* Mudiru Daru Da’wah stresses Islamic education, good character and moral reformation at annual symposium
The Mudiru Daru Da’wah wal Irshad, Isolo, Lagos, Sheikh Ridwanulahi Mustapha Zuglool Sanusi, has urged Muslims to emulate the exemplary character of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), stressing the importance of good conduct, forgiveness, compassion and peaceful coexistence.
Sheikh Zuglool spoke on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at an annual symposium and lecture organised by Alhaji Ibrahim Abdul Hakeem and Alhaja Mulikat Shonibare Memorial Mosque, in conjunction with Rufaaiyah Central Mosque, Parafa, Ikorodu, Lagos.
Muslim News gathered that the symposium, themed “A Journey Through the Life, Legacy and Guidance of Prophet Muhammad,” was held at the Mosque Hall, 5, Bisiriyu Enifeni Street, Solomade, Ikorodu, Lagos, bringing together Islamic scholars, community leaders and other guests to reflect on the Prophet’s teachings and their relevance to contemporary society.
The programme was hosted by Iya Adeen of Zumuratul Mubarak, Alhaja Rufaaiyah Mobolanle Shonibare Adesoye Kolex, who built Rufaaiyah Mosque for the worship of Allah.
The annual symposium provided an opportunity for participants to reflect on Prophet Muhammad’s teachings, the importance of Islamic education and the role of mosques in promoting religious knowledge, moral development and peaceful coexistence within the community.
Good character as a reflection of Islam
Speaking on the Prophet’s legacy, Sheikh Zuglool said good character was essential to personal development and positive relationships, urging Muslims to practise honesty, modesty, forgiveness and fairness in their dealings with others.
“Character is what flourishes; it doesn’t stop you from being a person, nor does it hinder anything we experience in life,” he said, emphasising that good character should remain central to the way Muslims conduct themselves.
The renowned Muslim scholar noted that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had demonstrated exemplary conduct in business, trade and personal relationships, adding that Muslims should draw lessons from his life when dealing with contemporary challenges.
He also urged Muslims to respond to criticism, misconceptions and negative portrayals of Islam through education, patience and exemplary behaviour rather than hostility.
Sheikh Zuglool cautioned against judging Islam by the shortcomings of individual Muslims and religious scholars, noting that religious leaders were human and could make mistakes.
He said Muslims should distinguish between the teachings of Islam and the actions of individuals who might misrepresent the religion.
“We must respond with good character, because character is the ultimate standard. If our character is good, it guides how we interact,” he said.
The scholar further called for personal reformation and unity among Muslims, urging believers to reflect on their conduct, abandon harmful practices and return to the values taught by the Prophet.
Promoting interfaith understanding
Sheikh Zuglool highlighted Islam’s recognition of earlier prophets, including Prophets Jesus, Moses and David, explaining that Muslims were required to believe in all the prophets of Allah.
“Islam is the only religion that proclaims this. All prophets are believed in; we do not reject a single prophet,” he said, stressing that respect for earlier prophets was an essential part of Islamic belief.
He also cited the example of Asma bint Abi Bakr and her non-Muslim mother to illustrate the importance of kindness and maintaining family relationships despite religious differences.
According to him, Prophet Muhammad instructed Asma to welcome her mother, share meals with her and treat her respectfully even though she had not embraced Islam.
He added that the Prophet lived alongside Christians and Jews in Madinah and interacted with people of different faiths, demonstrating the importance of compassion and peaceful coexistence.
Sheikh Zuglool urged Muslims to use education and good conduct to correct misconceptions about Islam, noting that hostility and poor behaviour could undermine efforts to communicate the religion’s message.
He also recounted his experience in public service, explaining that a Christian colleague later embraced Islam and that he believed the values demonstrated through Islamic teachings had played a role in the colleague’s decision.
The scholar encouraged Muslims to examine their own conduct and emulate the Prophet’s character rather than merely identify themselves as Muslims.
