The remains of the Khalifa of the Tijjaniyya sect in West Africa and Khadimul Islam, Sheik Isiaka Rabiu, were committed to mother earth in Kano yesterday amid tears from thousands of sympathisers who thronged his palatial home at Goron Dutse in Dala Local Government Area of the state.
The remains of the Sheik was brought before a large congregation of Islamic faithful in an ambulance at the Sheikh Muhammad Rabiu Mosque, named after his late father, Mohammadu Rabiu.
The funeral prayer was led by Sheik Tijjani Aliyu Sisa, the Chief Imam of Kaulaha Mosque in Senegal, who stood in for Sheik Inyass before an unprecedented crowd that gathered at his residence, at exactly 2.33pm before he was finally buried at 2.45 pm.
Sheik Rabiu died after a protracted illness at a London hospital on Monday at the age of 93 years.
A well groomed Islamic scholar who had a memory of the Glorious Qur’an at the tender age of 14, he will be remembered for his doggedness in the pursuit of Islamic ideals and support for Qur’anic memorization.
The Chief Imam of Kofar Mata, Sheikh Nasir Adam, described the late Khalifa as a dedicated and committed gentleman who served as an embodiment of justice, and a philanthropist to the core.
As a close confidant to the late Sheik, the Chief Imam said the vacuum created by his death would be very difficult to fill.
On his part, a business associate, Alhaji Sabiu Bako, described the late Rabiu as a very simple and humble reservoir of knowledge and, above all, a philanthropist who assisted most of the business tycoons in Kano and beyond to become what they are today.
The late Rabiu was prominent as a result of his credential as someone who memorised the Glorious Qur’an at the age of 14; a feat that stood him out among his peers.
Among those, who graced the funeral prayers were the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar; the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi 11; the Chief of Army Staff, Brigadier Yusuf Tuýkur Burutai; Kano State governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; his deputy, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar; Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar; the Chairman Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; former Speaker House of Representatives, Alhaji Gali Umar Na’abba and former Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido.
Traditional rulers who attended the funerals included the Emir of Daura, Umar Farouk, and that of Ringim Sayyadi, Mahmoud Ringim, among others.
The late Khalifa is survived by 42 children and so many grandchildren.
The funeral prayer was conducted amidst tight security.