The Nigerian Muslim Community has been thrown into mourning following the news of the death of its member, Ustadh Mubarak Sulaiman Olanrewaju, a trained biomedical scientist.
Ustadh Mubarak Sulaiman, an Arabic Language tutor, and coach died after being hit by a stray bullet in his car during a ghastly robbery scene at the Idi-Ape axis of Iwo Road, Ibadan, South West, Nigeria.
Muslim News gathered that the ugly incident happened on Thursday, February 10, 2022, at about 2:00 pm, when a Bullion Van was waylaid and lynched by a group of armed robbers.
Ustadh Sulaiman, an Islamic Studies consultant, was among the victims who lost their lives to the sad incident.
Nigerian Tribune also reported that two policemen and another civilian died in the process.
BREAKING
Robbery scene at Idi-Ape along Iwo Road, Ibadan #Ibadan #iworoad #robbery #money #7NEWS #AmirLocke #AbuDhabi #Nigeria #securitybreach pic.twitter.com/OmBw3UGwNE
— BCOS TV (@bcos_tv) February 10, 2022
TRIBUTES
Following the announcement of the sad incident, Muslims and Islamic organisations have been paying tributes to the teacher and caller to Islam.
MSSN Lagos
The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit confirmed the incident in a press statement posted on its social media handles on Thursday.
The student body, headed by Mallam Miftahudeen Thanni prayed for the deceased and called for the arrest of the perpetrators of the act.
“May Allah forgive Brother Mubarak Sulaiman (the husband of former Amirah of MSSN University of Ibadan and Naibatul Amirah of MSSN Oyo Area Unit) who was shot dead today during the bank robbery at Idi-Ape area of Ibadan.
“It is a sad loss to the Ummah. May Allah widen his grave, forgive his shortcomings, grant the wife, family, and the Ummah the fortitude to bear the loss. May Allah hasten the arrest of the criminals and make them face justice. Amin,” he added.
Dr. Fuad-deen Kekere-ekun
A medical Doctor and respected Islamic caller, Dr. Fuad-deen Kekere-ekun described his death as a great loss to the ummah.
“I’m indeed short of words. We lost a brother, a father, a family man, a striver, a teacher, a learned (Ustaz) son of a learned (Mufassir), a multi-talented humble slave of Allah, Mubarak Sulaiman Olanrewaju to a stray bullet at a ghastly robbery scene on the street of Ibadan, South West, Nigeria.
“The Muslim community in Ibadan and the South West are mourning the great loss. The Muslim community here online is deeply saddened by his sudden exit from this transient world. We pray that He attains the lofty status of a Shahid so that he be raised on the Great Day in the company of the Prophets, the martyrs, the righteous and the truthful for Allah says:
“And say not of those who are killed in God’s cause: “They are dead.” Rather they are alive, but you are not aware.”
Qur’an 2 : 154.
“May Allah forgive him, have mercy upon him, widen and illuminate his grave and fill it with the fragrance of musk from Paradise and grant him a lofty abode in the highest Firdaws.
“May Allah console the heart of his beloved wife and children, his family and friends, and grant them the strength and rare fortitude to bear the loss. Aaaaamin!”, he prayed.
Bloody Robbery attack of a Bullion Van opposite Oando filling station, at Idi-Ape, Ibadan.A civilian and 3 policemen shot dead, while the robbers, who were fortified made away with their loot #Ibadan @FeedbackOYSG @oyostategovt @seyiamakinde pic.twitter.com/QYDmRyXU55
— Vawulence Minister² (@okolicharles1) February 10, 2022
Ibn Rasheed Institute
In another tribute from Ibn Rasheed institute, the Director, Ya’qūb Ibn-Rosheed Adenuga reminisces his days with the deceased at the University of Ibadan, describing him as an epitome of humility and knowledge.
“I commiserate with the parents, wife, and children of Al-Ustādh Mubārak Olanrewaju Sulaymān and the entirety of the Muslim Ummah, over the demise of this knowledgeable, practicing and conscious Muslim, a competent Physiologist, and a trained Biomedical researcher.
“The death of your kind, at this juvenile age of yours, is a thing of great shock and pain to us all. Moreover, your humility despite much knowledge, your median disposition to religious issues and in relationship with others, your enviable sunnatic and balancedSalafiy methodology which is quite rare in recent times of ours, nearly tempted us to ask ALLAH that; “why you and not us”?
“Sufficient for you are our days together at the Central Da’wah Committee (CDC) MSSN UI, when we were both Imām under Baba Nāibi (Al-Ustādh Nāfi’u Yūsuf), after which Qadar also made you a member of the same committee under the leadership of your student (Ya’qūb ADENUGA), to whom you gave your utmost support. Your days at Idia hall, UI, as their Imām shall also speak for you today and henceforth in the room of loneliness (grave).
Barrister Ahmad Adetola-Kazeem
Sharing his thoughts, a Muslim rights advocate and lawyer, Barrister Ahmad Adetola-Kazeem admonished Muslims to do good, adding, “death is closer than we think ”
DO GOOD, DEATH IS CLOSER THAN WE THINK
“Almost everyone on my timeline has one good thing or the other to say about Ustaz Mubarak Sulaiman Olanrewaju based on the interactions they’ve had with him. I don’t know him and had never heard of him until his death. The eulogies however point in only one direction- He was a good and upright Muslim in his dealings with everyone. What will people say when I die? What will people say when you die?
“He was killed in the robbery incident in Ibadan yesterday, death came all of a sudden. It will take every one of us one day without notice. May Allah make us live and die upon goodness. Allahumma ighfirlahu warhamhu,” he added.
This robbery attack reportedly happened in Idi-Ape, in Ibadan Oyo state. pic.twitter.com/08YkqkeBrE
— GistReel.Com (@GistReel) February 10, 2022
Ali Temitope AbdusSalam wrote
Our Creator! We can’t question Your decision but rather accept it regardless of the pain. Mubarak Sulaiman Olanrewaju has now returned to You. We are sad because he left with the Knowledge of your Deen in him which he is yet to give out as much as he wished. Oh Allah! Admit him into Al-jannatul Firdaws, protect all he left behind and make his children more knowledgeable and beneficial to Islam than their father. Aamin.”
Faisal Bolaji
Faisal Nasir Bolaji penned, “One thing he hated the most is to owe anyone his due, especially those who work for him. As one of his associates, I can attest to it! He always brought it up in our discussions.
“And Allaah granted him his wish, before his death. Usually, he pays his staff’s monthly salary at DAAR MUBARAK on the 19th of every month, but in the past two months or so, he paid as early as the 11th of the month. And this February, he paid on the 6th. On the 6th! He died on the 10th. As if to escape what he hates the most: withholding people’s due.
Another close associate, Salmah Adetutu Lawal wrote “I met him in early 2016 when I wanted to start the programme “BROTHERS IN THE DEEN” on NTA Ibadan. He was one of the brothers recommended to me and I swear by Allah, throughout the almost one year that we were producing this program, he was very dedicated. A very eloquent, knowledgeable, and calm brother. Spending his money, resources, and time especially (Like all the other brothers) to come for recordings, get the appropriate attires, and do research on the designated topics.
“This incident is very painful walahi. He woke up this morning not having an inkling that today would be his last day on earth. This is an admonition to us all. I am honestly shaken, but again, who are we to question the Maker? The Owner of heaven and earth, who never does wrong. God is great!!!”