Islamic education for all generations
Alhaji Sadiq Ibrahim said the gathering had two purposes: to commemorate the birth of Prophet Muhammad and to celebrate the opening of Alhaja Rufaaiyah’s mosque.
“The purpose of the programme, one, is to commemorate the birthday of our Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW), and the celebration of the opening of Alhaji Rofiya’s mosque. Those are the two things that we are doing today,” Ibrahim said.
He explained that the association aimed to promote Islam, welcome people of all ages and genders, and spread Islamic teachings throughout the community.
He said the group also prioritised Islamic education for children, arguing that conventional education alone did not provide all the religious knowledge they needed.
“The Western education alone, as we are aware, is not enough. Islamic education is the best, and that is what we intend to propagate,” he said.
Ibrahim added that another objective was to teach Muslims how to worship Allah correctly, stressing that believers needed to understand the requirements of worship rather than practise without adequate knowledge.
He said the organisers hoped to make Islamic knowledge more accessible and help community members develop a better understanding of their religious responsibilities.
Guidance and commitment to Islam
The Coordinator and Administrator of Guidance of Truth, Alhaja Muinat Ajibona Subair, called on Muslims of all ages to seek sound Islamic guidance and remain committed to practising their faith.
Subair, who is also the author of Guidance of Truth, said contemporary challenges made it necessary for Muslims to strengthen their commitment to Islamic teachings and avoid following worldly distractions blindly.
“We must still do more without hesitation, and we must do other things for the sake of Islam,” she said.
She expressed concern that young people, children and adults could be led away from the right path by influences that undermined religious values.
“The world we are in today has changed,” she said, advising Muslims to follow Islamic teachings and practise their faith correctly to attain peace of mind.
Subair urged people to reconsider their priorities and avoid being carried away by worldly attractions, which she described as deceptive.
She said greater commitment to Islam and continued efforts to educate the community were necessary to promote religious understanding and spiritual wellbeing.
Muslims urged to study the Prophet’s life
Imam Ismail Oluwatoyin Balogun encouraged Muslims and non-Muslims to study the life and legacy of Prophet Muhammad, saying that understanding his history would help people appreciate his teachings and influence.
“Let us know him, read about him, and emulate him,” Balogun said, urging Muslims to make the Prophet’s example a guide for their everyday lives.
He referred to a non-Muslim author’s ranking of Prophet Muhammad as the most influential person in history, arguing that the Prophet’s legacy deserved wider study and appreciation. The author and book were not identified in the interview.
Balogun said both Muslims and non-Muslims could benefit from learning about the Prophet’s life, adding that believers should move beyond simply knowing about him to emulating his character.
He also offered prayers for deceased elders and parents who had laid the foundations for the community’s development.
The imam urged the living to preserve the good legacies of previous generations and continue their efforts to promote Islam and serve the community.
Don discusses Qur’an, scientific discoveries, commends organisers
The chairman of the occasion and journalism professor, Prof Tunde Akanni, spoke about the relationship between the Qur’an and scientific discoveries, pointing to the importance of studying Islamic scriptures and the science of Hadith to deepen understanding of religious teachings.
He also highlighted the contribution of the host, Alhaja Rufaaiyah Mobolanle Shonibare, who built a mosque in the name of her parents as part of her contribution to Islamic development and community service.
Akanni’s remarks drew attention to the role of women in sustaining Islamic institutions and promoting religious values within their communities. He acknowledged the mothers, wives, sisters, daughters and grandmothers present at the gathering and offered prayers for them.
The professor prayed that Allah would accept their good deeds, bless them and grant them Paradise. He also asked Allah to increase the honour, spiritual growth and financial prosperity of the organisers, donors, supporters and other members of the community.
He prayed for the families of those who contributed to the programme and asked Allah to bless their endeavours and continue to elevate them.
Some of the faces at the event
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