Sheikh Abdul Rasheed Hadiyatullah, President of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), has passed away.
The news was confirmed on the evening of Monday, April 28, by Sheikh Daood Imran Molaasan, the Grand Mufti of Yorubaland, in a statement he personally signed. While details surrounding the exact time and place of his passing were not disclosed, Sheikh Molaasan described his death as a profound loss for the Muslim community in Nigeria.
Sheikh Hadiyatullah, born in Iwo, Osun State—a town known for its deep Islamic roots—was a distinguished scholar and jurist. He was widely recognized for his efforts in promoting the implementation of Shari’ah law within Nigeria’s constitutional framework, as well as for his role in fostering interfaith dialogue and peaceful coexistence across religious communities.
Throughout his tenure as SCSN President, Sheikh Hadiyatullah offered steady leadership during times of both national tension and progress. He was admired for his wisdom, calm demeanor, and dedication to justice and unity. His educational foundation was laid by local scholars in Iwo, followed by advanced studies abroad, where he deepened his expertise in Islamic jurisprudence.
In his statement, Sheikh Molaasan prayed for Allah’s mercy upon the late scholar and for his admission into Jannatul Firdaus—the highest level of paradise in Islam.