Secret Letter to Sheikh (Dr.) Isa Pantami

As-salaam alaykum WaRahmatuLlah WaBarakatuhu.

Dear blessed brother-in-Islam, Sheikh Pantami, 

Dr. Isa Pantami (Source: Dailypost.ng)

May the blessing of Allah, His protection and fortifying guidance be with you, always. 

It is with utmost excitement, and gratitude to almighty Allah, that I received the news of the remarkable Da’wah that you are spearheading at National Institute for Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and, just recently, pushed to the national frontier by inviting the Minister of Sport, Solomon Dalung, to Islam. 

I am happy, one, because it is rare in this present era to see a man who combines an intimidating resume of an astute academic –a university Professor for that matter –with that of a standing Islamic cleric. Many of our brothers have been lost to western civilization in the name of acquiring chain of degrees. Two, with our mutual blessed brother-in-Islam, Barr. Adebayo Shittu, as the Minister of Communication, and you as a Director General (DG) of an agency under his watch, our ultimate goal to islamize Nigeria is taking its form, with the Communication Ministry as a starting point and experimental laboratory. Three, you need to note that, by that single action of yours –a DG inviting a Minister to Islam, you have demonstrated an unrivalled courage and fearlessness known with our Caliph Umar (May Allah be pleased with him). You have sent a clear message that Muslims are audacious, and younger Muslims aspiring to become professionals and public officers have found an imitable gene in you. You have practically exhibited the practicability of the verses of Qur’an that instruct us to call to the path of Islam –the only way to salvation and eternal bliss. 

Allah says “Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining Al-Ma‘roof (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:104]. Also, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Convey from me even if it is (only) one aayah” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3461). 

Sheikh Pantami, do not mind the traducers –in the name of liberal Muslims or/and secularists –alleging you of crass insensitivity to the interfaith harmony that Minister Dalung’s historical visits to mosques symbolizes; either do not heed to those saying that, as a national figure and public official, common sense suggests that you should respect the plural nature of Nigeria religious community. Rather, tell them, it is your responsibility to shape Nigeria to conform with Islam, not conforming Islam to Nigeria dictates. This is the ultimate goal that will be achieved, whether President Buhari agrees to play his role, or not. 

My brother-in-Islam, kindly be assured of our unshakeable support and solidarity, and know, quite importantly, that the work is just starting. It has not even started. Your brothers in Islam, especially those of us keen on islamization of anything and everything, want you to start a weekly Muslim devotion in NITDA, and this is after you have personally called every non-Muslim working in your agency to Islam. They may not want to come to mosque, fearing possible ambush. But, in compliance with Quranic injunctions, which you have exemplified, they should be called to Islam in their respective offices. You do not need to make the weekly devotion compulsory, explicitly, but, knowing Nigerians with their legendary habit of courting favouritism, they will all come –to be in the good book of their boss. Any recalcitrant employee can be summarily queried for insubordination. After this we can move to the Buhari-led federal executive council. Isn’t is despicable that, Nigeria –a member of Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) –has her FEC populated by non-Muslims? With the boldness and righteousness you have demonstrated, calling all the Ministers that are non-Muslims to Islam, and even preaching pristine Islam, as taught by our Medina scholars, to the Muslims among them, will not be insurmountable. 

Last on the radar will be the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo. You must personally call him to Islam, and implicitly teach the Sultan of Sokoto what is required of him as the leader of Nigerian Muslims. This is what we must do, and Allah’s help we sought!

Yours in faith,
Sheikh Abdu-Semiwiyu Hassan al-Ibadanwiy,
Dawah Backyard, Ibadan.

Ramadan 14, 1438AH.