Late sheikh Abubakar Mahmud Gumi, A role model
Growing up, my role model was Late Shaykh Abubakar Mahmood Gumi (Rahimahullah). I have heard so much about him from my dad that at a point, I argued he was not dead, when I heard about his death on 11 September 1992. I was barely 10 then and I was in Zaria for holidays.
My dad came that day from Kaduna & I rushed to ask him, & he confirmed the sad story to me. I remember falling sick. I was told by my Dad that I was named after him. Late Shaykh Zakaria Yawale (Rahimahullah) I heard suggested to my Dad such a name. It was my granny’s name too.
I grew up loving Shaykh, even though I accepted that he has passed on, because my Dad had to sit me down & admonish me that if the Noble Prophet (SAW) could die, every human would die. In 1999, I was in jss 3 or ss 1 when Malam Auwal Yunus gave me the copy of the Shaykh’s book:
“Where I stand”. The late Sheikh’s autobiography. It is an elucidation of how to live a simple but very impactful life. Ismaila Tsiga in this book tried to record the exceptional life of Late Sheikh Gumi, & his exceptional life built on proven humility, simplicity and dogged pursuit of the truth. “Sheikh Gumi was a man of absolute integrity, forthrightness and a renowned Islamic scholar who has often been misrepresented, Sheikh Abubakar Mahmud Gumi, in a most reflective vein, bare his mind on diverse issues: the Gumi’s ‘self;
his firm posture on a non- syncretistic Islamic practice; his standpoint on Islamic groups; Christianity and Judaism; and a parting message to the Nigerian polity, all to illuminate Where He Stands.”
Late Sheikh Gumi was one Scholar that stood firm & preached pervently to Muslims the necessity of joining the western education & actively participating in politics. Today, Muslims in Northern Nigeria can brag of having millions of graduates from all fields of education.
May Allah (SubhanaHu wa Ta’ala) continue to send down his blessings & mercy on the soul of Sheikh Gumi. May He continue to receive the reward of an Islamic reformer that struggled to see that Tawheed is being established after Muslims have been shifted away to the path of Shirk.
Written by Hidima PHD
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