I received, with profound sadness and total submission to the will of Almighty Allah, the news of the passing of the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Shaykh (Dr.) Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih, OON, who returned to his Creator in the early hours of Monday at the age of 75.
The death of the 12th Chief Imam of Ilorin is a monumental loss, not only to the Ilorin Emirate and the people of Kwara State, but to the entire Muslim Ummah and humanity at large.
Shaykh Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih was a towering religious leader, an accomplished scholar, and a moral beacon whose life was defined by knowledge, integrity, unwavering devotion to Allah, and selfless service to society.
Throughout his decades of service on the Mimbar, the late Chief Imam exemplified wisdom, humility, tolerance, and courage.
He was widely admired for his intellectual depth, sincerity, and steadfast commitment to the unity of the Ummah.
His consistent advocacy for peace, moderation, discipline, and harmony strengthened social cohesion and reinforced Ilorin’s historic reputation as a centre of Islamic scholarship and spiritual excellence.
Beyond his public role, Shaykh Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih was a teacher, mentor, and father figure to many.
He played a significant role in fostering unity among scholars, nurturing younger generations, and sustaining a strong and respectful relationship between the Ilorin Emirate Council and the wider Muslim community.
My family and I extend our heartfelt condolences to His Royal Highness, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR; the family of the deceased; His Excellency, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; the Ilorin Emirate Council; the community of Islamic scholars; and the entire people of Ilorin on this irreparable loss.
May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, accept his decades of service as acts of ‘ibadah, illuminate his grave, and grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus.
May Allah also grant his family, the Ilorin Emirate, and the entire Ummah the strength to bear this loss, and may the enduring legacy of the late Chief Imam continue to inspire righteousness, unity, and peace.
Alhaji Yusuf Abdullahi
CEO, Ilorin Emirate Mall