Ibadan-based popular Islamic scholar, Sheik Habeeblah Adekunle has called on government to stop paying lip service to agricultural empowerment of youths, as it will go a long way to curb drug abuse, which is the foundation of banditry, terrorism and other criminal activities in Nigeria.
Sheik Adekunle, who stated this while delivering sermon at the annual Ramadan lecture of Oyo State Chapter of the Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN) in Ibadan on Sunday, urged Muslim families to go back to the era of hard work, integrity and honesty.
The Annual Ramadan Lecture, which held at Afe Babalola Bar Centre Ibadan, gave the popular Islamic scholar the task of dissecting the topic: “Remaining Steadfast in Face of Prevailing Economic Hardship in Nigeria”.
The Islamic Scholar said:
“There is no doubt that the prevailing economic system all over the world is full of deficiencies and shortcomings, as is the human society itself, which needs rectification and improvement. For instance, generosity compassion, altruism, forgiveness, cooperation, equity and a host of others, are essentially universal values. These although might not be the same, in terms of expression, in all societies but are similar, in terms of principles or essence, every society would uphold and promote. These traits are no longer what they used to be in the past.
“There is no gainsay that the economic hardship we are witnessing is the consequence of our individual and collective actions. Allah says in (Q30:41) ‘Corruption (evil, sins and disobedience of Allah, etc.) has appeared on land and sea by (reason of) what the hands of men have earned so He may let them taste part of (the consequence of) what they have done that perhaps they will return (to righteousness).
We cannot talk on how to remain steadfast during this period of economic hardship without having talked about the cause of this hardship in the first place. The Quran and Sunnah are the two main sources of Islamic commercial laws. The dos and don’ts of Allah are contained in these books, as it cuts across all facets of life. There are practises prohibited in the commercial scenes, but these are the practices people often do. These main practices include but are not limited to usury, ambiguity in contract (gharar), gambling and games of chance (may sir), fraud, bribery, the use of false weights and measures, taking others’ property unlawfully, and transactions on prohibited (Haram) things.”
Sheik Adekunle pointed out solutions to economic hardship from Quran 51:50 which says” And flee to Allah (in repentance and penitence). I am from Him, a Warner to you, clear and open!” He also quoted from Quran 13:11 and 7:96 while buttressing it some other Hadiths too.
Earlier at the Ramadan Lecture, MULAN Chairman, Barrister Akeem Adekola Adetunji (Esq) who appreciated everyone for gracing the invitation, said it had been a mixed season for the association in the last one year as some members were lost to death while many others got elevated. He prayed that Allah grant Aljanah Fridaus to the departed souls.
Also while speaking at the event, the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Honourable Justice Munta Abimbola charged members of the legal profession to ensure justice and truth in all situations. The Chief judge said justice without truth is not justice, stressing that everyone will stand before the Creator for final judgment on the day of reckoning regardless of one’s position in life.
Among important dignitaries that grace the occasion include the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan; Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Daud Makanjuola Akinola; Alhaji Mutiu Oladejo Onimaalu, Chairman of Muslim Community in Oyo State, Alhaji Kunle Sanni, former Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu.
Others are Professor Abdur-Rasheed Aderinoye, Chairman of the Occasion, Barrister Abdur-Rasheed Adesokan; Former Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Dr. Akin Onigbinde and Chairman, Oyo State Civil Service Commission, Mr. Abiodun Aderibigbe among others.