Lagos State University don, Professor Kabir Adewale Paramole, has called on the Muslim Ummah to remain indivisible, urging believers to celebrate the diverse blessings of others rather than viewing them as a personal slight.

Prof. Paramole made this call during the Allahu Muiz Islamic Association’s first Ramadan public lecture In Lagos.

Describing envy as the societal cancer that undermines communal harmony, he framed envy (hasad) not merely as a personal failing, but as a destructive force capable of dissolving the very fabric of the Muslim Ummah.

The former Chairman, Lagos Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board drew upon classical Islamic theology to illustrate the gravity of the vice, likening envy to a biological pest. He said, “Envy eats away at good deeds much like bugs consume wood.”

He noted that envy spoils our character and taints our interactions. “We must remain vigilant over our behaviour, the way we speak to one another and the relationships we nurture.”

Paramole argued, an individual is effectively questioning the distribution of blessings by Allah, who bestows unique gifts upon everyone.

He cited several foundational narratives from the Quran, to illustrate the historical consequences of jealousy,
“The fall of Iblis is the first act of cosmic defiance occurred when Shaitan refused to bow to Adam, claiming superiority because he was created from fire while Adam was from sand.

“The first homicide is the tragic story of Qabil and Habil (Cain and Abel) served as a stark reminder that envy can lead to the ultimate sin: the shedding of a brother’s blood.

“The exile of Yusuf is another case of envy. The betrayal of Prophet Yusuf by his brothers, who sold him into slavery after he shared his dream of the eleven stars, demonstrated how envy can fracture even the closest family bonds.

“Even the Prophet Muhammad was not immune, as the Quraish’s jealousy led to his persecution and exile from Makkah, though their efforts ultimately failed to diminish his global legacy.”

Professor Paramole noted, that envy is a pervasive shadow in our society today, citing its presence among politicians, colleagues, siblings, and even within the clergy.

“History shows us that no one who acts out of envy ever truly finds success.

Chief Missioner of the Allahu Muiz Islamic Association, Ustaz Abdul Waahid Bello, called for a shift in perspective. He urged the Muslim Ummah to view the fasting period as more than just physical abstinence.

“The holy month is a spiritual harvest that requires deliberate planning and intentionality,” Ustaz Bello stated. “It is a time to prune the heart of negative traits like envy and to replace them with renewed vigour for communal growth.”