Impact of Islamic Activities in the Month of Ramadan on Academic Performance of Islamic Studies Student in Saki West Local Government

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, preceded by the month of Sha'aban and succeeded by the month of Shawwal. Ramadan is the holy Month for Muslims, when every mature Muslim observes a dawn to dusk complete fast. They do not take any liquids (not even water), no food, abstain from smoking, marital relations, and gossiping or saying anything malicious against another person. Quran recitation, supererogatory prayer, Tahaajud, and Sadaqah are among the most common activities in this holy month (Abdullah 2016).

Ramadan, with all of its numerous blessings presents the students with some activities. One of such is trying to maximize time while engaging in productive activities that will bring the best rewards from this special month. With these Ramadan activities, you will find simple ways of leveraging fulfilling activities to help you grow spiritually, mentally, socially and physically (Jimoh 2002).

Almighty Allah said in His glorious Quran

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَىٰوَالْفُرْقَانِ َ

Month of Ramadan is that in which the Quran was revealed, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of the guidance and the criterion……. Quran 2 vs185.

Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, which are as follow

·          Reciting the Shahadah (profession of faith)

·          Performing Salah (ritual prayers, five times a day)

·          Payment of Zakat (alms tax) during Ramadan

·          Observing Sawm (complete fasting) during the Holy month of Ramadan

·          Performing the Hajj in Mecca at least once in a lifetime

The above activities differed from country to country and region to region.

Therefore, in Oyo State, Saki West local government Activities during Ramadan has a great impact on the generality of the inhabitant but with the context of this write-up its impact on academic performance on the student who study the process by which the values spelt out in the Holy Quran and the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) are handed over down from generation to generation (OLADOSU, 2013).

Hence, the focus of this study is to assess the impact of activities in the month of Ramadan on academic performance of Islamic studies student in Saki West Local Government.