Abu Sufyan’s death, a great loss to Nigeria Muslims

Abu Sufyan Soliu bn Lukman

Abu Sufyan’s death, a great loss to Nigeria Muslims

At a time when people were drowning in swamp of crass ignorance. When mankind has surpassed hynas in ferocity. When beast had had enough of human atrocities. When knowledge and humility become two parallel lines. When the supposed upholder of Tawheed are in voodoo competition with polytheists. When the Yoruba Dawah space is becoming too toxic to bear. When defamations were clothed in refutation regalia. Amidst these unending chaos of dawah diarrhea, a balming palmtree was sprouted dousing the tension. He ruffled the feather of stark ignorance poised as knowledge, break free the victims of spiritualprenuer and spearheading the campain against misleading verdicts in virtual space.

He was soft-spoken yet fierce in speech when necessary. A true knowledge in human form. Versed and versatile preacher with top-notch presentation. Very discern and concise in his approach to burning issues. A miskeen with worthy wealth of wisdom. A generous spender of intellectual property. He personalised humility and beams simplicity. A virtual breaker of shackles, holding the circular flow of pristine Islam. He eschew vulgarity and affront in his presentation. His words were filled with aura of manner. He built bridges without compromising the very cord that bind us as Ummah. A foremost reformist and unifier in the true sense of the word.

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At 36, he is already an Islamic icon. One would wonder how a young man of his age has accomplished so much in Dawah space. Such that even his adversaries could not deny his mastery of Arabic and islamic knowledge. I did wonder too until few weeks ago when my elder brother relayed to me his educational journey. He enrolled for diploma in Arabic at a very tender age. He was said to have undergone a special interview by a lecturer (Alhaji Olohun Oyin, Prof Aliagan co-host of Madrasatu Muhammad radio program) who doubted his capacity. However, to his surprise, he was found more than capable to cope. Such that the said lecturer had to ask him about his lineage. On getting to know who his father was, all he could said was “No wonder”. Such was the intellectual prowess of this youthful and useful preacher.

Like the companion he was named after, Abu Sufyan was a great poet. He weaves word effortlessly. His teaching methodology is such that make learners see-through the intricacies of grammar in a relatable manner. He is not only bright on board as teacher but brighter at sermonising the common men. He scribes on papers and had books to his name. A three in one scholar_Teacher, Preacher and Author. An uncommon feat in this era. He combined the knowledge with bravery. A vibrant foot soldier of Tawheed. An advocate of evidence over logic. In his description, the scholar of international repute, Prof. Khidr said if he is in the position to turban him, he is well fitted in the title رائد مدرسة الدليل لأهل السنة والجماعه (Roughly translated to, head of school of evidence for the people of Sunnah)

The manner in which social media was awashed with his news of death, tributes from all strata of sect inclination shows his acceptance of Dawah methodology from far and wide. It’s a refelction of how far-reaching his admonition has gone despite his age. It further testify to his moderate manner of presentation. Even though we don’t want him aground at this very time when he is so full of life, he has lived a worthy life. Even though he is at the prime stage of his Islamic propagation, his accomplishment would lives on till the end of time. Even though we had hoped to benefit much from him till he grows grey, he had done well for the Ummah that he will be remembered for. Truly, his demise has bereaved us the spritual dose that we constantly enjoy. He has left a vacum in the field of dawah that will be so hard to find a fitted figure to fill.

Verily, the eyes shed tears and the heart is grieved, yet we will not say anything but what is pleasing to our Lord. We are saddened by your departure, O Abu Sufyan! Oh Allah we knew nothing of him except goodness. May he be accepted as your true servant. May his household be consoled!