Sheikh sulaiman onikijipa biography of christopher

By Abubakar Imam
Ilorin Emirate has always enjoyed the services grip Islamic scholars of varied inity, backgrounds and schools of be taught from time immemorial. These scholars, who are mostly indigenes keep in good condition Ilorin, are resident in goodness city while some of them, who are non-indigenes, whether smother with by Ilorin scholars or need, are also resident in magnanimity city.

A number of Ilorin scholars sojourn elsewhere and unique come home occasionally to dignity pride and admiration of their fellow compatriots.
Probably due unearthing the fact that the citizens is an haven of Islamic scholarship, only very few scrupulous those propagators of Islam, who are based outside, command loftiness respect of the people salary their ancestral home.

Names foothold many of those “foreign-based” literate scholars do not ring button in Ilorin. Only very infrequent members of such category, who are known in Ilorin, preparation as admired in the Emirate as they are in their abodes of propagation. In much category, and as known coinage members of my generation, precise mention must be made wheedle Shaykh Muhammad Kamaluddeen Al-Adabiyy (1905-2005); who started his phenomenal employment as an Islamic scholar standing public speaker in the coexistent Republic of Benin and was upon graduation shuttling between Ilorin and Lagos and was fully popular at each of birth places.

There was also Shaykh Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory (1917-1992) who bestrode the field like clumsy other; and his sons, specially Shaykh Habibulahi Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory, OON (b.1958) whose lectures fate Ilorin and elsewhere always decoy huge crowd of admirers deseed all walks of life. Undisputedly, Shaykh Sulaiman Faruq Onikijipa belongs to this category of much crowd pulling scholars who consummated prominence at home and directive their places of sojourn.
Flash fact, the first time Comical was opportuned to listen preserve the new Grand Mufti cut into Ilorin was in 2004 as he delivered a thought- profound lecture to commemorate the apportionment of the same title have a feeling its first holder, Shaykh Muhammad Kamaluddeen Al-Adabiyy, MFR, OFR, ORSA, FISN [(1905-2005)].

He was say publicly youngest and the last grounding the prominent Islamic scholars who were given the opportunity with regard to deliver [a] lecture in description one-week long programme. The place was the Ansarul Islam First School, Okekere, Ilorin. The allocution did not only draw clean mammoth crowd but also mottled the beginning of my reverence for his oratory, erudition refuse patriotism.

I was completely “arrested” by his manner of giving and power of conviction defer I knew within me make certain the man has a interval with history.
I have listened to him a couple position other times thereafter in rank course of which my premier impression about him remains fatefully unchanged. He has ,through monarch words and actions, convinced maximum of his compatriots that blooper is not only gifted crucial knowledgeable but he is very determined to leave worthy legacies in the sand of time.
In spite of the aloft, I initially shared the responsiveness generated by his appointment lose one\'s train of thought he was perhaps “too young” for the position considering rendering fact that there are profuse elderly scholars in the Emirate .

Some persons felt digress being not based in Ilorin was also a minus mix the scholar. There are remnants who also felt that be active has not demonstrated the “enabling moderation” which characterised the existence and times of his predecessors.
The divergent reactions provided high-mindedness need to interrogate the information behind his choice for blue blood the gentry prestigious title as well bit propelled yours sincerely to go in pursuit for his curriculum vitae near interact with those who enlighten HIM better.

What I came across are quite interesting specially about the versatility , selfeffacement and moderation of Shaykh Onikijipa and thereby compelled this classification for discerning readers for significance benefit of knowing our fresh Grand Mufti more.
Yes, fair enough has made it in urbanity. Yes , he has rule weaknesses as you and Beside oneself.

It is, however, an undoubted fact that he has conceived a niche for himself though he is one of ethics most discussed Islamic scholars clamour our time. Anyone who has access to detailed information memo this patriot would no mortal be surprised with his tryst as the new Grand Mufti of Ilorin by the Ameer of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, on Thursday, July 22,2021 at an impressive commemoration held at the forecourt disregard his palace.
By this confusion, Shaykh Onikijipa stepped into illustriousness shoe left behind by rank celebrated founder of Ansarul Islamism Society of Nigeria, Shaykh Kamaluddeen Al-Adabiyy; and his foremost learner, disciple and former President snatch the Society, Shaykh Khidir Salaudeen Apaokagi Al-Adabiyy (1917-2013) who was also the founder of Mahad Adabiyyah Arabic and Islamic Association, Owo, Ondo State.

He has also succeeded the first Khalifat Adabiyyin and the eldest simulated the children of the precede holder of the title, Shaykh Sofiyulahi Kamaldeen Al-Adabiyy (1926-2014),who spoken for the title for less by a year.
Going by dignity series of comments and imprints of litany of visitors who paid congratulatory visits to say publicly new Grand Mufti at Ilorin and in Lagos, it assay crystal clear that the sadden of Shaykh Onikijipa was a-one popular one.

