An Islamic scholar, Ustaz Abdul Hakeem Folorunsho Oyegunle, has warned Muslim parents against prioritising foreign education over their children’s moral and spiritual upbringing, saying academic qualifications cannot guarantee good character.
Oyegunle, the Mufassir of Onikolobo Muslim Community Central Mosque in Abeokuta, Ogun State, gave the warning while delivering a keynote sermon at the mosque’s investiture ceremony, where prominent personalities from the academic, security and business sectors received Islamic chieftaincy titles.
He expressed concern over parents and guardians who spend huge sums sending their children to countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States for education without giving adequate attention to their moral development.
He said foreign education, regardless of its quality, could not guarantee responsible behaviour without a strong foundation in good character and religious values.
“What is the benefit of spending fortunes on overseas education if the foundation of character and piety is completely missing?” he asked.
The cleric also urged Muslims to prioritise family welfare and financial responsibility, arguing that genuine religious devotion should be reflected in how people care for their relatives and dependants.
Citing verse 177 of Surah Al-Baqarah in the Quran, Oyegunle said Muslims should begin their acts of charity and financial support with their immediate families and relatives.
“God has made it clear in the Quran that true righteousness is not just turning your face to the East or the West. It means using the wealth God has blessed you with to support those around you, starting with your own relatives and family,” he said.
He urged husbands and heads of households to fulfil their marital and financial obligations, warning against neglecting dependants in pursuit of social recognition or public approval.
“True righteousness demands that you start at home. Treat your family with love, compassion and fairness. Do not neglect your marital obligations or your responsibilities to those dependent on you,” he added.
The ceremony, held at the weekend, also featured the installation of Professor Rauf Abdul-Hakeem Adegoke, rector of D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, as Giwa Ad-deen.
Adegoke called on Muslim community leaders to encourage young people to acquire practical skills that would promote self-reliance and entrepreneurship rather than depend solely on conventional white-collar employment.
He said community leaders and other stakeholders should develop practical strategies to equip children with skills across different fields.
“Let us look at how we can make all the children—Muslim children—embrace skills, so that everybody can go into self-development in terms of skill acquisition across various fields,” he said.
The professor added that opportunities in technology and the informal sector could provide alternative routes to economic independence.
“Nobody has to wait until we get white-collar jobs to be fulfilled,” he said.
Oyegunle, the Mufassir of Onikolobo Muslim Community Central Mosque in Abeokuta, Ogun State, gave the warning while delivering a keynote sermon at the mosque’s investiture ceremony, where prominent personalities from the academic, security and business sectors received Islamic chieftaincy titles.
He expressed concern over parents and guardians who spend huge sums sending their children to countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States for education without giving adequate attention to their moral development.
He said foreign education, regardless of its quality, could not guarantee responsible behaviour without a strong foundation in good character and religious values.
“What is the benefit of spending fortunes on overseas education if the foundation of character and piety is completely missing?” he asked.
The cleric also urged Muslims to prioritise family welfare and financial responsibility, arguing that genuine religious devotion should be reflected in how people care for their relatives and dependants.
Citing verse 177 of Surah Al-Baqarah in the Quran, Oyegunle said Muslims should begin their acts of charity and financial support with their immediate families and relatives.
“God has made it clear in the Quran that true righteousness is not just turning your face to the East or the West. It means using the wealth God has blessed you with to support those around you, starting with your own relatives and family,” he said.
He urged husbands and heads of households to fulfil their marital and financial obligations, warning against neglecting dependants in pursuit of social recognition or public approval.
“True righteousness demands that you start at home. Treat your family with love, compassion and fairness. Do not neglect your marital obligations or your responsibilities to those dependent on you,” he added.
The ceremony, held at the weekend, also featured the installation of Professor Rauf Abdul-Hakeem Adegoke, rector of D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, as Giwa Ad-deen.
Adegoke called on Muslim community leaders to encourage young people to acquire practical skills that would promote self-reliance and entrepreneurship rather than depend solely on conventional white-collar employment.
He said community leaders and other stakeholders should develop practical strategies to equip children with skills across different fields.
“Let us look at how we can make all the children—Muslim children—embrace skills, so that everybody can go into self-development in terms of skill acquisition across various fields,” he said.
The professor added that opportunities in technology and the informal sector could provide alternative routes to economic independence.
“Nobody has to wait until we get white-collar jobs to be fulfilled,” he said.