By Yaqub Oyero
A Non-governmental organization, the Pearl Rose Foundation, has held a counseling seminar for young, unmarried Muslims in Alimosho.
With the theme, “Look before you leap,” the seminar, held over the weekend at Muhibah Memorial School, Egbeda, was aimed at equipping the participants with the right understanding and required prerequisites in chosing their desired life partners.
In an opening remark, one of the organisers, Mr Daud Obalola, advised the participants on the need to watch well before going into the marriage institution.
Obalola emphasised that rushing into marriage without necessary caution could be disastrous, saying “if one fails to look well before leaping, it often ends in regret and sorrow”.
Participants at the event were grouped into four sets in a workshop, with each of the groups discussing issues that affect young adults in the marriageable age.
Issues about desired qualities in would-be partner, peer pressure, and sexual feelings and management, were discussed by participants.
Engineer Idris Mustapha and his wife Mrs Amina Olaleye, who facilitated the workshop session, noted some of the concerns raised as regards the issues, and provided various advises based on their experience as married couple.
Discussing the theme of the programme, Mr Kazeem Lawal, emphasised the need for participants to be adequately ready for marriage before thinking of selecting who to marry.
According to him “marriage is too critical to be jumped at without proper guidance. If you do not tread cautiously, you will crash land.”
He said Muslims should take the Qur’an and practice of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as guide in going about their marriage, noting that a lot of marriage counsellors today especially on social media only dish out theories which are not practicable in real life.
Mr Lawal, who cited personal experiences, urged the participants to give preference to the religion of Islam over other considerations when making choices.
He identified self-desire, ignorance and lack of trust among other factors, as reasons people have issues with the provisions of on marriage Islam.
Mrs Asmau Oduye, wife of Mr Lawal, also shared her experiences with the participants, urging them to trust the guidance of their mentors when it’s to chose life partners.
