* Sheikh Thanni, Ex-NAHCON boss, scholars, rights groups pay tribute to Shari’ah icon and right activist
Thousands of Muslims from different parts of Nigeria attended the janazah (funeral prayers) of the renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Rasheed Hadiyatullah, a prominent figure in the propagation of Shari’ah, Islamic scholarship, and advocacy for Muslim rights in Nigeria.
Sheikh Hadiyyatullah returned to his Creator on the evening of Monday, 28th April 2025 after a brief illness. He was 82 (going to be 83).
He was until his death the President of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria and Director of Sheikh Ibn Baz Shari’ah College of Nigeria, Iwo.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu represented by Alhaji Abdul Hakeem Kosoko led prominent Nigerian Muslim scholars and other dignitaries to the janazah held at the deceased’s college.
The prayer was conducted by the leader of the Islahudeen Society of Nigeria Iwo, Sheikh Mukadam Muslim Hussein, followed by interment at Islahudeen Muslim cemetery Iwo, Osun State.
He devoted his life to Islam, humanity: Tinubu
The President described the late Sheikh as a respected Islamic scholar who devoted most of his life to Islam and humanity.
“As President of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, he provided uncommon leadership and direction to the Council. As a cleric, he lived by the way of Allah and the teachings of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH). As a human being, he lived an impactful life, touching many lives through his Shari’ah College,” President Tinubu remarked.
The Nigerian leader recalled the invaluable support the Shari’ah Council, under Sheikh Hadiyyatullah’s leadership, offered him during the 2023 electioneering as it stood for truth and justice and denounced lies and propaganda.
He commiserated with Sheikh Hadiyyatullah’s family, the people of Iwoland, and the Islamic Ummah in the country, particularly the eminent leaders of the Shari’ah Council.
The President beseeched Allah (SWT) to forgive the late Sheikh, to have mercy upon him and grant him the best part of Jannatul Firdaus.
He also prayed for strength and grace for all those Sheikh Hadiyyatullah left behind, offering his heartfelt condolences during the difficult time.
He was a prominent face in the fight for Muslims rights: Ex-NAHCON boss
Among those who spoke to Muslim News Nigeria were Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan, former Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and Sheikh Abdulfattah Thanni, National Coordinator of Council of Ulamahu in Nigeria.
The former NAHCON boss expressed deep respect for Sheikh Hadiyatullah’s lifelong impact on Islamic development in Nigeria and his strong ties with the Muslim Students’ movement.
“He’s very supportive,” Ustadh Zikrullah said, adding that. “He was the former Chairman of Osun State Pilgrims Board. He’s one of the earliest Nigerians that graduated from the Islamic University in Madinah. His arrival became a turning point in the advancement of Shari’ah in Nigeria.”
He continued: “That’s why he founded the College of Shari’ah under the Institute of the Muslim Students in Nigeria. He became a prominent face in the fight for Muslim rights and one of the key figures on the Board of Trustees of the Muslim Students Society in Nigeria. His relationship with the Muslim student body was deep and impactful.”
Alhaji Zikrullah also voiced concern over the political climate in the southwest and the need for sustained advocacy for Muslim interests: “I am worried that the government is not fully mindful of Muslim interests and the political space in the southwest. The late Hadiyatullah’s concerns on this issue were valid and persistent. He had been a permanent feature even from the early 19th National Islamic Commission.”
He was very honest, factual, and consistent: Sheikh Thanni
Another leading voice, Sheikh AbdulFatah Thanni, praised Sheikh Hadiyatullah’s intellectual prowess and unwavering consistency in the pursuit of Islamic causes. “He was very honest, factual, and consistent – a scholar of high standing,” Sheikh Thanni noted.
“He was very honest, factual, and consistent — a scholar of high standing,” Sheikh Thanni noted.
“I knew him as far back as the early ’90s, and since then, he has pursued Islamic knowledge and affairs with great zeal. He is highly respected among scholars in the Arab and Muslim world, especially in Saudi Arabia. I used to see him in Kuwait, where he was held in high esteem.”
Highlighting his leadership contributions, Thanni added: “His notable journey began when he became the first Vice President of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah. At that time, the President was from the North — Abza. Later, he himself became the President of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah, marking a significant milestone in his leadership and influence.”
“Yes, leadership is indeed important in all things,” Sheikh Thanni concluded.
He was energetic, bold and a resourceful leader: Akintola
In its own statement mourning the passing of Sheikh Hadiyyatullah, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) condoled with the Shari’ah Council of Nigeria.
MURIC described the late Sheikh Hadiyyatullah as an energetic, bold and resourceful leader.
“Shaykh Hadiyatullah was an energetic, bold and resourceful leader. A prominent and highly respected Islamic scholar, he is widely known for his deep knowledge of Islam and his worldwide exposure. He had a huge passion for the freedom and general welfare of Nigerian Muslims,” MURIC said in the statement signed by its Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola.
“We commiserate with the leadership and other officials of the Shari’ah Council as well as all members of the organization. This must be a harrowing experience for them after the death of their former president, Dr. Ibrahim Datti Ahmad about three and a half years ago (30th December, 2021).”
MURIC prayed Allah to forgive Shaykh AbdurRasheed Hadiyatullah, grant him al-Jannah Firdaus, and provide his family the fortitude to bear the loss.
The departed Muslim scholar attended the famous Ma’ad Al-Arabi in Elekuro, Ibadan, Muslim News Nigeria learnt. He also proceeded to the University of Madinah where he read Shari’ah, and then joined the University of Ibadan for his master’s degree.
Sheikh Hadiyyatullah has served as Chairman of the Pilgrims Board of Osun State. He was the first Chairman of the Concerned Yoruba Muslim Scholars of Nigeria. He was among the 30 selected Nigerians invited by King Salman to perform the 2024 Hajj under the Guest of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Programme.
Some of the notable personalities that graced the janazah include Sheikh AbdurRasheed Mayaleeke, President General of the Concerned Yoruba Muslim Scholars in Nigeria; Sheikh Bashir Aliyu, Vice President of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria; Sheikh Dhikrullah Shafi’i (Grand Mufti, Conference of Islamic Organisation, CIO; Sheikh Jamilu Haidara, Shura Delegation from the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria; Sheikh AbdurRazaq Akuru, Chief Imam Arisekola Central masjid Ibadan.
Others were Sheikh Daud AbdulBaaqi Muhammad Iwo; Sheikh Yaqub AbdulBaaqi Muhammad (Wazirul Muslimeen of Yorubaland); Sheikh Ariyibi (Chairman Supreme for Shari’ah Ilorin.), Sheikh Abubakar Baba supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria Kwara, Alhaji Mustapha Olawuyi ( President Osun State Muslim community); Prof Abideen Olaiya, Secretary General of the Concerned Yoruba Muslim Scholars in Nigeria), and others notable dignitaries.
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