WOMEN LEADING THE CHANGE IN NIGERIA

In this solo episode, the host explores the bold, inspiring, and transformative role women are playing in shaping Nigeria’s future. From leadership and innovation to advocacy and community impact, Women Leading the Change in Nigeria is a powerful conversation on resilience, progress, and the women redefining what change looks like.

Transcript

SPEAKER_03 2:39

Abuja! Hello, my city people. Welcome to another episode of the Capital City podcast. My name is Saadet Anisha Shaif, and a big, big, big, big happy season. So listen, in Abuja, we're celebrating a lot of things today. First of all, it was the Chinese New Year. Secondly, Ramadan just started today. Thirdly, Catholics are celebrating Ash Wednesday. Fourthly, Pisces season is almost here, which is an amazing time for what? Spirituality and morality. You see, this energy that we're stepping into about this holy month comes with a lot of things. You might find yourself very emotional, very inspirational, or triggered, or exhausted, or restless, or all of a sudden you're starting to feel like you need a change in your life or you want to be better. This is exactly the season for that. And that is why for this week, my topic is steps to enjoy a meaningful and transformational Ramadan. So I'll be back in a bit to introduce my guests to you. See ya. Welcome to the studio, sir. Thank you. Good evening. Good evening. Ramadan Obarak. Ramadan Mubarak, how are you feeling today?

SPEAKER_02 4:47

Well, I feel great. I feel good. And I'm happy to be in Ramadan.

SPEAKER_03 4:51

We are so happy to have you here, sir. So now going straight into it. The topic is how can we enjoy a meaningful and transformational Ramadan?

SPEAKER_02 5:00

Yeah, um, to enjoy a beautiful and meaningful and transformational Ramadan, uh, one actually has to prepare for it.

SPEAKER_03 5:10

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 5:10

Because one knows the benefit of Ramadan is a month whereby uh we are liberated, and in fact, the best libration is uh liberation from hellfire and also entry into Allah's Jannah, that's paradise. So but it does not come free. Uh, you're going to work of work for it. And because we know the importance of this month, then we actually look forward to it, and we actually uh prepare our mind for it because uh the mind that is prepared for Madame benefits more from it.

SPEAKER_03 5:44

Because I was going to ask you, how can one prepare the heart and mindset?

SPEAKER_02 5:47

Yeah, how can I prepare it? Preparing the heart and mindset for Madame, first of all, one has to prepare uh health-wise, yes, you need to know, okay, you need to be fit to uh enter Ramadan. Uh if somebody actually has been on some medications, then maybe that's supposed to be taken like three times a day. The person actually sees a uh decision that says, Okay, can I uh get one that I would take alongside a day so that it will not interfere uh with the flow of Ramadan. But the best preparation uh is that of taqwa, piety because without piety, one will not get the full benefit of Ramadan. And how do you uh have piety, then it's by learning, okay, what are we going to do to make sure that we have the best of Ramadan? It's to make sure that you know the do's and don'ts of Ramadan, what you should do in Ramadan and what should what you shouldn't do. So these are very important to me. Some people are listening.

SPEAKER_03 6:42

We have non-Muslims that are listening and they're like, what is this Ramadan? What is this Ramadan all about? What is it? Is it just about not eating food?

SPEAKER_02 6:48

Ramadan is not about hunger and thirst, it is about actually uh focusing the heart and mind on Allah. You know, um if one uh if it's just about eating, not eating and drinking, then it's not enough because in fact um scholars have actually graded fastest into about three. Uh third grade fastest, second grade fastest, and fourth grade uh fastest. First grade are the best. The third grade uh fasting people are those who just abstain from eating and drinking and uh other uh things and then but they are they look at what they are not supposed to look at, they hear what they are not supposed to hear, and they speak even what they are not supposed to speak.

SPEAKER_03 7:34

So those that was going to be my next question. Many people fast physically where they think it's all about abstaining from food and water, but not spiritually. What does it really mean to fast in a transformative way?

