*Janazah holds today at Lagos Central Mosque
By BASHIR ADEFAKA
One of Nigeria Nigeria’s early graduates of the prestigious Al-Azhar University, Cairo, earning his Bachelors of Art in Arabic and Islamic Studies and Licentiate of Islamic Law from the Shari’ah Faculty of the same university that is said to be the first in the world, Sheikh Abdul Afiz Abou, is dead.
As Licentiate of Islamic Law, Sheikh Abou, who breathed his last on Tuesday January 9, 2024, possessed the qualification as holder of a certificate of competence to practice Shari’ah Law in Nigeria or anywhere in the world.
His death was confirmed in a statement by Alhaji Alabi Macfoy, the Bashorun of Lagos and Vice Chairman of the Executive Council, Lagos Central Mosque, in which he said: “Death is never welcomed but the Glorious Qur’an reminds us that everyone shall have a taste of death!
“We therefore regret to announce the death of our father-in-Islam, BABA ADINNI OF LAGOS – (HIS EMINENCE SHEIKH ABDUL AFEEZ ASHAMU ABOU, OFR) who died today Tuesday, 9th January, 2024 at his residence.
“PLEASE JOIN us by 2:00 PM TOMORROW (today) WEDNESDAY, 10TH JANUARY, 2024 at the LAGOS CENTRAL MOSQUE for his JANAZA PRAYER after which we proceed to ABARI CEMETERY for burial.
“May ALMIGHTY ALLAH, in His infinite mercy, grant him Al-Jannat Fridaus and give us all the fortitude to bear the great loss.”
Also confirming his death via his Facebook, Alhaji Saheed Aweda, a repository of knowledge of history and historian of Crescent University Abeokuta with decades stay on Lagos Island, on Wednesday, thus confirming the earlier uncertain report of his demise.
In a media report earlier, Sheikh Abou, one of Nigeria’s eminent Islamic scholars, passed away at the age of 101, on Tuesday January 9, 2024 leaving behind a legacy of knowledge and spiritual guidance.
The funeral rites, including the janazah prayer, the report added, have been scheduled to take place today, Wednesday January 10, 2024, at the Lagos Central Mosque on Lagos Island.
Confirming the death of the great scholar, who remained active in the service of Islam until his death, Alhaji Aweda said: “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raaji’uun. Indeed to Allah we belong and unto Him is our return.
“Sheikh Hafiz Abou-Nolla, Grand Sheikh and Baba Adinnii of Lagos, returns to His Lord, aged 101. One of Nigeria’s early graduates of the prestigious Al-Azhar University in Cairo, earning his B.A. in Arabic and Islamic Studies, he later became a Licentiate of Islamic Law from the Shari’ah Faculty at Azhar. He was always pious and noble in his comportment. May Allah in His infinite mercies accept his return, pardon his shortcomings and grant him Al-Jannah Firdaws.”
