* Professor calls on Muslims to invest in enduring good deeds
By Maryam Adejoke Bamiro
Hajia Khadijah Idowu, a Professor of Accounting in the Department of Accounting at Lagos State University (LASU), has urged Muslims to build enduring legacies through righteous children, beneficial knowledge and ongoing charity, stressing that contributions to humanity can continue to earn rewards long after death.
She gave the charge while delivering a lecture titled “Legacy of Impact: Inspiring Faith and Uplifting Humanity” at an awards ceremony organised by Al-Mu’minaat Organisation, Lagos State, at the Alausa Secretariat Mosque Hall, Ikeja, where 40 patrons were honoured.
Muslim News gathered that the organisation plans to raise ₦20 million for a transport bus, while also seeking support and attention for its proposed commercial rental venture and counselling centre
What legacy will you leave behind
Drawing from Qur’an 59:18, Professor Idowu urged Muslims to examine their lives and consider what they would leave behind after death.
She posed three questions for personal reflection: “If I leave this world today, what will people say about me? What have you contributed to the lives of others? And what legacy will you leave behind after you are gone?”
The Don said people might remember the wealth, education or professional achievements of someone who had died, but encouraged Muslims to strive to be remembered for kindness, justice, generosity and charity.
“Who have you lifted up? Who have you mentored? Whose life have you sowed a seed of growth or development into?” she asked.
Three deeds that continue to earn rewards
Professor Idowu highlighted the Islamic teaching on sadaqah jariyah, meaning ongoing charity, alongside beneficial knowledge and righteous children who pray for their deceased parents, as three sources of continuing reward.
Citing a hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), she explained that a person’s deeds come to an end at death except for these three continuing sources of reward.
She urged Muslim parents to persevere in raising their children with Islamic values, noting that their prayers after their parents’ death could become a source of continuing benefit.
“Just know that you are investing in them, not because of when you are alive, but because of when you are gone, because those are the children that will be praying for you,” she said.
She also encouraged Muslims to share their professional and practical knowledge, regardless of their occupation, and mentor others who could pass the knowledge on to future generations.
“Even if you are a fashion designer, you are a caterer, you are a businessman, whatever it is that you know, that you have the knowledge about, feel free to share your knowledge to others,” she said.
“Whatever area, whatever your career, whatever area that you are doing, always have people that you are grooming. People that you are encouraging to follow in your footsteps,” she added.
Organisation’s bus as an investment in the Hereafter
Using Al-Mu’minaat’s proposed transport bus as an example of ongoing charity, Professor Idowu urged Muslims to support initiatives whose benefits could extend beyond their lifetimes.
Referring to the Dangote Refinery initial public offering (IPO), she asked Muslims to consider how they might use their savings not only for material gains but also to secure lasting rewards in the Hereafter.
She encouraged attendees to support Al-Mu’minaat’s proposed bus, explaining that their contributions could continue to earn rewards whenever the vehicle was used for the organisation’s activities.
Professor Idowu also discussed waqf, an Islamic endowment established to support continuing charitable benefits, as another way to sustain projects that serve communities.
“They are not taking your money away, they are saving it for you,” she said, referring to contributions made in the cause of Allah.
Fatima al-Fihri’s example of an enduring legacy
To demonstrate how one person’s contribution could benefit generations, Professor Idowu cited Fatima al-Fihri, who is traditionally credited with founding Al-Qarawiyyin in Fez, Morocco, in the ninth century.
According to the lecturer, Fatima used inherited wealth to establish an institution that became a lasting centre of learning.
Professor Idowu presented its continuing legacy as an example of how resources could be invested in projects that benefit humanity long after their founders have died.
“This woman planted a seed 1,226 years ago, and that university is still standing,” she said.
She urged Muslims to consider how they could use their resources, knowledge and opportunities to create lasting benefits for their communities rather than focus exclusively on personal comfort and material possessions.
Professor urges Muslims to support community development
In her concluding remarks, Professor Idowu encouraged Muslims to contribute to their communities through neighbourhood associations, non-governmental organisations, professional bodies and mosques.
