INTERNALIZING THE VALUE AND VIRTUES OF LAYLATUL QADR AS A PANACEA TOSUICIDE AMONG THE MUSLIM UMMAH IN ORO COMMUNITY, KWARA STATE,NIGERIA

Abstract

The proliferation of suicide in the world in which Nigeria is inclusive is at alarming rate. This act of selfkilling has brought depletion in the workforce and immense sorrow to the families of suicide victims. However,
Islam prohibits this act of self-murder and provides many ways to avoid the menace. Such ways are strong
faith in Allah (Imān), steadfastness (Istiqāmah), endurance (Sabr) as well as utilizing LaylatulQadr for
spiritual freedom from bondage, economic hardship, failure, broken relationships, societal discrimination,
extreme poverty, etc. Hence, the paper explores descriptive research methods on documents, analysis of
previous articles and literatures on the subject matter. This research reveals that suicide is real in Nigeria and
its environs. To this end, this paper suggests internalizing the value and virtues of LaylatulQadr as Panacea
for suicide among the Muslim Ummah in Oro Community, Kwara state, Nigeria. The paper aimed at analyzing
the concept of suicide, its causes, effects in the society as well as Islamic perspective of suicide. The paper
showcases the night of power as spiritual solution to the Muslims’ challenges. The paper concludes with
suggestions that are beneficial to faithful Muslims such as there should be more enlightenment by the Muslim
scholars on the significance of self-devotion especially in the mid-night prayers, Dhikr (Allah remembrance),
charity and other good deeds during and beyond Ramadan.