By Musa Tanimu Nasidi
When Abdullahi Nasidi called me and informed me about the death of Alarama JIbril Darda’u in the early hours of Friday 3rd April,2024,I said to myself no! It couldn’t be true.
But I quickly remembered the incidence that took place among Muslims after the demise of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W). Hazrat Umar brought out his sword and said anyone who said the prophet is dead will be beheaded. He said possibly, the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) went for an expedition the way Prophet Musa (A.S) went for forty days. He continued that by the time the Prophet is back, he will not be happy with those that said he is dead. It took the intervention of Hazrat Abubakar, who was away before the incidence occurred and returned when the news reached him, to resolve the issue.
When Hazrat Abubakar came back from the journey he had earlier embarked on and heard of the death of our beloved prophet (S.A.W), he went straight to the house of the prophet. On getting there, he opened the cloth which the prophet was covered with. The pain of departure of his leader and friend struck him. He shed tears, knelt down in front of the prophet and kissed the prophet’s forehead. Thereafter, Hazrat Abubakar performed ablution and came out to address the Muslims.
After reciting tashaud, he quoted the verse of the Quran that state that “Mohammad is no more than a messenger; Many were the messengers that passed away before him; If he died or were slain, will ye then turn back on your heels?” (Surat Al-IMan 3:144). On hearing this verse as recited by Hazrat Abubakar (R.A), Hazrat Umar said it seems as if the verse was revealed on that day. He dropped the sword in his hand when the meaning of the verse dawned on him that Mohammed (S.A.W) is actually dead. This was actually how I felt when the news of the death of Alarama JIbril got to me.
One of the hardest truths of life is knowing people we love will die, people we need die, people we don’t know die, and eventually, we will die ourselves. It’s a sad truth to realize.
In the Qur’an, specifically Surah Baqarah Ayat 156 it states, “Who, when disaster strikes them, say, “Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.”
This is a great reminder of our mortality and if used correctly can help redirect our attention and effort towards the actual things that matter. We often forget how limited our time on earth is and fall into distractions.
In Islam death is not as the termination of life, rather the continuation of life in another form. This life was created by Allah as a testing ground for the afterlife. And with death this test comes to an end. All pencils down. No more writing.
It is our responsibility that before the test is over we have done all that is necessary to get an A. And just like a test, this is done independently, there is no cheating.
It’s on this note that I recall some of late Alarama JIbril Darda’u’s contributions towards promoting islam to includes:
I remember he was the first that introduced and also led (imam) hundreds of worshiper at Night Prayer (Tahajud) during the month of Ramadan at Markaz mosque in the early 90s,and any day he led worshipers, the mosque always filled to capacity. The acts he continued after he built his mosque several years
Alarama passed away few hours after he led Tahajud at night and salatul- Subhi at dawn and recting the holy Qur’an at about 6.45 am that faithful Friday.
I also recalled his passion for reading the holy Qur’an along with his colleagues(Mushafa) who memorized Queen (Hafi’zai)every Thursday night immediately after salatul I”sha to Subhi.(till dawn)
No matter the level of hatred you have for Alarama JIbril Darda’u, you can’t help but to like him when you encounter him, especially when reciting the holy Qur’an.
Late Alarama’s amiable personality and profound learning were irresistible attractive forces,the Sunnis and others sects were always coming to learn from him during his lifetime. that endeared him to people.
Even non Muslims within his community and office (NIWA)became very attached to Late JIbril Darda’u up till the day he passed away (3rd of April 2024) as a result of his Philanthropic and generosity which he displayed quickly..What a great level of humility.?
Since his demised, all the people I came across hold Alarama in high esteem,none ever said anything negative about him. As witnessed during his funeral where thousands attended his burial which took place besides the mosque where he introduced Tahajud as I earlier mentioned.
Alhaji Ali Zaki, a neighbour to the deceased,whose children graduated in Alarama school for memorization of quran while paying tribute to Darda’u said;”I did not miss a day without praying tahajud with Alarama in his mosque where he led worshipers, We’ll missed his melodious voice , especially when supplicating to Allah” he said.
He established school in his mosque located in his residence,the school graduated hundreds of young Hafis and it is tuition free!
He cater for widows,less privileged and sponsored orphans education both western and Islamic.
“Death is not the biggest disaster in life. The biggest disaster in life is, When our fear of Allah dies when we are still alive.”
May Allah in His infinity mercies forgive Alarama JIbril Darda’u all his shortcomings, grant him janatul-firdaus,grant his families,friend and the entire Muslim ummah the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable lost. Ameen.
Musa Tanimu Nasidi, writes from Unguwan Kura, Lakwaja,Kogi State.
