Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, others defy Sultan, lead Eid prayers

Renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, yesterday led thousands of Muslim faithful to pray two Raka’at Eid-el-Fitr prayers in Bauchi, against the decision of Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar who declared today Eid day. He had yesterday announced that the Ramadan had come to an end and the beginning of the month of Shawwal after […]

Renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, yesterday led thousands of Muslim faithful to pray two Raka’at Eid-el-Fitr prayers in Bauchi, against the decision of Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar who declared today Eid day.

He had yesterday announced that the Ramadan had come to an end and the beginning of the month of Shawwal after he was told that the moon was sighted at about 12: 15 am on Friday in Yobe, Zaria, Sokoto and Bauchi.

The Sheikh said after listening to reports from different parts of the country they were satisfied that the moon was sighted in Bauchi, while eight people saw it in Liman Katagum, with other reports of sighting in Geidam, Gashua and Nguru in Yobe State, Yawuri in Kebbi State, and Zaria in Kaduna.

“If something of this nature happens, one will act according to what Allah and Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said and Allah and his messenger said fast when you see the new moon and Ramadan will be completed after seeing the new moon of Shawwal and if two people who are trustworthy and fair saw it then people most agree with them or if a group of people saw it then everyone most agree with their verdict and in that case, since they are many and many starts from five people, you don’t need to look if they are fair in their character, you have no option but to agree with their reports as ordained by Allah and His messenger and for that reason, we are satisfied with the reports we have received,” he said.

And elsewhere in Sokoto, Sheikh Musa Lukuwa  also led followers to observe the Eid prayers yesterday, contrary to the sultan’s declaration.

In a telephone conversation with Daily Trust, Lukuwa said: “The sultan said the moon was not sighted, but we saw it and our position superseded his own.”

According to him, the crescent was sighted in many places around Sokoto metropolis and environs and was communicated to the Sultanate Council to no avail.

He added that there were authentic reports indicating the sighting of the new moon from Yauri and Kamba in Kebbi State as well as from Zaria in Kaduna State and neighbouring Niger Republic where Saturday as declared Sallah day.

“It is only one moon and when sighted it in a particular place it suffices for all Muslims around the world because the Prophet (SAW) urged us to desist from fasting when the new moon is sighted,” he said.

When contacted, the Wazirin Sokoto and Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs to the Sultanate Council, Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu, said they had abided by the directive of the sultan who by the teaching of Islam is the determinant of when should be the Sallah day.

He added that they had taken the decision based on the time the reports reached them.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, formally declared yesterday the end of this year’s Ramadan fast.

The Deputy Secretary-General, NSCIA, Prof. Salisu Shehu, said in a statement that there was no proven report of the sighting of the crescent of Shawwal, 1441 AH on the 29th of Ramadan, 1441 AH, therefore, Ramadan fast was completed yesterday, May 23, 2020.

“In this regard, Sunday 24th May, 2020 is hereby declared as 1st Shawwal, 1441 AH and the day of Eid-el-fitr,” Shehu said.