Even though my acquaintance with the late Sheikh Ramadan went beyond my school days, I came much closer to him when I attended his school [Shabbabul Qur’an Murattal] in 1997 after its 5th Qur’anic and Tafsir graduation. He was such an enigma that his death came as rude shock to all those who had one contact or the other with him. As If fate wanted him to be properly remembered, Sheikh Ramadan sustained fractures to his hand when he slipped from a step as he woke up to undertake mid night prayers [Tahajjud].
The news of his death at a German Teaching Hospital that day shook and brought tears on the faces of many people within and outside Kano . In fact, the sober reaction to his death by people of peace and goodwill all across the country could bear eloquent testimony to the lofty estimation in which Sheikh Ramadan was held. There is no tribute more befitting to the memory of the late scholar than to imbibe the lofty ideals of peaceful coexistence for which he lived and died.
Born 64 years ago at Mazan Kwarai Quarters in the ancient city of Kano , late Sheikh Ramadan grew up in a highly respected family of Islamic scholars. His grand parents are distinguished scholars in Qur’anic and other fields of Islamic knowledge which greatly had an influence on him.
He was enrolled at Ulumuddeen Islamic Primary School, Koki, Kano between 1958 and 1962 and proceeded to the School for Arabic Studies [SAS], Kano where he completed with High Islamic Studies[HIS]Certificate.
Determined to excel and widen his scope of knowledge he attended Ahmadu Bello University , Kano branch now Bayero University , Kano and graduated with a diploma certificate.
Between 1967 and 1974, the late Sheikh worked in many places. He taught at Aminu Kano Commercial College [KCC]. He was also at women Arabic Teachers College , Kano between 1983 and 1986. He was a teacher at Higher Islamic Studies, Shahuci, Kano , and from 1986 to 1996, he taught at the School for Arabic Studies [SAS], Kano and also headed the school’s Tajweed department. He was pioneer principal of the College of Qur’anic Studies , Kano from 1990 to 1997, the same position he held at Sheikh Ramadan Tahfeez Secondary School , Tudun Nufawa, and Kano between 1997 till his death.
Apart from the Tafsir session, he was holding at Government House, Kano , late Sheikh Ramadan participated in various media presentations via CTV 67/48, Radio Kano and Pyramid Radio, Madobi, Kano . He was until his death, the Chief Imam of Sharada Juma’at Mosque since 1996 and also taught and preached at Shabbabul Qur’an Murattal, Tudun Nufawa, Kano where he contributed in many subjects to include Qur’an,Tafseer,Tajweed,Hadith and Fiqhu.
Sheikh Ramadan, a certified Hafiz of the Glorious Qur’an an eloquent speaker with convincing tongue, an authoritative user of Arabic language, late Ramadan remains a rare role model till eternity. He has many publications to his credit which testified his mastery of the language.
The late Sheikh was a member of Jama’atul Nasirul Islam at national level, member Council of Ulama’a, Kano state branch, Emirate Council Kano and member Shari’a Implementation Committee, Kano . He was the first Chief Judge in the state Qur’anic Recitation Competition between 1985 and 1992. He was also the first Chief Judge in National Qur’anic Recitation Competition from 1985 to 1993 and 1995 to 1996. He was the first black member, Committee of Judgment of the World Qur’nic Competition in Saudi Arabia in 2002.
He was a member, Kano state Pilgrims Welfare Board between 1992 and 1994 and served as member, Syllabus Committee of Tahfeez Secondary Schools in Kano till his death. In 2003, he served as member, Committee on Flood Disaster in Kano Municipal Council and from 1999 till demise; he was a member of Advisory Council on Proragative of Mercy in Kano.The distinguished scholar also served as amember of both Kano Peoples Consultative Council and Kano Forum respectively. He was a member, Task force Committee on Hajj 2004 to 2005, member Advisory Committee on Shari’a Implementation 2004, member Shura Committee 2006 till his death and chairman, Kano state Pilgrim Welfare Board.
Sheikh Ramadan’s love for the emancipation of the Ummah, IslamKaiic propagation and teaching of the modern recitation of the Glorious Qur’an motivated him to establish Tahfeez Secondary School .which is now a citadel of Qur’anic knowledge in Kano . In fact, out of every five youths in Kano Municipality , at least three must have been either his students or have attended his school. Likewise, wherever one find a Qur’anic Tajweed school in the metropolitan area, one may find that a teacher, principal or founder of the school is Sheikh Ramadan’s disciple.
The demise of Sheikh Ramadan has created a vacuum difficult to be filled. However, his recorded teachings and certified students will continue to serve as a source of guide as long as mankind exists. His second eldest son, Sheikh Mujittapha Ibrahim Abubakar Ramadan,38, a graduate of Qur’anic Studies, Islamic University, Medina, who also had his Masters degree in Islamic Studies from BUK in 2004, the head of department, Qur’anic Studies, Aminu Kano College of Islamic Legal Studies, has already took over from where his indefatigable father has stopped .
Perhaps, thousand of Malam’s students, especially the pioneer disciples have settled in various nooks and corners of the country and beyond reawakening the Ummah.
They include Alhaji Sabi’u Bako Maishinku who opened Maishinku Tahfeez Qur’anic Secondary School at Sani Mainagge quarters with thousands of students, Alhaji Ali Inuwa Shawush, Alhaji Nazifi Ahmad Tela, Malam Abdullahi Na’abba, Malam Kabiru Lawan, Malam Shehu Ishaq [Ibn Amir], Malam Mukhtar Bala Baba, Alhaji Sadi Hamisu, Alhaji Akilu Haruna , Alhaji Habibu Ahmad Tela, Malam Nahaje Ibn Kasir among others.
Sheikh Ramadan indeed lived a purposeful life worthy of emulation. The circumstances leading to his death –about to perform midnight prayers [Tahajjud] indicated that he has achieved martyrdom as testified by Malam Muzambilu who was together with him in Germany and confirmed that the last word Malam uttered before his death was Kalimatus Shahadah. He is survived by three wives, 36 children and 56 grand children.
May Allah grant him Aljannah Firdausi, ameen.
Madabo lives in Kaduna, Kaduna State
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