "Beware of fitnah; when it happens, it will not only affect those who are responsible for it, but it will also affect all of us. The crisis in the Middle East is fitnah. This is a time for prayer, a time to be part of peace; this is not a time for protest and demonstration. This is not a time for insults. This is not a time for upheavals. It is a time of sober reflection.

“Allah has warned us to beware of a calamity that, when it happens, will not just affect those who are responsible for it. And at the moment, it is affecting all of us. How may it go? I told the congregation they should prepare for an increase in fuel prices. And today, if you have refilled your vehicle's tank, you will know how much petrol is being sold per litre. Chances are that it could even go further. It could even hit N2,000 per litre. It may even be worse than that, except we face it with prayer."

While expressing sadness over the loss of lives and destruction of property in the ongoing Middle East crisis, Sheikh Ahmad said that if citizens cannot be part of the solution, they should not become part of the problem. He also warned against propaganda and being drawn into conflicts that do not directly concern the nation, urging Nigerians to pray for those affected in the Middle East as well as for peace and stability at home.

Referencing the aftermath of the 2020 EndSARS protests, which caused a lot of destruction in Lagos State and other parts of the country, the National Missioner and Chief Imam of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria noted that Lagos State and Nigeria are still dealing with the consequences and cannot afford further disruption.

"We are not happy that our brothers and fellow human beings have been attacked on a daily basis, but then, if we cannot be part of the solution, we should not be part of the problem. Don’t join a protest that you don't know anything about. Remember that the country is still dealing with the effect of EndSARS protests. Don't cause disruption. Your intention may be pure, may be good, but do you know about the next person who will hide under that and cause mayhem and cause destruction? That is why we have come to appeal to all of us that we should be part of the solution, not a part of the problem," he said.

The League of Chief Imams also implored Nigerians to embrace unity, responsibility and spiritual reflection, praying that the sanctity of the month of Ramadan would bring relief and peace to the world. They also urged clerics to use their respective altars to preach against disaffection, confusion and any form of protest and allow peace to thrive across the land.

The 2026 Ramadan Tafsir/Iftar programme was attended by Islamic clerics, Muslim faithful, top government officials, civil servants and journalists.

Photos:

Pix 9745, 9758 from left: Grand Chief Imam of Ikorodu Division, Sheikh Sefiudeen Ademoritan Oloworibi; Chief Imam of Lagos State, Shaykh (Engr) Sulaimon Oluwatoyin Abou-Nolla; National Missioner, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdrahman Olanrewaju Ahmad; Al-Mufasir, Lagos Central Mosque, Imam Shakiru A. Gafar and Chief Imam and Chairman, Mission Board Lagos State Secretariat Community Central Mosque, Imam (Dr) Sa'eid Ahmad during a press briefing on the solidarity protest in Lagos on the United States-Israel strike on Iran at the Ramadan Tafsir/Ifar, held at the State Mosque, Lagos House, Ikeja on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Pix 9733 from left: Chief Imam of Badagry, Fadhilat Sheikh Al-Imam Abdul-Hakeem Akewusola; Chief Imam of Epe, Sheikh AbdulRahman Abiola Sadallah; Grand Chief Imam of Ikorodu Division, Sheikh Sefiudeen Ademoritan Oloworibi; Chief Imam of Lagos State, Shaykh (Engr) Sulaimon Oluwatoyin Abou-Nolla; National Missioner, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdrahman Olanrewaju Ahmad; Al-Mufasir, Lagos Central Mosque, Imam Shakirudeen Gafar and Chief Imam and Chairman, Mission Board Lagos State Secretariat Community Central Mosque, Imam (Dr) Sa'eid Ahmad during a press briefing on the solidarity protest in Lagos on the United States-Israel strike on Iran at the Ramadan Tafsir/Ifar, held at the State Mosque, Lagos House, Ikeja on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

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Happy Ramadan to all Muslim Faithfuls from OurPalaver.

We wish you a month full of good deeds and worship.

Wonder is it the doing of Allah

About the devolution to His slaves; Al Amr

Power is given to some Ibadullah

And the rule like they control Amn

Amazing is the way of Allah

About the bestowment of His Fadl

Wealth is given to some Ibadullah

And they spend till they burst their bubble

Blessed is He whose Hand my soul lies

To Him belongs Absolute Power and Authority

It's Him who shielded the Earth with the sky

And bestow Bani Adam with superiority

There are three roads to the riverside

One acts, one teaches and one combine the two

The best way to stem its tide

Is to act and teach what is good

It was commanded with Taqwa alongside

A part of it is the second most beloved act

Acting on it makes living a smooth ride

Ibrahim used it to relieve Ismail of stress And his message was delivered as wanted

The Prophet tied it to two heavy loads

The Sahaba became a symbol by exhibiting it

The best way out of the three roads

Is performing Birr and teaching it