Alhaji Garba Idris (Jakadan Zazzau): Remembering a philanthropist, 4 years on
Praise is to Allah who gives life after He has caused us to die, and to Him we return. “Wherever you are, death will find you. Even if you are in towers built up strong and high.” (Quran 4:78) Wednesday, April 23, 2014 stands out. “Innalillahi Wa Inna Ilayhin Raji’un.” Sometimes, I wish I could […]
Praise is to Allah who gives life after He has caused us to die, and to Him we return. “Wherever you are, death will find you. Even if you are in towers built up strong and high.” (Quran 4:78)
Wednesday, April 23, 2014 stands out. “Innalillahi Wa Inna Ilayhin Raji’un.” Sometimes, I wish I could turn back the hands of time but “from Allah we come and surely to Allah we shall return.” That day, we lost a rare gem, a pillar that everybody could lean on, he had supported a lot of people, made positive impact on many others. Thankfully we remember him every day and pray that his soul will continue to rest in peace.
Reminiscing about the day and how events unfolded: I woke up to several calls from family members back in Zaria that my dad’s health was in critical condition. Everything happened so fast. In those frantic moments, all I could utter was; “Kullu Nafsin Za’ikatul Maut.” I arrived Zaria just in time for the Jana’izah prayers and Allahu Akbar, the turnout was overwhelming. After the prayers, the Imam gave a very solemn admonishment. He prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased. He offered condolences to the bereaved family with the words, “The turnout of people is testimony to a life well lived on the part of the deceased.”
He urged the family to pray to Almighty Allah to forgive and bless the soul of the deceased. The whole period, I was reflecting on events of the past 24 hours. It was really hard coming to terms with the sudden reality.
Jakadan Zazzau was born on February 12, 1962 in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Late Garba Idris attended LEA Primary School Giwa and later proceeded to Sardauna Memorial College (SMC) for his secondary school education. He got admission into Ahmadu Bello University Zaria where he obtained a Diploma in Banking and Finance. He then obtained a BSc in Banking and Finance from the University of Manchester, UK. He later obtained his MSc in the same course from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi. He was a member of staff of the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (management) board until his demise.
As is true with great men, it was after his death we found out many good things he had done to people while alive. As the first male child, I had a special relationship with him. He admonished me specially to focus on my studies because that was all he could offer me. My father constantly reminded me that he would die someday and the education he was giving was the only thing that could help me when he died. Today, I’m thankful to God and my parents for their support throughout my educational struggle. Alhamdulillah! I have obtained a BSc in Business Information System and MA in International Business Management.
As believers subject to the will of Allah (SWT), we can only continue praying for him because he was everything to us as his family. The positive words we have continuously been getting have been true source of comfort. My father despite being of royal blood did not let that fact change him. He was friendly to a fault. He always carried a smile and served humanity with dignity and sense of purpose. People encourage me to follow his footsteps or at least try to be like him because it is not easy to find a person like him. They are God’s gift, once in a generation people. He never fought anybody or had any problems with anyone, family, friends or associates. We always got emotional while talking about him, so I try not to engage in any conversation about him with my family because I don’t want to see them sad. He left behind two wives and six children. By Allah’s grace, he has been blessed with a grandchild named after him, and thankfully, we are all doing fine. We pray he is in a better place In Sha Allah.
“Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods, or lives, or the fruits of your toil; but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere.” (2:155)
“On no soul doth Allah place a burden greater than it can bear” (2:286)
“We shall surely test your steadfastness with fear and famine, with loss of property, life and produce. Give good news to those who endure patience; who and when afflicted with calamity, say “we belong to Allah and to him we shall return” such are the people whom there are blessings and mercy from Allah; and they are the ones that are rightly guided.” (2:155:157)
We pray to Allah to grant him His mercy, we pray that his soul will continue to rest in peace, may Allah SWT give us all the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. Amen. We pray jannatul firdaus to be his final abode. Words cannot explain how we feel but surely with God it would be easier for us.
“Surely with every difficulty there is relief.” (94:5-6).
May God have mercy on all the souls we have lost, either through terrorism or any form of death; I pray the almighty God will restore peace back to our lovely country. Amin.
Idris wrote from Abuja.