By Zarumi Mashood
Thousands of Muslim faithful, on Tuesday, converged on the forecourt of the palace of the Emir of Ilorin for the final burial rites of the Chief Imam of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Ulamah, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Soliu.
The funeral prayer was led by the Imam Imale of Ilorin, Sheikh Abdullahi Abdulhameed.
The palace forecourt was filled to capacity, as security operatives struggled to control the massive crowd that turned out to pay their last respects.
Islamic scholars, traditional rulers, and dignitaries from different walks of life extolled the virtues of the late Chief Imam, describing him as a deeply grounded Islamic scholar whose impact transcended the Ilorin Emirate.
The death of the revered cleric was confirmed on Monday. He died at the age of 75.
Born in Ilorin, Kwara State, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Saliu devoted his life to Islamic scholarship, teaching, and spiritual service to the Ilorin Emirate.
Through decades of learning and mentorship, he rose to become one of the most influential religious leaders in the state.
He was appointed the 12th Chief Imam of the Ilorin Emirate in 1983, a position he held for over four decades.
Throughout his tenure, the late Chief Imam was widely respected for his profound knowledge of Islamic teachings, firm leadership, and consistent advocacy for peace, unity, and religious tolerance among Muslims and the wider society.
Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed sadness over the passing of Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Saliu.
President Tinubu’s condolence message was contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The President extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Imam, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the Ilorin Emirate Council, and the Muslim Ummah in Kwara State over this profound loss.
“Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Saliu was a devoted servant of Allah, a bridge-builder, and a voice of moderation whose wisdom, humility, and commitment to unity endeared him to people of all backgrounds.
“The Muslim Umma will never forget the Sheikh’s invaluable contributions to religious harmony, community development, and the nurturing of future generations through learning and exemplary leadership”.
“I pray that Almighty Allah (SWT) will grant the departed Al-Jannah Firdaus and comfort his family and followers at this time of grief,” President Tinubu said.
In his condolence message, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has expressed sadness over what he described as the unfortunate death of the Chief Imam of Ilorin Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Imam (OON).
Governor AbdulRazaq said Sheikh Muhammad Bashir represented the finest breed of Muslim scholarship in the history of Ilorin, and his passing — shocking, depressing, and saddening as it is — again reminds us that even great men die.
The Governor said Chief Imam would be missed for his uniquely outstanding scholarship, his patience and good nature, and his fine qualities as the leading Imam in the state.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the Mai Martaba Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, OFR, the entire Ilorin Emirate, Kwara State Council of Ulamah, and the immediate family of the Chief Imam.
“I ask Allaah to accept Imam Muhammad Bashir as his dutiful servant, forgive his imperfections, ease his accounts, elevate his rank in Al-jannah Firdaus, and uphold his family and the community upon goodness. Aamin”.
Similarly, the Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, OFR, has expressed deep sadness over the demise of the Chief Imam of Ilorin,
describing his demise as a colossal loss to the Ilorin Emirate, the entire Muslim Ummah and humanity in general.
Alhaji Sulu-Gambari, in a condolence message issued by his Press Secretary, Dr. Abdulazeez Arowona, said: “Inna lillahi waina ilaehi roji’un, it is with total submission to the will of Almighty Allah that we receive the news of the demise of the 12th Chief of Ilorin, Shaykh Muhammad Bashir Imam.
“He was a cleric with unique features, intelligence, honesty, loyalty, dedication and tolerance. His demise has caused us in Ilorin Emirate great sadness of no particular measure. We reflect on his lifetime as a man of great of honour and piety.
“Late Imam Solih was full of wisdom and he was notable for unifying the entire Muslim clerics as well as promotion of inter-religious harmony in the state”.
Dr Sulu-Gambari therefore prayed Almighty Allah to grant Shaykh Muhammad Bashir absolute forgiveness, accept his good deeds and admit him into Al-janatul firdaos.
Also, the National President of Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), Alhaji Abdulmumini Ayo Abdulmalik, has commiserated with the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji(Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari,CFR; His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as well as others on the death of the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Shaykh (Dr) Muhammad Bashir.
In a statement signed by the Union’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Suleiman Shuaib Dagbo, Alhaji Abdulmalik, who also sympathized with the family of the late cleric, described his demise as a great loss not only to Ilorin Emirate but also to the humanity at large.
Alhaji Abdulmalik, who noted that the late cleric was a pride to the community, said that the late Chief Imam provided quality and fascinating spiritual leadership for the community for 43 years, saying that he would be remembered forever for adding glamour and grace to the office of the Chief Imam.
While condoling with his family, the President also sympathized with the Imam Imale of Ilorin, Shaykh Abdullahi AbulHameed,Imam Gambari of Ilorin, Sheikh Sulaiman Abdul Azeez, and other members of the Ilorin Emirate and Kwara State Council of Ulama as well as the entire people of Ilorin Emirate on the demise of the outstanding cleric.
Alhaji Abdulmalik prayed to Allah to forgive the shortcomings of the Chief Imam and reward his good deeds with Aljanat Fridaous.
