President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Sheikh Abdur Rasheed Hadiyyatullah, President of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, who died on Monday at the age of 81.
In a statement released Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described the late scholar as a revered Islamic leader, a moral compass, and a dedicated servant of both faith and humanity.
“Sheikh Hadiyyatullah was a respected Islamic scholar who devoted his life to Islam and humanitarian service,” Tinubu said. “As President of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah, he provided exceptional leadership, guided by the path of Allah and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).”
The late cleric, founder and director of the Sheikh Ibn Baz Shari’ah College in Iwo, Osun State, was scheduled to be laid to rest on Tuesday following Janazah prayers at the college grounds.
Reflecting on his legacy, Tinubu highlighted Sheikh Hadiyyatullah’s steadfast commitment to justice, truth, and peace. He also recalled the vital support the cleric and the Shari’ah Council extended during the 2023 general elections, commending their principled stance in the face of misinformation and division.
Offering condolences to Sheikh Hadiyyatullah’s family, the people of Iwo, and the wider Muslim community, Tinubu praised the cleric’s humility, deep knowledge, and enduring impact.
“Muslims across Nigeria will greatly miss his spiritual guidance and leadership,” he said, urging the Supreme Council for Shari’ah to continue promoting the late scholar’s values of unity, religious tolerance, and peace.
The President concluded with prayers for Allah’s mercy on the deceased and strength for those mourning his loss.