Residents of Basirka in Gwaram Local Government Area of Jigawa State have held three days of special prayers for rainfall as prolonged dry weather leaves crops withering.
The prayer, known as Salatul Istisqa, began on Saturday and continued through Sunday and Monday at the town’s Eid ground. Residents also observed a voluntary fast on Monday, asking Almighty Allah for rain.
The prayers came as unusual rainfall patterns, including late and irregular rain, continued to affect farming in parts of the country. While some southern states recorded heavy rain and flooding, farmers in northern areas such as Jigawa complained of poor rainfall.
Leading Monday’s two-rak’ah prayer, the Chief Imam of Basirka, Sheikh Sanunu Basirka, urged residents to seek forgiveness, pray, give charity and avoid acts that could attract divine wrath.
“We observed this prayer since Saturday, Sunday, and we have done it again today, Monday. We also urged the people to observe a voluntary fast today, Monday, to seek intervention from Almighty Allah. We have gathered here today at the Eid ground to sincerely repent and ask Allah to forgive us and bless us with abundant rainfall that will bring mercy and prosperity to our land.”
He added, “Allah has promised that when His servants repent and seek His forgiveness, He will open the doors of heaven and send down blessed rain upon them.”
Farmers, clerics, elderly people, youths, women and children joined the prayers.
A 65-year-old farmer, Ibrahim Musa Dankoli, said, “We have not had good rainfall for weeks, and our crops have started burning. We have no power except to return to Allah for help.”
Haruna Aliyu Basirka said farmers were worried because the rains had stopped during the farming season.
Youth leader Malam Sulaiman Adamu Basirka said the community came together to ask Allah for beneficial rain to save their farms and provide water for their animals.
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