Alhaji Hamidu Danlami: In memory of a great man

During the mourning period, Al-Mizan editors and reporters interviewed Shaikh Zakzaky on the death, and below is the full interview translated into English from Hausa.
   
From Allah we are, and to Him we shall eventually return. Alhaji Hamidu Danlami had been suffering from heart problem, and when he died it was discovered to be the source of his death. There was a plan to take him to Egypt for treatment, but then as Allah wills, his death came impromptu. Death, in whatever form, is sad and painful. However, it would have been less painful if one had died of a protracted illness, instead of a sudden death. This is more painful, shocking and agonizing. This is the will of Allah, and from Him we are, and to Him we shall eventually return. May Allah repose his soul, grant him eternal rest.
Danlami came into contact with the Islamic Movement in 1985 as a sympathizer, but he was a sympathizer with a difference because he was constantly with the movement, on daily basis. Within a short period he began to see the Movement as “Ours,” and became an active and committed member.
I discovered the basic reason for his full involvement in the Movement was as a result of the respect he had for his mentor, Malam Tukur, who was known for his precise predictions. He was reported to have hinted that, those people (Brothers) in ABU were the group on the right path, and would later become champions of Islam. Alhaji Hamidu Danlami used to remind students of Malam Tukur’s prediction, which made him become closer to the movement, from a sympathizer to an active member.
Danlami suffered trials and tribulations, which included the arrest in 1987 when the government used the Kafanchan crisis as an excuse and made arrests here in Zaria.
I once wrote a letter to him, in which I even swore that I liked him. I told him I admire his outstanding sacrifice and commitment. He faced trials in worldly affairs, yet he persevered for the sake of his faith. He chose the path of Allah far above worldly materials, and accepted that in good faith. Among his outstanding qualities was his sincerity of purpose.
We will live to remember him by this sacrifice; he sacrificed his all for this religion. Few people can pass such trials. Many people have faith in what we are doing and know it is the truth, but they could not be fully involved. It is so difficult to imagine, a very wealthy man, a philanthropist, to join an Islamic Movement with all the attendant tribulations and suppression, lost all that he had, and yet kept firm in his belief. Only few can pass this trial. People thought if they joined the movement they will become poor – we lost nothing. Alhaji Hamidu Danlami lost nothing.
We did not stay together in the same prison during the arrest on Kafanchan crisis. They were taken to Suleja and we were detained in Kaduna. We met only when we were taken to the Karibi Whyte tribunal. Even then it was just for two nights before we were finally taken to different prisons in the southern part of the country. When we were arrested again in 1996, we were arrested on Thursday, and we stayed together for only two days before we were finally transferred to different prisons in the southern part of the country.
When were brought to Kaduna prison, we stayed together, the four of us. We were many, but we were scattered in three sections. They first kept us in the VIP section, before they transferred us to a specially secluded section. However, we transformed the place to a more prestigious section than the VIP section with adornment. We also had time to do some selected readings, and worship.
Alhaji Hamidu Danlami will be remembered for his outstanding sacrifice, knowing fully that this life will eventually come to an end whatever greatness a person attained. He demonstrated this during his life time. When he was a successful businessman, there were many more successful businessmen than him, but they are now no more. Some of them are dead. He is also no more, but on his part, he carried along with him a security, which is his faith. For those people, they left behind that which they acquired where they got it from. If we look closely, they are not better than him. This should be food for thought.
I remember during the martyrdom of Dr. Abdul’aziz Rantisi, I said this was a great challenge to doctors. Here is a medical doctor who stood firm in Islamic struggle and became a martyr. Doctors have no excuse whatsoever. Here, we can say that the life time of Alhaji Hamidu Danlami was also a challenge to businessmen. They have no excuse to fear losing what they possess. Alhaji died and lost nothing. Did he lose a thing in this world? No. Above all, he left behind a lasting legacy, which he carried forward – his faith and his religion.

Usman wrote in from Kaduna, Kaduna State.