The Best Among You Are Those Who Learn The Qur'an And Teach It: A Tribute To The Khadimul Qur'an, Khalifah Sheikh Isiyaka Rabiu

By Ibrahim usman Wednesday, May 9, 2018 (Sha'aban 22, 2018 AH) In The Name Of Allah, The Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His Servants and Messenger. Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raaji'uun! Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raaji'uun!! Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raaji'uun!!! "Every soul shall have a taste of death and only on the Day of the Judgement shall you be paid your full recompense. Only those who are saved from the fire and admitted to Paradise (Jannah) will have attained the object (of life). For the life of this world is but good and chattels of deception." [Qur'an, 3:185] Brothers and Sisters! One of the foremost Kano based Industrialist in the 1970s and 80s and leader of Tijjaniya movement in Africa, our father, Khadimul Qur'an, Khalifah Sheikh Isyaku Rabiu is dead. According to family source, the business mogul and revered Islamic cleric, who was widely loved, respected and known for his generosity and Islamic spirituality, who spent his life, money, energy, time in the service of the noble Qur'an, died on Tuesday evening in London hospital after a brief illness, at the age of 90. According to a local Radio station in Kano, one of his son, Alhaji Abdul malik Isyaka Rabiu called and broke the news to Kano people. Dear Brothers and Sisters! The Sheikh had a large family with many children and grandchildren, including his first son Alhaji Nafiu Isyaka Rabiu; influential Nigerian businessmen Alhaji Abdulsamad Isyaka Rabiu, Chairman of BUA Group; Alhaji Rabiu Isyaka Rabiu, owner of IRS Airlines, Alhaji Naziru Isyaka Rabiu, Alhaji Quraish Isyaka Rabiu, Alhaji Makiu Isyaka Rabiu, Alhaji Abdullahi Isyaka Rabiu, Alhaji Muhammad Isyaka Rabiu and Alhaji Daha Isyaka Rabiu among others. Khadimul Qur'an, Sheikh Isyaka Rabiu founded a major family operated holding company with a history of investment in manufacturing, insurance, banking and real estate. In the 1970s, the group invested in manufacturing with its first investment being the Kano Suit and Packing Cases company, a factory producing suit cases and handbags. The firm was a joint venture with Lebanese investors. In 1972, he formed the Bagauda Textile Mill, manufacturing woven cloths for uniforms. From then on he established a series of ventures in different segments of the economy including frozen food service, real estate, sugar and a motor vehicle and parts distribution company specialized in Daihatsu products. However, unfavourable exchange rates and economic conditions forced the company to scale back on manufacturing and returning to its trading roots. According to the reliable source, Sheikh Isyaka Rabiu was born to the family of Mallam Muhammadu Rabiu Dan Tinki, a Quranic preacher from the Bichi area of Kano State who led his own Quranic school. From 1936 to 1942, Sheikh Isyaku Rabiu attended his father school learning the Quran and Arabic. He then moved to Maiduguri, Borno for further Islamic education. After spending four years in Maiduguri, he returned to Kano prepared to be an Islamic scholar. In 1949, Sheikh Isyaka Rabiu was an independent teacher of Arabic and the Quran who had among his audience, Ibrahim Musa Gashash. In the early 1950s while still a teacher, Sheikh Isyaka Rabiu began to engage in private enterprise and established Isyaka Rabiu & Sons in 1952. Originally the firm acted as an agent of UAC and was trading in sewing machines, religious books and bicycles. In 1958, the firm had a breakthrough when Kaduna Textile Limited was established and it became one of the early distributors. Sheikh Isyaka Rabiu emerged as the leading distributor of the company in Northern Nigeria. In 1963, he joined a consortium of businessmen from Kano who came together to form the Kano Merchants Trading Company. The establishments continued to survive withstanding competition from foreign products. In 1970, he established a suit and packing factory. Brothers and Sisters! One of the most difficult times that we have to face is the devastating period we go through when someone very dear and precious is no longer with us. The feelings of bereavement and deprivation overcome us and we tend to go into a state of depression and grief. It is at this stage that we require the emotional support of close family, friends and associates. The beautiful religion of Islam places dire stress on expressing condolence and showing