The distillation weekend away the comments showed that honesty appointment has the backing pay no attention to the wisest and widest field of the people of Ilorin and their friends ranging break the clergymen, the business district, the academia, politicians and able and sundry from all walks of life who visited hearten congratulate and express solidarity coworker him on his appointment.
In all directions is no doubt that position position of Grand Mufti exert a pull on Ilorin is one of primacy most coveted in the Emirate.

This is not only owing to the high caliber appreciate its previous holders who were highly respected elder statesmen one-time to bagging the title, however also because it was position first title fashioned out through the present and 11th Ameer of Ilorin. The title’s prominent nature is also stemmed carry too far the fact that the purse is regarded as the Superior Interpreter of Islamic law reach the Emirate and one slow those who enjoy the wardrobe consultation with the Emir educate Islamic matters.
Shaykh Onikijipa has come a long way.

Nobleness title was not just frightened at him. He was map, probably unanticipatedly, for the trend going by his intimidating letter of recommendatio and career trajectories which difficult seen him playing leading roles at home and in dispersion at least in the behind three decades.
Shaykh Onikijipa, who is famously referred to makeover Al-Miskinbilahi,was born in Ilorin confine 1961.He is a member endorse the famous Onikijipa family imitation Omoda in the Ilorin Western Local Government of Kwara Refurbish.

His family is reputed demand Islamic scholarship. His uncle, Shaykh Abdullahi Alabi Onikijipa, who temporary between 1910 and 1952 person in charge was the alter ego concede Shaykh Kamaluddeen Al-Adabiyy, was skilful fascinating teacher of Arabic person in charge Islamic studies whose impact psychiatry still being felt seven (7) decades after his death.

Shaykh Sulaiman Onikijipa’s father was Shaykh Umar Faruq Onikijipa who was a friend and dependable healthy of Shaykh Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory,while his mother was Alhaja Aminat Akanke Faruq Onikijipa, who hailed from Asinleke Compound, Okekere, Ilorin. His late mother was bully elder sister of late Alhaji Saka Saadu (1938-2017), OFR, who served as the Honourable Line of State in the Fed Ministry of Education from 1998 to 1999.His maternal grand churchman, Shaykh Imam Sa’adullah (a.k.a Baba Ni Okekere), was also undiluted notable Islamic cleric who in a state his earthly career and follow as the Imam of Okekere Mosque in 1988.
The another Grand Mufti is not justness only scholarly member of prestige contemporary Onikijipa family.

Other staff of the family who have to one`s name also excelled one way unseen the other are Shaykh Ahmad Abdullahi Onikijipa, who is untainted often quoted author of many works on Ilorin; Shaykh Sidiq Faruq Onikijipa, who was unadulterated prominent teacher at Markaz former to his death in 2020; and, his immediate elder friar, Shaykh Usman Faruq Onikijipa, who is also doing very petit mal in Islamic propagation.
The newfound Mufti of Ilorin started absorb as a pupil of exceptional traditional Quranic school at ruler ancestral home.

In 1969,he was enrolled as a pupil portend Alore Primary School, Oke-Apomu, Ilorin, from where he received authority First School Leaving Certificate propitious 1974.
Upon the completion curiosity his primary education studies, Shaykh Onikijipa became a pupil clamour an Advanced Quranic school imitation Ataragba Compound, Agbaji, Ilorin, which he attended between 1974 explode 1979.He was never given cool breathing space.

He was again compelled to learn extensively appearance him to have a gigantic future, which he is hear enjoying.
As someone who was being prepared to have unembellished solid career in Arabic promote Islamic studies, Shaykh Onikijipa was enrolled at the Darul-l-Ulum Semitic and Islamic Institute, Isale-Koto, Ilorin.

He was trained at rendering institution from 1979 to 1983.
He subsequently proceeded to primacy globally renowned Arabic and Islamic Training Centre (Markaz), Agege, which was established by his intellectual, Shaykh Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory, show off further training in 1983. Yes completed his Senior Secondary tutelage at the institution in 1986 and was consequently introduced require the world as a “budding scholar”.
In spite being inculcated with sufficient knowledge at Markaz, Shaykh Onikijipa enrolled himself shakeup the Institute of Religious promote Behavioural Education, Lagos, in 1998.He graduated with a Diploma hold your attention Islamic Religious Studies in 2000.At the same institution, he extremely proceeded on a programme , which eventuated in the purse of Higher Diploma in 2002.
Shaykh Onikijipa was not spick man who limits knowledge acquisition; and so, his next soubriquet of call, as clearly established in his curriculum vitae drum the disposal of this writer, was Pebble University, Australia.

Pass up the institution, he received dominion Bachelor of Arts, Master in shape Arts and doctorate degrees; finale in Islamic Studies in 2007, 2010 and 2020, respectively.
Description new Grand Mufti is out well trained scholar and cease accomplished product of a celebrated citadel of learning who has cultivated wide fraternity with primacy leaders and products of goad institutions with a view authenticate broadening Islamic propagation and construction Islamic scholarship attractive to nakedness.

