FINAL UPDATES - MALAM SALIU MUSTAPHA REDEEMS PLEDGE OF HOUSE GIFTS TO SHEIKH ABOTO'S FAMILY

©Ibn Abdillah As-sudaisiy Al-Iloori

As I have promised to give feedback on Malam Saliu Mustapha (Turaki of Ilorin Emirate)'s housing project for the widows of Sheikh AbdulGaniy Aboto who died last month in a car accident (may Allāh forgive and have mercy on him), I am pleased to inform the public that the Turaki has fulfilled his promise in this regard.

The entire family and students of Sheikh Aboto are highly grateful for this kind gesture. Speechlessness is an understatement. It is a thing to make a promise, it is another thing to fulfil it. May Allāh reward Turaki with all that is good in this world and the hereafter.

I bear witness that four (4) bedrooms apartment was secured for each of the two widows of the late Sheikh in areas they wanted. In line with the Turaki's instruction, the representives of the two widows were taken to the houses for thorough inspection to ensure they were satisfied with them before their acquisition. Alhamdulillah, the wives are pleased with the properties acquired for them. May Allāh bless and protect them in it.

Deeds of Transfer in respect of the two properties have been duly executed in favour of the beneficiaries and they have taken over possession. Our father, the Khaleefatul Adabiyyah, Sheikh AbdulQadir Kamaludeen Al-Adabiy was carried along on all the moves towards securing the two properties. We were always briefing him from time to time and he was always supporting us with pieces of advice and prayers towards the success of the project.

The formal presentation of the executed agreements and keys to the houses was done by the Khaleefah himself at his Okekere residence on Saturday, 26th November, 2022. He presented the keys and all necessary documents to the first son of Sheikh Aboto, Malam AbdulHafeez AbdulGaniy Aboto, who will in turn hand them over to the mothers.

Other witnesses to the symbolic presentation included some of the students of Sheikh Aboto, such as Ustadh Al-Ameen Aboto, Ustadh Abdulwaheed Jibreel (Lead Ajanasi of Sheikh Aboto), Baba Kawu (Sheikh Aboto's Arowasi) and Ustadh Jamiu (Sheikh Aboto's Aide). The representatives of Saliu Mustapha Foundation were Prince Agboola Umar Sulu-Gambari, Sheikh Kamil AbdulKareem Al-Adabiy and yours sincerely.

We need to thank Turaki for this initiative because it is not common in our society. We have many rich people, but most of them spend their wealth on frivolities. Malam Saliu Mustapha is a role model for other well-to-do members of our society. By this kind gesture, he has written his name in gold in Ilorin Emirate and he has won the hearts of not only the Adabiyyeen, but the entire people of knowledge. It is a clear testimony that our scholars should continue their da'wah, Allāh will take care of their needs, even when they are no more.

It is on record that he had earlier empowered the two widows and families of the two other brothers who died in the accident. The care of widows and other vulnerable members of our society is the responsibility of all of us. Empowerment of widows is an empowerment for orphans. A secured accommodation for widows is a shelter for orphans. In a hadith, Abu Darda رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

أَدْنِ الْيَتِيمَ مِنْكَ وَامْسَحْ بِرَأْسِهِ وَأَطْعِمْهُ مِنْ طَعَامِكَ يَلِنْ قَلْبُكَ وَتَقْدِرْ عَلَى حَاجَتِكَ

Bring the orphan close to you, pat his head, and feed him with the same food you eat. It will soften your heart and fulfill your needs. [Makārim al-Akhlāq lil-Kharā’iṭī, 661]

May Allāh reward Malam Saliu Mustapha abundantly for this gesture. May this kind gesture as well as his other humanitarian efforts weigh heavily on his scale on the Day of Judgment.