Welcoming Ramadan

Welcoming Ramadan is something Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, used to do by way of his goodness. It was narrated in the authentic Hadith that Prophet Muhammad was the best and an upright person, sala Allahu alayhe wasallam, at any time in history. But whenever Ramadhan comes, his goodness increases and became the best of the best, sala Allahu alayhe wasallam. The companions of Prophet Muhammad and their followers tenaciously followed the guidelines laid down by the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.

Sheikh Adam Abdullah AlIlory was a modern practitioner of the Sunnah of prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. During his reign in West Africa, he was known to be a strong teacher and mentor, for the Muslims.

Sheikh Al Ilory's opinion about Heresy

Heresy is something Islaam detests simply because the guidance brought by Prophet Muhammad is sufficient for the humanity.

Sheikh Al-Ilory and Awolowo's death

In juxtaposition, Sheikh Al-Ilory, in one of his public lectures, compared the reaction of prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, when a deceased Jewish person was carried pass him in Medina, and he, peace be upon him, stood up... He used the incidence to justify his address regarding Chief Obafemi Awolowo's death, and mentioning him in his lecture. Though, he, i.e Chief Awolowo, was not a Muslim, but "he was a human being, and an erudite Nigerian", the Sheik said. He added, "Awolowo was not an ordinary Nigerian"...

The Fruits of Sheikh Adam's pedagogy

Pedagogically speaking, Sheikh Adam inculcated knowledge into thousands of Africans, Arabs, and many other Muslims worldwide. But today in Nigeria, many educational institutions were established by the grace of Allah subhanahu wata'ala, funnelled through Sheikh Adam. Only in Lagos, Nigeria, there are many institutions which further continue educating people from all works of life. Among many others, there is Markaz Salaam, in Ojokoro, Daru Da'awah, in Isolo, MULIO, in Alagbado, Safwah, in Iyana Iyesi, and Markazul Uloom, in Otubu, etc. Alhamdulillah Rabil Alameen...

Sheikh Al-Ilory and Sheikh Abubakar Gumi

Many observers inside and outside of Nigeria, view the relationship between these two astute scholars of Nigerian origin in different lenses.

Zuhd of Sheikh Al Ilory

Zuhd or Asceticism and denouncement of ornamentation of this world is often displayed by someone who may claim to be zaahid. True asceticism in Islaam is not avoidance or disdainment of what strengthens a person, quite the contrary.
Zuhd in Islaam is to leave the excessiveness in lawful things of this life and all other things that are not absolutely necessary. And this was the way of prophet Muhammad sala Allahu alayhe wasalam.
Sheikh Adam rahimahu Allahu, practiced zuhd in his life time as witnessed by his students and followers. During his meritorious lifetime, he used to wear clothe to cover his awrah and not the most expensive ones. At a point, he completely abandoned wearing Agbada or grand Buba, commonly won in West Africa. He also did not use to eat, unless in response to hunger.
In addition, once upon a time, a governor of Ogun state in Nigeria came to visit him at his residence in Surulere, Lagos. While they were engaging in talking, the governor was bitten by mosquito. He tried to scare away the mosquito or kill it; then Sheik asked, is that a mosquito? It seems so, the governor responded. Then, Sheikh said, why did the mosquito chose you and not someone else among all of us? Perhaps the mosquito is reminding you that the populace is suffering, unlike you, and you ought to adopt policies that will ease their difficulty. So, even the Sheikh's house had mosquitoes, unlike other bourgeoisie's residences or palaces.
Another similitude, one day, he went to visit Alhaji Mashood Abiola at his residence. On his way back home, his car broke down. And people had to push it to be repaired before heading home. The news of this incidence got back to Alhaji Abiola, who decided such a thing in the future. Thus, he sent him a brand new car- Peugeot. He refused to take it... Throughout the life of the Sheikh, he was mostly known with two cars: An old Audi 5000 and another old Peugeot 504 Station Wagon. Rahimahu Allah rahmatan waasiha.
Source: Sheik Adam Abdullah AlIlory, His Lineage, Personality, and Will (Al Ameery, 2004)