Celebrating 25 years of Islamic propagation today, AlFathu-l-Qareeb Muslim Organisation of Nigeria has become a household name in Nigeria and gained international recognition, but little is relatively known about the brain that birthed the organisation.
At a time when Muslims, particularly females were being easily lured away from Islam with the jamboree that is obtainable in other religions, a visionary and devout Muslim, Sheikh AbdulMun’im Taiye Tijani sought to bell the cat, laying the foundation to a movement that has now spanned more than two decades.
Born on 31st January 1960 into the family of Sheikh Ahmad Tijani Busari, Gaa Agodi Ibadan, Sheikh AbdulMun’im received his early Islamic education and training under the tutelage of his late father, both at home and at Arabic school, Maqarrul Uluumil Arabiyyah (Center for Arabic Studies) established by his father.
A descendant of Alli-Iwo Royal Family, he also enjoyed the home training of his late mother, Alhaja Eleha Agba Tijani.
Muslim News gathered that Sheikh AbdulMun’im received his primary school education at Methodist Primary School, Agodi E9 Ibadan between 1967 and 1972. He attended Muslim Grammar School, Odinjo, Ibadan between 1977 and 1981.
During his secondary school days, late AbdulMum’in used to represent the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria at the Sing – Song competitions, which was part of the major activities of the Muslim students’ body in her early days. He won many trophies and prizes for the school.
AbdulMun’im was the Mosque Prefect during his final year in 1981.
Sheikh Abdulmun’im proceeded to Lagos State University (LASU) where he bagged B.A. Degree in Islamic Studies in 2009.
He was a Mission Board member of the Young Muslim Progressive Association of Nigeria (YOMPAN SA’IDNA) N.T.A. Road Agodi, Ibadan.
The Qareeb founder led the choir group of the Association to produce three Islamic records (monograph).
He joined WEMA Bank Plc. in 1982, working at the Agodi Gate Branch, Ibadan as a banker. Two years later, in 1984, he was said to have started a prayer group with his co-workers at the same branch and single-handedly coordinated it due to his Islamic background.
According to sources close to him, the name of the prayer group is NASRUL-LAHI-ALFATIH, which is today known as NASFAT, with the motto: “Wa ma Nasru iIIa-min ‘indillah…” meaning, “There is no help except from Allah”. The name and the motto of the society were said to have been given by his late father who prayed fervently for the growth of the prayer group.
The late Abdulmun’im Taiye Tijani was said to have led this group till it became a household name, as a vibrant Islamic organisation within and outside Nigeria.
When he was moved to the Oyingbo, Lagos Branch of Wema, he was still very much active in the propagation of Islam. He played a very significant role in the progress of ‘Yusrullahi Asalatu (IRORUN OLUWA LONII) which was founded by late Alhaji Murtala Akangbe, a top Management Officer at Wema Bank Oyingbo Branch in Lagos.
The late AbdulMun’im left NASFAT due to crisis to found another Asalatu group known as AlFathul Quareeb Islamic Society of Nigeria on June 20, 1999.
The CAC Certificate for the society was deposited with Wema Bank for safety.
He was the founder, Chief Missioner and the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the society till his death on 6th January 2011.
Muslim News reliably gathered that the late AbdulMun’im compiled the prayer books for the two associations and was instrumental to their formations, which remain as a copying-manual for many Muslim societies today.
The founder of the two leading Islamic organisations produced Asalatu audio cassettes for the use of members.
Following his demise, a break out faction reportedly withdrew the CAC certificate from Wema Bank where it was deposited and claimed ownership of the association.
Consequently, the loyalists of the founder sprung up to continue his legacy, struggled to obtain a new certificate from the CAC with a new name: AlFathu-l-Qareeb Muslim Organisation of Nigeria, differing from the initial spelling of Quareeb, with a new motto, “HASBUNALLAHU WANI’MAL WAKIIL” meaning, Allah is sufficient for us.
Sheikh AbdulMun’im Taiye is no more. He returned to his Creator, Allah, thirteen years ago but his legacies live on and he is the reason thousands of members of the association from within and outside Nigeria are uniting for the 25th Anniversary of spiritual uplifting.
May Allah overlook his shortcomings and grant him al-Jannah firdaus. Allahum-maghfir lahu warhamhu, wa ‘aafihi, wa’fu ‘anhu, wa ‘akrim nuzulahu, wa wassi’ mudkhalahu, waghsilhu bilmaa’i wath-thalji wa-lbaradi, wa naqqihi minal-khataayaa kamaa naqqaytath-thawbal-‘abyadha minad-danasi.
Who is Dr. Fadlu-r-Rahman Kehinde Tijani
When Sheikh AbdulMun’im passed on, his twin brother, Sheikh (Dr.) Fadlu-r-Rahman Kehinde Tijani, was among the loyalists that continued the propagation of Islam through the AlFathu-l-Qareeb Muslim Organisation of Nigeria. He became the next National Missioner and the spiritual guide of the Society.
Interestingly, Dr. Fadlu-r-Rahman shared many things in common with his twin brother right from their childhood, including the same records up till secondary school. Like his twin brother, he used to represent the Muslim Students’ Society at quiz competitions.
He also represented the school in essay writing and other academic competitions.
He won prizes for his school and was the Senior Prefect of his school, Muslim Grammar School, Odinjo, Ibadan, set of 81.
Dr. Fadlu-r-Rahman obtained his B.A.(Hons) in Arabic Studies from University of Ilorin in 1985.
He also had his Postgraduate Diploma in Education (P.G.D.E) from University of Ibadan in 1989. He obtained a Masters degree in Communication Arts from University of Ibadan in 1997. Masters in Arabic Studies from University of Ilorin in 1997; and bagged Ph.D in Arabic Literature from University of Ilorin in 2010.
Dr. Fadlu-r-Rahman worked with the Federal Ministry of Education as Education Officer from 1987 to 2020. He retired from the service as a Director.
He has some publications to his credit including Jihad; A misunderstood concept, communication perspective, information technology and Arabic Language in Nigeria.
Dr. Fadlu-r-Rahman served as the Chief Missioner for YOMPAN SA’IDNA in Ibadan in the 80s. He served as the College Imam at the Federal Government Colleges Ilorin and Minna respectively.
His exemplary leadership and spiritual guide contributed to the growth of the society left behind by his brother as he introduced different programmes for the members, including the regular Asalatu, Tahajjud and Father’s Day commemoration, in remembrance of the founder of the Society – his twin brother.
According to Dr. Fadlu-r-Rahman, “Today’s programme is in remembrance of the founder of the society who passed on in the first week of January 2011. His impact on Islam cannot be overemphasised. Most importantly he caught the youths young and encouraged them to practise Islam the way it should be practised.”
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