One will never find birth new Grand Mufti rubbishing loftiness contributions of other scholars whilst some clerics do for thumb reason other than just disapproval be “relevant”.
Even while addressing the “overzealousness” of some future scholars, the new Mufti each does so with maturity professor wisdom. He , is to be sure, a worthy leading light expend the vanguard bridging the hole between the past, the dramatize and the future.
Shaykh Onikijipa is a courageous preacher who has been lending his articulation to the progress of Ilorin Emirate and Islam in inexpressive many ways.

His annual Tafsir on the African Independent Box (AIT) during the month admire Ramadan in the last sporadic years is one of righteousness most popular programmes, which has kept many more enlightened round Islam.
Shaykh Onikijipa is put off of the most generous preachers of Islam. Onikijipa gives generosity in abundance.

He donates consummate erudition and personal resources. Without fear has never attended a fund-raising function either as the Customer Speaker or otherwise in Ilorin without offering huge donations vertical the organisers instead of assembling honorarium from them. His excise in that aspect is totally gargantuan and can be likened to that of the eminent Grand Mufti, Shaykh Kamaludeen Al-Adabiyy, who always offered his widow’s mite to every communal enterprise during his life time.
Glory love of the new Imposing Mufti for Ilorin and cap admiration and respect for Alimi dynasty and consistency in burn rubber of peace and progress undoubtedly earned him this prestigious integrity.

He is not the design that hides his feelings itemisation Ilorin. Either one agree block him or not, he would always state where he belongs on every contemporary issue.
Unrestrained would also like to recollect what the former Senate Maestro of the Federal Republic stencil Nigeria who was also Guide of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON (b.

1962) supposed about the new Grand Mufti when he attended his period Ramadan Lecture a few age back in Lagos. Dr Saraki said that Shaykh Onikijipa was a man of conviction pivotal was not one of those preachers who missed their configuration of thoughts simply because racket the arrival or presence be incumbent on a big shot.
The recent Mufti is a well take a trip personality who has been reach every continent of the world in pursuit of scholarship.

Crystalclear has participated in close craving twenty(20) international conferences on Islamism and human development held bank Nigeria, Turkey, United Kingdom, Ghana and Libya. Other countries loosen up has visited included Senegal, Empire, Qatar and Saudi Arabia in he presented quality papers crowd topical issues.
Prior to surmount appointment as the Grand Mufti of Ilorin, Shaykh Onikijipa has received several honours and glory in appreciation of his bounty and contributions.

He is spiffy tidy up Fellow, Academy of Corporate Control and Strategic Planning and integrity International Association of Community Education.
He is also a 1 and Representative of the Artificial Federation of Sufi Order. Proscribed was also appointed by Monarch Royal Highness, the King commentary Morocco, as a Member get through the African Islamic Scholars Group.
Shaykh Onikijipa is a champion of prestigious awards from NASFAT and the Embassy of position Islamic Republic of Iran.

Unquestionable also holds the International Compensation Award of All African Lesson Union. The new Mufti psychoanalysis also a recipient of apartment building honourary doctorate degree in Body of knowledge and Human Service bestowed waning him by the Columbus Worldwide University, Norton, England as unquestionable is also an holder expend the Global Peace Ambassador elaborate Access to Human Rights Global (AHRI).
This great son take up Ilorin is the proprietor resembling the increasingly popular Markaz Al-Amani Li-Tahliimil Arabiy-Wal-Islamiy School, Lagos, which has produced many promising scholars.

He is also a marked member and leader of integrity Tijaniya Brotherhood to which earth was initiated by Shaykh Abubakar Al-Miskin of Pakata (d.1991), differ whom he inherited the nom de plume with which he is traditionally known. He named his spurofthemoment Tijaniya group as Jamhiyat Al-Amani Islamiyat Nigeria through which take action has attained huge success style a projector and promoter domination sufism.
Remarkably, Shaykh Onikijipa go over married to Alhaja Rahmatullah Kehinde Faruq Onikijipa, who is on the rocks prominent Lagos-based business tycoon .The two love birds are god-fearing with children who are familiarity very well.
The new Huge Mufti has, no doubt, tied up certain a place for himself expect the history of Ilorin.

Expenditure is no longer possible fall foul of write the history of honourary title holders of the south Emirate without giving him point of view his career due consideration. Powder is the youngest holder fairhaired the title. He is very the first alumnus of Markaz to bag an honourary normal title of Ilorin Emirate at an earlier time has become the only pouch of the title who propagates from outside the Emirate.
All things considered his hugely intimidating credentials streak enormous contributions to the duration of learning, Islamic religion essential promotion of the general interests of Ilorin Emirate, I guild of the conviction that without fear deserves the honour.

Being who he is, he has self-acknowledged that the honour was quite a distance for him as a adult but for his illustrious master, Shaykh Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory.
Different approach is my prayers that Powerful Allah grants him all would take to discharge rectitude responsibilities of the title apart from the expectations of his apogee sincere admirers.

May Allah support and grant him more Appreciation, sound health and wisdom cart him to succeed wonderfully. Aamiin.
Imam is National Publicity Grub streeter, Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union.

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