Muslims

By Muhammad Sulaiman

The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) has announced the death of its Secretary-General, Malam Nafiu Baba Ahmad, mni, who passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, 6th October 2026 (23 Rabi al-Thani 1448 AH). He was 70.

Born on 11 June 1956 in Zaria, Kaduna State, Malam Nafiu Baba Ahmad was a distinguished Islamic activist, legal practitioner, public intellectual, and administrator. He received a strong foundation in Qur’anic and Islamic education before studying law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

As Secretary-General of the SCSN, he occupied a pivotal position in the Council’s administration and strategic direction, coordinating its programmes and representing its institutional interests in engagements with government, civil society, and the media. The Council described his death as a great loss to the Nigerian Muslim community and the nation at large.

His professional career spanned Nigeria’s financial and corporate sectors. He served at the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) as Director/Board Member and Corporate Secretary, and earlier at First Interstate Merchant Bank Ltd. as Secretary and Assistant General Manager.

In the Islamic banking sector, he played a leading role in establishing Nigeria’s first Islamic banking system and served as an Independent Non-Executive Director of Jaiz Bank Plc.

A Member of the National Institute (mni) of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, he was recognised for his contributions to national policy discourse and strategic thinking.

The Council extended its deepest condolences to his immediate family, Shurah members, relatives, colleagues, and all who knew him, praying that Allah forgives his shortcomings, accepts his good deeds, grants him Al-Jannatul Firdaus, and gives his family and the entire Ummah the strength to bear the loss.

By Dr Umar Jibrilu Gwandu

It is common knowledge that the world is experiencing numerous challenges. The Global Peace Index Report of 2025 says that the world has become less peaceful for the 13th time in the last 17 years: more conflicts, more militarisation, and fewer resources for peacebuilding. 

Similarly, the 2025 report by the Institute for Economic and Peace says global peace is at its lowest level and that there are now over 122 million people who have been forcibly displaced due to conflicts globally.

In Nigeria, insecurity and economic hardship dominate public discourse. Figures from the Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that 614,937 Nigerians were killed and 2,235,954 others were kidnapped nationwide within a single year in 2024.

Analysts confirmed that the number of people killed in Nigeria in 2024 was higher than the death toll in Israel’s war on Gaza, where over 40,000 had died. The figure is far more than the killings from the long-running Russian war on Ukraine, where 57,500 had been massacred as of December 2024

According to the World Food Programme’s August 2026 Country Briefing, an estimated 36.2 million people in Nigeria are acutely food insecure, with 2.1 million facing emergency levels of food insecurity. The 2022 NBS reports claimed that 133 million people living in Nigeria are multidimensionally poor. 

This situation calls for a national prayer to seek divine intervention to complement the efforts of Governments at the state and Federal levels, which have been launching noble initiatives, projects, and programmes to end lingering insecurity and improve the living conditions of Nigerians.

The Glorious Qur’an made it abundantly clear that many afflictions and tribulations are caused by the wrongdoings committed by men, as a test that, peradventure, men may turn to God, who promised them succour afterwards. “Chaos appears in the land and the sea because of the evil deeds which people’s hands have earned, in order to make them taste the flavour of some of their misdeeds – in order that they may come back” (Qur’an 30:41).

Muslims believe that prayer has the spiritual power to overcome compounding and complex situations. “Your Lord has said, ‘Pray to Me, for I shall answer your prayers'” (Qur’an 40:60). For instance, with a “single prayer”, Prophet Moses (A.S.) got comfort, food, accommodation, a job and thereafter a family (Qur’an 28:24 – 27). 

Allah has always assured the believers that “when My servants ask you about Me, then surely I am near: I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he prays to Me. So, let them respond to My call, and believe and trust in Me, so that they may be guided.” (Qur’an 2:186). 

To strengthen believers in the efficacy of prayer, the glorious Qur’an is replete with stories of Prophets like Zakariya, Ayyub, Yunus (A.S.), among others, who prayed for certain issues and had their prayers answered (Q21:83-90).

As a demonstration of patriotism embodied in spirituality and faithfulness, the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of the President General and the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, organised a national prayer for peace, unity and prosperity of our dear country, Nigeria.

