By Bala Ibrahim.
Irfan Mahmoud, a Professional Distress Tolerance Expert said, “Life is a mixture of good days and bad, victory and defeat, give and take, a fact that has to be accepted.”
While I was busy a few hours ago, writing an article on the appointment of a friend, Hon.Sani Zoro, as the Senior Special Assistant to the President in the office of the First lady, a sad news came in, that another friend, Hassan Marafa Danbaba, the magajin garin Sakwato has passed on. God is wonderful and can’t be wrong.
The sad news was in hausa and it reads, Innalillahi wa’inna ilaihirraji’un. Allah ya yi wa Alhaji Hassan Ahmad Dambaba, Magajin Garin Sakkwato rasuwa yau Assabar. Za’ayi jana’izarsa a nan birnin Sokoto a yau in Allah ya yarda. Allah ya gafarta masa ya haskaka makwancinsa ya kuma sa can ta fiye masa nan don hasken qur’ani. Amin ya Allah. Janaza 5:00 Pm insha’Allah at Sultan Bello Mosque.
The Istirja as its called, is a Quranic command for Muslims, the simple meaning of which is, “Verily we belong to Allah and verily to him do we return.”
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If you know late Hassan Marafa Danbaba very well, you would attest to the fact that, the istirja was a familiar phrase in his mouth. Regardless of the situation, sorrowful or cheerful, Magaji was always quick to say, Innalillahi wa’inna ilaihirraji’un.
And today, someone has to utter it for him, as he left us musing and meditating in a period of reflection and thoughts of his magnanimity. God is wonderful and can’t be wrong.
Whoever interacted with the late Magaji, must have come across his peculiar character of frankness, comedy and a high sense of generosity. He was ever comically amusing, sometimes even in an absurd way. But even if he offends you through such sincere gestures, he was never apologetic, because his actions were always free from pretence or deceit. Yes, Magaji was genuine, generous and forgiving, especially towards those that are less powerful.
The English translation of the announcement as sent is, God has today taken the life of Alhaji Hassan Ahmad Dambaba, the Magajin Gari of Sakwato. His burial would be at 5pm, at Sultan Bello Mosque, in the city of Sakwato, by the Grace of God. May Allah forgive his sins and brighten up his grave, with the hope that the hereafter would be better than here.
Just few days ago I was with one of our senior friends and brother, and in the course of discussion, Magaji’s name was mentioned. As expected, we involuntarily, and simultaneously went into boisterous laughter. That’s always the reaction that comes with the mention of Magaji’s name. You just have to remember him for doing, or saying something characteristically funny or comical. Hassan was that humorous.
As a Muslim, I know and believe that life is the beginning of death. And the African proverb says, “Death is like a dress that, at some point or another, everyone has to wear”.
About a year ago, Hassan’s mother, the second daughter of late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sakwato, wore her own dress. Hassan was devastated, because they were extremely close.
And today, in his infinite mercy, the quality of mercy that God has, which no has, and which never ends, God has authorized Hassan to also wear his own.
May this dress of death remain brilliant on Magaji, and provide the cover for his shortcomings, pursuant to his passage to the best part of the heavens, ameen.
I have to stop here, because it’s 5 Pm now.
Cheerio, magnanimous Magaji.
