By
Mannir Shazali Ali
Alhaji Shazali Ali whose fatherly orientation transcended to different families and neighborhoods. He lived a life full of accomplishments-religiously, educationally, politically, philanthropically, and most importantly generously.
He had his Qur’anic memorization at, as early as, the age of eighteen and was well trained by his father, Malam Ali Gabari in the fields of Hadith, Arabic literature, and Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence.
However, it was in recognition of his exceptionally endowed brilliance that his father single-handedly shared his responsibilities of teaching Qur’anic studies and other Islamic knowledge with him. He, of course, carried out these responsibilities as excellent as expected of his father. This had elevated his position amongst his father’s friends to such a level that they addressed him as”second Malam”. He had the presentation and charismatic appearance to answer the name.
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When he reached the age of twenty-seven, he was inescapably introduced to Western education. But, it was introduced to him in such an informal way such that they all learned it through what was then called ‘evening class’. He was taught some basic aspects of Mathematics, English, Sciences, and Social Studies. He acquired as little knowledge of these subjects as possible. This had given him chance to combine the two–carrying out the works assigned to him by his father of teaching at his school as well as performing small business– at the Kurmi market. When his father passed away, he was unanimously chosen to be the tafsir Qur’anic reciter to his elder brother Sheikh Musa Ali Gabari. They conducted it at their house in every morning of the week. It was because of his dialect in reciting the Holy Qur’an that people failed to distinguish his from his father’s. He recited it in suchlike to his father in a complete way.
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Moreover, he used the knowledge of mathematics which he acquired at the Western education lesson class to perform his business at Kurmi market and later expanded it to Kantin Kwari Market where he became one of the leading philanthropists of the market. He related well with his market friends such that he gave them goods as loans so that when they sold out they took their profits and paid him back. This had made them rate him as the most exceedingly generous and kind-hearted person in the market.
By the time Northern Element Progressive Union (NEPU) was formed, the late Malam Aminu Kano sought the permission of Malam Ali who was a friend to him to allow one of his sons to be part of the struggle for emancipating the masses and less privileged.
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My father was chosen among the sons because of his closeness to his father and accommodative mind to accompany Malam Aminu Kano in the struggle. He financially and emotionally contributed towards the actualization of NEPU’s manifestation. Unfortunately, NEPU was not able to win elections.
When in the second Republic, People Redemption Party (PRP)was formed by Malam Aminu Kano, my father was meritoriously selected to be one of those who would lead the Treasury Campaign Committee for the gubernatorial election in Kano State.
This was the reason why the then elected Governor under the umbrella of PRP, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi appointed him as the Director Kano State Corporative Bank to reward him for his contributions informing the government. It was under his directorship that Kano state Co-operative Bank was transformed into a vibrant and dynamic business sector that immeasurably contributed to sensitizing and attracting investors to Kano.
At the community level, he was such a respectable and community-based leader. People especially our neighbors reported their children to him for orientation and counseling as well as the reconciliation of the familial disputes.
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He never harassed and, or chased people away regardless of their economic status. I vividly recall that right from our childhood to adulthood; we never came out from home without seeing people waiting or meeting him for assistance. He gave to people and prioritized them more than his own sons. Everything he had was for the outsiders and spent much of his time with them listening to their complaints. When it came to educational matters; he didn’t separate his children from those of the other families or community. He treated them equally. He constructed a lot of Islamic schools and sponsored many to study here in Nigeria and abroad especially Sudan and Egypt.
He was social to the core so much so that he related with us(his children)as his sons, friends, brothers, and sisters. He inculcated the attitude of rational and independent thinking in us. He sought advice from us to test and encourage us to develop a faculty of critical and positive thinking. In fact, it was because of this orientation that I always used to think critically before I take any decision that affects my life. He taught us to develop an attitude of giving charity and gifts to people irrespective of where they come from or their financial status. He practically exemplified these to us so that we simply copy from him. His advice to his children always was to be of great moral character and be religiously earnest.
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He stressed the need for us to be forgiving and not offend people intentionally. His name signifies gifts, charity, sympathy, and kindness. One thing that was uncommon to him is that he never underrated human beings and always advised us to do the same. He adopted this till the end of his life. He was considerate, exceedingly kind, compassionate, resolute, extremely pious, and exponentially accommodative.
He finally died at the age of 85.
May Allah accept from him what is good and forget his shortcomings and reward him with Aljannah Fir’daus