The prayer session, preceded by the recitation of the entire Glorious Qur’an, was attended by Chief Imams of the Central Mosques from 36 states of the Federation, representatives of Islamic Organisations in Nigeria, and Muslim leaders from various spheres of life.

The event saw patriotic believers eschewing differences, stripping off their ranks and status, converging on one of the sacred places in the land in awe of God with reverence, praying to God, the Creator of all creation, to grant “our one request: help us to build a nation where no man is oppressed, and so with peace and plenty”

One of the Qur’an’s most powerful lessons is that faith is not passive. Islam does not teach believers to sit and wait without effort. Rather, it teaches Muslims to pray sincerely and act decisively. The central message is that as one raises hands in prayer, one is equally expected to roll up their sleeves and act.

Consider the example of Maryam (Mary) in Qur’an 19:25. In her moment of pain and distress, Allah tells her to shake the trunk of a palm tree. A weak woman, exhausted, shaking a strong tree—this action alone could not bring down dates. Yet Allah wanted to teach believers: make the effort, even when it seems small, and He will bring the result.

Likewise, when Musa (Moses) stood before the sea with danger behind him, Allah commanded him in Qur’an 26:63 to strike the sea with his staff. The sea did not part until Musa acted. Again, the lesson is clear: divine help comes alongside human effort.

Allah reminds us in Qur’an 13:11: “Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” 

This is a call to responsibility. If we seek relief from hardship, we must turn to Allah with du‘a, while also striving to improve our condition.

The story of Nuh (Noah) reinforces the principle of pairing prayer with concrete and decisive action. In Qur’an 11:37, Prophet Nuh (A.S.) was commanded to build an ark long before any visible sign of the flood.

Despite ridicule from his people, he continued his work. His survival, and that of the believers with him, came not merely from prayer, but from obedient and sustained effort.

The Qur’an reassures believers in Qur’an 94:5-6 that “with hardship comes ease.” However, that ease is often reached through a combination of spiritual devotion, patience, and purposeful action.

Equally compelling was the account of Ayyub (Job), a symbol of patience in suffering. After enduring prolonged illness, he turned to Allah in supplication. Yet his healing was linked to action: in Qur’an 38:42, he was told to strike the ground with his foot, whereupon a spring emerged. The narrative highlights that even divine healing may come through human participation.

Beyond individual stories, the Qur’an lays down general principles. In Qur’an 13:11, it states: “Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” This verse underscores personal and collective responsibility—change requires initiative.

Other prophetic examples expand this theme. Yusuf (Joseph) advised on long-term economic planning during a coming famine (Qur’an 12:47), while Dhul-Qarnayn organised the construction of a protective barrier with collective effort (Qur’an 18:95). Even military discipline is emphasised in the story of Talut (Saul), where restraint and obedience determine success (Qur’an 2:249). The command is to combine reliance with preparedness. Qur’an 8:60 teaches that even with trust in Allah, believers must prepare and act.

Yes, Muslims throughout the country responded positively to the call of His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto and offered the National prayer for our country. What is expected is that they would equally rally behind him to implement a carefully crafted action plan, guided by his sagacity and leadership acumen, in line with divine guidance and in conformity with extant laws of the land, for a peaceful and prosperous future that posterity would be proud of.

“Keep working: Allah will behold your works and so will His Messenger and the believers;” (Q9:105).

Dr Gwandu is the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

California has officially recognised Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as state holidays after Governor Gavin Newsom signed the legislation into law on September 28, 2026.

The new law adds the two major Islamic festivals to California’s list of state holidays. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, while Eid al-Adha is observed during the Islamic pilgrimage season and commemorates the sacrifice associated with Prophet Ibrahim.

The legislation also allows state and school employees to observe the two holidays using existing personal holiday credits or other available leave. K-12 public schools and community colleges may also close for Eid through locally negotiated agreements.

However, the law does not automatically require every school or workplace to close on the two occasions. It also excludes Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha from California’s judicial holidays.

The move formally recognises two important religious observances of California’s Muslim community and reflects the state’s religious and cultural diversity.

By Uzair Adam

Africa Academy, an Islamic online learning platform under Africa Media Network, on Saturday graduated 3,500 students who completed its free Diploma programme in Islamic studies at a ceremony held at Bayero University Kano (BUK).

