12/06/2026
Death is inevitable, but the sudden passing of Alh. Umar Umar Panti is deeply painful, as he was a dearest one to us.
By Dr. Aliyu Adam Imam
Alh. Umar Umar Panti (Bunu Bashir Mafindi), fondly called Alhaji Tinde, was the chief accountant with the Muri Emirate.
He passed away suddenly on June 1st, 2026, during a condolence visit to Magistrate Lawan Jika, who had lost his wife, Badia, after childbirth.
According to an eye witness Bubayero Idris Mafindi , they were sharing lighthearted conversation during the visit, bringing laughter to everyone present.
Alhaji laughed so heartily that he suddenly fainted and lost consciousness.
He was rushed to the hospital, but upon arrival, the doctor confirmed he had passed away.
Lawan shared with me that while they were transporting Alhaji to the hospital, they watched and heard him continuously uttering the Shahadah ("La ilaha illallah, Muhammadur Rasulullah" / "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him") without stopping.
He kept reciting it until his very last breath.
This profound end reminds me of the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in Sahih Al-Bukhari:
"Indeed, one of you may perform the deeds of the people of Paradise until there is nothing between him and it but a cubit, then the decree overtakes him and he performs the deeds of the people of Hellfire, entering it. And indeed, one of you may perform the deeds of the people of Hellfire until there is nothing between him and it but a cubit, then the decree overtakes him and he performs the deeds of the people of Paradise, entering it."
I do not mean to imply that Alhaji's past deeds were bad. Rather, I am highlighting that while no one knows their final destination until death, anyone whose last words in this world are the Kalimatush-Shahadah is guaranteed Paradise.
As the Prophet (SAW) said:
"Whoever's last words are 'La ilaha illallah' enters Paradise."
Anyone who knew Alhaji can testify to his jovial, ever-smiling nature and his immense generosity.
Though he grew up as an orphan himself, he dedicated his life to raising other orphans.
He brought them into his home, provided for them, funded their education through graduation, and eventually married off the young women to their husbands.
In 2013, he told me, "Mallam, I listened to your _nasiha_ about caring for orphans and the committee you established for their education during Tahajjud at the MCAN Mosque in GRA beginning in 2012.
I personally contributed to the fundraising, but I also took it upon myself to raise orphans inside my own home." At that time, he had five orphans living with his family, treating them exactly like his own children because of the Hadith in Bukhari where the Prophet (SAW) said:
"I and the one who cares for an orphan will be in Paradise like these two,"
signaling his index and middle fingers together.
Since that conversation, he always showed me great love and respect, often consulting me on complex Islamic matters.
No matter what challenges Alhaji faced in life, he ultimately ended it with the Shahadah.
Following his passing, he was taken from the hospital to his house, where he was washed and shrouded according to Islamic rites.
On Tuesday at 10:00 AM, his Salatul Janazah (funeral prayer) was performed.
He was prayed upon alongside a teenager, Salim Alh. Adamu of Unguwan Baraya, and two women.
The funeral prayer was attended by Islamic scholars and hundreds of dignitaries, family members, friends, and well-wishers.
All four deceased individuals were then taken to the Jalingo Central Cemetery in Jeka Da Fari for burial.
This beautiful gathering reflects the Hadith where the Prophet (SAW) stated that if a Muslim dies and forty people—who do not associate any partners with Allah—pray over them, Allah will accept their intercession (Du'a) on the deceased's behalf and grant them Paradise.
Alhaji leaves behind three wives and many children.
We pray to Allahu SWT to forgive his shortcomings and grant him the highest place in Jannatul Firdaus. Amin.
وما شهدنا إلا بما علمناوما كنا للغيب حافظين.
10th June 2026.
