Residents of Basirka community in Gwaram Local Government Area of Jigawa State have embarked on a three-day special prayer for rainfall following a prolonged dry spell that has affected farming activities in the area.
The prayer, known as Salatul Istisqa, started on Saturday and continued through Sunday and Monday, with residents also observing a voluntary fast on Monday as they sought divine intervention over the shortage of rainfall.
Hundreds of residents gathered at the Eid ground in Basirka on Monday for the two-rak’ah special prayer led by the Chief Imam of Basirka, Sheikh Sanunu Basirka.
The gathering included farmers, Islamic clerics, elderly residents, youths, women and children.
Speaking after the prayer, Sanunu urged residents to seek forgiveness, give charity and turn back to Allah, stressing that the prayer was not a one-off exercise.
Sanunu stated, “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.”
The Chief Imam described the lack of rainfall as a test from Almighty Allah and encouraged residents to intensify their prayers and desist from acts that could attract divine displeasure.
He continued, “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.”
The prayer came amid concerns among farmers in parts of Jigawa over poor rainfall distribution, with many depending on rain-fed agriculture for their livelihoods.
A 65-year-old farmer, Ibrahim Musa Dankoli, said the prolonged dry spell had affected his maize and millet farms.
Dankoli told The Punch shortly after the prayer, “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.”
Another resident, Haruna Aliyu Basirka, said the situation had heightened anxiety among farmers in Gwaram.
“We are worried because this is the middle of the farming season but the rains have seized. That is why we came out today to pray together for Allah’s mercy,” Haruna said.
Similarly, a youth leader in the community, Malam Sulaiman Adamu Basirka, said residents came together after noticing changes in the weather pattern.
“We came out here as one community, old and young, men and women, to beg Allah to send us beneficial rain that will save our farms and provide water for our animals,” Sulaiman told PUNCH Online.