The graduation marked the academy’s second convocation, established to make Islamic education accessible to Muslims regardless of location, occupation, or level of formal education.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Managing Director of Africa Media Network, Dr Habib Tijjani Tahir, said the academy was created to give people the opportunity to acquire Islamic knowledge despite their busy schedules.

He explained that the initiative was driven by the need to help Muslims understand how to worship Allah correctly, stressing that people were created to worship Him.

According to him, the academy provides free online lessons that enable students to learn at their convenience from anywhere.

Tahir said the curriculum covers various areas of Islamic studies, including Fiqh, Seerah, Tafsir and Hadith, among others.

He said the academy also encourages academic excellence by rewarding outstanding students.

Tahir said top-performing students would receive incentives, including Umrah packages and cash rewards, while other outstanding students would also receive financial rewards.

He further announced that the academy would sponsor the marriages of four students by covering major wedding expenses, including dowry, wedding trousseau, rent and other associated costs.

“We want to encourage our students not only to acquire knowledge but also to remain committed to their studies and strive for excellence,” Tahir said.

He said the academy initially offered short one-week Islamic courses with certificates but later introduced its free Diploma programme, known as “Tsangaya,” following increasing demand from learners.

Tahir noted that 2,200 students graduated in the previous edition, while the number rose to 3,500 this year.

He said the academy was targeting between 50,000 and 60,000 graduates in subsequent years, or even more.

According to him, any Muslim who can read and write and meets the required level can enrol in the programme without presenting a previous academic certificate.

He added that the initiative therefore gives students of Qur’anic and Tsangaya schools, as well as people with conventional academic backgrounds, an opportunity to acquire further Islamic knowledge.

Representing the teachers, Prof Abdulqadir Ismail congratulated the graduates and prayed that Allah would make the knowledge they acquired beneficial to them and society.

He urged the graduates to put their knowledge into practice and use it to benefit others.

“Knowledge becomes more valuable when it is practised and used to benefit other people,” Prof Ismail said.

He also appealed to the graduates to continue praying for the academy as it works towards introducing online degree programmes similar to those offered by universities around the world.

Also speaking, Sheikh Abubakar Abdussalam Baban Gwale said opportunities to acquire Islamic knowledge through platforms such as Africa Academy were not readily available in the past.

He recalled that even people with the financial means sometimes struggled to find accessible opportunities for Islamic education.

“Today, Allah has made it easy for people to acquire this knowledge,” Baban Gwale said, urging parents to encourage their children to participate in such programmes.

He added that even people with conventional academic qualifications could benefit from the opportunity, describing access to Islamic education as a blessing.

Among the graduates, Fatima Usman, 40, emerged as the best-performing student.

A mother of nine, she said she learnt about the academy through a television announcement and continued following its activities until registration opened.

“I was determined to study despite my responsibilities as a mother of nine children,” she said, adding that she remained committed to her studies throughout the programme.

Muhammad Saminu, who came second, attributed his success to consistency and effective use of the academy’s learning materials.

He said he listened to audio lessons while travelling or working and studied the PDF materials more thoroughly whenever he had time to sit down and concentrate.

Amira Nuhu Umar, who emerged third, described her success as a source of immense joy, saying the lessons had significantly influenced her life.

“My joy cannot be described. The lessons have had a great impact on my life,” she said.

She thanked her parents and teachers for their support and dedication throughout her studies.

By Muhammad Abubakar 

The Ulama Forum in Northern Nigeria has strongly condemned the killing of 37 young Nigerians, including teenagers as young as 16, by personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.

In a press release signed by Convener Aminu Inuwa Muhammad and Secretary Engr Basheer Adamu Aliyu, the Forum described the killings as “shocking, disgusting and dastardly” and called for a thorough, independent and transparent investigation.

The Forum also raised alarm over reports of armed tribal militants attacking Fulani settlements in Mbamnga, Mambilla, Taraba State, particularly Wuro Geroji, where several people and livestock were reportedly killed, homes burnt, and hundreds of women and children forced to flee to Cameroon.

The Ulama Forum urged the Federal Government to ensure appropriate compensation and relief (diyyah) for victims’ families, strengthen security in vulnerable communities, prosecute those found culpable, provide humanitarian assistance to displaced persons, and facilitate the safe return of those who fled to Cameroon.

