The Secretary-General, League of Imams and Alfas, Sheikh Tajudeen Adewunmi says it is not proper for men who aren’t married to eat from their lovers after observating their daily fast in the month of Ramadan.
He made the statement in an interview with The Punch while talking about dos and don’ts during and after Ramadan.
Adewunmi, who is also the Chief Imam of Ilaro in Ogun State, said that until they officially become husband and wife, a man and woman should not be close during the period.
According to him, the advise should be taken seriously because the ”devil is everywhere and ready to influence thoughts and actions.”
The cleric said;“Alhamdulillah; dating is a period of getting right all that should be put in place for a life of togetherness in matrimony for the rest of one’s life. Closeness at this stage has got to be managed with some strict discipline. The devil is everywhere and ready to influence thoughts and actions.
For would-be husband and wife, where will they be if and when they have to cook for each other? Not until the aqdun nikkah is done, the man is not entitled to the lady and closeness while alone is a fertile ground for devil’s push towards premarital prohibitions.”
On whether Islam encourages Muslims to fight non-Muslims because they are not fasting, he said; “Not at all; only those who have believed in the Islamic faith are enjoined to partake in the fasting in the month of Ramadan for further spiritual elevation and fortification.”
Sheikh Adewunmi added; “Islam means peace, preaches peace, and commands actions that ensure communal peaceful coexistence. Allah warns in the glorious Qur’an that ‘there is no compulsion in religion’.
That message is well understood by Muslims, and it forms the bases for our interaction with non-Muslims. We are all creatures of Allah, the Almighty who guides as He wishes. He declared that He could have made all humans Muslims if He wanted.”