His Eminence Sheikh Dr. Osman Nuhu Sharubutu: A Unique Fountain of Hope, Unity, and Spirituality in Ghana since 1919.

The Chief Imam of Ghana

On Wednesday, 23rd April 1919, Sheikh Dr. Osman Nuhu Sharubutu was born, so we say Allah blessed the Gold Coast with a gift that would exist for a century and more. A type of gift that would bring unity among all religions be it Islam, Christianity, or the Traditional. On Wednesday 23rd, Sheikh Nuhu Sharubutu and Hajia Ayishatu Abbass gave birth to Osman Nuhu Sharubutu.

In Islam, proper moral and psychological development in children is very important, so Hajia Ayishatu Abbass who was then popularly known as “Mma Tasidi” (may her soul rest in peace), was fundamental to the moral and psychological upbringing of her son by ensuring that her son had the proper home upbringing which goes in line with Islamic religion.

One could realize the importance of Islam and education to Hajia Ayishatu Abbass because she was the sister of the Greater Accra Regional Imam Sheikh Imam Muhammed Abbas popularly known as Mallam Muhammad Mazawaje also later rose to be called the National Imam (from late 1933 to 1960).

Unlike these days, formal education was scarce, so young Osmanu started his education at home with his father during the day and with his mother at night. Sheikh Nuhu Sharubutu, the father of young Osmanu was a prominent student of Sheikh Imam Abbas Mazawaje, so he knew him very well. Imam Abbass Mazawaje realized the fear of Allah and the abundance of true leadership qualities in Sheikh Nuhu Sharubutu, the father of young Osmanu. This made Imam Abbass Mazawaje give his sister’s hand in marriage to Sheikh Nuhu Sharubutu.

After years of proper Islamic education, young Osmanu grew up to be a truly Islamic Model and a Unique Islamic heavyweight in knowledge and wisdom worthy of emulation. Young Osmanu was loved by many in the Cow-Lane community in Accra.

At any point in time since his childhood till date, he has been hammering on the need for all Ghanaians, Muslims, and Christians to live in peace, saying that any divisive tendencies could leave room for our enemies to penetrate and defeat us.

Sheikh Dr. Nuhu Sharubutu’s Journey To Kumasi

After staying with his parents for years and portraying his will and devotion to studying Islam to the apogee, young Osmanu was sent to Kumasi to continue his education. His father chose Kumasi the capital of the Ashanti Region because it would be a new environment for young Osman, and that would impact more advanced Islamic knowledge into young Ossmanu. The prominent Islamic Scholar Sheikh Abdullah Dan Tano became his next teacher. In Kumsai, young Osman went through a highly advanced course in Arabic Grammar, Arabic Literature and Texts, Classic Arabic Language (Luggatil Arabiiya), the study of Islamic Jurisprudence and Al-Hadiths (practices of the Holy Prophet). He remained with the scholar till he completed his studies and graduated with distinction.

The change in the environment helped because, after his advanced studies in Kumasi, young Osmanu became completely changed and more advanced in Islamic knowledge. He then became “mallam”, one who qualifies to teach and impart Islamic knowledge to people. This is due to the deep knowledge he acquired outside his original environment and his ability to quickly assimilate the moral teachings of his teachers.

Mallam Osmanu was so advanced that it would be a disservice to humanity if he decided to return to Accra to stay home, so he later decided to devote his time to teaching the Muslim youth who are keen on learning to become Islamic Scholars, thinkers, teachers and imams in future. Even as a teacher himself, due to his stern quest to become very knowledgeable in Islam, he still considered himself to be an “Al-Maajiri” student, so he continued to have the desire and love to pursue knowledge to the extent that anytime he heard of an Islamic Scholar, he rushed to fall on his feet as a student to seek further knowledge thereby benefiting from that scholar. He was very humble, regardless of his deep understanding of Islam.

Among the illustrious scholars and Sheikhs who taught Mallam Osmanu is Sheikh Alhaji Mohammed popularly known as Baraw, (may his soul rest in peace). Sheikh Baraw taught the interpretation of the Holy Quran, Classic Arabic Language (Luggatil Arabiiya), Literature, and Texts.

