Nigeria’s Islamic community has been thrown into mourning following the death of Sheikh Abdul Rasheed Hadiyatullah, the President of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN).
His death was announced late Monday by Sheikh Daood Imran Molaasan, the Grand Mufti of Yorubaland. While the statement confirmed the loss, it did not give details on when or where the respected scholar passed away.
Sheikh Hadiyatullah, originally from Iwo in Osun State, was a prominent Islamic jurist known for his deep knowledge of Shari’ah law, and his push for peaceful religious coexistence in Nigeria. He was widely respected for his calm leadership and efforts to balance Islamic principles within the Nigerian constitutional system.
According to Sheikh Molaasan, the late cleric left a “significant void” in Nigeria’s Islamic leadership. He prayed that Allah would forgive his shortcomings and grant him Jannatul Firdaus (the highest paradise in Islam).
Sheikh Hadiyatullah’s passing marks the end of an era for the SCSN, where he led for several years through both challenges and reforms, earning him admiration within and outside the Muslim community.
