President of Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, Sheikh Abdur Rasheed Hadiyyatullah, Passes Away
The President of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), Sheikh Abdur Rasheed Hadiyyatullah, has passed away, marking a profound loss for the Islamic community in Nigeria.
He died on Monday, April 28, 2025, in his hometown of Iwo, Osun State.
Sheikh Hadiyyatullah was widely respected as a leading Islamic jurist and educator. Until his death, he also served as the Director of the Sheikh Ibn Baz Shariah College of Nigeria, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of Islamic scholars and leaders.
The Grand Mufti of Yorubaland, Sheikh Daood Imran Molaasan, confirmed the passing of the prominent cleric in a statement issued late Monday night. Describing him as a man of unwavering integrity, Sheikh Molaasan praised Hadiyyatullah’s lifelong commitment to the cause of Islam, especially in the propagation of Shari’ah principles and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.
“Sheikh Hadiyyatullah was a beacon of knowledge and guidance for Muslims across the country,” the statement read. “His passing is a huge loss, not only to the people of Iwo and Osun State but to the entire Muslim Ummah in Nigeria.”
Born and raised in Iwo, Sheikh Hadiyyatullah began his early Islamic education locally before pursuing further studies internationally. Over the decades, he became a vocal advocate for the practice of Islamic law within the constitutional context of Nigeria, and a strong proponent of unity among religious communities.
His leadership in the Supreme Council for Shari’ah was marked by calls for justice, moral leadership, and educational reform within the Muslim community.
The Janazah (funeral prayer) for Sheikh Hadiyyatullah will be held today, Tuesday, April 29, at 2:00 PM at the Sheikh Ibn Baz Shariah College in Iwo. Community leaders, scholars, and dignitaries from across the country are expected to attend.
Tributes have poured in from Muslim organizations, scholars, and politicians across Nigeria, with many praying for Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him Jannatul Firdaus.
Sheikh Hadiyyatullah is survived by his family, students, and a legacy of scholarship and leadership that will endure for generations.