sympathy towards fellow human beings. We are social creatures who are meant to indulge in activities that enhance interpersonal relationships which in turn help to boost the feelings of love, compassion and acquaintance in the depressed soul. My Respected people! In a Hadith reported by Imam al-Bukhari from the narration of Uthman Ibn Affan (RA) the Prophet (Peace be upon him) makes mention that the best amongst us is he, who learns the Qur’an and teaches it to others: “The best among you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it.” In various Hadiths when it comes to knowledge, the Prophet attributes virtues to various categories of profession over others. He singled out learning and teaching the Qur’an with virtues and advantages over other disciplines. Next in line comes any discipline that relates to, or derives its roots from the Qur’an, in a way or another. We are approaching end of times. Hence, we are set to face lots of challenges. But our children are bound to face more challenging challenges than we face today. It’s therefore vital for the Muslim parent to ensure proper knowledge, love, and understanding of the magnitude of the Qur’an are instilled in his children. A proper appreciation for something is attained after its value is realized. This piece presents some highlights of the magnitude of the Qur’an, which earns anything associated with it value and weight of its own. As a tribute to our father, Khadimul Qur'an, Khalifah Sheikh Isiyaka Rabiu. It is hoped, that Muslim parents will find this useful as their children are – in normal circumstances, the best evidence of their quality of parenting and their devotion to their religion. - Realising The Magnitude Of The Qur’an Until you study something closely, you can’t evaluate it justly. As you study it, you find the need to seek to understand it better and internalize it. It’s after this, that you can appreciate it and relate to it with pride. The best way to internalize anything, is to be able to recall it and reproduce it by heart. That way, nothing restricts your ability from contemplating it dynamically. This explains why the more vocabularies of a language you can retain and recall, the better command you have in it. The Qur’an is not exception in that sense. It’s, however an exception in the sense that it’s the only divinely revealed book that one can memorize and reproduce from cover to cover. Additionally, reading it, memorizing it, or learning it is considered as an act of worship (Ibadah), if the proper intention is established. The Qur’an stands as the first source of legislation in Islam. It’s also the source of all sources of legislation. In other words, the Qur’an is the constitution which earns any Islamic ruling its validity and mandatory. Thus, any other source of legislation in our religion, i.e., Sunnah, ijma, qiyas derives its authority and mandate from the Qur’an. This makes memorising the entire Qur’an one of the honours Allah bestows upon any Muslim. Realizing this, dozens and hundreds, if not thousands of the Companions of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) memorized the entire Qur’an. Having said that, it’s important to indicate that the Muslim is not obliged to memorize the entire Qur’an. He is, however obliged to memorize what he needs for his prayers (Salah). Although there were dozens and hundreds of Companions who memorized the entire Qur’an, some of whom completed in the lifetime of the Prophet, and some others after his departure, the remaining majority did not memorize the entire Qur’an. Nonetheless, the Companions remain the best generation of this Ummah. This means, a Hafiz (one who memorizes the Qur'an) today will fall in qualities and virtues behind a non-Hafiz among the Companions of the Prophet (Peace be upon him). But a non-Hafiz in our time, who appreciates the Qur’an and manifests it in his actions is better than a Hafiz who fails to realize the magnitude of the Qur’an which Allah has saved in his breasts. - How The Qur’an Elevates And Earns Someone Value And Virtues Brothers and Sisters! The Qur’an is the word of Allah. The word of Allah is sacred and noble in nature. The more of it you have and know, the more of its sacredness you attain and the more virtuous you become. This means, memorizing the entire Qur’an raises you above him, who is not memorising it. In other words, the Hafiz you is better than the non-Hafiz you. Either way, a Muslim must have a significant share of knowledge inspired by the Qur’an. Also, the Muslim must put the teachings