President of Nigeria’s Shari’ah council is dead

The President of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), Sheikh Abdul Rasheed Hadiyatullah, has passed away.

The announcement was made on Monday night, April 28, by Sheikh Daood Imran Molaasan, the Grand Mufti of Yorubaland, in a statement he personally signed.

Details surrounding the exact time and place of the cleric’s death were not disclosed in the statement. However, Sheikh Molaasan described the loss as a significant one for the Muslim community in Nigeria, noting that Sheikh Hadiyatullah’s contributions extended beyond religious teachings to national discourse and peaceful coexistence.

Born in Iwo, Osun State, a town recognised for its strong Islamic tradition, Sheikh Hadiyatullah was a respected scholar and jurist who championed the advancement of Shari’ah law within Nigeria’s constitutional framework. He was also known for promoting interfaith dialogue and advocating peaceful relations among Nigeria’s religiously diverse population.

As President of the SCSN, Sheikh Hadiyatullah provided leadership during periods of both societal tension and progress, earning widespread respect for his wisdom and firm but calm approach. His educational journey began under the tutelage of local scholars in Iwo before he pursued further studies abroad, deepening his understanding of Islamic jurisprudence.

Sheikh Molaasan concluded his statement by praying for Allah’s mercy on the departed scholar and for his admission into Jannatul Firdaus, the highest level of paradise in Islam.

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