* Zafaran Adeniyi urges Muslim men to embrace faith, discipline and leadership
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vanguards Academy, Ustadh Zafaran Omotope Adeniyi, PhD, has called on Muslim men to reject superficial definitions of masculinity promoted by contemporary society and social media, urging them to build their identity around faith, discipline, knowledge, moral resilience and responsible leadership.
Adeniyi made the call while delivering the keynote address titled “Envisioned Islamic Masculinity” at the maiden Conference of Muslim Brothers (CMB), organised by the Oyo State chapter of the Pure Heart Islamic Foundation.
The conference, held on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan, brought together Muslim scholars, academics, professionals, youth leaders and Muslim brothers to examine the responsibilities of Muslim men and the challenges confronting them in contemporary society.
The gathering focused on the need for Muslim men to develop a strong Islamic identity while building the intellectual, economic, moral and leadership capacity required to contribute meaningfully to their families and communities.
Beyond social media definitions of manhood
The respected Muslim scholar, teacher and author said Muslim men must not allow social media, popular culture or material success to determine their understanding of manhood.
He identified faith rooted identity as the first pillar of Islamic masculinity, stressing the importance of understanding oneself as an Abdullah, a servant of Allah, and maintaining a strong relationship with Allah through the five daily prayers and the Quran.
According to him, the Muslim man’s identity should be anchored in obedience to Allah rather than appearance, wealth, social status or the expectations promoted by contemporary culture.
He also emphasised responsible brotherhood, urging Muslim men to build supportive relationships that encourage one another towards righteousness and personal development.
Knowledge and economic strength
The Islamic scholar identified intellectual and economic strength as another important dimension of responsible Muslim manhood.
Drawing attention to the first Quranic revelation, “Iqra”, he stressed the importance of knowledge acquisition and the development of useful skills.
He encouraged Muslim men to pursue halal economic opportunities, acquire relevant knowledge and develop the capacity to provide for themselves, their families and society.
Adeniyi also linked economic strength with responsibility, noting that Muslim men should not only seek personal prosperity but use their resources and abilities to contribute positively to their communities.
Moral resilience in a changing society
Another major focus of the keynote was moral resilience. Adeniyi cited Prophet Yusuf, peace be upon him, as an example of a man who demonstrated self discipline and remained firm when confronted with temptation.
He urged Muslim men to guard their gaze, tongues, time and hearts, particularly in an environment where access to obscene and morally harmful content has become easier through digital platforms.
He warned against allowing inappropriate content and unhealthy social influences to weaken a Muslim’s spiritual and moral foundations.
According to him, Islamic masculinity requires the ability to exercise restraint and remain committed to one’s principles even when confronted with pressure or temptation.
Leadership begins at home
Adeniyi also presented leadership as an important responsibility of Muslim men.
He reminded participants of their role as caretakers and representatives of Allah on earth, stressing that leadership should begin with personal discipline and extend to the family and wider society.
The CEO of Vanguards Academy urged Muslim men to take responsibility for their homes, relationships and conduct, while demonstrating fairness, compassion, accountability and sound judgment.
He said a man’s leadership should not be measured merely by authority or status but by the responsibilities he accepts and the positive influence he has on those entrusted to him.
Chairman calls for stronger brotherhood
The Chairman of the conference, Prof Abdulwasiu Ajagbe, called on Muslim brothers to strengthen unity and mutual support within the Muslim community.
Ajagbe stressed the importance of working together and developing relationships that would enable Muslim men to address common challenges and contribute more effectively to society.
He said the conference provided an opportunity for Muslim men to reflect on their responsibilities and identify practical ways of improving themselves and their communities.
Organisers seek responsible Muslim men
The Coordinator of the conference, Engr AbdulRaheem Owodunni, said the gathering was designed to provide Muslim men with an opportunity for collective reflection and personal renewal.
“This is a conference to come together with one voice to remodel ourselves to become responsible, disciplined, and firm in all our affairs,” he said.
Owodunni said the organisers were concerned about the pressures facing Muslim men and the need to provide a platform where issues affecting their faith, character, family responsibilities, economic development and leadership could be discussed from an Islamic perspective.
Conference adopts 10 point communiqué
At the end of the conference, participants adopted a 10 point communiqué outlining principles they considered important for Muslim men seeking to live responsibly according to Islamic teachings.
The communiqué urged Muslim men to identify first as “Abdullah”, servants of Allah, while rejecting social media and material standards as measures of manhood.
It called for stronger brotherhood among Muslim men, using Prophet Yusuf, peace be upon him, as an example of moral courage and resilience.
Participants also resolved to guard their gaze, tongues, time and hearts, while taking greater responsibility for leadership within their homes and communities.
The communiqué further urged Muslim men to regularly evaluate themselves, remain conscious of their ultimate purpose, avoid zina before, during and after nikah, and stay away from haram sources of sustenance.
It also emphasised the importance of acquiring and teaching authentic Islamic knowledge as part of the responsibility of Muslim men.
The organisers said the conference marked the beginning of a broader conversation on Muslim masculinity, with the objective of encouraging men to combine spiritual commitment with intellectual growth, economic responsibility, sound character and constructive leadership.
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