Lagos, the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria, was literally at a standstill over the weekend as Dr. Abdul Hakeem Abdul Lateef gave his third daughter, Labeebah Titilayo’s hand in marriage to Yusuf, the son of Alhaji Taofeeq Ishola Alabi, with pomp and grandeur.
Hon Abdul Hakeem is a popular Islamic scholar and the immediate past Commissioner of Home Affairs in Lagos State during the Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration.
Family and friends and other invited guests thronged the beautifully decorated venue of the colourful shindig held on Sunday, June 27 at Yard 158, Oregun, Ikeja.
The Nikkah, anchored by two young sensational Emcees, Lukman Edu and Mustapha Kelani, himself also an in-law of the Honourable, commenced with the aqdu-Nikkah (solemnization of matrimony), officiated by respected Islamic Scholar, Dr. Tajudeen Yusuf.
Yusuf, a varsity lecturer, started by thanking Allah who has made Nikkah (marriage) permissible and Zina (fornication) unlawful in Islam, adding that there must be an offer, or proposal known as Ijab, in Arabic, from the man and acceptance, which is called Qubool, from the bride-to be.
According to the officiating Imam, “Today we are here to carry out one of the responsibilities Allah has placed on us as Parents. After given birth to these children and provided them with sound mundane and Islamic (Quranic) trainings, we should allow them to get married on time.
“Every parent who fails in this duty will be questioned by Allah on the Day of Judgement. All the sins committed by the children due to this denial will be on the parents. That’s why I am happy for the two families for staging this Nikah for their children today.”
The elated Labeebah didn’t demand for Mahr, an obligatory gift from the groom to the bride, in form of money as many would have done, rather, she went for ‘Riyad as-Salihin‘ also referred to as ‘The Gardens of the Righteous’ – a compilation of verses from the Quran supplemented by hadith narratives written by Imam Al-Nawawi.
The last part of the Aqdu as conducted by the Dr Yusuf was to call the two adult male Muslims, Dr. Nurudeen Olaleye, Rector, LASPOTECH, and Barrister Bello Afolayan as witness to the beautiful beginning of an everlasting happiness for the couple, Yusuf and Labeebah.
The Aqdu-Nikkah came to an interesting end with beautiful performances from the students of Farouq Schools.
The presence of the three wonder kids that trended on the internet recently and got sponsored from the Honourable added glamour to the ceremony.
One of the highlights of the Aqdu Nikkah was when the bride’s father, Hon. Abdul Hakeem sprayed his wife, Hajiah Shukrah, money on her arrival with her entourage, and showed his waka song prowess.
Roll call: Some of the notable personalities at the Nikkah include Sheikh Dr Bilal Asrau, Imam Nojeem Jimoh, Modupe AbdulKareem Kadri (MAK), Imam Dr. Abdullah Shuaib, Alhaji Sikiru Alabi, Alhaji Raji Razaq, Alhaji Mutiu Anthony (Easy and Quiet); and Mr. AbdulWasiu Sowami, CEO, the Prudent Energy and Services Ltd, who was the Chairman of the occasion.
Others are Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, Lagos State House of Assembly; Hon. Jelili Sulaimon, chairman Alimosho Local Government Council; Mr. Hon. Monsuru Bello, Chairman, Ejigbo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State; and Oba Jamiu Lawal Ajibola Adetola (Aileru 1), the Oni Shangisha of Magodo kingdom, among others.
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