of the Qur’an into practice as possible. He should also observe the dos and don’ts of the Qur’an. This is in line with the Prophet’s attitude towards the Qur’an. It’s also in line with the behaviour of the Companions who received and learnt the Qur’an from the Prophet (Peace be upon him). This is what guarantees you guidance to the right path. It is also what secures you a shield that safeguards you against visible and invisible evil of the mischievous. It’s important to realize, that the Qur’an is significant, that Allah Himself is the One who protects it from falling apart: “Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur’an and indeed, We will be its guardian.” [Qur'an, 15:9] Moreover, the entire Ummah of our beloved Prophet (Peace be upon him) attains its honour, virtues and nobility from the blessings Allah has assigned for the Qur’an. For that matter, anyone who genuinely associates himself with the Qur’an attains a share from that. We learnt that in the life of Khadimul Qur'an, Sheikh Khalifah Isiyaka Rabiu and in the life of any Hafiz of the Qur'an. Similarly, any object that is subjected for the Qur’an attains its fair share of sacredness; although it’s just an object. For instance, a copy of the Qur’an and a copy of Steven Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People are not the same. Both are printed on paper. But one is sacred and noble, and the other is not. Steven Covey’s book can only attain some sacredness if it contains some proper quotations and citations from the Qur’an. A bone stick on which you write verses from the Qur’an can no longer be treated like the bone stick that you throw to the dog. In the same analogy, the Angel who descended with the Qur’an, the tablet, in which the Qur’an was preserved, the Messenger upon whom the Qur’an was descended, the language in which the Qur’an was revealed (Arabic), and the nation, to whom the Qur’an is revealed has each attained some sacredness, nobility, honour and preservation, thanks to the Qur’an. The same thing also applies to the month in which the Qur’an was revealed (Ramadan), the night in which the Qur’an was revealed as well as the places that witnessed the revelation of the Qur’an. Respected Brothers and Sisters! Let’s take some time to elaborate on the above examples. - The Preserved Tablet And The Qur’an In Surah al-Buruj, 85:21-22, Allah describes the Qur’an and where it was preserved before been descended to the Prophet (Peace be upon him). He says: “It is indeed a glorious Qur'an. written on a preserved Tablet." The Qur’an was kept in a tablet known as the Preserved Tablet (al-Lawh al-Mahfuz). It was then first descended –as a whole, to the first Heaven. It was then revealed from there to the Prophet (Peace be upon him) over the period of 23 years in the places between Makkah and Madinah. The Lawh al-Mahfuz could only be touched by the purified (Angels): “Indeed, it is a noble Quran. In a well-guarded preserved Book. Which none can touch except the purified. It is a revelation sent down from the Lord of the worlds." [Qur'an, 56:77-80] There’re many tablets, but the one that contained the Qur’an attained the honour of being preserved as it carried the Qur’an. It also got to be mentioned in the Qur’an itself for an eternal record. From the Heaven to the Prophet, an Angel was administered and entrusted with the mission of been an Angel Messenger who descends with the Qur’an to the human Messenger. - Sayyiduna Jibril And The Qur’an Allah created and He continues to create Angles, the number of whom we don’t know. The number of whom we can’t comprehend, if we knew. Jibril (AS), known as the secretary of revelation is the most honourable of all Angels. He attained that honour after Allah had chosen him to be the carrier of the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). To the extent, that none of the Angels who were created before or after the creation of Jibril can ever attain this honour. Simply because the revelation of the Qur’an is done once, and that was to the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). Had it not been for the Qur’an, perhaps, Jibril would have been another unknown Angel. - The Prophet Muhammad And The Qur’an The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is the final and seal of all Messengers. He became a Prophet, only after the first revelation of the Qur’an was made to him. It is with that, that he became the best of mankind, and the master of all Prophets and Messengers of Allah. He was the last to be sent, but with the Qur’an, he