Prominent Scholars in Nigeria and some of their contributions (Series One)

By Abdullahi Yusuf

The Muslim community in Nigeria, like the other religious communities, has played an important role in the country’s nation-building. From the pioneering generation to the current generation, we have as one community worked hand in hand with our fellow brothers and sisters to build a place we can proudly call home. Through our religious institutions and individual efforts based on the principles of religion, we have succeeded in contributing to the nation-building efforts of our country. This is not to say that we did not face any challenges.

If we compare the lives of our parents and grandparents, it is clear that they had challenges unique to their own time and perhaps, theirs were even more challenging. In the writings of those who recall the early days of our country, social issues such as unemployment and racial tensions were prominent, and the ideals of gender equality were not as widespread as they are now

In our generation today, we also have our challenges such as wrong and fallible interpretations of our religious teachings, and those who believe that their religion, race or gender are superior to others. Such negative ideologies are against our religious principles, which consist of sound and proper methodologies of interpretations, and belief in equality among humankind, regardless of race, religion or gender. The advent of social media has also increased the polarisation between those with different views, be it about religion, politics or others.

For our community, where our religions play an important and central role in our lives, we have referred to Islam as a catalyst for positive change in certain relevant issues. I believe that this is exemplified by some of our community leaders, who have shown how in a modern, metropolitan and pluralistic state our religion can be a motivation for betterment, be it in its pure form or its values. Of course, this has to come with a deep understanding of society and also knowledge of other relevant areas.

Therefore, it is apt that we reflect upon the legacies of these inspiring individuals in Nigeria, those who have contributed much in their unique ways. Noting that there are indeed many, here are 5 Scholars that I would like to highlight:

Sheikh Dahiru Usman OFR – Sheikh Usman Bauchi, who was born almost a century ago, is one of the most prominent Islamic scholars ever produced in Nigeria. He is also a pillar in the Tijjaniya creed in Africa. He is also the deputy chairman of the Fatwa Committee of the National Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA). Some of the feats the Sheikh achieved in his almost a century of sojourn on earth include the proselytization of thousands of people to Islam. According to him, he recites the Holy Quran so that he can complete a round of the holy book within two days.

Initiation of thousands into Tijjaniya

More than 140,924 people have committed the Quran into memory in more than 1,500 memorisation centres he established across Nigeria and Africa. Under his foundation, there are no fewer than 13,000 classes in the North.

Three years ago, Professor Khalid Abdullahi Zaria, who authored a book in Hausa about him, titled, ‘Shehu Dahiru Bauchi Ginin Allah and loosely translated Sheikh Dahiru as the edifice of Allah’, said, “He has 95 biological children, 48 females and 47 males.  Amongst them, 77 had committed the complete Quran to memory. Of the 95 children, 13 had died and 82 alive.”

Testimonies from disciples

The director of ‘Wakaf’ Board (financial endowment) of Bauchi State, Malam Ahmad Tijjani Sa’id said, “The whole of Shekh’s life is a school on its own that shapes the moral guide of the society. He is the only one who is alive among those malams who trekked from Potiskum to Plateau to spread Islam. He had also journeyed from the North to the South on a donkey to propagate Islam. Again, he rode on bicycle to places like Tafawa Balewa, Gindiri, North Central and South West for the same purpose. With the emergence of vehicles and aeroplanes, the Sheikh was able to maintain the tempo despite his old age; he continued spreading Islam and the Tariqa.

He has more than 1,000 houses across the country; however, none of them is on lease or hired as he gives them as free accommodation to his disciples. Only the almighty Allah knows the number of people who get free feeding under him. Daily, if he is outdoors he can bid farewell to more than 3,000 visitors on courtesy calls within and outside Nigeria. He has also facilitated and paid for both the first and second marriages of most of his disciples, and when they gave birth he would provide the sacrificial animal, as well as shoulder their responsibilities assiduously. Such characteristics are uncommon.

