Prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Abdul Afeez Abou, laid to rest in Lagos

*He was great, peaceful, committed to Islam, Gen. Olanrewju, World Zakat body scribe Maidoki, others

*As Chief Imam of Lagos leads janazah

*Tinubu, Adebule, Pantami, MPAC, MURIC, TMC, others mourn

By BASHIR ADEFAKA

The late Baba Adinni of Lagos and prominent Islamic Cleric, Sheikh Abdul Afeez Ashamu Abou, has been committed to mother earth.

Burial rites of the Licentiate of Islamic Law, who died in his residence in the Centre of Excellence on Tuesday January 9, 2023 at the age of 101, started from the Lagos Central Mosque wher he was laid-in-state with torrents of Azikir: “lailaha illa Allah”, “Allahu yar’amuhu wayagifiruhu wa dikhilihi lijannah” among others and the his janazah prayer followed followed immediately after solatul zuhr, led by the Chief Imam of Lagos, Engr Sulaimon Abou-Nolla, supported by fronting Islamic scholars including the National Missioner Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad, the Founder of Morkaz Salam Okokoro, Sheikh Moshood Jibreel Al-Ketuwiyy, Grand Mufti of Ilorin, Sheikh Sulaiman Faruq Onikijipa; Director of Daru Na’im, Sheikh Imran Eleha, Mudeer Daru Da’wah Wal Irshad, Isolo, Sheikh Ridwanullah Mustapha Zuglool and former NAHCON Chairman, Zikrullah Hassan, among others.

Government functionaries led by Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, pioneer Executive Secretary, MUSWEN, Professor Dawud Noibi; Deputy President I, MUSWEN, Alhaji Rafiu Ebiti; Secretary-General, Ogun Muslim Council, Alhaji Kamoldeen Akintunde; hundreds of sympathisers, Muslim scholars and representatives of notable Islamic organisations from far and wide attended in honour of the janazah (funeral prayers) of the late Islamic leader Baba Adinni, a distinguished Islamic scholar from a noble lineage of Imams and religious devotees.

The remains of the revered Islamic scholar were later conveyed – in a long convoy of vehicles escorted and backed up by security operatives and safety officials – to Abari Cemetery, Petey Street, Lagos Island, where he was finally laid to rest amidst tributes from personalities across Nigeria, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Minister of Communications and General Officer Commanding, 3 Armoured Division of the Nigeria Army, Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju (Rtd), former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Senator Idiat Adebule, and former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Pantami, among others.

Notable Islamic organisations and Arabic institutions in Nigeria, including Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) and the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), and The Muslim Congress (TMC) also paid tributes to the late Sheikh, who was a forerunner in the emancipation of Muslims in the South West.

Tinubu mourns Sheikh Abou

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, mourned the passage of the prominent Islamic scholar.

“It is with a heavy heart that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT receives the news of the passing of His Eminence, Sheikh Abdul-Hafeez Aṣhamu Abou, Baba Adinni of Lagos and Chairman of the Executive Council of Lagos Central Mosque.

“President Tinubu condoles with Baba’s family, the Muslim community in Lagos, as well as the Lagos State Government over this very sad loss.

“The president celebrates the inspiring legacy of service, duty, and sacrifice of Baba, who passed away at 101 years old, noting his extraordinary contributions to the Muslim Ummah, Lagos State, and beyond.

“Baba dedicated his life to the service of the people. He lived a full life guided by the highest and noblest moral codes. He was a fine example for all of us. He will be sorely missed. We should take solace in Baba’s legacy and uphold his values of honesty, dignity, and sacrifice,” the president said.

President Tinubu prayed that Almighty Allah grants Baba the highest station in Al-Jannah Firdaus.

Gen Olanrewaju condoles on demise of Baba Adinni of Lagos, Sheikh Abdul Afeez Abou

Former Minister of Communications and former General Officer Commanding, 3 Armoured Division of the Nigeria Army, Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju (Rtd), has sent out his condolence message to the Executive Committee of Lagos State Central Mosque and family of late Baba Adinni of Lagos, Sheikh Abdul Afeez Ashamu Abou, who died at his residence in the Centre of Excellence on Tuesday January 9, 2024 at the age of 101.

While mourning, the Retired General recalled what he called the social contract that both of them had together during the lifetime of one of early graduates of Al-Azar University, Cairo, Egypt, who has been widely applauded for having lived his life diligently for the cause of Islam and good of humanity.

In a statement personally signed by him and circulated to the media on Thursday, General Olanrewaju described the late prominent Islamic cleric as a committed scholar who lived a life of piety and whose well documented legacies will continue to be of high interest to the generations of Nigerians to come.

“Baba Adinni shared with me his kind wishes and motivated interest about my presidential pardon and my service records in the Nigerian Army. There were very few Lagosians, indeed, who cared about this interest.

“Baba Adinni and my late principal, Alhaji Jimoh Adisa Gbadamosi, OON, really cared, and they checked up on me from time to time. I thank General Muhammad Buhari (Rtd) for granting me a presidential pardon during the lifetime of Baba Adinni,” Olanrewaju recalled the social contract he and the late Licentiate of Islamic Law, Sheikh Abou, had together.

Paying his tribute, General Tajudeen Olanrewaju said, “Baba Adinni was a committed Islamic Scholar and Sheikh who lived a life of piety and was not interested in the accumulation of personal wealth. He lived his life in accordance with Islamic practice.

“As a well known Scholar, he made teaching and learning a legacy of self-discipline and knowledge, which gave him fame among Muslim faithful.”

He said, “May Allah grant Baba Adinni Jannatu Fidraus, forgive him his sins and bless his good works and deeds, Amiin”, he prayed.

