The leader of the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS) in Nasarawa State, Ustaz Suraj Alhaji Sabo Keffi, has passed on.
He died on his way to Potiskum, Yobe State for the annual Ramadan Tafsir session.
Mourning the Islamic scholar, a media consultant Yahaya Abdulrahman said, “From Allah we come and onto His is our return.
While at Tafsir session today, Sheikh Ja’afar Musa Loko broke the devastating news of the death of a revered scholar; Ustaz Suraj Alhaji Sabo, following a ghastly motor accident while he was enroute to Potiskum for the annual Ramadan Tafsir.
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The deceased scholar was until his death, the leader of the famous Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah in Nasarawa State. The news, typical of its kind, left us, particularly those of us who had the rare privilege of meeting him, in deep pain of losing an uncommon Da’ee.
I first met Ustaz Suraj some 12 years or so ago when he, in the annual Ramadan Tafsir routine was posted to Nasarawa by Jibwis. The Tafsir was at the time holding at Angwan Wada Mosque. He was then next to Ustaz Shuaibu Ismail of blessed memory in the chain of authority. Ustaz Suraj would leave Keffi for Nasarawa but would not come late. He was always punctual. Such an eloquent scholar he was who applied wisdom in his teaching. His methodology was exceptional and would always speak truth to power against all odds, one of the many things that stood him out and endeared him to the underprivileged.
Though he spoke only when he had to, and was humble and ascetic, he commanded uncommon admiration from the people especially, adherents of the Izala sect, exuded unique charisma. His open and accommodating character further increased mutual understanding between the various sects in Nasarawa Local Government Area. We prayed fervently for his return to Nasarawa the following year, which was unusual. He did not until few years back.
Just when kidnapping was at its peak, I met him again, this time around not at Mararaba-Udege for the annual State Da’awah. He was to return for yet another one at Emir’s Palace, Nasarawa while HRH, Alh. Hassan Ahmed ll reigned. The last of him that I met was at the Palace, here in Nasarawa during the wedding fatiha of Ustaz Umar Usman Baba, Chief Imam, UBA Mosque and Special Assistant to Governor Abdullahi A. Sule.
Anyone who know him would attest to his vast knowledge, down-to-earth persona, courage and wisdom. He stood for everything Islam and prayed to return to Allah with his faith intact. This, we believe, Allah has granted him. May Allah the most high pardon his shortcomings and admit him into Jannah. My sincere condolence to Sheikh Muhammad Sani Yahaya Jingir of Jibwis, The Enir of Keffi, HRH, Dr Shehu Chindo Yanusa, Keffiate Council, his immediate family, Jibwis Nasarawa State and the Islamic Ummah.
Losing a man of his standing is both painful and devastating for, we are by the day, missing people of knowledge and good conduct with vast experience of communicating the message of Allah in words and in action.