SPEAKER_02 7:46

Now, in a transformative way, to get the benefit of fasting, one has to actually uh fast uh because of Allah. Now, the Prophet says something that he said uh rubas saw him illa job that many people uh they fast but they don't have any reward for for their fasting except that they only kept hungry and also they kept thirsting. And also he now said that see, whoever when fasting uh does not avoid vain talk, does not avoid looking at what is not supposed to look at, then Allah does not have any need that he abandons his food and drinks. So that means it is not just about living food and drinks, but it is about actually focusing on Allah. So and I said the first grade fasters are those who, apart from abstaining from what they should not uh uh uh what they should abstain from, and apart from doing what they should do, they also make sure that their heart remains focused on Allah and they never leave Allah even for the first time.

SPEAKER_03 8:51

Because that's a very good point that you made. Lately, people have been stressed because of a lot of reasons. A lot of things can really be stressing someone, and people might think that fasting, staying away from food and water can be another stress. Is it really stress or is it a set of detoxification? How would you place it to be?

SPEAKER_02 9:09

Um uh there's a statement in the Quran that for those who Allah loves, it makes the religion easy for them. Allah for those who Allah just live to themselves. Religion is like you know, climbing a high mountain. So that's why praying will be difficult for them, fasting will be difficult, in fact, everything will be difficult for them. For for those people who love Allah and Allah loves, everything will be easy. And so that's why when people prepare their mind before Ramadan comes, in fact, it becomes easy. In fact, yeah, they will not know when did we suffer? And then it's already talking. But for those people who fasting, they will be looking at time, ah, when are we going to be able to do it? So it's just yeah, that it shows that they didn't actually prepare for it and that they are not used to it. And that's why preparation for Ramadan is not even just uh by the in fact, people are supposed to be prepared even right from the time they are small. That's why even the way our parents trained us was even when we were small, they were saying, okay, fast, fast like half day, yeah, one quarter day. So that by the time you um beautiful.

SPEAKER_03 10:15

I was rewarded a lot for that. Sir, what small daily habits can make Ramadan deeply fulfilling, even for people with busy schedules? Because we have a situation now that it is a great season that the Christians are also observing their own fasting and Muslims are also observing Ramadan, which is also another fasting. So all those things are very powerful spiritual rights, right? So, what are those small daily habits that can make it fulfilling, even for people with busy schedules?

SPEAKER_02 10:41

Yeah, um you see, like we said, Ramadan, yes, uh it can be strenuous for some people, but when people just do not, and I'll also uh maybe quote one uh I may paraphrase another statement from the Messenger of Allah that you know he said this religion is easy, but if people make it difficult for themselves, then they will not be able to stay with those difficulties. So go don't go into extreme be people of the middle cost. So try little things. Now, the the prophet also said that you see, uh he said, I've done an amal uh uh uh at one hour in color, but the best deed are those that you are consistent in doing no matter how little. So it is not uh uh good to say okay, I want to do 100 rakah only maybe once in a year, but you are doing two rakah and you are consistent in the that is better. Now, during the days of Ramadan, so using spending like five to ten minutes to recite the Quran is better than say, Okay, you want to finish the whole of the Quran or just set a very uh unrealistic target. So, but five to ten minutes uh will be very easy, then also making sure that we uh pray our five daily prayers on time, like the prophet also said that he said that the best deed is the solar you perform at the best earliest time, yes, also giving charity daily so it's very very important, and then showing gratitude to Allah for even enabling you to fast and also doing one conscious act of goodness every day, so no matter how little. In fact, he said as the prophet said, give charity, even if it's half of a date, or even half of a date.

SPEAKER_03 12:33

Do I have dates? Yes, and let me give you.

SPEAKER_02 12:35

You can monetize also doing decree, you know, sending blessings of the message of life. So just one little thing, you know, then all those things will be.

