A Sokoto-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Musa Lukuwa, on Thursday led his followers in observing Eid al-Fitr, defying the directive of Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, who had fixed Friday for the celebration.
The cleric held the Eid prayer at his Mabera mosque around 9:10 a.m., shortly after the Sultan announced that the Shawwal crescent moon had not been sighted anywhere in Nigeria, thereby extending the Ramadan fast.
Explaining his decision, Lukuwa said he relied on credible reports of moon sightings from the neighbouring Niger Republic.
“Niger Republic is very close to us—about 100 kilometres away,” he said. “If we accept reports from places much farther away within Nigeria, there is no justification for rejecting verified sightings from a neighbouring country.”
He maintained that the move was guided by religious obligation, not a challenge to the Sultan’s authority.
“We often follow the Sultan in matters of Ramadan. But once the moon is clearly sighted, we must adhere to the teachings of the Prophet, even if it differs from the official position,” he stated.
Lukuwa also cited historical precedent, recalling that prominent scholars like Abubakar Mahmoud Gummi once independently announced moon sightings before the role was harmonised under the Sultan to promote unity.
Sources said the cleric had informed his followers around midnight about the reported sighting and directed them to gather for prayers the next morning.
The Sultan of Sokoto, who doubles as the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, is the recognised authority for announcing the start and end of Ramadan in Nigeria, based on verified moon sightings.
While his declarations are widely observed, disagreements occasionally arise, particularly when sightings are reported in neighbouring countries. Such differences reflect longstanding debates in Islamic jurisprudence over whether moon sightings should be localised or broadly accepted across regions.
WARNING: If You Are Not 18+, Don’t Click The Link Below 👇🫣Â
https://emitprocured.com/u36k6hvh?key=9d5a995551042f49ca200d04746b52ad
Did you want to monetize your website, join MONETAG or ADSKEEPER and start earningÂ
Please don’t forget to “Allow the notification” so you will be the first to get our gist when we publish it.
Drop your comment in the section below, and don’t forget to share the post.
Never Miss A Single News Or Gist, Kindly Join Us On WhatsApp Channel:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vad8g81Eawdsio6INn3B
Telegram Channel:
https://t.me/gistsmateNG
