By Alameen Abdulkadir, Ph.D, FIMC, CMC, FIIS -China
Respected brothers and sisters, esteemed scholars and seekers of knowledge! Today I don’t really have much to scribe about the personality of our Sheikh, but I will just pen down an analogy of his personality.
Sheikh Abdulqadir ASsalman Aljum’ah Alfa Oba Sholagberu (Imamu Federal) as he’s been nicknamed by his students, is like “A HOME”. I need not to spend much time on the difference between a home and a house, but for clarity, a house is a physical structure built for shelter, while a home is the emotional space filled with comfort, love, and identity. Home is where the heart is connected to emotionally.
Now imagine stepping into a peaceful home after a long stressful day, a sanctuary where every item whispers calm, comfort, and care, as Allah describes His House :
إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِي بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَكًا وَهُدًى لِّلْعَالَمِينَ فِيهِ آيَاتٌ بَيِّنَاتٌ مَّقَامُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمَن دَخَلَهُ كَانَ آمِنًا#
Surely the first
House placed down for mankind is the one at Makkah, a blessed sanctuary and a guide for all. In it are clear signs (like) the Stand of Ibrahim. And whoever enters it attains comfort.(Quran 3:96/97).
The Prophet (SAW) also said:
مَثَلُ الْمُؤْمِنِ فِي تَوَاصُلِهِ مَثَلُ
الْبُنْيَانِ يَشُدُّ بَعْضُهُ بَعْضًا
“The believer is to the believer like a single structure, one part supporting the other” (Bukhari 2446).
Sheikh Abdulqadir can only be seen through this lens. As an Imam at the National Mosque in Abuja, the First Mallami Ubandoma of Ilorin Emirate and Founder of Darul Kitab wa Sunnah College of Arabic and Islamic Studies, his personality embodies the quiet harmony of such a home, bridging Nigeria’s diverse ummah with Ilorin’s timeless traditions.
He’s The Sofa(Cushion Chair)
Consider the sofa in that peaceful home, the soft, inviting seat where weary bodies find rest and families gather in unity. Sheikh Abdulqadir is that sofa: a pillar of communal comfort. In Abuja’s National Mosque, he welcomes thousands from every tribe, offering solace amid national trials, echoing Allah’s promise. As Mallami Ubandoma in Ilorin and President of the Shehu Alimi Foundation, he cushions emiral disputes with brotherhood. He’s a Cushion Chair that brings comfort, that is not hard, following the teaching of the Prophet:
يَسِّرُوا ولا تُعَسِّرُوا وَبَشِّرُوا وَلَا تُنَفِّرُوا
“Ease people’s affairs and do not make it hard for them” (Bukhari 69).
He is The Bed
“Now picture the bed, cradle of deep rest and renewal, where dreams take flight under protective covers. Sheikh Abdulqadir mirrors this bed in his nurturing guidance. Founding Darul Kitab wa Sunnah has recharged Abuja and Ilorin youth with sacred knowledge, fulfilling:
هُوَ الَّذِي أَنزَلَ السَّكِينَةَ فِي قُلُوبِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ لِيَزْدَادُوا إِيمَانًا مَّعَ إِيمَانِهِمْ (Quran 48:4)
“It is He who sends down tranquility into the hearts of the believers that they would increase in faith.”
The Prophet also said:
إِذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ بِقَوْمٍ خَيْرًا جَعَلَ فِيهِمْ عَالِمًا..(Muslim 2671)
“When Allah
wills good for a people, He raises a scholar among them.
He is the Television
You can now turn your gaze to the TV, that window to the world, beaming enlightenment and stories that inspire. Our Sheikh is this radiant screen, illuminating teachings from the scripture. From Abuja’s pulpit to Ilorin’s councils, he broadcasts divine narratives, as the Quran declares:
وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا الْقُرْآنَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِنْ مُّدَّكِرٍ (Quran 54:17)
“And We have
certainly made the Quran easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?” Echoing the Prophet :
بَلِّغُوا عَنِّي وَلَوْ آيَةً
(Bukhari 3461).
“Convey from me even if it is one verse.
