The Ilorin Emirate and the wider Muslim world were plunged into mourning on Friday with the death of Sheikh Abdulqodir Kamaludeen Al-Adaby, the Khalifatul of Adabiyyah Worldwide, who passed away in Ilorin, Kwara State, at the age of 82.

The revered Islamic scholar had been ill for approximately two weeks before he passed away shortly before the Jumu'ah prayer on Friday. His students described the illness as age-related.

Sheikh Abdulqodir was the eldest surviving son of Sheikh Muhammad Kamaludeen Al-Adaby, the first Grand Mufti of Ilorin, and was widely regarded as one of the most respected Islamic leaders in Kwara State and beyond.

He was widely respected for his humility and devotion to Islamic teachings, and played prominent roles in religious mentorship and the advancement of Islamic education over the years.

He was laid to rest around 5:30 pm following his Janazah prayer in Okekere, Ilorin.

The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, described the cleric's death as a colossal loss to the Ilorin Emirate and humanity in general. In a condolence message issued through his spokesman, Dr Abdulazeez Arowona, the Emir stated that the late Khalifatul Adabiyyah dedicated his life to Islamic propagation, scholarship and peaceful coexistence.

The monarch added that the Ilorin Emirate had once again submitted to the will of Almighty Allah over the painful loss, and prayed that Allah would forgive the shortcomings of the deceased, widen and illuminate his grave, and admit him into Al-Jannah Firdaus.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq also condoled with the Ansarul Islam Family worldwide over the death of the Islamic leader. In a statement by his Deputy Chief Press Secretary, Mashood Abdulrafiu Agboola, the governor described Sheikh Abdulqodir as a man of immense grace, patience and wisdom whose leadership earned him admiration across the Muslim community.

"He was a leader who won hearts with his great qualities. He relived the patience, wisdom, and depth of the legendary Alhaji Agba," the governor said.

The governor noted that the late cleric's death had created a vacuum within the Ansarul Islam Family and the wider Islamic community, while expressing confidence that Allah would continue to preserve the organisation and its ideals.

News of his death sparked grief across the Ilorin Emirate, with political leaders, clerics and followers of the Ansarul Islam movement paying tributes to his life and service to Islam.

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un.