Sokoto Cleric Sheikh Musa Lukuwa Defies Saad Abubakar, Leads Early Eid al-Fitr Prayers

Sokoto-based Islamic scholar Sheikh Musa Lukuwa on Thursday led his followers in observing Eid al-Fitr prayers in defiance of a directive by the Sultanate Council, headed by Saad Abubakar, which had declared Friday as the official day for the celebration.

The cleric conducted the two-unit Eid prayer at his mosque in Mabera at about 9:10 a.m., after earlier addressing followers following the Sultan’s announcement that the Shawwal crescent moon had not been sighted anywhere in Nigeria.

In a message that later circulated on social media, Lukuwa defended his decision, citing reports of moon sightings in the neighbouring Niger Republic. He said trusted contacts in the country confirmed the development, prompting his group to proceed with the celebration.

According to him, the proximity of Niger Republic made the reports credible. He argued that if sightings from distant Nigerian cities such as Kano or Lagos are accepted, there should be no basis to reject verified reports from a neighbouring country.

Lukuwa maintained that the move was not intended to undermine the Sultan’s authority but was based on adherence to religious teachings. He noted that while he and his followers typically follow the Sultan’s directives on the commencement and conclusion of Ramadan, they would act in line with prophetic guidance when convinced that the moon has been sighted.

He also referenced the historical role of Abubakar Mahmoud Gummi in announcing moon sightings before the responsibility was centralized under the Sultan to promote unity among Muslims.

The cleric insisted that the Sultan’s position in this instance was incorrect and said his followers would not comply. Reports indicate that he had informed congregants around midnight about the alleged moon sighting and instructed them to return for Eid prayers the following morning.