Late Justice Haliru: Remembering a True Hero

By Mahdi Haliru

The sad moments began in the early hours of sunday, 23rd september 2012. I was fast asleep after the quotidian subh prayers when an intense knock woke me up - "Wake up! Wake up!! Abba is seriously ill" First, i thought i was in a dream because i've never ever imagined to witness in my life a 'seriously ill Abba'. In consternation; startling and frightened at the same time valorous, i swiftly reached to him. I, along with my brothers then quickly rushed him to the hospital(AKTH). Arriving AKTH was when i received the greatest shock of my life... "i'm very sorry but doctors are currently on strike" a dude in front of the emergency unit said to me. This actually meant the patient is likely not to be attended to. But gladly, he was later admitted after some forces within intervened. I often hurt my feelings each time i remember these sad moments. To cut the long story short, Abba later died three days after. (May his soul continue to rest in peace.. Ameen)

When someone you love passes away, there is a strong temptation to remember him perhaps a little too well. Misdeeds are forgotten - offences are forgiven. Only the most shining characteristics of the loved one stick to us when he depart. Except for Abba, he offended no one - infact we owe him! I owe him particularly; I owe him 'loads' of which i cannot repay but only with prayers - though i sometimes feel my feeble prayers will do less justice to the Late Justice.

Abba left behind a big family who loved him dearly. He was an overprotective father. Specifically to me; in cases for example when i fell sick, Abba stays awake all night and all day just to see me sleep well. He encouraged me to 'shake it off' when he knew i was'nt in dire physical pain. He provided me with a never ending sense of physical safety and emotional security. He taught me the significance of humility and the remarkable power of emotional and financial generosity. Abba never lied to me and always speak to me the ultimate truth no matter how unpleasant! It's being said "All work without play makes Jack a dull boy" Abba encouraged me to play lots of football, sometimes in the neighbourhood. He taught me the importance of health and excercise.

Like every loving father, he crack jokes when the atmosphere becomes intense and was also a strict displinarian - there are actually no grey areas for him. I often desperately want to impress him and any acknowkedged appreciation from him of my weak efforts to impress him give me lots of joy. His recommendations were always 'work hard; study hard and pray hard - the sky is your limit' which i vowed to stick to. Abba was indeed a true hero; a great teacher and an extraordinary father. A pious man who had full wisdom and excellent islamic knowledge as well as the islamic teachings, Abba's solution to every problem was supplication to Allah.

Ordinary folks remember him as a role model they look up to. His fellow jurists described him as an upright honest and intelligent man who is fearlessly and tirelessly committed to delivery of the appropriate services; a man of principle who possessed enviable talents.

Allahummaghfir lahu Allahumma thabbithu