Sultan mourns death of Ilorin Chief Imam

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Shaykh Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Sultan described the late cleric as a renowned Islamic scholar who devoted his life to Islam, Allah, and humanity.

“He was a great scholar who devoted his life to the service of Allah through Islam, humanity and by extension the Muslim Ummah,” the Sultan said.

Condoling with the Emir of Ilorin, the Kwara State Government, and the family of the deceased, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar noted that Shaykh Solih was widely respected for his knowledge, moral guidance, and steadfast commitment to Islamic principles.

“His loyalty to the principles of Islam, wisdom in guiding the faithful, and profound knowledge of Islamic scholarship earned him great respect, and we were living witnesses to that,” he added.

The Sultan also lauded the late Chief Imam’s role in promoting peace and harmony both within the Muslim community and beyond.

“His efforts in promoting peaceful coexistence, unity and harmony among Muslims and non-Muslims were excellent, as he used his leadership and guidance to inspire countless individuals towards righteousness and moral uprightness,” the statement read.

According to the statement, Shaykh Solih’s scholarship extended beyond sermons, with his understanding of the Qur’an, Hadith, and Islamic jurisprudence significantly enriching Islamic learning and literature.

“Shaykh Bashir Solih’s profound understanding of the Qur’an, Hadith, and Islamic jurisprudence enriched Islamic literature through scholarship and writings, and he was a beacon of hope, guiding the Ilorin Emirate and the Muslim Ummah towards a brighter future,” the Sultan said.

He prayed for Allah’s mercy upon the deceased, asking that his good deeds speak for him.

“May the Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, bless his gentle soul and admit him into Al-Jannah Firdaus,” he prayed.

Shaykh Solih passed away on Monday at the age of 75, as announced by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, through his Press Secretary, Abdulazeez Arowona.