The Fan
“Feel the gentle breeze of the fan, circulating cool air to refresh and revive a stuffy space. Mallami Ubandoma embodies this fan: a refreshing force against discord. In Abuja and Ilorin’s emiral gatherings, his words dispel confusion, reminiscent of:
اللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يُخْرِجُهُم مِّنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ (Quran 2:257)
“Allah is the ally of
those who believe. He brings them out from darkness (confusion) into the light(clarity).”
The Plate
“Behold the plate, vessel of sustenance, elegantly holding nourishment for body and soul. He is this plate, gracefully serving and dishing out Islamic wisdom. Through Darul Kitab wa Sunnah and imamate in Abuja, he feeds the ummah, embodying the Qur’an verse :
وَأَنْزَلْنَا عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَنَّ وَالسَّلْوَى
” We sent down upon you manna and quails”(Q2: 57).
The Prophet said: خَيْرُكُمْ مَنْ تَعَلَّمَ الْقُرْآنَ وَعَلَّمَهُ (Bukhari 5027).
“The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it.
The Spoon
“Beside the plate, sits the spoon, the humble tool that delivers every bite with precision and care. Sheikh Abdulqadir is that spoon: methodical in teaching. Scooping from Arabic and Islamic depths for Abuja students and Ilorin disciples, he feeds bite by bite, as instructed by Allah:
كُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا مِنْ رِزْقِ اللَّهِ (Quran 2:60)
“Eat and drink from the provision of Allah.” In another verse Allah says:
وكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا ولاتسرفوا
“Eat and drink, but do not be excessive (Q7: 31).
The verse urges moderation in consumption. Analogically it promotes balance in everything, avoiding harm, waste, or indulgence beyond need and avoiding prodigality, as Allah dislikes it. Mallami Ubandoma is exactly that spoon that feeds with moderation in religious preaching and practice devoid of excesses and extremism.
The Dinning Table
At the heart of the home stands the dining table, gathering place for shared meals and heartfelt talks. Our Sheikh is this table: a sturdy hub of fellowship. As Mallami Ubandoma, he convenes Ilorin’s leaders; as Abuja Imam, he binds the nation around unity feast, reflecting the instruction of Allah:
وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا (Quran 3:103)
“Hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.”
The Wall Clock
Hanging faithfully on the wall, the wall clock ticks steadily, marking time with quiet authority. Sheikh Abdulqadir is this clock; He seeks timely opportunities, maximizes them and benefit others with them. Always calling attention of his students to punctuality and time consciousness. His discipline urges: learn without delay; your greatness lies in knowledge; make good use of your youthful age. Reflecting the command of Allah and the prophet:
اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ
“Read with the Name of your Lord”.
يَرْفَعِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ درجات
“Allah will exalt those who believe among you, and those who have knowledge, to high ranks”.
اغْتَنِمْ خَمْسًا قَبْلَ خَمْسٍ: شَبَابَكَ قَبْلَ هَرَمِكَ
“Make use of five things before five others arrive: your youthful age before old age.”
Ubandoma is the Scent
“Finally, sense the scent, that subtle fragrance wafting through every corner. Sheikh Abdulqadir’s personality is this scent, his goodwill permeates Abuja’s mosques and Ilorin’s homes, treating friends and foes with kindness. His kindness transcends boundaries gifting those that request and those who look away. The analogy of this is just like the scent which fragrance does not discriminate, everyone close by must smell it. As Allah said:
وَلَا تَسْتَوِي الْحَسَنَةُ وَلَا السَّيِّئَةُ ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ فَإِذَا الَّذِي بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُ عَدَاوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُ وَلِيٌّ حَمِيمٌ
“The good deed and the evil deed are not the same. Respond to the evil deed with goodness , possibly, the one whom enmity exists between you may become a bosom friend(Q41:34).
In Sheikh Abdulqadir Oba Sholagberu, we find a HOME of peace bridging our realms.
May Allah preserve him, amplify his light, and grant him more guidance and steadfastness on the path of Qur’an and Sunnah. Ameen.
Alameen Abdulkadir, an Alumnus of Darul Kitab Wa Sunnah College, Ilorin, is a Senior Research Fellow with Centre For Contemporary China–Africa Relations, Abuja. He teaches International Relations and Policy Studies at the University of Abuja.
He can be reached via ameen.abdulkadir@uniabuja.edu.ng
