In the northern Nigerian state of Kano, the Hisbah, the Islamic police force, has started cracking down on public eating during the month of Ramadan, arresting Muslims caught eating or drinking publicly and vendors selling food during fasting hours. The raid, which started on the inaugural day of Ramadan, has, to date, seen 20 individuals arrested for not fasting and five for food dealing. The deputy commander of Hisbah Mujahid Aminudeen has confirmed to the BBC the arrests, observing that operations will go on for the whole month to ensure people comply with Islamic tradition.

Ramadan, which is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is of immense significance to Muslims worldwide. It is during this month that Muslims believe that the first verses of the Quran were delivered to Prophet Muhammad. Fasting from morning to the evening is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, a fundamental practice that characterizes the life of devoted Muslims. Not only a spiritual exercise but also a communal practice of piety, self-denial, and compassion for the poor, is the fast. In Kano State, which has a Muslim dominance, fasting regulations are strictly imposed and Hisbah officers are also on the move to ensure people follow the instructions.

Hisbah deputy commander Mujahid Aminudeen explained that arrests were made for the sake of upholding Ramadan’s integrity. “It is heart-breaking that in a holy month committed to fasting, adult Muslims would be openly eating and drinking.”. We shall not tolerate that, and that’s why we went out to arrest them,” he explained. He further explained that the arrested men had been charged in a Sharia court and would be given fit punishments. Hisbah official also made reference to the fact that the agency typically gets tip-offs from members of the general public who report infringement, which leads to prompt action on the part of the authorities.

The enforcement of Ramadan fasting laws goes beyond the public ban on eating and drinking. Hisbah officials have also arrested individuals for other purported violations of Islamic law, including having “silly haircuts,” shorts above the knee, and tricycle drivers carrying male and female passengers on the same tricycle. These cases illustrate the broader function of Hisbah, which is tasked with enforcing Sharia law in Kano and other northern Nigerian states where Sharia law exists alongside secular legal codes.

The application of Sharia law in 12 northern states of Nigeria about two decades ago has been a contentious issue, particularly in a country with a sizeable Christian population. Even though Sharia law applies to Muslims alone, its enforcement has sometimes created tensions between religious denominations. In Kano, however, the largely Muslim populace largely supports the operations of Hisbah as an indispensable measure to enforce Islamic tradition and values. Throughout Ramadan, this support is particularly strong as the holy month is seen as a period of heightened spiritual reflection and communal solidarity.

Last year, those arrested for not fasting were let off after promising to observe the fast, with their guardians or families tasked with monitoring their compliance. This year, however, the arrested persons have not been given the same leniency and will be dealt with according to the law. The stricter policy is an indication of Hisbah’s determination to enforce Ramadan rules and deter violations. The agency’s action has drawn mixed reactions, with some lauding the enthusiasm for religious observance while others decried what they see as a misuse of power.

For the majority of Muslims in Kano, enforcing fasting rules is a welcome move that maintains the social dimension of Ramadan. The public consumption of food or liquid during fasting times is an affront to the holiness of the month and the self-discipline of the fasting. By enforcement against this, Hisbah attempts to create an environment favorable to the practice of Islam. Concurrently, the agency indicated that it is targeting Muslims alone and that non-Muslims are free to go about their daily lives without interference.

The arrest has also highlighted the challenge of imposing religious codes in a diverse and rapidly changing society. While some of those in Kano welcome Hisbah’s work, others believe that employing the police to regulate personal behavior during Ramadan is inappropriate. Critics aver that fasting is a personal act of worship and that individuals should be free to practice it their own way without persecution. They also point out the danger of abuse, in which the implementation of Sharia law is employed for purposes of taking revenge or persecuting vulnerable people.

To all these apprehensions, Ramadan enforcement of rules in Kano is set to continue, affirming the well-established importance of the holy month in the lives of Muslims. To most of its residents, Ramadan is a moment of religious rejuvenation, acts of charity, and people solidarity. Hisbah activities, however unpopular, gain the approbation of the majority of residents as the lone means these principles can be preserved in this world that becomes progressively complex. As the month proceeds, the activity of the agency will be at the forefront of controversy, in Kano as well as nationwide.

In short, Hisbah’s suppression of public consumption and other infractions during Ramadan showcases the dilemma between religious observance and individual freedom in a diversified society. While enforcement of fasting rules has been promoted by most as a way of safeguarding Islamic traditions, it also raises major concerns regarding the powers of law enforcers to regulate personal conduct. As Kano struggles with these tensions, Hisbah’s activities will continue to shape the Ramadan experience of its residents, reflecting both the ongoing significance of the sacred month and shifting points of intersection between religion and governance in northern Nigeria.