By Hassan Hussain
A Professor of Foreign Languages at the Lagos State University, Prof. Saheed Timeyin, has called on Muslims to preserve the legacy of Prophet Muhammad through honesty, compassion, justice and service to humanity.
Timeyin made the call in Abuja at the 10th Annual Maulid Nabiyyi organised by the Ashraf Islamic Foundation.
The Maulid, themed “Inheritance Beyond Wealth: Preserving the Prophetic Legacy in Modern Society,” provided an opportunity for participants to reflect on the life, teachings and enduring legacy of Prophet Muhammad.
He said the essence of celebrating the birth of the Prophet should go beyond praises, recitations and admiration, stressing that Muslims must emulate his character and teachings in their daily lives.
“The question we should ask ourselves is not how much wealth, property or business we are going to leave behind, but what kind of values are we leaving behind. The Prophet did not leave a vast worldly inheritance, but he left knowledge, faith, justice, compassion and good character, which continue to benefit humanity,” he said.
The scholar stressed the importance of responsible parenting and ethical leadership, noting that children learn more from the conduct of adults than from their words.
He warned that contradictions between what parents and leaders preach and how they conduct themselves could negatively influence younger generations and weaken the moral foundation of society.
According to him, although Islam recognises material inheritance, including property, wealth and businesses, the more enduring inheritance includes faith, knowledge, good character, courage, compassion, justice and service to humanity.
He explained that Prophet Muhammad transformed a society characterised by tribal divisions, injustice and ignorance into one founded on brotherhood, knowledge, mercy and justice.
The scholar urged Muslims to reflect the prophetic values in their homes, workplaces and communities, rather than merely sharing quotations and praises of the Prophet on social media.
He cited Qur’an 33:21 (Surah Al-Ahzab), which presents the Messenger of Allah as an excellent example for believers.
The Founder and Chief Host of the Ashraf Islamic Foundation, Imam Sharafudeen Aliagan, also urged Muslims to look beyond material possessions and preserve the values, wisdom and teachings of Prophet Muhammad.
Aliagan said the teachings of Islam provide comprehensive guidance on material inheritance, particularly in Surah An-Nisa, verses 11 and 12, which address the rights and responsibilities of heirs.
He stressed that inheritance also includes knowledge, wisdom, good character, peace and other values capable of strengthening families and communities.
“Inheritance is not only about what we distribute after someone dies. We also inherit knowledge, character, wisdom and values. We must therefore study the teachings of Islam on inheritance and apply them in our families so that we can prevent disputes and promote peace and unity,” he said.
He called on Muslims to extend kindness and support to vulnerable members of society who may not qualify as heirs, describing such gestures as important to peace and social harmony.
Also speaking, Islamic scholar Ustaz Abdulfath Adeyemi challenged parents to build a lasting legacy that would enable future generations to surpass them in achievement and positive impact.
He urged parents to deliberately create opportunities and instil values that would help their children and subsequent generations achieve greater things.
Adeyemi also advised Muslims to pay greater attention to their family history and understand the contributions and sacrifices of their forebears.
“Every generation must strive to leave something better for those coming after it. Parents should not only be concerned about their own success; they should build their children and preserve family values so that future generations can become greater than themselves,” he said.
He said knowledge of one’s ancestry could help individuals appreciate their roots, preserve family values and understand their responsibilities to future generations.
A participant and businessman, Alhaji Akeem Bello, urged Nigerians to uphold strong moral values, faith and the fear of God irrespective of their social or economic status.
He said material possessions were temporary, stressing that the true legacy of an individual should be reflected in character, values and positive impact on society.
The Maulid featured prayers and reflections on the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad, with speakers urging Muslims to translate the values of the Prophet into practical actions for the benefit of families and society.
