By Munir Assalafiy
* Saudi, Nigerian delegations, family attend funerals four days after death in Abu Dhabi
* Dantata’s death, a monumental loss – President Tinubu
— A final journey in sacred soil, attended by dignitaries and descendants, seals the legacy of a life defined by philanthropy, faith, and foresight.
In a moment both historic and deeply spiritual, Nigeria bid farewell to one of its most iconic businessmen and philanthropists, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, who passed away peacefully in the United Arab Emirates at the age of 94 and was laid to rest in Madinah, Saudi Arabia — fulfilling a long-held wish of his to be buried in the sacred city of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
According to close family sources, the revered elder had often expressed his desire to be interred in the city of Madinah, a resting place for the pious and the companions of the Prophet. That wish came true, just four days after his death, in a solemn and spiritually elevated funeral that brought together leaders, scholars, and dignitaries from Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Janazah prayer, held at Masjid an-Nabawi (The Prophet’s Mosque), was attended by Nigerian embassy officials, senior Islamic clerics, business figures, and close family members. The funeral prayer was performed with quiet dignity — a reflection of the late Dantata’s lifestyle: noble yet humble.
He was subsequently buried in the famous Jannatul Baqi (Al-Baqi Cemetery), one of the most sacred burial grounds in Islam, where thousands of companions of the Prophet and early Muslims rest.
President Tinubu Mourns a National Asset
Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, described the death of Alhaji Aminu Dantata as a “monumental loss to the nation,” praising him for his lifelong commitment to ethical enterprise, Islamic values, and humanitarian service.
In a press statement issued by the Presidency, President Tinubu wrote:
“Alhaji Aminu Dantata represented the highest ideals of integrity, humility, and service. He was a pillar not just in the economic architecture of Nigeria, but in the moral conscience of our society. His death leaves a void that cannot easily be filled, but his legacy will remain a guiding light for generations to come.”
A Life of Wealth — and Worth
Born in 1931 into the illustrious Dantata family in Kano, Alhaji Aminu Dantata was the son of the legendary Alhassan Dantata — one of the wealthiest merchants in West Africa during the colonial era. From an early age, Aminu was immersed in trade, learning discipline, prudence, and foresight from his father. But what distinguished him over the decades was not just his business acumen, but his quiet piety and unmatched philanthropy.
He inherited not only wealth, but a powerful legacy of trust and responsibility. Under his leadership, the Dantata enterprise expanded into various sectors including construction, oil and gas, agriculture, and banking. He played a crucial role in building up Northern Nigeria’s economy and was among the key figures in founding institutions that still serve the nation today.
Despite his immense wealth, he lived a modest, spiritually grounded life. He was not one to seek headlines or display luxury. Instead, he built hundreds of mosques, sponsored countless Islamic schools (madāris), provided scholarships to orphans and underprivileged students, and funded Hajj pilgrimages for thousands.
One associate recalled, “He believed that wealth was a test, and he always feared failing that test before Allah. He gave quietly, often anonymously. He did not believe in fame — he believed in ajr, the reward of the Hereafter.”
His Final Years: A Return to the Source
In his later years, Dantata gradually withdrew from the public spotlight. He spent more time in devotion — reading the Qur’an, financing Islamic programs, and consulting with scholars. Many said he had “prepared for death with the same discipline he built businesses” — by ensuring his soul, his family, and his legacy would be at peace.
His children and grandchildren, many of whom are accomplished professionals and business executives, carry his torch with pride and responsibility.
According to a family member:
“He often said that the highest success is not in business, but in meeting Allah with a clean heart and record. That was his ambition.”
An Ending That Spoke Volumes
To be buried in Madinah, so close to the Prophet’s Mosque and among the righteous of old, was a rare honor — one that spoke volumes about the life Alhaji Aminu Dantata lived. His funeral was not marked by pomp, but by prayers. Not by celebrity, but by sincerity.
Across Nigeria — in mosques, in markets, in boardrooms, and in homes — millions remembered the man who quietly shaped their lives. Tributes flowed from religious leaders, political figures, business associates, and ordinary citizens alike.
“He left behind no controversy, no scandal — only prayers and admiration,” one Islamic scholar said. “And that is the truest measure of a successful life.”
His Legacy: A Living Sadaqah
As he rests in the sacred dust of Madinah, Dantata’s legacy continues to ripple through time: in the Qur’anic students he sponsored, in the children who study in the schools he built, in the prayers whispered in mosques he erected, and in the hopes he restored through charity.
In an age where wealth often corrupts, Dantata remained an example of how faith can purify fortune. His was a legacy not just of commerce, but of khayr — goodness — for the sake of Allah and humanity.
May Allah forgive him, expand his grave, and raise him among the righteous.
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