Foundation tasks Muslims on charity

The Fatima Charity Foundation has enjoined the Muslim Ummah and Nigerians in Diaspora to increase commitment to charitable deeds and helping the needy, especially during holy month of Ramadan. This is because such act of kindness draws inestimable returns.

The President of the foundation, Hajia Bintu-Fatima Tinubu, who made this call at the yearly Ramadan lecture held at the secretariat of Eti-Osa LGA, Igbo Efon, Lagos on July 9, 2015 enjoined all Muslims to strive very hard in order to take the numerous advantages of the holy month and get multiple, unconditional rewards from Allah (SWT) throughout Ramadan and beyond.

She said: “I call on all Muslim Ummah and Nigerians both in diaspora in this Holy Month of Ramadan, to be more devoted to Allah in prayers, and make it a time for seeking Allah’s forgiveness, a time for charitable work and helping those who are in need, a time for peace and honesty, a time to be patient and a time to receive mercy from Allah (SWT),”

The president noted that the Ramadan lecture is put together yearly by the foundation to further assist in propagation of Islam and enlighten Nigerians on the benefits and rewards of fasting.

“The month of Ramadan is one of the fundamental beliefs and ultimate pillar of Islam, which Allah made compulsory for all adult Muslims. It is to be observed for a period of 29 or 30 days, till another 12 lunar months. It is the month of revelation of the holy quran; a unique month to memorize and recite the holy quran for quality rewards and to maintain closer relationship with Almighty Allah (SWT).

“Very importantly, I need to emphasise that aside the numerous benefits of fasting – physically, mentally, morally and health wise during the holy Month; it can never be compared to the spiritual closeness we enjoy with our Creator – Allah (SWT).

“That is one of many reasons, Fatima Charity Foundation (FCF), has taken this vital step as a persistent quest to organize this fourth Ramadan session as part of our continual effort to refresh the minds of our Muslim brothers and sisters in moving closer to their Creator and appeal to Him to help us solve the challenges facing us individually and collectively as a people in this country,” she said.

The 2015 edition of the Fatima Charity Foundation Annual Ramadan Lecture featured two Islamic scholars as guest speakers on the theme “The challenge of public trust in Nigeria: the Islamic perspective”.

Dr. Tajudeen Yusuf, who delivered the first lecture highlighted the significance of accountability and sense of responsibility in the discharge of leadership obligations. He enumerated several leadership qualities of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) and added that such qualities were among the main factors that made the prophet an exemplary leader. The University of Lagos don emphasised the need for political leaders and leadership aspirants in Nigeria to cultivate a sense of selflessness in their dealing with their subjects. Quoting copiously from the Qur’an, the Faculty of Business Administration lecturer submitted that the Qur’an contains all provisions that are capable of making the world a good place for mankind to live if only they desist from perpetrating injustice among themselves especially the injustices between leaders abd their followers.

In his own lecture, the second lecturer, Alhaji Abdul-Hakeem Kosoko, former Senior Special Assistant on Islamic Affairs to the immediate past Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, approached the theme from the angle of upbringing and home training. He maintained a man without good upbringing cannot be a good leader especially if he has no good name to protect. Illustrating with several experiences from his own childhood days, he enjoined parents to contribute well in addressing the leadership crisis in the country by proving to be worthy of emulation by their children and wards.