Lessons from the Islamic burial rites of the late Oba Sikiru Adetona, Awujale of Ijebuland

In Islam, the wishes of the deceased regarding burial are highly respected, and if a person has expressed a desire to be buried according to Islamic traditions, it is considered a duty for their family members and the community to fulfil that wish. The core principle of honouring the deceased’s expressed wishes remains paramount. The late Oba Sikiru Adetona, Awujale of Ijebuland, had expressed his wish to be buried according to Islamic traditions to his family members during his lifetime and no one can prevent that burial from being carried out. Oba Sikiru Adetona was a Muslim. Everybody knows this without being told. In Islamic tradition, when a Muslim dies, the body undergoes purification through a ritual washing and then is prayed over in a funeral prayer (Salat al- Janazah) and then buried.

This burial is typically done as soon as possible, with the body placed in the grave on its right side facing the direction of Qibla in Mecca. The provision of Section 38 of 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended 2010 is clearly stated that “ Every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom(either alone or in community with others and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance.

The Nigerian constitution is the supreme law of the land. A state law cannot supersede the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This principle is enshrined in section 1(3) of the constitution, which states that the constitution shall prevail, and any other law that contradicts it shall be invalid to the extent of the inconsistency. In Islam, the two angels Munkar and Nakir visit the grave of every deceased person after burial to test their faith regardless of their social status.

The said angels will ask the deceased who was buried according to Islamic rites about their Allah, their religion, Islam and the Prophet Muhamed (S.A.W). Every Muslim, including Oba Sikiru Adetona, is aware of the belief in the visitation of the said angels, Munkar and in the grave.  The burial of the late Oba Sikiru Adetona teaches us to believe in Allah who created us and to hold on to the religion of choice. Islam is the religion of Oba Sikiru Adetona.

The Islamic scholars were invited to bless Oba Sikiru Adetona when the late monarch was born in Nigeria and the chief Imam of  Ijebuland was also on ground to lead funeral prayer for the said late Oba Sikiru Adetona. 

Jimoh  Mumin, Ibadan, Oyo State.

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