It is unforgivable not to pray

Sep 05, 2009

HAJATI Sarah Nanfuka is the director of Ataqwa Islamic School Mengo. She is also the chairperson of Kampala Muslim Women and heads the Sisters of Mecca, Medina, Hijja and Umura an association that takes Muslim women for pilgrimages in Saudi Arabia.

HAJATI Sarah Nanfuka is the director of Ataqwa Islamic School Mengo. She is also the chairperson of Kampala Muslim Women and heads the Sisters of Mecca, Medina, Hijja and Umura an association that takes Muslim women for pilgrimages in Saudi Arabia. REHEMA AANYU talked to her

What are you proud of most in your children?
I am a mother of eight. I am happy my children fear Allah. They are hardworking and honest. I believe they will have good Islamic families.

Take us through your teaching career?
I began teaching in 1990 following my resignation as clerk at Uganda Railways. The administration had prohibited me from wearing the hijab saying it (Uganda Railways) was not a religious institute. I established Saidina Uthuman Nursery and Primary School in Kawempe. However, I closed it because of the floods. I then went to Tawhid Nursery School as the administrator for five years. I left it last year to establish Ataqwa Islamic School in Mengo, where I am the director.

Your love for teaching children
Childhood is a critical stage. What you teach children sticks with them into adulthood. It becomes hard for them to derail from Islam as adults.
What do you do for leisure?
I organise Islamic seminars for women and girls to groom them as Muslims. I am a member of Busiro Da`wah and Development Association and we go to villages to preach Islam. Other times, I am at home with my children and grandchildren. I also take my grandchildren for tours at the wildlife centre, airport and factories.

Advice to women
They should stay away from what Islam prohibits. For instance, from knocking their feet (wearing high heels) because it makes them attractive to people other than their husbands.

Why do you fast?
Muslims are expected to fast because it is one of the pillars of Islam. Therefore, when I fast, I am submitting my will to Allah. Fasting teaches one to behave right. I believe Ramadhan keeps us in check because it is a time for repentance, forgiveness and rewards. It is a time to do halal (good deeds) and forfeit haram (bad deeds), like gossiping.

What do you uniquely do during Ramadhan?
I observe the Taraweeh prayers. Allah says one who gets up in the night to perform these prayers is rewarded like one who has prayed the whole night. I also recite the Quran, make sacrifices like feeding the poor and giving zakat.

Fasting tips for women…
Read the Quran and if you cannot, then recite it.

What are the dos and don’ts when one is fasting?
It is not allowed for a Muslim woman to wear tight clothes and make up. Islam only allows women to wear make up for their husbands. One should avoid quarrelling.

What do you tell women who are unable to break their fast because they are too busy?
Breaking one’s fast cannot be postponed. It is allowed for a fasting person to carry something edible in her bag to break her fast with. She can carry fruits such as an apple, dates or a banana to break her fast with.

How about when your schedule conflicts with prayer time?
Every Muslim can perform Swalah, except when she is insane or in her periods. There are guidelines on how prayer should be done even when you are travelling. No one will be forgiven for missing prayer.

It is important for one to make time for prayer even in their busy schedules.
Prayer only lasts five minutes after all.

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