By Zulaykha Abodunrin
* Holds enlightenment programme at three locations in Lagos
* As facilitators emphasize on aligning actions with Islamic values, principles
Young women have been encouraged to focus on aligning their worldly pursuits with the ultimate spiritual goal of gaining Jannah.
Assistant Chief Education Officer, Lagos State Teaching Service Commission, Education District 4, Hajia Shukroh Odufuye, declared while addressing Muslim women at the Annual Sisters Enlightenment Programme (SEP) of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit, Mainland Axis, held in Ebute Metta, Lagos.
The programme with the theme: “Faithful Fusion: Balancing Our Dunya and Jannah Goals” was simultaneously held at Ikorodu and Ojo axes with active participation of female members of the society from all the 45 area councils across the state.
The education officer underscored the importance of living a life anchored in seeking Allah’s pleasure, urging attendees to prioritize their night prayers, even if it’s just two rak’ahs, and to make them consistent.
“Allah loves what we do constantly, even if it’s small,” she reminded.
She called on women to strike a balance between their spiritual and worldly responsibilities, stressing the need to establish a strong spiritual foundation through timely salah, morning and evening adhkar, daily Quran recitation, and a commitment to seeking knowledge.
“Establish a strong spiritual foundation, and prioritize your night prayers, even if it’s just two rak’ahs, but make it regular. Allah loves what we do consistently, even if it is small.”
Hajia Shukroh shared practical strategies for blending worldly and spiritual responsibilities; from timely observance of daily salah and regular morning and evening adhkar to daily Quran reading and emphasised the importance of consistency in worship.
Beyond acts of worship, she encouraged women to seek knowledge and contribute to their communities, saying they didn’t need to occupy executive positions to call people to Islam but strive to be impactful in their everyday roles as children, students, employees or employers.
Hajia Shukroh also cautioned against complacency and encouraged the sisters to evaluate their social circles, practice discipline, and strive for excellence.
She reminded them to actively contribute to community development while seeking Allah’s pleasure in all they do.
Resist societal pressures, surround yourselves with positive influences: Jaji
Facilitating a workshop session on the theme, the Assistant Chief Education Officer and Lead Counsellor at LiteHeart Counselling Centre, Hajia Fatimah Jaji, counselled on the Three R’s of Choice: Right of Choice, Result of Choice, and Responsibility of Choice. Her insights resonated deeply with the participants.
Addressing societal challenges and moral dilemmas, Hajia Fatimah Jaji advised young women to resist societal pressures and surround themselves with positive influences.
She stressed the importance of seeking trustworthy mentors, especially when parental guidance might be insufficient.
The facilitator emphasizes on the importance of reclaiming sense of purpose
Our Correspondent was also at the Ikorodu axis of the programme, held at Laspotech Central Mosque, where Principal Catering Officer, Federal NeuroPsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Hajia Qudrah Badru emphasized the importance of aligning actions with Islamic values and principles.
Hajia Qudrah’s talk focused on cultivating purpose and intentionality in personal and educational life.
She stressed the importance of balancing spiritual growth with worldly responsibilities while embracing Islam in everyday moments, while embodying the values of compassion, justice, and service as she urged them to become a force for positive change in the world.
She stressed the importance of reclaiming their sense of purpose and passion while integrating faith and life to create a more meaningful and fulfilling existence.
Find joy in living a purpose-driven life, speaker urges participants
Participants at the Ojo Axis were not left out as members of the Muslim students body gathered at AB&M Event Center, Ojokoro area of Lagos to address the same theme.
A School Administrator at Ideal Breed School, Ajasa Command and Lead Tutor at GreenDove Educare Network, Hajia Toyyibah Adenike Yusuf-Taiwo, inspired participants to find joy in living a purpose-driven life and contributing to their communities.
She reminded participants that aligning actions with the teachings of Islam and the Sunnah is key to succeeding in this world. It encouraged practices such as self-reflection, staying informed about current events, and integrating Islamic values into daily life.
The consequences of neglecting the balance between deen and dunya were highlighted, including family breakdowns, mental health challenges like depression and anxiety, substance abuse, and societal issues such as increased crime and corruption.
Why we focused on balancing between spiritual responsibilities and worldly obligations: Amirah
The Amirah of MSSN Lagos, Hajia Rofiah Tijani expressed happiness over the success of this year’s Sisters Enlightenment Programme (SEP) at the three axes, highlighting the importance of creating a harmonious balance between spiritual responsibilities and worldly obligations.
She posed a reflective question to the attendees: “We often find ourselves torn between our spiritual responsibilities and our worldly obligations. But I want to ask you, dear sisters, why must we choose? Why can’t we have both? Why can’t we fuse our faith with our everyday lives and create a beautiful balance that brings joy, fulfillment, and purpose?”
Hajia Rofiah urged the participants to embrace the beauty of Islam in every moment, in every breath, and in every decision.
She encouraged them to make intentional choices that honor Allah while also contributing positively to humanity, demonstrating that it is possible to live a life that is both spiritually fulfilling and purpose-driven in the worldly sense.
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