To God we come and unto him we shall return.
I write this piece as a mark of respect to an erudite scholar, an educationist, teacher, imam and a refined gentleman whose doors remained open to all those who come seeking for knowledge without conditions attached.
He sacrificed his time and energy greatly in the service of Almighty Allah (SWT) through spiritual guidance, education and enlightenment of the community and indeed the entire Islamic Ummah.
He has spent more than four decades giving Islamic lessons, preaching Da’awah and leading faithful in worship and prayers. And, in all these years, he has never shown even the slightest sign of weariness or irritation by the constant demand of the faithful. He was always ever ready to be of service to the people particularly in respect to religious injunctions and the interpretations of the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Probably, I was the last person he has spoken to prior to his demise. I was fortunate to have called him over a very contentious religious matter, of which I sought his opinion. I had earlier consulted many learned jurists including two professors, two doctorate degree holders and about six more colleagues well versed in Islamic jurisprudence but all could not provide satisfactory explanations regarding the interpretation of the disputed matter.
As God wills, he furnished me with a satisfactory explanation citing strong religious injunctions to prove his point. After about a few hours, my phone rang only to pick it and receive the sad news of his demise. I became devastated.
A spectacular feature of his character is deep humility and conviviality. He was always careful not to hurt the feelings of others by words or actions and is known to be a friend to all irrespective of creed, sect or ideological leaning. He is never known to be fiery or controversial in his sermons or call to the religion of Islam. He is balance between extremes which endeared him to both sects and to all those he comes across.
Mal Tahir, as he is fondly called, would go extra miles to pay a casual visit to a student just to exchange pleasantries. He was always the first to notice the absence of a regular student or worshipper to the mosque even though he has a mass of students who come to take lessons and would surely not waste time to call on the person and enquire of his absence.
Imam was never distracted by the attractions of this material world as confirmed by his ascetic style of living while he dwelled in this temporal world and never complained nor acted in any manner to draw any form of assistance or sympathy from the community he serves. He was always contented with what he had.
Imam Tahir has played his part in this world and from the testimonies flowing of his pious and exemplary life we are of the strong belief that God Almighty will reserve for him a place in Aljannat firdaus. We cannot pay him for his good deeds and invaluable contributions to Islam and to his community. His reward is in heaven as his exemplary life is a demonstration of the saying “teachers reward is in heaven.”
The only justification for mourning his death is celebrating a life of fulfillment in the service of God and humanity and to continue with his good works. However, it is imperative to draw our attention to the fact that the late Imam Tahir lived an austere life dedicated to the service of God and humanity and rarely had time for any form of personal engagement or the pursuit of material things.
It therefore becomes incumbent upon us, members of his community who benefitted both morally and spiritually from his teachings and guidance, to emulate by continuing with his legacy of service to God and humanity to continue to offer prayers for the repose of his soul.
May his gentle soul continue to rest in perfect peace, amen.
Postscript:
Sheikh Tahir Adam, the Chief Imam of Salamatu Kabir Mosque Sardauna Crescent Kaduna, died on Saturday, January 3, 2020 after a protracted illness and was buried same day at the Bashama road burial ground.
Ustaz Nuradeen Khamis writes from Abuja
