Islamic cleric tasks Nigerian on unity, brotherhood
By Olawale Olalekan
An Islamic cleric, Dr. Yakub Olore, has called on Nigerians to always pray for the unity of the country and live as brothers, saying when there is spirit of brotherhood and unity that there is progress.
He urged Muslims to use the Ramadan period to pray for the country.
Dr. Yakub made the call at an Annual Ramadan Lecture organised by Faith Centre of Nigeria entitled; “The Abandoned Treasure”, held in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
According to him, Allah (SWT) to make this Ramadan a means for us to return to Him, to purify our hearts, and to rediscover the treasure we have unintentionally abandoned.
“Ramadan, as we all know, is not merely about abstaining from food and drink; it is a time to purify our souls, reflect on our relationship with Allah, and turn away from the distractions of the world to focus on the most important treasure in our lives.
“But what exactly is this treasure that I speak of? Why do we, at times, neglect it, and how can we reclaim it during this blessed month”?
He said, the nature of the Abandoned Treasure is not something we can hold in our hands or see with our eyes. It is not a material possession, nor is it a worldly accomplishment. It is the treasure of our faith, the remembrance of Allah, the guidance of the Qur’an, and the sincerity in worship.
He refers to Surah Al-A’raf (7:7), where Allah (SWT) says, “And We have certainly made the Qur’an easy to remember. So, is there anyone who will be mindful?”
“This Qur’an, the ultimate treasure, has been revealed as a guide to us. Yet, how often do we turn to it, not out of obligation, but with the deep yearning to understand it and to allow it to guide our hearts and actions”?
“The treasure of sincere prayer, the treasure of remembrance (dhikr), the treasure of fasting—these are the treasures of Ramadan that many of us have abandoned or neglected in the rush of our busy lives.
He noted that the abandonment of the treasure does not always come in the form of outright rejection, but rather in neglect and complacency. We may perform acts of worship such as prayer and fasting, but do we truly engage in them with the proper intention, reflection, and connection to Allah?, he asked.
Yakub stressed that all homes must return to this treasure for the country to take its rightful position, adding that rottenness of the society was as a result of the abandonment of this treasure. We must be spiritual, sincere and hard work for us to get it right.
“Ramadan is a month meant for spiritual rejuvenation, but all too often, we get caught up in the outer aspects—food, socializing, or completing the rituals without a deep internal connection. The true treasure lies not in the external act but in the internal transformation that should occur when we connect with Allah through these acts.
“The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “The most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are done consistently, even if they are small.” (Sahih Bukhari)
“This hadith reminds us that consistency in sincere worship, even if it seems small, is more valuable than performing large deeds without true commitment or reflection. The treasure we abandon is the quality of our worship, not necessarily the quantity.
“The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “When Ramadan begins, the gates of Heaven are opened, and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained.” (Sahih Bukhari)
“This hadith serves as a reminder that Ramadan is an opportunity like no other. It is the time to reconnect with the treasure that is our relationship with Allah. It is the time to leave behind the distractions of the world and refocus our hearts and minds on what truly matters.
“Fasting, the most prominent act of worship during Ramadan, is not merely abstaining from food and drink—it is a means of purification, a way to turn our hearts towards Allah, to cleanse ourselves from worldly attachments, and to revive the treasure that lies in devotion.
He said the abandoned treasure can be reclaimed during Ramadan by renew our intention (Niyyah): Everything we do during Ramadan, whether it’s fasting, praying, or giving charity must be done with a sincere intention to seek Allah’s pleasure. We need to begin each day by renewing our commitment to reconnect with the treasure of faith, the treasure of worship, and the treasure of remembrance.
“We must engage in quality worship, make time for remembrance of Allah (dhikr), seek forgiveness and make Dua:
Ramadan is a time when Allah’s mercy is abundant”, he declared.
He noted that the treasure we have abandoned is not lost; it is waiting for us to reclaim it. “In this Ramadan, let us reconnect with the treasure of faith, of prayer, of remembrance, and of the Qur’an. We should continue pray for unity and progress of the country”, he concluded.