Another famous Sheikh who served as a tutor and instructor to Mallam Osmanu was Sheikh Abubakar Fulaaty Al Kanawy who hailed from Nigeria. It was this Sheikh who taught Mallam Osmanu the Arabic Culture, Al-Hadith of the Holy Prophet, Arabic Texts, and Fundamentals of Sufism.

Sheikh Dr. Nuhu Sharubutu’s with meeting Alhaji Sheikh Ibrahima Niass Qutbu Zaman

Mallam Osmanu became more interested in Sufism, and so he continued with research, by often devoting his leisure time in mosques to listen to the preachers of the Tijjaniyya movement and Sufism. When his maternal uncle Sheikh Imam Alhaji Mohammed Abbas Mazawaje, who was the Accra Chief Imam saw the devotion, interest, and handwork in Osmanu he introduced the Tijjaniya Movement’s Special Meditation to him, which he readily embraced.

Mallam Osman pursued the Tijjaniya Meditation till the arrival of the grand pioneer of the movement, the torch bearer and supreme commander of the Tijjaniya of the 20th century, Grand Sheikh Alhaji Ibrahim Nyass from Kaolack in Sénégal. Sheikh Ibrahim Niass taught Mallam Osmanu the deeper spiritual aspect of Sufism and rudiments of mysticism and eroticism which smoothly paved the way for Mallam Osmanu to become a true leader in the Tijjaniya Movement in Ghana.

Sheikh Dr. Nuhu Sharubutu’s Appointment As National Chief Imam

Interestingly in 1974, after lengthy discussions among the traditional and tribal chiefs, academics, Islamic scholars, and religious personalities, a consensus was reached for Sheikh Osmanu to be appointed as the Deputy Regional Chief Imam of Ghana, deputising his cousin, Sheikh Imam Muhammed Mukhtar Abbas who succeeded his father. The appointment of Sheikh Osmanu as deputy Greater Accra Region Chief Imam was done in consideration of his unique qualities, Intellectual capacity, dedication to teaching passion for Islam, and exemplary lifestyle, but he turned down their offer which was forced on him by the Prominent Muslim Chiefs who persistently asked him to give it a serious thought stressing to him that it could be a divine call to serve Allah. Subsequently, when it dawned on Sheikh Osmanu that it was a divine call for him to serve Islam and Muslim communities, he finally accepted the position as the acting Greater Accra Regional Chief Imam until 1993, when he was ceremoniously appointed as the National Chief Imam of Ghana to head the Ghanaian Muslim Communities.

Sheikh Dr. Nuhu Sharubutu’s Islamic Activities

Sheikh Osmanu was well known for his exemplary lifestyle and generosity to people who called on him with their problems. He has built many Arabic Schools, Islamic Centers, and Mosques. Normally he spends huge sums of money on Organising conferences, seminars, and symposia on thorny Islamic issues prevailing in the Islamic societies and the country as a whole.

From the accounts given to him Sheikh Osmanu deserves the award given him by the University of Ghana who bestowed him an honorary Doctorate Degree. He deserves more of that from any Islamic University or Higher Institution of learning; also he deserves the accolade of a great Muslim leader due to his immense contribution and love for maintaining peace and development in Ghana.

He is also contributing to the revival of good values and reform in the Muslim youth, Islamic faith, and Muslim communities.

Some Scholars and Sheikhs were under Sheikh Dr. Nuhu Sharubutu’s Tutelage

Among his students is Muhammad Munir Dan Alpha who is now deputizing him and even leading national Islamic prayers on behalf of his teacher(Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu), Sheikh Ustaz Abdul Aziz, Sheikh Yahyal-Ameen, Mallam Adam Attah (late), Mallam Saeed, Alhaji Jibril Madaha, Mallam Ibrahima Nyass, Mallam Mustapha Yaa Jalala, Mallam Habibu Gora, Sheikh Musa Abdul Kadir (late) and Mallam Zurkanain, to mention just a few.

To sum up, Sheikh Osmanu ranks high among the erudite and prominent Islamic Scholars Ghana has ever produced, among his contemporaries are Sheikh Kamâludeen who was chosen directly by Sheikh Osmanu to serve as his Deputy National Chief Imam of Ghana, and the late Sheikh Alhadji Haroun Rasheed.

Sheikh Dr. Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu has been the Grand Khalipha of Sheikh Ibrahim Niass from 1972 to date, a title that he considers and cherishes more than the National Chief Imamship position.

