PHOTOS: CIBN holds first Ramadan lecture series as cleric harps on upholding values imbibed beyond fasting month
The Chief Missioner, Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society (NASFAT), World Headquarters, Imam Abdul-Azeez Onike has charged Muslim faithfuls not to abandon key values upheld during the Holy month of Ramadan after the fasting is completed but should hold on to it for life for quality spiritual and career guidance.
Onike gave the counsel while delivering a lecture as Guest lecturer at the inaugural Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) Ramadan Lecture series held on Thursday, 13th March with the theme: “Ethics, integrity and professionalism – Lessons from Ramadan for the banking and finance industry.”
Onike, a widely travelled scholar and renowned expert in Islamic finance, interfaith relations, and humanitarian efforts in his lecture explained that what is now almost becoming a norm of people returning to their old, forsaken ways after duly observing the Ramadan fast should not be encouraged. According to him, the Holy month is not just for fasting but a spiritual training ground that help shapes character and mound people into a better version of themselves.
“Ramadan is not just a month of fasting; it is a spiritual training ground that shapes our character, strengthens our discipline, and deepens our awareness of ethical conduct. Among the many virtues it instills, Ramadan teaches us integrity, financial prudence, and ethics, essential values for both personal and professional life.
“The values of integrity, financial prudence, and ethics should not be limited to Ramadan but should extend to our daily lives. Ramadan is a training ground that prepares us for a life of righteousness, honesty, and responsibility.”
The cleric explained that some of the key lessons of Ramadan that should continue to guide human affairs even after the end of the spiritual exercise include; truthfulness and accountability, keeping promises and fulfilling trust, controlling desires, avoiding wastefulness, Zakat and Sadaqah (Charity), avoiding corruption and deception, controlling anger and bad conduct, workplace and leadership ethics.
In his remarks, Special Guest of Honour for the lecture, Mr Abdulrahman Yinusa, MD/CEO O’dua Investment Company noted that the purpose of fasting according to a verse in the Holy Quran “is to achieve righteousness (or Godliness), which means striving to be mindful of God and avoiding wrongdoings in whatever endeavours we find ourselves in.
“A professional who embraces godliness will not only excel in his/her career but also inspire trust, foster ethical business practices and positively impact their work environment.”
He therefore urged Muslim faithfuls to shun all forms of unethical behaviour capable of undermining God within and outside the Holy month of Ramadan.
Yinusa listed some of the unethical behaviours obtainable in the finance and banking industry to include; fraud and deception, corruption and bribery, exploitative practices, market manipulation, breach of customer trust, conflict of interest, non-compliance with regulations.
“These unethical behaviors damage trust, cause financial crises, and harm customers and the economy. Ethical banking prioritizes transparency, fairness, and accountability to prevent such misconduct…which is the hallmark of Godliness that fasting sets out to inculcate in the true faithfuls,” he said.