SPEAKER_03 12:47

There's something and another, like you said, a small daily habit that people should really encourage. It's even being a nice person. Being you know, some people will fawn because they are fasting and that's why they're angry. You know that the prophet you say I'm hungry, that's why I'm angry now.

SPEAKER_02 12:59

You know that the prophet said, even smiling, it's charity. So don't be frowning your face, so let people know that you are happy. Yes, so so and then like uh manners too, yeah, good manners, and if somebody wants to annoy you, so then just say, Look, I'm fasting. So instead of being angry, don't just uh don't just flare up.

SPEAKER_03 13:20

So, ladies and gentlemen, if anybody is going to annoy you this season, just say, Please, I am fasting. So I'm going to open up the lines for anyone that wants to ask questions or contribute. Remember, the topic is steps to enjoy a meaningful and transformational Ramadan. The number is 08056 826499. I go again, 08056-826499. So, yeah, how can someone strengthen their relationship with Allah during Ramadan, especially if they feel spiritually distanced? Because let's be very realistic, sir. It's not everybody that is very spiritually or religiously inclined. And there are a lot of people, like you said, that are like, I'm finding this difficult. How can I find this? How can this become easy for me? So, do you have any tip before we answer that question? We have a caller. Hello, salam alaykum. Hello? Hello.

SPEAKER_02 14:22

All right.

SPEAKER_03 14:23

So please let's go on with that.

SPEAKER_02 14:25

Okay, um, you see, uh, there's one verse even uh that is recorded among the verses of fasting. That's Ryan chapter 2, verse 186. There, Allah says, Why is that when my servants, my devotees, when they ask about me? So in uh uh in a call, Alaska he is uh close, he is near. He listens to the supplication of those who pray to him, either at the time they are praying to him or they are calling upon him. He put a clause, he said, Folly yesterday, let them also respond to me, let them also obey me. While you mean let them believe in me, then he said, then that would be at the right course. He also said in another another place that he is close to us. Some people ask the messenger of Allah, how do we call upon him? Should we shout or should we uh is it followed so that we can shout or is it close so that maybe we can whisper? He said uh he gave an answer in the Quran. So I said we call that when we already in our limit that is to do that whether you shout or you whisper is the same to Allah because Allah is close. So Allah is near. The essence of what I'm saying is that Allah is near. So and in fact, when you feel that Allah is even far away, or when you feel that you have done so many things that maybe Allah will be angry with you, what Allah wants from you is just to say, okay, yes, I have shared, I have dropped all those things that I was doing that are bad, so and I want to come to and and in fact, um the prophet also tells uh tells about how how happy Allah is when a sinner repents. That it's like in this to uh maybe somebody who is in the desert, yeah, that um the camel went away with all his belongings, yeah. And then when he has lost us all hope, then the camel came back with all the uh all those belongings, and that's ah he was so happy to say, Oh, Allah, I am your Lord and I and you are my servant. That is that's how the prophet put that means when a servant repents full uh uh uh wholeheartedly, and Allah even erases whatever he has been doing, and then it uh it um it starts anew. So we should never be discouraged that we are last accounting wrong material. We should never lose hope of Allah because Allah is always ready to accept us.

SPEAKER_03 16:54

So Allah really like what you're saying because for those that are listening, one of the best ways obviously to just feel like you're purifying yourself, even medically, is through fasting because people people there's some people that think is the only time to fast is only during Ramadan, Ramadan. But there are actually scientific even um results showing that fasting is good for your system because it's just like eating. Sometimes you want your system to be on standstill and then it will reset. Which brings me to my next question. In a world full of social media and noise, how can we really protect the side the sacredness of Ramadan? Because you're talking about this observation, staying close, tawakula, thinking about yourself, and I'm even trying to expand it so much to not just to the Muslims alone listening so that even non-Muslims that are also listening can understand okay, this is also good for me. How can I also tap into this spiritual time?

