By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The Chief Imam of Lekki Central Mosque, Sheikh Dr Ridwan Jamiu,urged Muslims to place worship, humility and charity above the pursuit of material wealth as Ramadan approaches, warning that a life detached from devotion to Allah is spiritually empty.
He delivered the admonition at a pre-Ramadan lecture organised by the Lagos State University Muslim Alumni (LASUMA) on Sunday, 8 February, 2026, at the Aderemi Makanjuola Auditorium, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Lagos.
The lecture was themed “Ramadan: A Journey of Spiritual Transmission.”
Addressing the audience, Sheikh Jamiu cautioned against excessive attachment to wealth and status, stressing that material possessions ultimately outlive their owners.
“All you care about is how to make money. Have you forgotten that your house will outlive you?” he asked, noting that many people labour for decades to build houses and careers only for others to inherit them.
According to him, worldly possessions are not meant for self-glorification but as divine facilities for worship.
“When you came to this world, you came empty-handed, and when you are going back, you will leave empty-handed,” he said, adding that wealth and achievements are “facilities of Allah to worship Allah.”
Transitioning to the essence of human existence, the cleric described worship as the soul of life, without which life becomes meaningless.
“If there is no worship in your life, your life is worthless. Remove the soul from the body and what remains is nothing,” he said, stressing that power, beauty and riches lose all value once the soul departs.
On the significance of Ramadan, Sheikh Jamiu described the holy month as a rare opportunity for total spiritual purification. Citing the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), he said fasting during the day and observing night prayers throughout Ramadan erase sins.
“Anyone who fasts and observes the night prayers in Ramadan comes out of his sins as clean as the day his mother gave birth to him,” he said.
However, he warned against superficial observance of the fast, condemning excess, anger, gossip and moral laxity.
He stressed that Ramadan demands restraint in conduct, speech and behaviour, noting that failure to abstain from major sins robs believers of the month’s spiritual rewards.
The cleric further urged Muslims to embrace generosity, describing Ramadan as a month of charity. Quoting Abdullah ibn Abbas, he recalled that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was most generous during Ramadan.
“This is not the time to be stingy. This is the time to be generous,” he said, calling on Muslims to support relatives, neighbours, employees, the poor and the needy.
He also emphasised the inseparable link between Ramadan and the Qur’an, urging Muslims to prioritise its recitation and understanding.
“The Qur’an was revealed in Ramadan. It is not meant to be recited alone but to be understood,” he said, adding that believers would be questioned about their relationship with the holy book.
Sheikh Jamiu further encouraged increased supplication during the holy month, urging prayers for forgiveness, family members, teachers, benefactors, the nation and its leaders.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including: the Registrar of the Lagos State High Court, Alhaji Tajudeen Elias; Manager of LASURA, Tpl. ESV Alhaji Saheed Animashaun; the University Bursar, LASU, Alhaji Saheed B. Olayinka, FCA; LASUMA President, Dr Abdul Azeez Anjorin; and the Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, Prof. IbiyemiI.Olatunji-Bello, who was represented by Dr Abdul Lateef Sekoni, among others.
The Chief Imam reminded Muslims that Ramadan’s promise of forgiveness is conditional on sincere worship and moral discipline, urging them to seize the month as a chance for spiritual rebirth.
