The President of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), Sheikh Abdul Rasheed Hadiyatullah, has died on Monday at the age of 81, marking the end of an era in the country’s Islamic leadership.
The announcement was made in a statement released on Monday night by Sheikh Daood Imran Molaasan, the Grand Mufti of Yorubaland. However, the statement did not disclose the exact date or location of the cleric’s death.
“Sheikh Hadiyatullah died leaving a significant void in the country’s Islamic leadership,” Molaasan said.
Born in Iwo, a town in Osun State renowned for its deep Islamic heritage, Sheikh Hadiyatullah was widely respected as an Islamic scholar and jurist. He was well known for his dedication to the advancement of Shari’ah law within constitutional boundaries, as well as for his active promotion of interfaith dialogue and peaceful coexistence among Nigeria’s religious communities.
“He served as the President of the SCSN for several years, guiding the council through times of both societal challenge and growth,” Molaasan noted.
According to Molaasan, the late cleric began his Islamic education under local scholars before furthering his studies abroad. His deep knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence and calm, principled leadership style earned him admiration across Nigeria and beyond.
“Sheikh Hadiyatullah received his early Islamic education under local scholars before advancing his studies abroad. He earned respect across Nigeria and beyond for his profound knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence and his calm, principled leadership style,” he added.
Concluding the statement, Sheikh Molaasan prayed for divine mercy and eternal peace for the deceased.
He said, “May Allah forgive Sheikh Hadiyatullah and grant him Jannatul Firdaus.”
