The Chief Imam of Ore Oluwa Mosque, Ilorin, Alhaji Isiaka Usman, has urged traders in the country to resist the temptation to arbitrarily increase the prices of commodities as the Ramadan approaches.
Usman made the call Tuesday in Ilorin in an interview.
The Chief Imam described the attitude of traders who he noted were in the habit of selling their commodities above the normal price as ‘wicked.’
He expressed concern that most traders during Ramanda usually inflate prices of their goods to inflict pains on adherents of Islam.
“Traders exploit Ramadan season to inflate prices to the detriment of the Muslim faithful. They use the opportunity to make illegal profit.
“They know that many Muslims are observing fasting and desperately need to buy food stuff and fruits which become necessity.
“The scourge which has become a norm among traders is worrisome; it is like incurring the wrath of God upon oneself because the people won’t have choice than to buy like that.
“It is high time people refrained from such unholy act. We need to fear Allah in everything we do,” he said.
Usman also called on traders to fear God in whatever business they do so they can reap greater reward of the Supreme Being and not His wrath.
Ramadan is the fourth pillar of Islam and Muslims are expected to begin 30-day fasting, following the pronouncement of Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and the President -General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs. (NAN)
