‘‘Character, in the long run is the decisive factor in the life of individuals and of nations alike’’; this adage lends credence to the beautiful and wonderful life, Chief Imam of Abuja National Mosque, Sheik Musa Muhammed had lived.
A number of people were still doubting the purported demise of the Chief Imam, until about 10.am on Sunday, amidst large crowd, the remains of the Imam arrived the Mosque for funeral rites according to Islamic injunctions. Then, it became no more a news as individuals burst into tears with sober reflections. Unfortunately, several People were either hopeful that Sheik will live to preside over their wedding ceremonial prayers at the mosque during the weekend or to present his usual thought-provoking Ramadan lectures, next month.
Described as a symbol of simplicity, honesty, tolerance and committed peacemaker, Sheik Muhammed, aged 68, lost battle to undisclosed ailment at National Hospital, Abuja last weekend. For sure, he has begun his journey of hereafter as a fulfilled Islamic leader whose legacies will be forever remembered by Nigerians irrespective of their religious affiliations.
Sheik was actively involved in most of inter-religion peacemaking processes in Nigeria apart from his primary assignment as the chief Imam. This act of tolerance have endeared him to everyone around him, no matter their social, political and religious inclinations. We are all living witnesses to his public conducts which qualifies him to be an embodiment of humility, forthrightness and excellent patriotic citizen. Especially, he recognizes both Muslims and Christians as nothing less than his brothers who deserves equal treatment and right.
Muslim community in Abuja, have described Sheik Muhammed as a cleric who is so much lenient to the jurisprudence of Islam and can resort to settlement of dispute by holding unto softer stand so that various followers of sects within the Ummah can embrace him and accept his preaching.
His philanthropic disposition was quite obvious, the Imam’s office located within premises of the mosque is just like a humanitarian aid center for people looking for various assistance including family dispute resolutions, financial, employment, contracts, promotion at their various places of work etc.
At every point, Imam Musa uses his contacts and influence to assist the needy. He usually pick his cell phone and call relevant people within the corridors of power to offer assistance to people that sought his intervention.
Certainly, Muslim community have lost a great scholar whose wealth of knowledge was a blessing to entire humanity. His life will always remain a great inspiration to present and coming generations who will endeavor to live the highest ethical and moral standards demonstrated by him in his life time.
However, it is now obvious that, a critical and thorough selection processes of someone to assume the vacuum left is not only desirable but necessary and urgent. Such processes must be devoid of ethnic chauvinism while taking into account underlying principles of sincerity, fairness and piety. The committee of Imams and Islamic leaders should start shopping for a competent scholar whose personality can not only be measured by wealth of knowledge but also by important qualities like tolerance, resilience, and above all, fear of Almighty Allah.
yusufissa91@yahoo.com
Wuye District, Abuja