He lived a worthy life through enviable age, says Senator Adebule

Senator Adebule, in her condolence message, was grateful to Almighty Allah for the worthy life Baba lived all through to an enviable age of 101 years.

She described Sheikh Abou as a thoroughbred scholar whose impact traverses beyond the shores of Nigeria.

The former Lagos State Deputy Governor said “I will personally miss him and indeed all Nigerians would miss his depth of knowledge and elderly wisdom in addressing critical matters of national concern”.

She said: “Nigeria has lost a great national treasure and icon who was an embodiment of knowledge and wisdom. Baba’s humility is of high proportion as he related seamlessly with everyone irrespective of age, tribe or religious affiliations”.

“His death is a great loss to the Nigerian Muslim community in general. On behalf of the good people of Lagos West Senatorial District, I pray for the repose of his gentle soul and besiege Allah in His infinite mercies to overlook Baba’s shortcomings and grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus”, she said.

Adebule commiserated with the family, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Oba Rilwan Aremu Akiolu 1 of Lagos, the Chief Imam of Lagos, Council of Imams and Alfas and the entire Muslim community of Lagos State over the demise of Sheikh Abou.

Pantami mourns Sheikh Abou

Pantami, who is currently in Mauritania for the African International Conference as a keynote speaker, took time to pay condolence to Sheikh Abou, via his X, formerly known as Twitter, handle.

He wrote: “Inna lil Laahi wa inna ilaiHi Raajiun! The Baba Adini of Lagos, Sheikh AbdulHafeez Abou Nolla, returned to our Almighty Creator yesterday. Our heartfelt condolences to his family & associates. May the Almighty Allah admit him into Jannatul Firdaus.

“Inna lil Laahi wa inna ilaiHi Raajiun! The Baba Adini of Lagos, Sheikh AbdulHafeez Abou Nolla, returned to our Almighty Creator yesterday. Our heartfelt condolences to his family & associates. May the Almighty Allah admit him into Jannatul Firdaus.”

Sheikh Abou’s death, a colossal loss: MURIC

In his press statement, the Executive Director, MURIC, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, described the death of Baba Adinni of Lagos as a colossal loss to the entire Muslim ummah.

“Sheikh Abou was born in the Ita Akanni area of Lagos on 10 August 1922. He attended the Lagos Government School, Ansar-ud-deen School and Al-Azhar University, Cairo where he obtained the B. A. degree in Arabic. He spent 14 years in Cairo (1944-1958) acquiring different experiences of Islamic culture.

“He was a quintessential Islamic scholar, humble, warm and unassuming. He loved the young and old and he was so loved. He was the doyen of the Lagos Muslim Community. If he ever had any enemy in his lifetime, it must be Shaytan (Satan) himself.

Prof Lakin Akintola

“The whole life of the centinerian is an open book full of lessons for both the young and old. We charge Muslim leaders to emulate his simple way of life and piety. We pray that Almighty Allah will grant him peace until the Day of Judgement and place him in aljannah firdaus thereafter. Aamiin.”

We mourn the departure of a great scholar – MPAC Nigeria

Executive Chairman, Muslim Public Affairs Centre, MPAC Nigeria, Mal. Disu Kamor, who relayed the news in a statement said, “It is with great sadness and grief that we received the news of the passing of Sheikh Abou, whose death has just been announced.”

“MPAC offers deep condolences on the painful loss of the eminent scholar to his honourable family and the entire Lagos State Muslim community. We mourn the departure of the great scholar and pray that Allah (SWT) have mercy on him.

“We raise our hands in prayers to the Merciful Lord that He accepts him among the prophets, the truthful, the martyrs, the righteous, and those are good companions. We also pray to the One and Only God to have mercy on the bereaved family of Shaykh Abou, his community, students and admirers.

“Without a doubt, this is a great loss for the Ummah and especially for the Muslims of Lagos State to whom he spent decades teaching, guiding and leading. We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return.”

Sheikh Abou: A Shining example of devoutness – TMC

The National Headquarters of The Muslim Congress (TMC) in a press release signed by its Amir, Alhaji Abdul Wasiu Bangbala described Sheikh Abou as a shining example of devoutness and knowledge, who left behind an indelible legacy of unwavering faith and steadfast commitment to the cause of Islam.

While commiserating with the Muslim Ummah, Alhaji Bangbala added that Sheikh Abou’s legacy is one of unparalleled dedication to the service of humanity and the advancement of Islamic knowledge.

“His illustrious contributions and service to both the Muslim community and the nation earned him the distinguished recognition of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), one of the most prestigious national honours. This accolade serves as proof of his outstanding impact and significant role in the spiritual and social fabric of Nigeria, reflecting the magnitude of his influence as a revered spiritual leader”, he noted.

TMC also recognised and deeply appreciated the enduring legacy of Sheikh AbdulHafeez Abou, acknowledging the profound impact he has had on the spiritual and intellectual development of the Muslim community.

Sheikh Abou’s mentorship inspiration to Muslim students – MSSN Lagos

The entire Muslim students in Lagos State under the leadership of its Amir, Mallam Kamoldeen Abiona joined the entire Muslim community in grieving the departure of the illustrious scholar, who was equally a patron of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) in the 1960s.

The Amir, MSSN Lagos said in a condolence message that Sheikh Abou’s teachings, mentorship, and exemplary life have been a source of inspiration for countless individuals, adding that his legacy will endure through the lives he touched.

“Today, we mourn the loss of a towering figure, a beacon of wisdom, and a guiding light for the Muslim community. Sheikh Abou’s life was a testament to unwavering faith, dedication to scholarship, and a profound commitment to serving Allah and humanity. His contributions to Islamic education, leadership, and interfaith harmony have left an indelible mark on our hearts and minds.