From Joseph Asegba, Yola
Adamawa State Chief Judge, Justice Hapsat Abdulrahman, has emphasized that obedient tolerance in faith and trust are fundamental, stating that without these qualities, trustworthiness is compromised.
Justice Abdulrahman urged both the bar and the bench to uphold the principle of trust, or Amanah, to ensure peace, tranquility, and harmony in society.
She made these remarks during the 2024 Muslim Lawyers’ Association of Nigeria (MULAN) Week, held under the theme: “Adherence to Principles of Amanah by Muslim Lawyers: The Surest Path to Success.”
The Chief Judge stated that holding a judicial position is a trust and must be approached with the utmost sense of responsibility.
Quoting the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), Justice Abdulrahman explained that there is no faith for those who cannot be trusted and no religion for those who cannot keep their promises.
“Verily, Allah commands that you should render back trust to those to whom it is due,” she said.
She further emphasized that Amanah (trust) is an inseparable concept from the legal profession, particularly in relation to the conduct of Muslim lawyers.
In his address, the Chairman of MULAN in Adamawa, Barrister Ibrahim Baba Mustapha, explained that this year’s theme was chosen to remind members of the importance of adhering to Amanah in their daily dealings.
“It is our belief that by the end of this program, participants will have gained a better understanding of the concept of Amanah, which will guide us to success both in this world and in the hereafter,” Mustapha said.
He also highlighted the rationale behind organizing the MULAN Week, stating that it serves as an annual forum for Muslim members of the bar, the bench, and other relevant stakeholders to meet, interact, and propose lasting solutions to some of the persistent challenges facing the legal profession, the judiciary, and society at large.
Earlier in the event, two resource persons, Dr. Malami Garba and Barrister Yakubu Sambo, spoke on the concept of trust (Amanah) from Islamic law and its comparison with modern legal practices.
They emphasized that trust is the foundation upon which the judicial system can thrive.
They called on legal practitioners to maintain the path of trust and avoid compromises, as such actions could have dire consequences for peace, security, and harmony.
In a related address on maintaining physical and mental health, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital (MAUTH), Professor Adamu Bakari Girei, urged legal professionals to prioritize healthy lifestyles due to the demanding nature of their profession.
He explained that for a person to be considered truly healthy, their physical, mental, and psychological well-being must be in balance. If any of these aspects is compromised, the person’s health is incomplete.
Professor Bakari pointed out that due to the pressures and stresses of the legal profession, lawyers are more prone to conditions such as depression and anxiety.
He noted that studies show lawyers are three times more likely to suffer from depression compared to other professions.
Additionally, lawyers are at a higher risk of non-communicable diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and other health issues.
He encouraged lawyers to maintain a healthy lifestyle by engaging in regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, reducing salt and sugar intake, ensuring adequate sleep, and undergoing regular medical check-ups.
