Sheikh Abdurrasheed Hadiyyatullah

Sheikh AbdurRasheed Hadiyyatullah was a distinguished Nigerian Islamic scholar, educator, jurist, and community leader whose lifelong dedication to Islamic scholarship, da’wah, and Muslim advocacy earned him wide respect across Nigeria and beyond. He served as the President of the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN), where he provided principled leadership in promoting Islamic scholarship, defending the constitutional rights of Muslims, and encouraging responsible engagement of the Muslim community in national affairs.

He was born in Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria, into a family known for its strong attachment to Islamic learning and moral discipline. From an early age, he displayed remarkable commitment to the pursuit of knowledge and spiritual development. His early education began with the memorization of the Qur’an and the study of foundational Islamic sciences under traditional scholars. These formative years nurtured in him a deep love for Islamic scholarship and a strong sense of responsibility toward the Muslim community.

Seeking deeper knowledge, Sheikh Hadiyyatullah proceeded to the Arabic Institute of Nigeria (Ma’had al-‘Arabi) in Ibadan, one of the foremost institutions for Arabic and Islamic studies in the country. There he acquired advanced training in the Arabic language, Qur’anic studies, Hadith, and Islamic jurisprudence. His intellectual curiosity and desire for deeper understanding later took him to the Islamic University of Madinah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he studied Shariah and benefitted from exposure to leading scholars of the Muslim world. Upon completing his studies, he returned to Nigeria and further broadened his academic experience with postgraduate studies at the University of Ibadan, thereby combining classical Islamic scholarship with modern academic engagement.

Throughout his life, Sheikh Hadiyyatullah devoted himself to the propagation of Islam through education, scholarship, and community service. Recognizing the importance of institutional learning in strengthening Islamic knowledge, he established the Sheikh Ibn Baz Shariah College of Nigeria in Iwo in 1988. The institution became a centre for the teaching of Islamic jurisprudence, Qur’anic sciences, and the Arabic language, and it produced many scholars and teachers who later served in mosques, Islamic organizations, and educational institutions across Nigeria.

Beyond his work in education, Sheikh Hadiyyatullah played significant leadership roles in several Islamic organizations. He served as Chairman of the Osun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board and was actively involved in national Islamic platforms dedicated to the advancement of Muslim interests. He was also the first Chairman of the Concerned Yoruba Muslim Scholars of Nigeria and served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), where he contributed to guiding the development of Islamic youth movements in the country.

His leadership within the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria was particularly significant. Before becoming President of the Council, he served as its Vice President and played an important role in shaping its programmes and public engagement. As President, he provided intellectual and moral leadership on issues affecting the welfare of Muslims in Nigeria, advocating justice, religious freedom, and the protection of the constitutional rights of the Muslim community. His approach to leadership was characterized by moderation, wisdom, and a strong commitment to peaceful coexistence in Nigeria’s diverse and pluralistic society.

Sheikh Hadiyyatullah was widely admired for his humility, integrity, and unwavering devotion to service. Students, colleagues, and community members regarded him as a disciplined scholar whose life reflected the ethical teachings of Islam. His sermons, lectures, and scholarly engagements inspired many and contributed to a deeper understanding of Islamic teachings, moral responsibility, and community development. His influence extended across different regions of Nigeria, particularly in the Southwest where he remained a respected voice in Islamic scholarship and advocacy.

Even in his later years, he continued teaching, mentoring younger scholars, and guiding Islamic institutions. His commitment to the service of Islam and the Nigerian Muslim Ummah remained unwavering until the final years of his life. He passed away in April 2025 in Iwo, Osun State, leaving behind a legacy of scholarship, leadership, and service.

Sheikh AbdurRasheed Hadiyyatullah is remembered as a pillar of Islamic scholarship in Nigeria, a builder of institutions, and a mentor to generations of students and scholars. Through the institutions he established, the scholars he trained, and the communities he guided, his contributions continue to shape Islamic education and leadership in Nigeria. His life stands as a testament to the enduring impact of knowledge, humility, and dedicated service to faith and humanity.