It emphasised that the protection of human life remains a fundamental responsibility of government and security institutions, stressing that every Nigerian deserves protection regardless of ethnicity, religion or location.

The Forum extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for eternal rest for the departed, healing for the injured and displaced, and lasting peace, security and justice for Nigeria.

By Muhammad Abubakar

Former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has embraced Islam in Doha, Qatar, where he currently plays club football.

A video circulating online shows the Nigerian international reciting the Shahadah, the Islamic declaration of faith, marking his reported conversion to Islam.

Troost-Ekong, who has captained Nigeria at international level, has attracted widespread attention from football fans following the development.

I write this as a concerned citizen of Kano who genuinely wants your administration and our state to succeed.

First, I must acknowledge the progress your administration has made. The visible investment in road construction, rehabilitation and urban infrastructure across Kano deserves recognition. Your government has also intervened in education, healthcare, agriculture, and other sectors. These efforts should be sustained regardless of political differences.

However, Your Excellency, I believe Kano can do even more.

The recently concluded mass wedding involving 1,500 couples, reportedly gulping the state more than ₦1.5 billion, has made me reflect on our priorities. 

I am a Muslim, and I respect marriage and the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW). I therefore do not oppose helping genuinely vulnerable people to marry.

My concern is sustainability and priority.

Marriage does not end at the wedding. After the ceremony come food, rent, healthcare, children’s education and other responsibilities. If someone lacks the economic capacity to establish a household, helping him marry does not necessarily solve the problem that made marriage difficult.

We should not only help people get married; we should help them build families that can stand on their own.

This is why I respectfully urge your administration to place greater emphasis on the following:

Education: Kano’s children are our greatest investment. We need stronger public schools, better teacher development, learning materials, technical education, girls’ education and serious programmes to return out-of-school children to classrooms. Questions have already been raised about the relatively small allocation to some out-of-school-girl programmes compared with the mass-wedding expenditure.

Youth employment and skills: Our young people need sustainable opportunities, not only temporary grants. Vocational training, agriculture, ICT, manufacturing, apprenticeships, and affordable business financing can help young people earn and eventually support their own families.

Healthcare and water: Functional primary healthcare, maternal care, essential medicines, clean water and sanitation must reach ordinary citizens, particularly in rural communities.

Agriculture: Kano has enormous agricultural potential. The government should strengthen irrigation, storage, processing and market access so that farming becomes a profitable industry and a source of employment.

There is also the important issue of monitoring government assistance.

I recently saw a large number of mattresses being distributed under the mass-wedding programme, which raised questions for me about what happens to them after distribution. I cannot confirm whether what I observed involved legitimate transfer, resale or something else, and I do not wish to accuse anyone without evidence.

But it highlights an important question:

What mechanism monitors government assistance after it reaches beneficiaries?

I respectfully suggest post-distribution verification, proper documentation and follow-up assessments. The government should know who received assistance, whether they received the full allocation, and whether the intervention actually improved their lives.

Public money deserves public accountability.

Your Excellency, you have shown that your government can build roads.

Please build people too.

You have shown that government can support marriages.

Please build the economic foundation upon which those marriages can stand.

Let us measure Kano’s progress not only by kilometres of roads constructed, but by how many children are in school, how many young people have sustainable jobs, how many families escape poverty, and how many empowerment beneficiaries remain economically active years later.

I do not want a Kano where people continually wait for government assistance.

I want a prosperous Kano where the government creates the opportunities that allow people to become self-reliant.

That is the Kano many of us want.

Umar Abdullahi Huguma writes from Kano State and can be reached at umarhuguma2023@gmail.com.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The Dangote Refinery Initial Public Offering (IPO) has been declared Shariah-compliant following a Shariah screening exercise conducted by Qistal.

Prof. AbdurRazaq AbdulMajeed Alaro, one of the scholars involved in the assessment, said the screening examined the refinery’s compliance with Shariah standards, including its business activities and income sources.

According to Prof. Alaro, the assessment found that the Dangote Refinery IPO shares are currently Shariah-compliant. However, he stressed that Shariah screening is not a one-time exercise and that subsequent reviews will be conducted periodically to ensure continued compliance.

