By MOHAMMED BABA BUSU

Former President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has described the translation of the Holy Qur’an into the Nupe language as a landmark achievement that will deepen the understanding of Islam and strengthen the spiritual lives of millions of Nupe-speaking Muslims.

Babangida stated this on Saturday in Bida while delivering his address as Chairman at the official launch of the Holy Qur’an translated into Nupe by renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Muhammad Ibn Pati-Emisheshi, at the Wadata Palace.

Represented by Prof. Mohammed Kuta-Yahaya, Pro-Chancellor of Abdulkadir Kure University, Minna (AKUM), the former president said the translation was not only a major religious milestone for the Nupe people but also a significant contribution to Nigeria’s Islamic heritage.

According to him, translating the Holy Qur’an into indigenous languages is an act of profound devotion and intellectual courage that bridges the gap between divine revelation and everyday understanding.

“The translation allows the faithful to grasp the meanings of Allah’s words in their mother tongue, thereby deepening their relationship with their Creator and enriching their spiritual lives.

“This work ensures that the message of mercy, justice, compassion and righteousness resonates clearly in the language of the home, the market and the community,” he said.

Babangida commended Sheikh Emisheshi for what he described as an invaluable service to Islam and humanity, noting that the translation would enhance Qur’anic understanding among people who were not fluent in Arabic.

He said the project reflected the rich Islamic heritage of the Nupe people and demonstrated how faith and culture could coexist in promoting moral values and societal development.

The former president recalled the rich tradition of Qur’anic scholarship in Nupe land, where scholars taught by reading Qur’anic verses in Arabic, translating them into Hausa and interpreting them in Nupe.

According to him, the method produced generations of scholars with profound knowledge of the Qur’an and its practical application.

“The newly translated Qur’an is not the beginning of a new tradition but a restoration of the glorious legacy of Islamic scholarship in Nupe land,” he said.

Babangida also congratulated Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, for his leadership and commitment to promoting religious, cultural and educational development.

He said the traditional ruler’s support had positioned the Nupe Kingdom among communities making significant contributions to the global spread and understanding of the Holy Qur’an.

The former president said records showed that the King Fahd Complex had printed Qur’an translations in 72 languages, while the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community had translated it into nearly 80 languages.

He said academic studies indicated that the holy book had been translated into about 105 languages through almost 1,500 translation works worldwide.

He stressed that beyond reading and recitation, the Qur’an remained a complete guide for righteous living, urging Muslims to uphold justice, honesty, fairness, charity and compassion in all aspects of life.

Babangida expressed concern that distractions associated with the digital age had weakened the culture of intensive Qur’anic learning, patience and discipline that characterised earlier generations of Islamic scholars.

He, however, said the Nupe translation offered an opportunity to revive deeper Qur’anic study by making Allah’s message more accessible to the people.

The former president urged Muslims to embrace the translation as a tool for spiritual renewal, moral reawakening and community development.

He also appealed to the custodians of the translated Qur’an to ensure its widespread distribution, particularly in rural communities where access to Islamic literature in indigenous languages remained limited.

Babangida said the translation should serve as an instrument for Da’awah, unity and peaceful coexistence among Muslims, irrespective of ethnic or sectarian differences.

He further called on governments at all levels, philanthropists and Islamic organisations to support similar initiatives aimed at translating the Holy Qur’an into other Nigerian languages to promote wider understanding of Islam.

Babangida congratulated Sheikh Emisheshi, the Nupe Traditional Council, the Wadata Palace and all those who contributed to the successful completion of the historic project.

He prayed that Allah would accept the effort, bless all those associated with the translation and make it a lasting source of guidance, peace, unity and prosperity for the Nupe nation and Nigeria as a whole. (NAN)

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