Addressing the ₦20 million fundraising target for the transport bus, she expressed confidence that the amount could be raised if those present were willing to contribute, regardless of the size of their donations.
“If you have ₦1 million and you put down your ₦1 million, before you get home Allah will provide for you. If you have ₦10 million and you put down ₦10,000, Allah will reward you for it. So it depends on what you want from Allah,” she said.
She called on attendees to make contributions before leaving the event, emphasising that giving should be motivated by faith and the desire to earn Allah’s reward.
Al-Mu’minaat honours 40 patrons
The ceremony recognised 40 patrons for their contributions and support for the organisation. Addressing the gathering, the Lagos State Amirah, Hajia Bilqees Abdullah, expressed appreciation to the honourees.
“We saw you. We noticed your effort. What you did mattered,” she said.
She described the recognition as an appreciation of the patrons’ efforts and a reminder of the importance of sustaining support for the organisation’s work.
The Amirah also appealed for further assistance towards the proposed projects and assured supporters of the organisation’s commitment to accountability.
Appeals for ₦20m to acquire bus, seeks support for other projects
The ₦20 million fundraising target is specifically for the organisation’s proposed transport bus. The event also served as an opportunity to introduce the awardees to two other proposed projects: a commercial rental venture and a counselling centre.
The commercial venture would provide rental services for chairs, canopies and public address systems, alongside a hall for events, with the aim of generating recurring income to support the organisation’s programmes.
The proposed counselling centre would provide confidential, faith-based guidance on marital, family and mental health concerns.
The projects are intended to strengthen the organisation’s capacity to deliver services, generate income and expand its support for Muslim women and families.
More than three decades of empowering Muslim women
Founded in Lagos State on October 1, 1995, Al-Mu’minaat Organisation focuses on empowering Muslim women through education and welfare.
The organisation has 178 branches across 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas, with about 3,000 registered members, in addition to women who participate in its activities without formal registration.
Its activities include borehole projects, free vocational and skills training, visits to hospitals and orphanages, and outreach to the Kirikiri Female Correctional Home.
The organisation also operates The Future Hope Islamic Schools and runs the weekly Al-Hidaayah programme on Bond FM 92.9.
The proposed bus, commercial rental venture and counselling centre are intended to strengthen the organisation’s capacity to sustain and expand its community services.
Other programme highlights
The programme featured an opening prayer by Hajia Khadijah Adisa, Amirah of the Mainland area, and Qur’an recitations by Hajia Khadijah Ajadi in Arabic, Hajia Samiat Thomson in English and Hajia Kafilah Kilani in Yoruba.
Brother Yusuf Abdullateef and Hajia Hamdallah Shittu anchored the event, while Hajia Rahmot Sodiq, chairperson of the planning committee, delivered the vote of thanks.
Guests included Hajia Bushrah Adeagbo, National Professional Officer; and Hajia Khadijah Abdulsalam, a former Lagos State Amirah and current National Education Officer. Taofik Ibrahim and Tijani Mikail Taiwo also attended as special guests.
Hajia Sodiq expresses gratitude for successful Al-Mu’minaat awards
Hajia Sodiq thanked Allah for the success of the programme, describing it as one of the remarkable achievements of Al-Mu’minaat Organisation, Lagos State.
She commended the local government Amirahs and their secretaries for representing the organisation in their respective localities and praised the awardees for making Al-Mu’minaat proud by honouring the invitation.
Hajia Sodiq also prayed that Allah would accept the efforts of everyone who contributed to the event as acts of worship, replenish the awardees’ wealth, bless their homes and reward them abundantly.
Reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to upholding Allah’s guidance, she prayed for continued strength, unity and success, asking Allah to accept its members’ deeds, forgive their shortcomings and grant them success in this world and the Hereafter.
“Alhamdulillah for the journey, Alhamdulillah for the success, and Alhamdulillah for everything!” she said, praying for Allah’s continued blessings upon Al-Mu’minaat Organisation, Lagos State.
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