Appointed by Bayero, Deposed by Kwankwaso: 12 Facts About Late Kano Imam Who Held Traditional Title for a Day

Yesterday, the Chief Imam of Fagge Mosque in Kano metropolis, Sheikh Muhammad Nasir Muhammad passed on after a protracted illness.

He was mourned by a number of prominent figures including the former governor of Kano, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who stripped the late imam of a traditional title conferred on him by late emir of Kano, Ado Bayero.

Sheikh Muhammad who was known for prolonging Jumu’ah congregational prayer died at the age of 87 after serving at the capacity for 28 consecutive years.

His funeral has been fixed for Thursday 9:00 am at Kano Emir’s palace.

He was sometimes deemed as controversial in many instances. For example, he refused to take an oath when he was appointed as inspector in the judiciary. He was famous for prolonging Jumu’ah congregational prayer to the extent that late Ado Bayero had to apologise to congregants on his behalf.

The late imam regarded himself as Waziri of Kano even after his appointment was rejected by Kwankwaso.

The following are 12 facts to Know about the late Islamic cleric:

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1. Late Shiekh Muhammad Nasir was a close ally and confidant of late Emir Ado Bayero.
2. He was the shortest-lived Wazirin Kano, serving just a day or two. Late Ado Bayero appointed him, but Kwankwaso rejected the appointment. Wazirin Kano is a kingmaker.
3. Late Ado Bayero once intervened and pleaded with congregants on behalf of the Imam for elongating Jumu’ah congregational prayer.
4. Late Premier of northern region, Sir Ahmadu Bello facilitated his enrollment into law school.
5. Sheikh Abubakar Mahmoud Gumi facilitated his study in Medina for one year.
6. He studied in Azhar University in Egypt.
7. After studying in Medina and Egypt, he returned to Bayero University Kano where he learned English language.
8. When he was appointed as an inspector in the judiciary, he refused to take an oath of office which made him to be confronted by the then Emir, Ado Bayero. That relationship turned out to become so close that the Emir eventually appointed him waziri.
9. He was at one point an assistant Imam at Murtala Mohammed Mosque, Kano.
10. He served under three consecutive emirs from his friend Ado Bayero, to Muhammadu Sanusi and died under Aminu Ado Bayero.
11. He told BBC Hausa in March earlier this year that he had 27 or 28 children alive and over 100 grandchildren.
12. He died almost a decade after the death of his friend late Ado Bayero who passed away in 2014.

The late cleric will be remembered among other things for his love for the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). He has always encouraged youths to revere and adorn the personality of the holy prophet.