A popular Islamic scholar, Sheikh Hamzah Muhammad Lawal, is dead.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that Sheikh Lawal was a member of the Shi’a sect and the Secretary General of Thaqalayn Cultural Foundation.
He died suddenly on Thursday night. He was 59 years old.
This newspaper understands that he has been buried at the Bachama road cemetery in Kaduna State, in accordance with Islamic rites.
Abdulrahman Matawalle, the National Secretary of the Nigeria Shia Ahlulbayt Islam, said in a statement on Saturday: “We are deeply pained and saddened to learn the sudden demise of our beloved and respected Sheikh Hamzah Muhammad Lawal.
“Ahlulbayt Nigeria extends its sincere and heartfelt condolences to his family, Ahlul Bayt community, and the world of Islam with deep true feelings of consolation.
“Sheikh Hamzah M. Lawal was a man of wisdom and his devotion to the cause of Islam and Ahlul Bayt (as) was admirable. His valuable knowledge and precious thoughts will be forever etched in the hearts and minds of all Muslim Ummah in Nigeria. His presence always added colour, vigour and positivity to any religious dialogue and discourse.
“Sheikh Hamzah untimely demise is a great loss for our community, Muslim Ummah and Nigeria at large.
“We will forever cherish the vibrant memories of Sheikh Hamzah M. Lawal contribution to knowledge and morality in Islam according to the teachings of Ahlul Bayt (as).
“We pray that The Almighty Allah forgive all his shortcomings and grant his soul eternal rest in the abode of his masters –Ahlul Bayt (as). We also pray that Allah will give his family, the Ahlul Bayt community and the entire Muslim Ummah the strength to bear this great loss.”
Late Sheikh Hamzah is survived by his wife and five children.
