For the family of Imam Dr Abdullahi Shuaib, January 25, 2025, will go down as a memorable day, as the Lead Consultant at AS & Associates and member of the Board of Directors of Jaiz Takaful Insurance Limited gave out two beautiful young daughters in marriage.
The daughters Sukaynah Oluwadamilola, who got married to AbdulFatah Olanrewaju Bashorun, and Nailah Temidayo, who tied the nuptial knot with Muhammad Modupeola, son of Dr. AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef (Hon. Iyepe), renowned Muslim scholar and the immediate past Chairman of the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).
Family, friends, and associates thronged the aesthetically decorated Blue Roof event hall of LTV 8 in Lagos, venue of the Aqdu and Walimatu Nikaah.
Under the chairmanship of Alhaji AbdulWasiu Sowame, Chairman of ArdoGreen Energy Limited, the colourful event was also attended by Muslim scholars, politicians, royalties, government officials, captains of industries, leadership of Muslim communities, amongst others.
The colourful shindig was also attended by HRM Oba Jamiu Adetola Ajibola Lawal, the Oba of Shangisha and HRM Oba Munirudeen Adeposi Bashorun, the Oru of Imoru
Have faith and reliance on Allah – Prof Yusuf charges couples
In a lecture, the President of the Institute of Islamic Finance Professionals (IIFP), Nigeria, Prof Tajudeen Yusuf, charged the couples to have faith in Allah and rely on Him alone for their needs as they begin their life journey.
He said, “Marriage should increase your faith and reliance in Allah. You should accept, in the first place, that your partner is whom Allah has destined you to marry. Also, for all your needs, you should turn to Allah. Though it is the responsibility of the man to provide for his wife, the wife should have faith in Allah as the ultimate provider who will provide for her husband.”
Prof Yusuf, who is also an Haafiz, emphasised the importance of submitting to the will of Allah for a successful marital life.
Grand Mufti, CIO pronounces couples as husbands and wives
The elated couples were joined in holy matrimony by the Grand Mufti of the Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO), Sheikh Dhikrullah Shafi’i, in the presence of witnesses and the excited and gorgeously dressed audience.
Joy of getting my daughters married is immeasurable: Imam Shuaib
Speaking to Muslim News, a visibly elated father of the brides, Dr Shuaib, described the joy that the success of the Nikaah brought to his family as immeasurable.
“The happiness is very deep. All praises are due to Almighty Allah, who has given us the grace to plan, organise and execute this event today, which can be classified as a very successful outing. Our joy knows no bounds,” he said.
Dr. Shuaib attributed the success of the 2-in-1 Nikaah to Allah, who he described as the best of Planners, noting that the initial plan was not to have a joint wedding.
According to him, “It’s Allah that plans. Whatever effort we make, it’s just a proposal. Ab initio, the idea was not to have a joint marriage. The situation that brought about this joint marriage goes beyond my control, their control, and the control of other members of the family.
“This has just been ordained by the Almighty Allah. It was not the plan we had. But when Allah says something will come into being, even when you have your plan, it must submit to that of Allah.
“An event had occurred before today, which precipitated the idea of having this joint marriage in the overall interest of all the families. Both of them had different dates. However, considering the convenience of the family of the grooms, we had to find a middle ground.”
Dr. Shuaib wished the couples a happy and blessed married life.
“May they have cause to glorify the Almighty Allah. This is my wish for them,” he prayed.
Patience most important virtue in marriage: Alhaja Bilikis Abdul-Lateef
The mother of Muhammad, Hajia Balkis Abdul-Lateef expressed her excitement.
She noted that, in spite of the growing moral decadence around the world, the couples still kept their heads above the waters.
“You can see the world now. Some men would have got a girl pregnant before bringing her home. Alhamdulillah, we were able to raise the children well as Muslim children,” she said.
“Patience is an essential virtue in marriage. Without it, no marriage can be successful. When one of the partners is angry, the other should be patient and calm.
“When one of the partners is angry, the other should be patient and calm. As a woman, you also have to be submissive. You also have to trust each other. The trust must be strong.
“I’m so happy, AlhamduLillah Rabbil aalamin. They are well-behaved children. We can see the situation of the world today, so having this kind of children is a gift from Allah. They are also memorisers of the Qur’an. I wish them the best of luck in their marriages,” she noted.
Alhaja Bilikis appreciated her husband, Hon. Iyepe, for being there for the family over the years, noting he has been a wonderful husband and father.
They should trust each other, says Prince Bashorun
Prince AbdurRahman Bashorun, father of Abdul-Fatah, commended the couples for following moral teachings and the path of honour.
“They didn’t come to us with pregnancy before the necessary procedure is done. I’m very happy,” he said.
The groom’s father urged the couples to live with understanding and patience.
“They should also have trust in one another. This way, they will have an enjoyable home,” he added.