SPEAKER_02 17:44

Ah, these are really we have a caller, sir.

SPEAKER_03 17:47

Sorry. Hello, sir, hello, salam alaik. Good afternoon, sir.

SPEAKER_01 17:54

Yes, am I on your power?

SPEAKER_03 17:57

Yes, you are sir. Please, your question or your contribution. Hello, yes, we can hear you. Hello, yes, sir. We can hear you.

unknown 18:09

Thank you very much for the topic today.

SPEAKER_03 18:11

I'm calling my name is thank you, sir.

SPEAKER_01 18:18

Thank you, and I welcome to the program.

SPEAKER_02 18:22

Thank you, sir. Dr. Hamaka.

SPEAKER_01 18:25

Thank you very much. My question is to speak somebody medication. That would interfere with you, but a nice and uh more working engagement. Thank you very much.

SPEAKER_03 18:48

Thank you so much for that question, sir. Have a bit full of time. That's a very important question, yes.

SPEAKER_02 18:54

Okay, yes, I think I uh made reference to it at the beginning of um, yes. Um, when somebody is about to start fast, I mean when Ramadan is about to start, and uh maybe somebody's like on long uh chronic medication, yes, uh huh. Even if it's uh temporary ailment like malaria, instead of taking uh a medication that you're going to take like two times a day, that so you ask the doctor, is there anyone that you can take once a day that will not interfere? And then so see, because we have so many types of medications that would do the same thing then, so the doctor will be able to recommend, which is very, very good. So uh what is important is for that uh person to actually explain uh his or her preferences to the physician and the physician, whether the physician is a Muslim or a non-Muslim, because any physician or any medical personnel always wants uh a good outcome for his or her patient. So uh there are medications that can be taken once a day, maybe at night, or uh maybe at sahole that will not interfere.

SPEAKER_03 19:58

So I think for to play on the other side, there are really some medications that you cannot control. That the doctor will tell you you have to take it every three hours, four hours if it's serious. So, what does religion say about somebody that has a real medical reason not to fast?

SPEAKER_02 20:14

Yes, for those who have real medical reasons not to fast, so um the Quran says that they can feed a fasting person for each day of the fasting. So that's what they call fidia. Fidia, exactly, compensation or ransom exactly.

SPEAKER_03 20:28

So um there is always uh room for everything, everybody because you were saying it earlier that the religion is easy except if the person wants it to be behind.

SPEAKER_02 20:37

Exactly. It is easy, and that's why those who cannot fast, you know, they are already stated in the books of you see, uh maybe uh an elderly person, somebody who has a chronic ailment that is not expected to come out of, so and then uh whose medication has to be like somebody who is on uh dialysis, you can expect the person to fast.

SPEAKER_03 20:59

So, but somebody who has my chronic chronic typhoid, like typhoid cannot be chronic.

SPEAKER_02 21:06

Typhoid is temporary.

SPEAKER_03 21:08

Sir, there are those quote unquote ulcer patients. What about quote-unquote ulceration?

SPEAKER_02 21:12

Ulcer patients can fast. That's why we say they should actually uh understand it and go for a medical checkup before uh fasting starts. Uh, that's why there are medications they can take before then they are taking their sahool, yeah, and then when they are also breaking their fast. So it's better.

SPEAKER_03 21:31

Again, the number to call is 0805682 6499. I go again 080 5682 6499. How can Ramadan help someone control anger, impatience, and negative habit?