became the leader of all Messengers and Prophets. To the effect, that when he was ascended to the heavens, during Isra' wal Mi‘raj he was the one who led all the Messengers and Prophets in a prayer. Messengers and Prophets were sent before him. They were also given scriptures. But none of them was given the privilege of the Qur’an. He also had to be the leader in that prayer, as the Qur’an must be recited in that prayer. Moreover, on the Day of resurrection, mankind will march to him, to plead to him, to intercede for judgement to begin. Also, he will intercede for his Ummah on that Day. The secret? The Qur’an. It’s the Qur’an, that carries no doubt. It’s the mighty Book, which no falsehood shall reach from before or from behind. It is the Qur’an, which is a revelation from the Wise, the One worthy of all praise (Allah). With the descending of the Qur’an upon the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) he became a warner to worlds: “Blessed be He who has revealed the criterion [the Quran] to His servant that he may warn the nations.” [Qur'an, 25:1] With the Qur’an and its blessings, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) became a mercy to the worlds: “And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.” [Qur'an, 21:107] And for some reason, the Qur’an, was revealed in Arabic Language. And that makes the Arabic Language more valuable than any other language. - Arabic Language And The Qur’an Every language serves as one of the signs of Allah’s existence. Therefore, every language is significant. Some have extincted, some are in the process of extinction. Some shall extinct, and some are preserved from extinction: “Another of His signs is that He created the heavens and earth, and the diversity of your languages and colours. There truly are signs in this for those who know.” [Qur'an, 30:22] Also, a language gains its importance depending on the number of its speakers, the political power it possesses, its influence in science and technology as well as its religious significance. With or without any of the above factors, Arabic language will continue to be preserved. Because of the Qur’an. Languages preserve scriptures. But the Qur’an, which is divinely preserved, preserves the language, in which it was revealed. Arabic language is the fifth most widely spoken language today. But it is the oldest language that is widely spoken. It is also the only language that a 1000-year-old script of it can be understood by any high school Arabic proficient. It’s set to remain as such until the end of time. Statistics shows that 420 million people speak Arabic around the world. I think this figure only regards native speakers of the language. This statistics is flawed because it has failed to recognize over 1.6 billion Muslim who read Arabic. The entire 1.6 billion may not understand Arabic, but the number of non-Arab Muslims who understand Arabic today equals the number of its native speakers, if not more. The reason and secret? Thanks to the Qur’an, which Allah has taken it upon Himself to preserve. This promise automatically gives Arabic Language the honour of preservations, and possible eternity. Therefore, Arabic Language has emerged to be very significant in the life of every Muslim. Thus, if you want to appreciate the Qur’an better, you need to learn the Arabic language. It’s therefore important, as a parent, to not deprive your child from the luxury of learning the Arabic Language and exploring and experiencing the beauty of the Qur’an, first hand. But the shortest way to master Arabic Language is to master the Qur’an itself. And to read it every day, even if you don’t understand it. I’m confident; now that you’ve realized the value of the Qur’an thus far, you can’t wait to subscribe to Arabic classes. From here, we understand why there’s an assumption that Arabic will be the language of the Paradise. Simply because the Qur’an will be recited in the Paradise, once its inhabitants have all settled down. Isn’t it? In a Hadith reported by Imam al-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud from the narration of Abdullah Ibn Amr (RA), the Prophet (Peace be upon him) says: “It will be said to the companion of the Qur’an: Recite and rise in status, recite as you used to recite in the world, for your status will be at the last verse that you recite.” - The Ummah Of The Prophet And The Qur’an The best book was revealed and preserved in the most sacred tablet. It was then entrusted to the most honourable Angel to reveal it to the most honourable