Prominent Islamic Scholar and Supreme Council for Shariah President, Sheikh Abdur Rasheed Hadiyyatullah, Passes Away
The Nigerian Muslim community has been thrown into mourning following the death of one of its most revered scholars, Sheikh Abdur Rasheed Hadiyyatullah, who returned to his Creator, Allah, in the late hours of Monday, April 28, 2025.
Until his passing, Sheikh Hadiyyatullah served as the President of the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria, a leading Islamic body committed to the promotion and application of Islamic legal and ethical principles. He was also the Director of Sheikh Ibn Baz Shariah College of Nigeria, located in Iwo, Osun State—a position through which he mentored countless students and Islamic scholars over the decades.
According to a statement released by close associates and confirmed by sources within the Council, funeral (janazah) prayers will be held in his honour by 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, at the premises of Sheikh Ibn Baz Shariah College in Iwo. The statement further described the late scholar as a man of deep knowledge, humility, and unwavering commitment to the Islamic faith, whose loss will be felt across the country and beyond.
“Sheikh Abdur Rasheed Hadiyyatullah was not just a scholar; he was a spiritual guide, a teacher, and a servant of the ummah who committed his life to dawah, the teaching of Islam, and the defense of Shariah principles with sincerity and wisdom,” the statement read.
Tributes have continued to pour in from scholars, students, and Islamic organizations across Nigeria, with many acknowledging the immense void left behind by his demise. For years, Sheikh Hadiyyatullah played a central role in shaping Islamic thought in Nigeria through public lectures, academic publications, and leadership within key religious institutions.
His contributions to Islamic jurisprudence, community development, and religious education were widely recognized. Under his leadership, the Supreme Council for Shariah provided critical guidance on matters of faith and public morality, while Sheikh Ibn Baz Shariah College flourished as a centre for Islamic learning.
“We ask Almighty Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) to forgive his shortcomings, have mercy on him, elevate his rank among the righteous, and admit him into Jannatul Firdaus,” the statement added. “May Allah grant his family, students, and the entire Muslim ummah the strength to bear this irreplaceable loss.”
As preparations for his janazah continue, thousands are expected to gather in Iwo to pay their last respects to a man whose life was defined by piety, scholarship, and unwavering devotion to the Islamic cause.
Sheikh Abdur Rasheed Hadiyyatullah leaves behind a legacy of service, knowledge, and spiritual guidance that will continue to inspire generations of Muslims in Nigeria and beyond.