It was a gathering of gratitude and reflection in Ibadan as Abdubasit Abdulazeez celebrated his birthday alongside the successful completion of his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year.
The double celebration, held on Saturday, November 1, 2025, took place at the Kole Central Mosque, Aroro-Kole, and drew family members, colleagues, and friends who joined in offering prayers and thanksgiving.
The event, themed “So Remember Me; I Will Remember You” (Qur’an 2:152), featured lectures, Qur’an recitations, and prayers aimed at strengthening faith and encouraging spiritual discipline.
Delivering the keynote lecture titled “Prayer Perfection: Unlocking the Secrets of a Healthy Solah – Its Practice and Importance,” Ustadh Abdulfatah Olalekan Yusuf (AFOY) described prayer as the strongest link between a believer and the Creator.
He urged Muslims to approach solah (prayer) with mindfulness, humility, and sincerity, warning against mechanical observance that lacks spiritual focus. “Many perform their prayers without concentration, missing the comfort and discipline that solah brings,” he said.
Citing verses from the Qur’an and hadith, the cleric encouraged young Muslims to value prayer as a moral compass that refines character, fosters inner peace, and guards against temptation.
The program also included a Qur’an recitation, question-and-answer session, du‘ā, and thanksgiving, all of which deepened the sense of devotion among participants.
In his address, Abdulbasit expressed heartfelt appreciation to Almighty Allāh for seeing him through the NYSC year and granting him another year of life. He thanked everyone who attended and supported the celebration, praying that Allāh bless them in return.
Quoting from the Qur’an, he reminded guests of the divine promise: “If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favour]” (Qur’an 14:7), adding that gratitude remains the path to continued blessings both in this world and the hereafter.
The event closed with prayers and moments of joy as attendees departed with renewed spiritual strength and appreciation for the blessings of service, life, and faith.