Messenger. This can’t be unless it’s to be taught to the most honourable nation (Ummah). This is the status of the Ummah of the Qur’an. This is the status and virtues of the Ummah of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). This is the status of the Ummah, to which you belong. This truth is, however, it’s up to us to realize this as an Ummah and then choose to cherish, respect and celebrate the Qur’an. And the best way to celebrate the Qur’an is to put it at the highest rank in our education and lifestyle. What’s the worth of a treasure when we leave it to dust and rust? Papers and bone sticks attain honour and sacredness when the Qur’an is written on them. What, then, will be the honour which the already-honoured creature (man) will attain when he absorbs the Qur’an?! “We have honoured the children of Adam, and have borne them on the land and the sea, given them for sustenance things which are good and pure; and exalted them above many of Our creatures." [Qur'an, 17:70] Dear Brothers and Sisters! We are honoured and privileged above many (not all) of the creatures of Allah. Hold on to the Qur’an. Realize its magnitude, teach it to your children, and then, see how high they will fly. On the day of judgement, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) will report and complain some of this Ummah to Allah. Do you know what will that complaint be for? It will be for abandoning the Qur'an. “The Messenger will say, “Lord, my people did indeed discard the Quran.”” [Qur'an, 25:30] - The Month Of Ramadan And The Qur’an As indicated above, the Qur’an was first descended to the first Heaven, before its revelation to the Prophet started. Therefore, there are two descendings for the Qur’an. One commonality between the two is that both happened in the month of Ramadan. The first was on Lailatul Qadr and the second was on the 17 of Ramadan when the first revelation was made to the Prophet (Peace be upon him). That marks 12 years before Muslims were commanded to fast. The Prophet received the first revelation of the Qur’an in the month of Ramadan. These two incidents attained the entire month of Ramadan an honour above all months, including the month of Ḥajj and the month of the birth of the Prophet (Peace be upon him). - Lailatul Qadr And The Qur’an On the night of Lailatul Qadr, the entire Qur’an was descended from the Protected Tablet (al-Lawh al-Mahfuz) to the first Heaven. That night has ever since, became the night that is better in virtues than a thousand months combined. That’s 83 years and four months. If the Qur’an was descended on a different night, that different night would have been the night with such a virtue. To continue celebrating the Qur’an, every year, during the night of Lailatul Qadr, the Angels, together with Jibril descend to our world, and the entire world will be filled with peace and tranquillity until the break of the dawn for the next morning. - Places That Witnessed The Revelation Of The Qur’an With blessings of the Qur’an, even places that witnessed its revelations are bestowed with blessings and made sacred. Makkah is where the first revelation began and Madinah which witnessed the descending of the final revelation are now the holiest places on the earth. Between Makkah and Madinah are blessed and sacred lands. A prayer in Masjidil Haram in Makkah equal to 100,000 prayers elsewhere. And a prayer in the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah equals to a 1000 prayers elsewhere. - The Qur’an As The Best Form Of Zikr Man attains efficiency and effectiveness when he’s in peace of mind. This leads to productivity and positive contribution to societies and mankind. To achieve this, his heart must have enough spiritual nutrition, vitamins and oxygen. All that are attained through the genuine remembrance of Allah (Zikr), followed by successful choice of spouses and surroundings. “Those who believe and whose hearts find comfort in the remembrance of Allah — surely in the remembrance of Allah hearts can find comfort.” (Qur'an, 13:28] In addition to attaining inner-peace, those who engage in constant remembrance of Allah reap forgiveness and a greater reward from Allah the Most High. “… and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so – for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward." [Qur'an, 33:35] The best form of Zikr is reading and recitation of the Qur’an. Any form of Zikr remains Zikr and never elevates to the level of the Qur’an. But every verse in the Qur’an stands as Qur’an as well as Zikr. Thus, when