Al-Adamawy: A life well-spent

For the benefit of those who may not have heard about him, Al-Adamawy was an Islamic preacher who conducted Qur’anic exegesis or commentary (Tafsir) during the month of Ramadhan for the past several years in Hausa language.
His Tafsir was purely based on translation of the Holy Qur’an as revealed to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and supportted by the prophet’s own tradition and teachings (Hadith).
He equally formed a foundation called the Ijabah Foundation, which takes care of the orphans, widows, the needy among others.
I first came across his Tafsir in 2011 on DITV Kaduna, where it was being aired at 2.pm everyday during fasting period.
Many, especially the youth, usually rushed to the popular Masjid Ijabah at Hayin Malam Bello, where Al-Adamawy’s Tafsir held.
Prior to 2011, many still did not know him. This prompted someone to ask the sheikh to give his brief biography on 9 Ramadhan 1432 (AH), which coincided with September 9, 2011.
In his response, Al-Adamawy said “I was born 38 years ago, and my name is Muhammad Bello, while my father’s name is Ahmad. People refer to me using the name of my state of origin, Adamawa, by calling me Al-Adamawy. I was born in Shelleng town of Shelleng Local Government of Adamawa State.
“I grew up there and started my Islamic education with my paternal grandfather. That was when I started learning about Qur’an, Qawa’idi and other books on fiqihu, and later on I went to Gombe to study,” he said.
Thereafter, he went back to Shelleng but later decided to go to Kaduna to continue with his Islamic studies. Al-Adamawy noted that he never went to study outside Nigeria as much of his studies was in Kaduna.
He concluded that all that could be learnt from his biography was that there is knowledge here in Nigeria, urging students not to insist on going to Madina or anywhere before they can study.
Al-Adamawy fell sick in 2013, a development that almost hindered him from conducting Tafsir that year but for his doggedness and commitment.
During his last year’s Tafsir, he laid serious emphasis on the 2015 elections and the need for Nigerians to have a better government. But as God planned it, he did not even take part in the elections as he passed away on March 9, just 19 days to the polls. Alas, he didn’t do it for nothing as we will now have a new government come May 29!
Personally, I enjoyed Al-Adamawy’s Tafsir beyond human imagination simply because of the way he translated the Qur’an based on what Allah (SWT) said as related by the Holy Prophet in a simple way. Not only that, he always tried to relate his commentary to the present situation Muslims all over the world have found themselves.
I chose my annual leave to coincide with the month of Ramadhan this year so that I would have ample time to attend his Tafsir, but Allah has taken him away.
One can comfortably say that yours was a life well spent, Al-Adamawy. May Allah (SWT) forgive your trespasses and make Jannatul Firdaus your final abode.