Sheikh Muhammad Kabir Gombe – Kabir Muhammad Haruna popularly known as Kabiru Gombe is a Nigerian Islamic scholar and preacher. He is the present National Secretary General of the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah wa Iqamatus Sunnah, the largest Salafiyyah movement in Nigeria, since December 2011. Muhammad Kabir Haruna is seen as one of the major critics of what Salafism considers as bid’a in Nigeria; he has taken a strong stance against Sufism (notablythe Tijaniya group) and Shi’ism

Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa – Daurawa is under the First Aid Group of Jama’atu Izalatil Bidi’a Wa’iƙamatis Sunnah known as Izala and founder of Hisbah Corps in Kano. After founding the corp he became its chairman, the main aim of Hisbah was to eradicate immorality within society, especially in Kano city (Islamic religion adherents) and was registered under the Kano State Commission for Religious Affairs.

SHAYKH ADAM ABDULLAH AL-ILORY – Shaykh Adam Abdullah Al-Ilory was in no small measure a great Islamic Educator of international recognition. His self-respect, high esteem, ascetic nature, high regard for his teachers and dedication to the Arabic language and Islamic scholarship earned him an untainted reputation worldwide. He was not just a teacher per excellence but, an eloquent preacher (khatib), a prolific writer and an intellectual of international repute as well as a spiritual reformer of note who had to his credit well over sixty literature works most of which were published in his lifetime.

His Contributions to Islamic Education

The huge contributions of Shaykh Adam Abdullah Al-Ilory to Islamic education in Nigeria can never be over-emphasized. As an Islamic Scholar of international repute and a strategic revolutionary, with his establishment of Markaz, he introduced standardization and modernity into Arabic and Islamic education in Nigeria and the West African sub-region. Markaz was the third pedagogical school that effectively impacted Islamic education in the Yoruba land of Nigeria.

Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir – is an Islamic cleric scholar living in Plateau State, he is the National Chairman Council of Ulama Jama’atu Izalatul Bid’ah Wa’Ikamatis Sunnah JIBWIS National Headquarters Jos. On May 25, 2015 he was elected chairman of the council when a decision is made after a council meeting in Jos made by the Ulama’u’s elders Council while Sheikh Alhassan Saed Adam to be the second chairman. The election was made when the council lost its chairman Sheikh Zakariyya Balarabe Dawud. Sheikh Jingir performs annual Ramada tafseer in Jos, He is one of the most prominent scholars in Northern Nigeria. Jingir preaches teachings on the importance and benefits of imparting education among children of both genders. Jingir also made a firmly fatwa that anyone who associates Ibrahim Inyass with Allah in worship is a Kafir. Jingir shows the importance of optional Sittu shawwal fasting after Ramadan mandatory fasting, Jingir called the government of Nigeria to work with Saudi Arabiya on what happened in Saudi Arabia during Hajj on 24 September 2015 as the 2015 Mina stampede, to take foresight measures to prevent a similar future crowd accident on building collapse. Jingir makes hard preach on Boko haram by disbelieving that their act of Jihad is not according to the Islamic Shari’ah. Jingir during an opening ceremony of Juma’at Mosque on top of the Zinariya Hill in North of Jos. He warned kidnappers across the country to seek forgiveness from Allah, and repent likewise he will organize special prayers and fasting until Allah destroys them, some people failed an attempt of his murder after being paid 500 thousand Naira.

Conclusion

In reflecting upon the legacies of these individuals, it teaches us that each of them contributed to society in their unique ways, be it law, politics, literature or religion. While the medium of contribution is important, we must hold onto the true principles and values of Islam, so that our thoughts, words and actions are based upon the teachings of our religion.

The legacies of these prominent individuals have also shown how important it is to lend a hand in nation-building, be it through advocating social justice, countering extremist ideologies or fostering interfaith works. No matter how small we deem it to be, our participation might benefit and influence generations to come.

To be continued in Series two.

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