ELEGY FOR HAJIYA B. AISHA LEMU
Three phenomena solidified Nigerian Muslim unity North and South - Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN); Federation of Muslim Women Associations of Nigeria (FOMWAN); and the present Sultan of Sokoto. We have in the past celebrated MSSN’s Dr. Lateef Adegbite and His Eminence Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad. Today, we reminisce on the life of FOMWAN Founder Hajiya B. Aisha Lemu who died last week. I asked her associates to email in 100 words apiece - got 12,000 words for a 1000-word Column! (For brevity, ‘Hajiya’ means Hajiya B. Aisha Lemu and ‘Sheikh’ means Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Lemu, the husband, now about 93.)
Aisha Lemu (Bridget Anne Honey) was my beloved sister. Born 3 1/2 years after me, she was my “little” sister. From the beginning, she was different. Had powerful personality. Excelling in most things - music, art, languages and sport. Always inquisitive. Enraptured by the Islamic faith and converted whilst at London University. Thereafter with Alhaji [Sheikh] she put all her energies into building and establishing the Islamic schools you know today, and writing her books. We have got together every year with [her children] Nuru and Maryam for many happy holidays. Will always remember her great sense of humour. Her mimicry. Her “everything is possible” attitude. So proud to call her my sister. R.I.P. Dootie. Will miss you more than words can say.
First saw her when, as a child, I visited my sister at GGC Sokoto. We later met at Da’awah Coordination Council meeting where she encouraged me to be part of Association of Model Islamic Schools (AMIS). She was the Founder of this umbrella body of Islamic-oriented schools and its first President. She was my mentor when it fell on me to be the third President of AMIS. My challenges were easier to handle with her guidance.
She was the guardian Angel whose books directed me from childhood till date. The Young Muslim was first. From her books I learnt Tauhid, cleanliness, purification, prayer. I learnt ruqyah or exorcism. Courtship, marriage and motherhood were made easy by publications like The Muslim Woman. Her departure is the earthward descent of a meteorite that miraculously changed the world. I am still A Young Muslim.
I grew up in Minna so was privileged to have met and interacted with her. As she sat behind the wheel driving around town in her signature headscarf, everyone knew it was “Matan Sheik” [Wife of Sheikh]; a very religious woman. She personified the Islamic Education Trust’s philosophical worldview of tolerance, accommodation and moderation in Islam.
From her books, I learnt more about Islam than the Islamiyyah we attended back then. An epitome of knowledge, she had a way with expression and explanation which kept one glued to the books. A fountain of knowledge that will never dry.
An amazing woman who devoted her life championing Islam. An extraordinary woman, an orator, a woman of substance whose inspiring lectures and books I have listened to and read and gained a lot from. Great impact on life!
Her contribution in the teachings of Islam created greater understanding among young, old and even non-Muslims. Her involvement in establishing schools with Islamic values with her husband has been of immense benefit to Muslim children and their parents.
She represented hope, simplicity, sincerity, leadership, achievement. She showed me what “practical” Islam should be. Her passion was working for the Deen, and she did; that I can testify. She showed us that helping to build the Ummah is not insurmountable.
She was our mum. Our teacher. Our mentor. Until the very end, she generously shared her kindness with everyone she encountered.
Her books were precise and educative; I still make reference to them. A great writer who inspired Nigerian women to participate in Islamic activities by organising and forming Islamic organisations. She led an exemplary life which should be emulated by all.
A great woman, an epitome of peace, love and compassion; a bridge builder; an innovator of great ideas; advocate of women’s rights and responsibilities; mother of community mobilisers; champion of the weak and needy; model wife and mother.
What endeared her to me was not just the smile but that sparkle in her eyes whenever she spoke about Islam. She later became my employer. I was invited to Minna for an interview and we spoke over tea and chatted like old buddies. And that was the interview! It was quite a surprise when, after tea, I was introduced as the new head of Sunrise School!
I met her 12 years ago when, as an Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Scholar, I was in Minna to see Sheikh. She was a strong advocate who finetuned the IDB scholarship programme which helped many students to succeed academically. She has done for Islam more than most bornMuslims could ever do!
Very accommodating, tolerant, energetic and willing to do lots of work. Also had a listening ear.
Dr. Aisha Garba Habib, IIIT Kano (aishaghabib2@gmail.com: A wife, a mother and, above all, a servant of Allah to be emulated. Apart from being a famous public intellectual, she was a model housewife and parent. Her Da’awah works didn’t prevent her from her primary responsibilities.
First contact was in 1984 through her book ‘A Degree Above Them’ from which I realised my divinely-given status of woman. We first met physically in 1997 when Kano first hosted FOMWAN National Conference. What an inspirational woman!
Amina Ismail, NOUN, (aminaismail66@gmail.com): Her contribution to Islam was phenomenal. Inspiration to Muslim women, good leader, role model for mankind. Particularly impressed with how she utilised her time in fulfilling the purpose of life. In a lecture, her daughter Maryam described her so aptly: “A woman who lived in the world of possibilities and believed every goal is achievable.”
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A mother, a mentor. Being founder of the organisation that I now lead in Kano, she has done the work of her life. Sadaqa Jariya in sha Allah. Very rare for women-only organisations to prosper as FOMWAN does. Why? Good leadership structure, discipline, checks and balances etc which she put in place.
How do I describe the most magnanimous person I ever knew? How do I explain the multitude of ways she made people feel better? Or organisations she helped form, people she inspired, lives she touched? This is a woman who gave her time and talent to Islam. A saintly individual, so matchless, so meritorious.
Sheikh Ahmed Lemu and family express their profound gratitude to Allah and appreciation to all for the prayers for their departed mother Hajiya B. Aisha Lemu. They appreciate the overwhelming testimonies of friends, students and well-wishers who have been inspired by her.
We had intended to open the New Year with a series on the 2019 Elections but, as Allah willed, Funtua (last week) and Hajiya Aisha (today) intervened. In sha Allah from next week until the elections, the series “MY VOTE IS…” FOR or AGAINST shall take over. Readers may email 100-word contributions on issues that may determine voting preferences.