Residents of Basirka town in Gwaram Local Government Area of Jigawa State have held a three-day special prayer for rainfall following a prolonged dry spell that has left farmlands withering.
The prayers began on Saturday and continued through Sunday and Monday, with residents also observing a voluntary fast on Monday as they sought divine intervention for abundant rainfall.
The special prayers, known as Salatul Istisqa, were held at the Eid ground in Basirka, where hundreds of residents gathered to pray for relief from the shortage of rainfall.
The development has raised concerns among farmers in the area, many of whom depend solely on rain-fed agriculture for their livelihoods.
The prayer came amid reports of unusual rainfall patterns across parts of the country, with late onset and intermittent rainfall affecting farming activities in some areas.
While some southern states have experienced heavy rainfall and flooding, farmers in parts of the North, including Jigawa, have raised concerns over inadequate and poorly distributed rainfall.
Speaking after the two-rak’ah special prayer on Monday, the Chief Imam of Basirka, Sheikh Sanunu Basirka, who led the prayers, urged residents to seek forgiveness and strengthen their relationship with Allah.
He said the prayer was not intended to be a one-off exercise, noting that residents had gathered for the same purpose on Saturday and Sunday.
“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,” he said.
“We have gathered here 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.
The imam described the lack of rainfall as a test from Allah and urged residents to intensify prayers, give charity and desist from actions believed to attract divine displeasure.
“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,” Sanunu said.
The prayer session attracted residents from Basirka and neighbouring communities, including farmers, Islamic clerics, elderly men and women and youths.
Men, women and children were seen gathered under the sun, raising their hands and offering supplications for rainfall and divine mercy.
