My role model, main mentor, advisor, confidant, friend and dad lived his life based on 7 values, which he held on to dearly—as a teenager, he would give me and my siblings certain forms to fill with a view to discerning our values.
Any action or step he took could be linked directly to any of his 7 core values. He was very thorough and organized, and he never took any action or step by sheer happenstance.
He was a devoted Muslim who never joked with his 5 daily prayers, Monday and Thursday non-obligatory fasting, reading the Quran daily for a minimum of 45 minutes, observing his tahajud (late night prayers) on a daily basis and ensuring that he followed the lifestyle of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to the best of his abilities.
He was an intellectual and he loved to read voraciously—I recall with fond memories how he used to give me books to read from the age of 11 and he would follow up with me endlessly to summarize the lessons I had learned from those books to him. Whilst going through his bag after his demise, I saw a book, which he was reading—“The Unknown Leader” by Hussein A AL-Banawi and he stopped at page 18.
My main mentor was never driven by material acquisitions or love for money—he was a very contented man and you could hardly tell the difference between when he had money or didn’t have, as his mien would always remain the same.
He loved his people in Ejigbo dearly and as a teenager, I recall saying to myself at numerous times, albeit wrongly, that he loved his people in Ejigbo more than he loved us, his children. There was nothing he could not sacrifice for them or give to them.
Although he was a member of the committee that undertook the registration of Alliance for Democracy (AD), he decamped from AD to PDP sometime in 1999 due to irreconcilable differences with the leadership of the party in Osun State. He remained in PDP and was deeply committed to the party from 1999 till his demise despite being betrayed on numerous occasions by a section of the members, political associates and leadership of the party who couldn’t stand his principled lifestyle—he was certainly very different from the average Nigerian politician.
He was a family man and he loved his wife, children and grandchildren very much. He had a “Joy List” comprising 796 paragraphs and paragraph 2 is: “wife in solaat or dua”, whilst paragraph 3 is: “kids in solaat or dua”.
I would miss my confidant & advisor dearly, but I am comforted with the fact that he lived a very good life of service to humanity and total dedication to the Almighty Allah.
May the Almighty Allah admit him into Al Jannah Firdaus. Amin
Alhamdulillah robbil alamin, he was a great leader, father, uncle and a great mentor to me and my family. We will surely miss him but we know Allah loves him best and knows best. He touched many lives. May Allah Forgive him expand his grave and grant him aljanat firdaus. Amin.
Aamin. Profound recall.
May the Almighty Allah admit him into Al Jannah Firdaus. Amin
Surely, daddy is an icon and he spent a life am very jealous of and praying to Allah to give me such a life style.. Starting from his Ibadah to training of his children d way of Allah.. Hardly you will find any of his children doing something else at d time of solat. I can recall going to his daughter’s house(Dr.) when she was very heavy and she still found it deem fit to observe her solat. I was like pls ease my solat for me as YOU av ease it for d Abass’s family… I swear daddy has really spent his life as Allah (SWT) has ordained us… May Allah forgive him in any of his misdeed for no human is perfect except for d holy prophet(SAW) whom Allah himself has perfected his life… And may He grant daddy aljanah fridaus has He has promised those who observed Him in this life…. Amin
Great. He will be sorely missed by everyone that crossed his path. May Allah grant him Aljannah Fridaos.
I wish you, your Mum and your siblings continual Allah’s mercy and guidance.
Bro I want you to follow the full step of your dad may his rest in perfect peace. I have some advice for you based on your political aspiration. Kindly reach me on this wattapp number 07061385975
Allahu Akbar !!!
Brilliant, emotional and frank piece, Faruq.
Inna liLlah wa inna iLaihi Ra’jiun.
May Allah forgive our very dear brother and favour him with Al Jannah Firdaus.
Our outstanding brother was many good things to many people. To some he was a friend, to some a brother to the family, a loving husband, father and grandfather. And many a political leader.
For me, he was a great mentor, brother and still a loyal friend, will indeed miss him sorely. His outstanding brotherhood explain why we named our first child “Abdus Salam” after him over 20 years ago (that’s a secret unknown to many).
He offered me profound counsel and support at my very early age and continued even lately on my carrier (though a lawyer) and family life before his demise.
He remembers my birthday and wedding anniversaries and always send warm message to commemorate them. I don’t know how he manages that.
For many Muslim brothers of our generation he was a mentor, an excellent example of “Mumeen” to look up to. A gentleman, a leader of integrity, a planner and true believer in Allah (SWT).
May Allah console you Faruq my dear “aburo”, your mum who is my dear sister, other siblings (Taqwah, Haneef, Khalid and Fareed) and all other family members, Ustadh Femi Abbas, Prof Wole Abbas et all, his Political family particularly those in Afaki and Ejigbo .
We ask Allah to grant our reunion in the Garden of Bliss beneath which rivers flow, Jannah Na’im In Shaa Allah…
Allahuma Igfirlahu wa arhamhu, amin 🙏🙏🙏
Engr. Tauheed Abayomi Amusan, FNSE
Allahu Akbar !!!
Brilliant, emotional and frank piece, Faruq.
Inna liLlah wa inna iLaihi Ra’jiun.
May Allah forgive our very dear brother and favour him with Al Jannah Firdaus.
Our outstanding brother was many good things to many people. To some he was a friend, to some a brother to the family, a loving husband, father and grandfather. And many a political leader.
For me, he was a great mentor, brother and still a loyal friend. I will indeed miss him sorely. His outstanding brotherhood explain why we named our first child “Abdus Salam” after him over 20 years ago (that’s a secret unknown to many).
He offered me profound counsel and support at my very early age and continued even lately on my carrier (though a lawyer) and family life before his demise.
He remembers my birthday and wedding anniversaries and always send warm message to commemorate them. I don’t know how he manages that.
For many Muslim brothers of our generation he was a mentor, an excellent example of “Mumeen” to look up to. A gentleman, a leader of integrity, a planner and true believer in Allah (SWT).
May Allah console you my “aburo”, your mum who is my dear sister, other siblings (Taqwah, Haneef, Khalid and Fareed) and all other family members, Ustadh Femi Abbas, Prof Wole Abbas et all, his Political family particularly those in Afaki and Ejigbo .
We ask Allah to grant our reunion in the Garden of Bliss beneath which rivers flow, Jannah Na’im In Shaa Allah…
Allahuma Igfirlahu wa arhamhu, amin 🙏🙏🙏
Engr. Tauheed Abayomi Amusan, FNSE
One thing I can say about Alhaji Abbass is Aljahna fridaos for him insha allahu
Alhaji Abdulsalam Oyetunde Abbas was a mentor who will always be remembered for his genuine concern in your family and spiritual life. Highly contented and focused.
May Allah accept his return, raise him amongst His righteous servants and make him a dweller of Aljanah firdaus. Aamiin. I pray Allah in His infinite mercy grant you and all the bereaved the fortitude to bear the great loss.
The Ummah shall certainly miss his eldery role.