Residents of Basirka town in Gwaram Local Government Area of Jigawa State have held a three-day special prayer seeking divine intervention for rainfall following a prolonged dry spell affecting their farms.
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 part of their efforts to seek divine intervention.
Hundreds of residents, including farmers, Islamic scholars, elderly people, women and youths, gathered at the town’s Eid ground on Monday for the two-rak’ah special prayer led by the Chief Imam of Basirka, Sheikh Sanunu Basirka.
The development comes amid concerns over shortages of rainfall in parts of northern Nigeria, where many farmers depend on rain-fed agriculture for their livelihoods.
Speaking after the prayer, Sheikh Sanunu urged residents to seek forgiveness from Allah, repent of their wrongdoings and increase acts of worship and charity.
He said the community had organised the prayer for three consecutive days because of the seriousness of the situation.
“We have 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 to seek intervention from Almighty Allah,” he said.
According to him, the situation should be seen as a test and an opportunity for people to return to Allah through sincere repentance, prayers and good deeds.
He said Allah had promised to bless those who sincerely sought His forgiveness and prayed for beneficial rainfall that would bring relief and prosperity to the community.
A 65-year-old farmer, Malam Ibrahim, said the prolonged dry spell was already affecting his maize and millet farms.
“We have not had good rainfall for weeks, and our crops have started drying up. We have no power except to return to Allah for help,” he said.
Another resident, Haruna Aliyu Basirka, said the situation had created anxiety among farmers in the area.
“We are worried because this is the middle of the farming season, but the rains have stopped. That is why we came out today to pray together for Allah’s mercy,” he said.