The announcement provides guidance for Muslim investors seeking to determine whether investing in the refinery’s shares aligns with Islamic investment principles.

By Khalid Imam

On Tuesday, 2nd September 2026, Triple R Kannywood Renewed Hope, led by Alhaji Dauda Adamu Abdullahi Kahutu Rarara, organised a grand Maulidin Nabiyi (SAW) at the Aminu Dantata Trade Fair Complex, Kano.

The event was chaired by Alhaji Aminu Alfandaj, Head of the LOC, and commenced with a recitation of the Glorious Qur’an, followed by a welcome address by Tijjani Asase, the PRO of Triple R Kannywood Renewed Hope.

The gathering featured inspiring religious lectures, devotional songs and poetic praises celebrating the noble life, virtues and exemplary character of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

The atmosphere was set by a fascinating and thrilling succession of cantatas, devotional songs and poetic praises celebrating the extraordinary and stellar personality of the Noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The performances, delivered by some of the finest Islamic song-artists, beautifully captured their profound love, reverence and admiration for the Messenger of Allah (SAW).

Malam Nafi’u Adam Sha’iri set the floor ablaze at exactly 11:58 a.m., opening what became a deeply moving and spiritually uplifting session of devotional songs. He was followed by Sayyada Faiza Amatullah, Sayyadi Sojan Ma’aiki, Sayyadi Malam Kabiru Kiya Ambato, Malam Mustapha Zakariya and Malam Ahmad Gwangwazo, among many others.

The likes of popular composers of Soul-Stirring Cantata in Praise of the Prophet (SAW), led by Sheikh Hafiz Abdalla and Malam Bashir Ɗandago, added their melodious voices with heartfelt verses and evocative performances; the artists celebrated the noble character, unparalleled virtues, mercy, compassion and exemplary life of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Their renditions created a unique atmosphere of spiritual reflection and renewed love for the Messenger of Allah (SAW).

At exactly 12:27 p.m., Malam Bazallahi Sheikh Nasiru Kabara was invited to speak on Mu’amalatu Maʿaiki wa Ṣaḥabatihi—the uncommon relationship and interactions of the Noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW) with his reverential Companions. 

He described the bond between the Noble Prophet (SAW) and his Companions as one founded upon profound love, mutual respect, sacrifice, and unwavering devotion. Their relationship was not merely that of a leader and his followers; it was a remarkable bond built on faith, loyalty, compassion, trust and a shared commitment to the cause of Islam.

He also stressed that the Companions loved the Prophet (SAW) deeply, honoured his guidance, stood by him through hardship and were prepared to make tremendous sacrifices for the sake of Allah and His Messenger, citing the Battle of Uhud as one of the true tests of sacrifice that the Prophet and the Sahaba went through together. In turn, the Prophet (SAW) treated them with exceptional kindness, dignity, compassion and understanding, nurturing them into a community bound together by faith and brotherhood.

He further highlighted that the Prophet’s interactions with them therefore provided a timeless model of leadership characterised by compassion, dignified fellowship, and loyalty founded on faith. The relationship between the Prophet (SAW) and his Companions remains an enduring example of how love, respect, sacrifice and devotion can transform individuals into a united and purposeful community.

As the special Maulidin Nabiyyi session drew to a delightful close in the evening hours, several scholars took to the podium to deliver educational admonishments to members of Triple R Kannywood Renewed Hope and dozens of enthusiastic guests in attendance, urging them to emulate the noble character of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and to use their influence in Kannywood to promote unity, discipline, and moral values in society, while prayers and commendations marked the end of the spiritually uplifting gathering.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

The Bank of Ghana has appointed prominent Nigerian Islamic scholar Professor Bashir Aliyu Umar of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), to chair the council overseeing interest-free banking operations in the country.

The Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Johnson Pandit Asiama, formally inaugurated the new members of the council at a brief ceremony held in Accra.

Professor Bashir Aliyu Umar’s appointment highlights the growing role of Islamic scholars and experts in the development of interest-free banking and Islamic finance.

Professor Umar is a lecturer at Bayero University, Kano, and a prominent scholar of Islamic studies. The council is expected to help ensure that interest-free banking operations in Ghana comply with the principles and requirements of Islamic law.

The appointment comes at a time when Islamic banking and finance are gaining increasing acceptance in different parts of the world.