SPEAKER_02 21:47

We didn't answer before the call. Yeah, the issue of social media media. Yes, um, it is very, very uh interesting that social media is a kind of I call it weapon. of mass destruction uh to anybody however uh uh to have full benefit of Ramadan one has to have uh what I call uh uh setting digital barriers or uh having digital fasting what do I mean by that digital fasting that that is making sure that okay now I want to abstain from uh checking my from going on social media uh so for so time because one problem with social media is that even if you are on a page that is innocuous you have so many things that pop up and then sometimes it's not really your fault it's not your fault it's not your fault and that's why I used to tell people in the masjid there's a difference between seeing something and looking at something I get you aha so you see something accidentally you do right you do it like that but when you now say let me so is that that intentional look then you have uh it's recorded hey so and that's why we're even when we're on social media so we should try to be very careful and then um also if you want to read Quran yes there are you have Quran on the phone but I will advise that we read Quran on the pages so that you do not even or rather if you want to actually read Quran on maybe on your phone then maybe switch off your data so that you do not have exactly you don't have any distraction.

SPEAKER_03 23:26

So it's very very good that um we should treat because of time the next question I know that people really want to know is about the control of impatience and negative habits.

SPEAKER_02 23:36

How can you really how can Ramadan help someone yeah Ramadan um Ramadan uh should help us control even our bad habits anger and everything because it's all part of abstainence you're abstaining from everything abstaining from everything and so that we can have quality fasting or let's say grade one fasting then we should avoid anything that can actually uh debar from attaining that now even before fasting or without outside fasting the prophet has told us that you see it anger anger is like from the flame of hellfire so and that's why whenever you see that their eyes when you are angry while standing say sit down if the anger goes fine if it doesn't go lie down lie down if it doesn't go then take a walk leave that the way abuji weather is so hot and fighting exactly so you say leave the scene that is something that is causing the anger and then just take a breather out so however we should know that uh yes we are human beings we are uh we are about we are about we are bound to like make mistakes but once you just make uh make mistakes just say I always be like and then go come back on top and then come back but always remember that you are fasting and then so you never be angry in fact the prophet's advice of people who used to come to him say don't be angry don't be angry don't be angry don't be angry thank you so much sir with our last uh before I ask you the last question I know that we spoke about powerful ways people can practice generosity during Ramadan you gave an example of giving um feeding for those that can't really fast um helping your neighbor even for non-Muslims if you know you have your Muslim neighbor there are so many ways that you can participate with that you can give them raw food pray with them fast with them I have some of my non-Muslim friends that are like you're fasting me too I'm fasting I'm like yes let's all go together so these are all beautiful things that can bring us together and I know it is not by chance that Allah bought all of this to be the same day and everything starting around the same time so the final question I would like to ask you is how can someone ensure that the growth and discipline of Ramadan continues even after it because you see this abstinence now you are saying social media break it's like people now waiting is like you know when you are hiding a chicken inside like in moments you open the cage everybody's just out so how can we really maintain this energy even after but after it yeah um there are people that scholars call Ramadan that is people who are good only Ramadan only Ramadan I know some of them and the that is I know some of them that's not good we should be good people at all times in fact Ramadan uh what I used to tell people is that Ramadan is like a 30-day short course or a one month short course that teaches you what to how to live for the rest of the 11 months before another Ramadan comes so if you are good in Ramadan if you don't tell lies in Ramadan then you don't tell lies after Ramadan so that training in Ramadan should now be something that be your character so this habit is not just how it is not just for Ramadan it should be something that you are trained to do that you are not going to spend for the rest uh the 11 months before another and any last message yeah we'll start before we close up our time is up ah well the truth the true success of Ramadan is actually uh to have a soft softer heart purer character and stronger devotion long after the month has passed so if hunger of Ramadan does not soften somebody's heart then nothing else will soften nothing so we pray that Ramadan will be uh a softener of our heart and also a harbinger of good things for us here and in the hereafter as well thank you so much my listeners and that has brought us to the end of today's episode I wish you all fantastic Ramadan a fantastic fasting season a fantastic Ash Wednesday and the 40 days fasting for the Catholics as well I'll see you again next week with another amazing episode and an amazing guest love love iftarkare sixty degrees of information and entertainment be loaded for today's Niger Ray Power Ray Power Ray Power Nigeria's original independent radio station