₦airaland Forum

Sokoto-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Musa Lukuwa, on Thursday, led his followers in observing Eid al-Fitr prayers in defiance to the directive of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar, who has declared Friday as the official Sallah day.

The cleric conducted the two-unit Eid prayer at his Mabera mosque at approximately 9:10 a.m..

He had earlier addressed his followers after the Sultan’s announcement that the Shawwal crescent moon had not been sighted anywhere in Nigeria.

In the message that later circulated on social media, Lukuwa justified the decision, citing reports of moon sighting in neighbouring Niger Republic.

According to him, trusted contacts in the country verified the development, prompting his group to proceed with the Eid celebration.

“Niger Republic is very close to us—about 100 kilometres away,” he said. “If we accept reports from cities like Kano or even Lagos, which are farther away, there is no reason to reject confirmed sightings from a neighbouring country.”

He emphasized that the decision was not an act of disregard for the Sultan’s authority but rather adherence to religious teachings.

“We usually follow the Sultan’s directive in starting and ending Ramadan. However, when it is clear that the moon has been sighted, we must act in accordance with the teachings of the Prophet, even if it differs from the Sultan’s declaration,” he stated.

Lukuwa also referenced the historical role of the late Abubakar Mahmoud Gummi in announcing moon sightings before the responsibility was centralized under the Sultan for the sake of unity within the Muslim community.

He maintained that the Sultan’s decision in this instance was incorrect and insisted that his followers would not comply.

Separate accounts indicate that Lukuwa informed congregants around midnight of the reported moon sighting and instructed them to return for Eid prayers the following morning.

This is not the first time the cleric and his followers would disregard the Sultan’s official position on the timing of Eid celebrations.

Rashduct4luv:
Praise be to Allah, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah!

Today is Thursday, 30th Ramadan 1447AH, corresponding to 19th March 2026.

Key Dates for Ramadan 1447AH:
Ramadan 29, 1447AH will be next Wednesday, 18 March 2026.
If the crescent is sighted on Wednesday evening, 29 Ramadan 1447AH, then Ramadan ends that day, and Eid al-Fitr will be on the next day:
Thursday, 1 Shawwal 1447 = 19 March 2026.
If the crescent is not sighted, Ramadan will continue on Thursday, 19 March 2026, and Eid will be on: Friday, 20 March 2026.

How the Islamic ruling works:
The Sunnah is to look for the new moon on the 29th night of the current month:
**If the moon is sighted → the next month begins.
**If not sighted → the month completes 30 days, then the new month starts.

Evidence:
Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“Fast when you see the new moon (of Ramadan) and break your fast when you see the new moon (of Shawwal). If clouds prevent you from seeing it, complete thirty days in the month of Sha’ban.”
(Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Important note on local sighting:
Each country or region should rely on its own confirmed moon sighting and official announcement. For example, Nigerians should not automatically follow a sighting announced in Saudi Arabia.

Evidence:
Kurayb reported:
Ibn ‘Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) said: “But we saw it on Saturday night, so we will continue fasting until we complete thirty days or we see it.”
Kurayb said: “Is it not enough that Mu’awiyah saw it and he fasted?”
Ibn ‘Abbas said: “No, such was the command of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).”
(Sahih Muslim 1087)

Al-Tirmidhi said:
“The people of knowledge act upon this tradition, that the people of every land have their own moon sighting.”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi 693)

May Allah accept our good deeds, forgive our sins, heal the world from illness and wars, grant relief to the distressed, forgive our deceased, and grant us Jannah without hardship. Ameen.

AntiChristian:
We ask Allah to grant us knowledge, wisdom and understanding! Only if they read and understood the post below!



https://www.nairaland.com/8634671/when-ramadan-1447-ah-ending

muyico:
congratulations 👏 🎉 to him
Me self don sighted sun here

Eriokanmi:
These people are becoming liberated graduating. More of it

Some of our people down south shunned the sultan some years back as well and they began moon-citing by themselves. Before, if the sultan had not cited the moon, even if southern Muslims had cited it first, fasting won't start. The sultan isn't God. He will die like his ancestors did, when the time comes. Know your God personally. Only Him is eternal.

omoredia:
Sultan follows politics more now. His own is based on Nigeria

Incognito403:
How does he follow politics more now?

Can these people ever mind their business?
Oh, their religion has jo business. Just pastorpreneurs milking the sheeple.

omoredia:
Sultan Na Yahoo man now. He is all about money

omoredia:
He is a politician jare. It's all a scam

Incognito403:
Has he ever come to beg you for money?

Has anyone ever claimed he stole his money?

Has EFCC ever indicted him for any offence?

You people should be calming down with these campaign of calumny.

Do you not expect the day you'll give report for all your deeds when you meet your Lord?

Oh, I forgot. Every crime has been covered by grace and the blood. Even coded girls dey wear cross go collect for hotel.

Antlisiam:
Why not ask allah to grant Sheikh Musa Lukuwa knowledge, wisdom and understanding so that he won't defy the directives of sultan next time

Incognito403:
How is he a politician?
You can't expect that you'll just say anything you like without proof.

omoredia:
U didn't mention those supporting terrorists do chase people from their land so they can start mining and extracting resources for sale to the Arabs and Chinese

Antlisiam:
Why not ask allah to grant Sheikh Musa Lukuwa knowledge, wisdom and understanding so that he won't defy the directives of sultan next time

omoredia:
He is a politician. Religion Na politics as the great Majek Fashek sang

Subonbon:
leave the confused being praying to Allah to grant another nairalander wisdom instead of your arrogant sheik.... hungry don catch am

Skullminers1:
If it's Yoruba Muslims they dare not site their own moon without following their master Sultan of Sokoto own but here is same Fulani Sheikh from same Sokoto disregarding Sultan of Sokoto own moon siting