In recent times, to climax his passion for education, smooth and mutual interfaith relations, peaceful coexistence, peacebuilding, and unity, he founded two organizations that are making great marks and impacting positive changes in the lives of Ghanaians and the World in general.

Some Of Sheikh Dr. Nuhu Sharubutu’s Works And Activities

1. Sheikh Dr. Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu Education Trust Fund (SONSETFUND) www.sonsetfundgh.org

2. Islamic Peace and Security Council of Ghana (IPASEC)

www.ipasecgh.org

The above institutions cannot be sidelined in Ghana due to their immense support for humanity.

Some Of Sheikh Dr. Nuhu Sharubutu’s Achievements

The accomplishments of Sheikh Dr. Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu at a glance;

1. The establishment of the Office of the National Chief Imam of Ghana in 1992

2. Engineered the realization and manifestation of two (2) national holidays for Muslims in the official calendar of the Republic of Ghana

3. Establishment of seven Islamic schools; the Answaru-Deen Islamic School Complex, in the Greater Accra region

4. Self-trained, educated, sponsored, and empowered over 50 well-disciplined and taught students in Islamic studies and they have become a force to reckon with in the Muslim community in Ghana who have excelled in the field of Islamic knowledge and jurisprudence

5. Personally promoted Islamic education and encouraged the establishment of a unique system of education in Ghana, the marriage of traditional Islamic institutions, and secular education to promote the acquisition of both.

6. Personally promoted and encouraged mutual understanding, dialogue, and peaceful coexistence between religions (Interfaith relations) and intra-religious beliefs (sects).

7. Self-sponsored (financially) hundreds of students to attain circular education in Ghana and abroad.

8. The establishment of an educational Trust Fund to support brilliant but needy students; the Sheikh Dr. Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu Education Trust Fund (SONSETFUND) www.sonsetfundgh.org

9. The establishment of an organization that promotes peace, unity, and sustainable peace in Ghana and abroad; the Islamic Peace and Security Council of Ghana (IPASEC) www.ipasecgh.org

10. The establishment of an orphanage to look after the education and welfare of homeless Muslim kids in Ghana; the Nuuru Usmaniya Foundation for Humanitarian Services and Development (NUSMA

11. The establishment of a first-class educational complex in Kasoa, Central Region; Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu Educational Complex

12. Engineered the attraction of the financier organization (Hunan Development International Foundation-HUDAI from Turkey) on the construction of the National Mosque at Kawo Kudi, Kanda, Accra.

13. Personally officiated over 5000 marriages in Ghana alone

14. Led funeral prayers for over 4000 Muslims in Ghana

15. Personally officiated over the naming ceremonies of over 10,000 Muslim children.

16. He was decorated with honors by the premier nation’s university, the University of Ghana, Legon in 2006 with a doctorate for his works in humanities, teaching, imparting knowledge, and peaceful activities.

17. Several other local and foreign universities awarded him with doctorate degrees.

Imminent Foreign Personalities

1. Sheikh Alhaji Ahmed Tijjani Ibrahim Niass, Grand Khalifa of Sheikh Alhaji Ibrahim Niass in Madina Kaolakh, Senegal

2. Sheikh Usman Thahiru Bauchi, Prominent Islamic Cleric in Nigeria

3. Sheikh Imam Tijjani Cise, Imam of the Grand Mosque of Sheikh Alhaji Ibrahim Niass in Madina Kaolakh, Senegal

4. Sheikh Alhaji Mudassiru Adeleke Shitu Bulala, the Chairman of Al-Kanz magazine in Nigeria and CEO of a multinational group of companies in Ajay, Lagos

5. Sheikh Hisham Kabani Haqqani, President of the Islamic Supreme Council of America and World Wide Deputy Leader of the Naqshabandiya Sufi order

6. Minister Louis Farrakhan, Leader of the Nations of Islam in America

7. Minister of Religion, Dr. Khalid Yasin from the United States of America

8. Sheikh Imam Hassan Cise, Imam of the Grand Mosque of Sheikh Alhaji Ibrahim Niass in Madina Kaolakh, Senegal

Ironically, all the above dignitaries revisited the National Chief Imam several times on their accord on account of his leadership and hospitality.

