Ramadan: Kwara Grand Khadi tasks leaders on good governance

Justice Abdullateef Kamaldeen, the Grand Khadi of Kwara State Shariah Court of Appeal.

Justice Abdullateef Kamaldeen, the Grand Khadi of Kwara Shariah Court of Appeal, has enjoined Muslims and those in position of leadership to rule with fear of Allah as they will account for their actions, either here or hereafter.

Kamaldeen stated this on Saturday in Ilorin during his Ramadan Lecture, organised by the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN).

In his presentation, entitled: “Accountability and Good Governance: Islamic Template”, the Grand Khadi, stated that accountability was one of the core values of Islam.

According to him, in Islam ‘taklif’ or accountability, is derived from the belief that every person is responsible for his or her actions and inactions, on the day of judgment.

He explained that the principles of transparency and accountability in the Qur’an guaranteed social control and report, wide public participation, kind public service, self-honest, self-control and self-responsibility, so that various forms of distortion, such as corruption or discrimination can be avoided and controlled.

He explained further that good governance cultivate conformity to constitution, rule of law and Shari’ah law.

Kamaldeen cited Umar Bn Kattab, the companion of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and Caliphate of the Islamic empire, as a just ruler, who set exemplary leadership acumen for all Muslims to emulate.

Also speaking, Gov AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, who was represented by Prof. Mamman Jubril, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), enjoined Muslims to strive to reap the blessings of the holy month of Ramadan.

He emphasised the importance of women, especially mothers, in Islam, saying the Prophet enjoined goodness by and to mothers.

According to him, it is against the injunctions of Islam to maltreat any woman, and that everyone would be identified by the name of his mother on the day of judgment.

Earlier, Hajia Ni’mat Labaika, the state Chairman of FOMWAN, explained that it was part of the tradition of the association to organise weekly Ramadan tafsir (Lecture).

She stated that as mothers, the association felt that it was key to exhort the newly elected and appointed leaders in different positions in Nigeria to rule with the fear of Allah, as they would be accountable for their actions.