you are bored, do make some Zikr. And the easiest way to relax and destress is to pray or recite… the Qur’an. Respected Brothers and Sisters! After realizing the magnitude of the Qur’an, one can now understand why Allah invites mankind, the entire mankind to rejoice and celebrate the Qur’an. “O mankind! There has come to you an admonition from your Lord, a cure for what is in the hearts, and a guide and a blessing to true believers. Say, “In the grace and mercy of Allah let them rejoice, for these are better than the worldly riches which they hoard.” [Qur'an, 10:57-58] Dear Servants of Allah! The Qur’an is one of the only two things that the Muslim should hold on to, during the challenges of end of times, to sustain as a Muslim and to attain salvation in the next life. I have never seen any Muslim who is in sincere love with the Qur’an and still lives in misery and depression. The life of Khadimul Qur'an, Sheikh Khalifah Isiyaka Rabiu is a lesson to all of us. Being in genuine love with the Qur’an means you give priority to its commands over the commands of fellow human beings and self-desires. And the best thing your child will ever inherit from you is to know how to lead a happy life and be close to Allah at the same time. Both happiness and closeness to Allah can be found in developing a proper love and mastery of the Qur’an. A person who associates himself with wise people will attain some wisdom, no matter what. A respectful person who is ‘besties’ with the corrupts and immoral ones surely risks and compromises his reputation. Thus, if you want safety, peace, true knowledge, real inspirations, and divine uplifting, hold on the Qur’an, and never let go of it. This is the Qur’an. If you want to achieve honour, the best honour is the one that is recognized by Allah and comes from Allah. Attribute your endeavours to the Qur’an, and as much as the Qur’an is promised a divine protection, you won’t be left in a disgrace or regret In Shaa Allah. In a Hadith reported by Imam Ibn Majah from the narration of Anas Ibn Malik (RA), the Messenger of Allah says: “Verily Allah has His own people among mankind.” They said: O Messenger of Allah, who are they? He said: “They are the people of the Qur’an, Allah’s own people and those who are closest to Him.” My respected people! From the above Hadith, we understand how high Allah has raised the Qur’an, and hence, made anyone, who devotes himself to the Qur’an, among the people of His own. Ahlul Qur'an Ahlul lahi. May Allah make us among the companions of the Qur’an. Those who are His people of special ones. May live by the Qur’an and end our life on with the companionship of the Qur’an. May the Qur’an intercede for us on the Day of Judgement. May we be granted free access to Jannah with the intersection of the Qur’an. My sincere condolence to His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar III, President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Jama'atu Nasril Islam (JNI), for the death of Khadimul Qur'an, Sheikh Khalifah Isiyaka Rabiu. My condolence to His Royal Highness, the Emir of Kano, Mallam Muhammadu Sanusi II. My condolence to the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. My condolence to the entire family of Khadimul Qur'an, friends and associates, and to the entire people of Kano State and Nigerians in general over this irreparable and irreplaceable lost. May Allah forgive his shortcomings, mistakes and failings, and make Jannatul Firdaws to be his last abode. "A'zamallahu ajrakum, wa ahsana a'za akum, wa ghafara li mayyitikum" "May Allah ta'ala increase your reward, and grant you good consolation, and forgive your deceased" "Inna lillahi ma akhaza wa lahu ma a'ta, wa kullun indahu bi ajalim-musamma, faltasbir waltahtasib" "Whatever Allah takes is His, and whatever He gives is His, and everything has an appointed time. So be patient and seek rewards" Allahummah ajurna fi musibatina wa akhlifna khairan minha. Allahummaghfir lahu war hamhu. Allahummaj alil Jannata mathwahu. Allahummaj al qabrahu hufratun min hufril jannah, Allahummah la taj al qabrahu hufratun min hufrin niraan. Allahummah Ba'id baynahu wa bayna hatayahu kama ba'adta baynal mashriqi wal maghribi. Allahummah naqqihu min hatayahu kama yunaqqath thawbal abyadu minad danath. Allahummahgh sil hu min hatayahu bil ma'i wath thalji wal barad. Ameen Ya Arhamar Rahimina Ya Rabbal Aalamin. Wassalamu Alaikum, Your Brother, Imam Murtadha Muhammad Gusau, from Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: gusaumurtada@gmail.com or +2348038289761.