Emulate Prophet Muhammad, scholar advises youths

An Ibadan-based Islamic scholar, Dr Rasheed Fasasi has advised youths in the country to emulate the lifestyle of Prophet Muhammad in order to succeed both in this world and in the hereafter.

Fasasi gave the advice in a lecture organised by the Bodija Muslim Youth Forum (BOMYOF) to mark the birth of the Prophet in Ibadan.
In the lecture entitled: Muhammad: Lessons from his birth and growing up, Fasasi said that there was need for all Muslims especially the youths to go back to the original teachings of the Prophet.

He said Islam was becoming strange and people are no longer seeing the beauty of Islam because of the strange creeds.
“Let us go back to the original teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), who lived what he preached,’’ he said.
Fasasi, who is a motivational speaker, reminded all Muslim youths that every person involved in their life is a means as Allah can use anybody.

“Do not think the absence or failure of someone in your life is the end of your ambition’’.
He said Prophet Muhammad youthfulness was filled with hard work rather than youthful exuberance as he was honest, trustworthy and had integrity in his day- to- day affairs.

“The Holy Prophet (PBUH) was extremely honest and trustworthy in his day to day affairs. This was a rare quality in the era he lived, when merchants and vendors used to swindle and deceive the consumers for petty profits.’’
Fasasi said the Muslims are fortunate to have a role model and perfect guide in the personality of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

“Achieving the same level of success that he did is impossible but the purpose of his life was for us to study, learn and emulate his virtues in order to succeed in this life and the after life

The guest speaker reminded the youth that despite the challenging background of Prophet Muhammad, losing his parents at six years of age, “he became the greatest man that ever lived.’’

To those in position of authority, Fasasi urged them to exhibit accountability just as the Prophet did when he was the leader with a pleasant disposition and cheerful manner.

Describing the Prophet as a rights activist, Fasasi said “his earlier life was marked by rare characteristics, rarest of all in Arabia at the time, love of the poor, the orphan, the widow, the weak, the helpless and the slave.’’

Despite temptations to lure him into worldly possessions, he said Prophet Muhammad remained steadfast towards his purpose on earth by not renouncing God mission until his death.

Earlier, the chairman of BOMYOF, Abdur-Rahman Balogun said the lecture was organised to mark the birth of the Prophet and sensitise the youth on the need to refocus and be a great leader in future.