Communication is key in marriage: MUSWEN President
In a goodwill message, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, President of the Muslims of Southwest Nigeria (MUSWEN), told the two new families that they are bound to witness both pleasant and unpleasant times in their marriages, saying, “It is important to relate with each other with love, tolerance, patience, and forgiveness.”
“You are now husband and wife; there are lots of challenges before you but with Allah’s support and prayer, you will overcome the challenges,” he said.
“As couples, it’s not everything you complain or get angry about. Communication is also key in marriage. You should always communicate; it makes a marriage last longer,” he said.
See yourselves as brothers and sisters, one family: Dr. Ibrahim
Alhaji Awa Ibrahim, in a goodwill message, urged the husbands to see their wives as their sisters; and wives to see their husbands as brothers, stating that, “If you endeavour to live like brother and sister of the same family, everything will play out in the right way.”
He enjoined the couples to be patient, persevering, honest and pious, saying these are the God factor that sustains every marriage.
According to him, “After several years of marriage, I have come to realize that what makes a sustainable marriage is the God factor, which is firmly established in the last verse of Surah Al-Imran. If you follow it, your marriage will turn out to the best you can ever imagine. Anytime you want to make any decision in your life, just remember the ayah.
Allah says, “O believers! Patiently endure, persevere, stand on guard, and be mindful of Allah, so you may be successful. Quran 3: 200.”
He urged them to be patient in hard times, and encourage each other to endure, and always be ready or on guard.
Alhaji Sowame preaches trust, togetherness in marriage
The chairman, Alhaji Sowame admonished the couples on trust and togetherness. He said, “Having grown above 20 years, you now have new people in your lives. You will spend the rest of your lives together, in Sha Allah.
“You are embarking on new journey. In this journey, you will experience ups and downs but you must always trust and respect each other. It’s important to hold this virtues and others.”
Beautiful young couples speak…
Nailah and Muhammad who both are memorisers of the Qur’an, alongside Sukaynah and Abdul-Fattah expressed gratitude to Allah for making the day a reality.
It’s like a dream, I feel extremely happy: Sukaynah
“To me, it still feels like a dream. Alhamdulillah, I feel extremely happy,” Sukaynah said.
I am fortunate to have her, says Abdul-Fattah
Her husband, a Qatar-based researcher, Abdul Fatah, told Muslim News that he was fortunate to have her as a wife.
“She’s beautiful, intelligent, smart and empathetic. If you are trying to build a home of Islam, it’s good to have a partner who’s religious and loves Islam and the Qur’an,” he said.
His simplicity and good conduct endeared him to me: Nailah
Nailah, for her part, said the simplicity and good conduct of Muhammad endeared him to her heart.
“Alhamdulillah is all I can say because I cannot express how I feel,” she said.
She has a deep understanding of Deen: Muhammad
Muhammad said in addition to her beauty, Nailah has a deep understanding of the deen and is very conscious of it.
He said their marriage is a big win for him, and he was grateful to Almighty Allah for that.
Roll-calls
The Nikaah paraded an array of dignitaries including Alhaji Sikiru McFoy, Baba Adinni of Lagos; Sheikh Abdul-Fatah Thani, President, Council of Ulamah; Sheikh Imran Eleha, Founder Daaru Na’iim; Prof Tajudeen Gbadamosi, the immediate past Chairman, Lagos Muslim Community; Sheikh Qamardeen Yusuf, Chief Imam, Omole Estate; and Dr. Mustafa Akinsanya, Chairman Muslim community LKJ Garden Estate; Alhaji AbdulWasi’i Bangbala, Amir TMC.
Others were Engr. Garba Muhammad, MD/CEO Al Jaiz Investment and Services Limited; Alhaji Aminu Tukur, Vice Chairman, Noor Takaful Insurance Limited; Alhaji Ibrahim Sheu, MD/CEO Jaiz Takaful Insurance Limited; Alhaji Mutiu Anthony, CEO Easy & Quiet; Modupe Kadri, CFO MTN Nigeria; Alhaji Ridwan Sumonu, MD/CEO Noor Takaful Insurance Limited; Mr Raymond Andu, Chairman, LKJ Garden Estate.
Others were Hon. Justice Habib Adewale Abiru, Honourable Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria; Dr Basheer Oshodi, CEO, TrustBanc Arthur; Alhaji Musbaudeen Bolarinwa, Managing Director, Silver Feeds Nigeria Limited; Hon AbdurRaheem Jide Jimoh, former member, Federal House of Representatives and Alhaja Sariyu Sanusi, former Amirah, FOMWAN Lagos State.
Alhaji AbdurRazaq AbdusSalam Awayewaserere, Prof Tajudeen Yusuf, Prof Obalola Musa, Barrister Bello Afolayan, Alhaji Dr. Awelenge Abdullah, Hon Justice Lateefat Okunnu, and Hajia Sakinah Lawal, former NAWOJ chairperson, among others.
