Na bad news wey don reach everywhere this Monday as Chief Imam of Ilorin, Shaykh Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih OON, don waka go the better side after he don live for 75 years. Na the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, be the person wey talk the sad gist. E say na big loss wey affect everybody for Ilorin Emirate and beyond.
Your President don talk say, ‘Inna lillahi waina ilaehi roji’un,’ meaning say ‘We dey submit to Allah total.’ The late Imam na 12th Chief of Ilorin, and him don spend 40 years for this position wey e carry like say na im work for the kingdom.
For the statement wey dey come from the Emir’s Press Secretary, Dr Abdulazeez Arowona, the Emir describe the late Imam as person wey get unique quality—intelligent, loyal, honest, and e really dey try to promote harmony among the Muslim community. Na real big wahala wey him passing bring for the Emirate.
The Emir also talk say late Shaykh Solih na man wey sabi join people together, both across na religious line and social levels. Him dey always try bring everybody join, irrespective of their beliefs. No wonder him funeral prayers, wey dem call Janazah, go happen for Palace Square for 4pm today.
As e dey necessary, everybody wey know the late Imam go see wetin him done achieve during him lifetime and the kind impact wey him get on the society. The Emir dey ask for Allah forgiveness so dat Imam Solih fit enter Al-janatul firdaos wey be heaven.
Sheikh Soliu na well-respected figure for Nigeria, e don receive many accolades during him lifetime, including the national award of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) wey dem give him in 2012 for service to Islam and society. E don lead many prayers for important events, including the National Honours ceremony before many political big men.
This man no just na Imam; him be educationist, community leader, and e dey promote learning and peaceful coexistence. Even last year, dem launch one book wey talk about him life and achievements, wey be ‘Shaykh (Dr.) Moh’d Bashir Imam Solih, OON: The Spiritual Orator.’ Dis book show how e don serve Islam and man.
Lay this sad story down for your mind; the Imam don pass, but him legacy wey dey bridge all the gaps for Kwara State go still dey shine. People go remember am for the wisdom and humility wey e show throughout him life. Na real loss for Ilorin Emirate and the worldwide Muslim community, as we fit only pray say, Allah grant am good rest.
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