Sokoto Cleric Defies Sultan, Holds Eid al-Fitr Prayer Over Moon Sighting Dispute

Sokoto Cleric Defies Sultan, Holds Eid al-Fitr Prayer Over Moon Sighting Dispute

A Sokoto-based Islamic scholar, Musa Lukuwa, has sparked fresh controversy after leading his followers in Eid al-Fitr prayers on Thursday, defying the official directive of the Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar, who declared Friday as the nationwide date for the celebration.

The cleric conducted the Eid prayer at his mosque in Mabera, a community in Sokoto, around 9:10 a.m., with a large turnout of worshippers who aligned with his position on the moon sighting marking the end of Ramadan.

The Sultan, who doubles as President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), had earlier announced that the Shawwal crescent moon was not sighted anywhere in Nigeria. Based on this, Muslims across the country were instructed to complete 30 days of fasting, with Eid al-Fitr scheduled for Friday.

However, Lukuwa rejected the declaration, insisting that credible reports confirmed the moon had been sighted in neighbouring Niger Republic. According to him, geographical proximity and the reliability of those reports justified celebrating Eid earlier.

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“Niger Republic is very close to us—about 100 kilometres away. If we accept reports from cities like Kano or even Lagos, which are farther away, there is no reason to reject confirmed sightings from a neighbouring country,” he stated.

The cleric emphasised that his decision was based on Islamic teachings rather than a challenge to the Sultan’s authority. He noted that while his group typically follows the Sultan’s guidance on the start and end of Ramadan, verified moon sightings must take precedence.

Lukuwa also cited historical precedents, referencing respected Islamic scholar Abubakar Mahmoud Gummi, who played a key role in moon sighting declarations before the process was centralised under the Sultan to promote unity among Muslims.

Reports indicate that Lukuwa informed his followers about the reported moon sighting around midnight and directed them to assemble for prayers the next morning. This marks another instance where the cleric and his congregation have diverged from the Sultan’s official position on Eid celebrations, reflecting ongoing debates over moon sighting practices in Nigeria.

The development highlights broader differences in Islamic jurisprudence regarding whether to rely solely on local moon sightings or accept verified reports from nearby countries. Religious authorities, including the NSCIA, have repeatedly stressed the importance of unity and adherence to centralised announcements to avoid division during major Islamic festivals.

Despite the disagreement, there have been no reports of unrest, and the majority of Nigerian Muslims are expected to observe Eid al-Fitr on Friday in line with the Sultan’s directive.

Sokoto Cleric Defies Sultan, Holds Eid al-Fitr Prayer Over Moon Sighting Dispute