Islamic scholars in Nigeria have been urged to prioritize their roles with the fear of God and avoid chasing worldly materials, as advised by Prophet Muhammad. This call was made on Sunday by Alhaji Isqeel Ayoade Hamzah, Principal (Mudeer) of Mahdul-Falaah Al-Islamiy, Odo-Ona Kekere, during a sensitization program titled ‘Education and Training of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, Regulations and Remuneratios’ organized by Oluyole Extension Area II Muslim Community in Ibadan.
Alhaji Hamzah counseled Imams and Alfas to teach people about the fear of God, worship, and their responsibilities as Muslims, and urged parents to train their children in the way of Allah.
During question and answer session, he condemned practices like mentioning names after prayers and announcing arrival of notable personalities during Eid prayers, deeming such habits unIslamic and should be discouraged.
According to him: “As Imams and Alfas, you should stop running after worldly materials, particularly money, but display sincere commitment to your job as clerics, that Almighty Allah (SWT) as well as members of the public will bless and appreciate you respectively, even beyond expectation.”
“If you want to end well, teach people about the fear of God, how to worship Allah and their responsibilities as Muslims for the betterment of Muslim Ummah,” he added.
Alahji Hamzah, however, enjoined parents and guardians to train their children strictly in the way of Almighty Allah (swt) for the betterment of the society at large.
In his brief remark, the Chairman on the occasion, Barrister Yusuf Anikulapo, who is also the Chairman of Oke-Alaro Muslim Community greatly commended the leadership of Oke-Alaro Muslim Community and Oluyole Extension Area II Muslim Community for maintaining a strong cordial relationship towards propagation of Islam and ensuring religious tolerance among non Muslims.
Barrister Anikulapo, who described the topic as very timely, disclosed that Oke-Alaro Muslim Community is currently working on how to appreciate members of the Mission Board in order to encourage them for excellent performance as well as improve their standard of living.
He thereafter commended the guest lecturer, Alhaji Hamzah for his landmark presentation, that the content of the lecture will go a long way in enhancing the performance of our Imams and Alfas.
He also eulogized members of Oluyole Extension Area II Muslim Community for their laudable efforts and financial contribution towards the construction of their ultra modern mosque which will soon be commissioned for *Jumu’ ah* prayer.
Giving votes of thanks, the Chairman of Area II Muslim Community, Alhaji Ibrahim Bello, expressed his deep gratitude to the guest lecturer and other invited guests for their support.
He also expressed his profound appreciation to members of Area II Muslim Community for their moral and financial support towards the successful completion of the ultra modern mosque.
Present at the occasion were Hon. Abiodun Baruwa, Alhaji Kunle Ogunsola, Prof. AbdulAkeem Tijani, Alhaji Adewumi Ademola, Kunle Kareem, Agbeniga Mustapha and Alhaji Ishaq Azeez among others.
