Innalillahi wainna illaihi rajiun! on this date 2/4/2020, my Father Alhaji Mahmud Ismaila left this world and returned to his creator after a long protracted illness.
Indeed, all living things on earth, as mortal, must surely taste death and nobody can escape from it – being the exit point to the world beyond. People of all faiths believe in the non-eternity of life, that is, man and other living organisms cannot live forever. That is to say that all living things are mortal and that wherever and whatever the circumstance is, a transition to the world beyond must come one day.
Unarguably, some people die well accomplished, considering their great contributions to society. Perhaps, this is true to my dear mentor, Alhaji Mahmud Ismailia. He was a good father and Muslim not in name alone but in all his conduct and actions during his lifetime, he did not allow himself to be misled with any religious sentiment. He related with peoples in a very humble manner without shown any discriminatory acts being a prince but related to peoples in very respective ways.
For one to live up to the age of 103 indeed is a blessing. From all indications, my father lived a life of virtue and earnestly championed the cause of Muslims. He was widely known as a man of honor, a father and someone who stood for justice. He will eternally be remembered for his steadfastness and absolute faith in Allah.
I never wanted to be the very one saying all this on my late friend, but I feel owe it a duty to do so to myself and the rest of us ( his children) grandchildren and great children.
Baaba is not just a father who is our mentor and friend who matured us to be simple in our dealing with peoples in respect of social status. Despite he is a prince from the Dabon Kano Royal dynasty who are custodians of the religious and traditional institution in the post-Habe Rulers dynasty but Malamin Daji as was called by peoples remains must humble and kindhearted one will come across with. He chose to serve humanity and ensured preserving nature instead of remain in palace either district head.
Our father ended up being our hero in life, we are thankful that he was a good enough father for us and others. We also grateful for every memory we shared, together. My only hope is that I can be an as good person like him. On the death of a beloved one, we should consider that fates through confidence have devolved on us the task of a double living that we have to fulfills the dreams of them in our way.
Since I was elected as a member in the House of Representative it becomes part of his weekly advice to me when visited him in Gaya Town always to remember that I will account all my deed before Allah on how I had represented my peoples and also need for me to ensure serving them to my utmost best. Malam Daji ensure were groomed us to be hardworking and self-disciplined. Baba is a great disciplinarian to the core whose principles and integrity are outstanding.
Alhaji Mahmud Ismaila had always been spending whatever he had in taking care of his families and other peoples his priority in spending and caring for others was more noticeable in the areas of catering orphans and promoting Islam. He encouraged anyone to partake and pursue what is good and avoid what is evil and harmful. We his children and others can only saw his red eyes when found anyone of wanting of being selfish, disrespectful to norms and religious value and always reminding us to fear Allah in discharging our personal or officials’ conduct.
We lost a father and friend Baaba was a caring and monitoring his family and letting us not to lack anything in our life and always stand to provide us what we need and ensure we put our best in our studies and even given us an extra lesson when we were at primary school when returned from work. He cemented a very strong bond between us which at times treated us as his friends while at the time we teased him like our granny but despite these privileges sometimes he treated us in a very conservative way regardless of our age.
We are indeed indebted to him for fatherly care, moral upbringing, sacrifices and most especially worthy principles of life you imparted on us. We could not thank him enough but I believe God will be pleased with him on the way baba carried out his fatherly role on us and reward him abundantly. A good and true father that Alhaji Mahmud Ismaila these are the qualities, he possessed during his lifetime. These are an exemplary life Alhaji Mahmud Ismail lived and the legacy left behind! As we witness the twilight of a beautiful soul,
I pray that God forgives and has mercy on the soul of Alhaji Mahmud Ismaila keep him safe in the place where he has rested and made his grave wide; bless him for his good deeds and surround him with a garden filled with beauty. pray Allah admits him to Paradise and may his grave be spacious and filled with abundant light. Amin.
Mahmud wrote in from Kano.