By Awwal Umar Kontagora The Chief Imam of the Minna Juma’at Mosque, Sheikh Isah Jibril Imam, has called on the Muslim community—especially...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
The Chief Imam of the Minna Juma’at Mosque, Sheikh Isah Jibril Imam, has called on the Muslim community—especially teaching scholars—to eliminate factionalism, avoid bias, and adopt wisdom in their religious teachings.
Sheikh Isah made the call while speaking to newsmen after paying a condolence visit to Gwani Sheikh Hussaini Abubakar Shakwata, one of the disciples of the late Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi. The visit was also to commiserate with him over the recent bandits’ ambush suffered by members of the Bauchi entourage on their way back from the funeral of the late Sheikh near Akwanga in Plateau State.
He said the late Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi spent his life promoting unity, peace, and leadership within the Muslim community, adding that his legacy should serve as a model for emerging scholars. According to him, religious teachers must soften their tone, avoid inflammatory language, and adopt teaching methods that foster peace and understanding.
He cited the Qur’anic principle: “Call to the path of God with wisdom and good preaching,” emphasising that scholars from all sects must choose a method of engagement that enlightens rather than divides.
“You must understand the mindset of the people you teach. One word that promotes unity is better than many words that cause division and conflict,” he said.
The Imam noted that the global outpouring of prayers and tributes for Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi reflects over seventy years of service to Islam and the transformation he brought to communities worldwide.
“It is important that we, his students, follow his path. The Muslim world today needs unity and the elimination of hatred—even towards non-Muslims—because Islam grants them social rights,” he added.
He prayed for God’s mercy upon the late scholar and for healing for those harmed in the recent bandit attack.
In his remarks, Gwani Sheikh Hussaini Abubakar Shakwata, Chairman of Huffazul Qur’an and Scholars in Niger State and a disciple of the late Sheikh, said the late Dahiru Bauchi lived a life of service to Islam, especially through Sufism. He noted that countless students benefited from his guidance, many of whom are now pillars of strength in their communities.
He said the teachings of the late scholar, especially adherence to the Qur’an and the works of earlier scholars, would continue to guide them.
“Even though he is no longer alive, we will not stop following what we learned from him. God has made this path easy for us, and we will continue to enlighten the Muslim community,” he stated.
Gwani Shakwata added that the bandits’ attack on their convoy served as a reminder of the trials believers must face, noting that they accepted it as a test of faith.
He expressed gratitude to the Muslim community for their presence at the funeral and for the prayers offered by those who could not attend.
“The loss is not only for his family or for the people of Bauchi; it is a loss for the entire Islamic world,” he said.
No comments