Sheikh Dr. Nuhu Sharubutu’s Official Trips

Sheikh Dr. Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu has made several trips to many countries around the globe, purposefully to undertake Islamic activities to promote peace, harmony, and development.

1. Republic of Turkey

2. Islamic Republic of Iran

3. The United Kingdom

4. United States of America

5. Royal Kingdom of Canada

6. Royal Kingdom of Morocco

7. Royal Kingdom of Denmark

8. Royal Kingdom of Finland

9. Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

10. Federal Republic of Nigeria

11. Republic of Senegal

12. Republic of Togo

13. Republic of Benin

Sheikh Dr. Nuhu Sharubutu’s Member Associations

His Eminence Sheikh Dr. Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, as of today, is a member or patron of the following organizations in Ghana and abroad;

1. NATIONAL PEACE COUNCIL (NPC), member

2. TIJJANIYA MUSLIMS MOVEMENT OF GHANA (TMG), Spiritual Leader

3. GHANA CONFERENCE ON RELIGIONS AND PEACE (GCRP), member

4. RELIGIOUS BODIES NETWORK ON CLIMATE CHANGE (RELBONET), member

5. GHANA NATIONAL MEDICAL AWARDS TEAM (1Z GROUP), patron

6. ALFAIDAH INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION (ALIF), patron

7. AFRICAN SUPPORT NETWORK (ASN) GHANA, patron

8. HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS FORUM IN GHANA, to mention just a few.

Sheikh Dr. Nuhu Sharubutu’s Awards

His Eminence received the following awards among many others that will be mentioned in his comprehensive autobiography insha Allah;

Honorary Professorial Degree Award by Poltava University, Ukraine 2019.

Muslims Achievers Award by the Ghana Muslims Achievers Awards, 2018.

Ghana Muslim Students Association Patron Award, (GMSA) 2018.

Martin Luther King Jr Award for Peace and Justice by the United States Embassy in Accra. 2016.

Muslims Excellence Award by the Yankasa Assoictaion Inc, USA, 2015.

Northern Achievers Award by the Northern Youth for Development, 2015.

Man of the Year Award by the Abnaul faida, Lagos, Nigeria, 2014.

Muslims Personality Award by the Ghana Muslims Award, 2013.

Ghana Most Influential Award, 2nd most influential personality of the year, 2012 by the ETV Ghana. 2013.

Yankasa Man of the Year Award by the Yankasa Association Inc. USA, 2013.

Tijjaniya Muslims Movement Highest Man of Personality Award by the Tijjaniya Muslims Movement of Ghana, 2011.

Member of the Star of Volta Award by the Republic of Ghana, 2007.

Member of the Star of Volta Award by the Republic of Ghana, 2006.

Sheikh Dr. Nuhu Sharubutu’s Landmarks

1. Brokering of peace between Muslims and indigenes of Hohoe, Volta region in 2012 following a conflict that resulted in the loss of lives and properties.

2. Brokering of peace between Muslims and indigenes of Tafo, Ashanti Region, and the Muslim youth of the region in 2016 following a conflict that resulted in the loss of lives and properties.

3. Gracing of programs of non-Islamic faiths such as his attendance and honoring of invitations of the Catholic Church during their centenary anniversary in Accra.

4. Brokering of peace between Kusasis and Mamprusis in the Upper East Region following a protracted conflict that resulted in the loss of lives and properties.

His Eminence again played a key and vital role.

5. Brokering of peace between Muslim youth and the Imams of Nkawkaw, Eastern Region over a leadership crisis that resulted in the closure of the mosque and the imposition of a curfew by the state security agencies to protect lives and properties.

6. Permission to Pastor Mensa Otabil, the General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church to finance the painting of the National Mosque in 2011.

What next

What remains to be done now that he is aging is the establishment of a succession plan for others to take over from him at the right time.

The first is to recognize the regional leaders of Islam and the appointment of deputy imams in the line of leadership succession.

This will not be the duty of the Chief Imam but all the officials and advisory board members working with him. Like the Imam himself, every deputy and successor would be chosen at the right time.

Compiled by; Alhaji Khuzaima Mohammed Osmanu

Personal Assistant to the National Chief Imam, Executive Secretary of IPASEC, and SONSETFUND Grandson of Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu with the assistance of Ustaz Issah Gibriel Abbas.