At a time when Muslims, particularly females were being easily lured away from Islam with Jamboree that is obtainable in other religions, a visionary and devout Muslim, Shaykh AbdulMun’im Taye Tijani Sought to bell the cat, laying the foundation to a movement that has now spanned more than two decades.

Born on 31st January 1960 into the family of Sheikh Ahmad Tijani Busari, Gaa Agodi Ibadan, Shaykh AbdulMun’im received his early Islamic education and training under the tutelage of his late father Shaykh Ahmad Tijani Busari Ajao, both at home and at Arabic school, Maqarrul Uluumil Arabiyyah (Centre for Arabic Studies) established by his father, a descendant of Alli-Iwo Royal family. He also enjoyed the home training of his late mother, Alhaja Eleha Agba Tijani.

Shaykh AbdulMun’im received his primary school education at Methodist Primary School, Agodi E9 Ibadan between 1967 and 1972. He attended Moslem Grammar School, Odinjo, Ibadan between 1977 and 1981. During his secondary School days, late AbdulMum’in used to represent the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria at Sing-Song competitions, which was part of the major activities of the Muslims students’ body in her early days. He won many trophies and prizes for the school. AbdulMun’im was the Mosque Prefect during his final year in 1981. He was a Mission Board member of the Young Muslim Progressive Association of Nigeria (YOMPAN SA’IDNA) N.T.A Road Agodi, Ibadan where he led the Choir group of the Association to produce three Islamic records (Monograph) between 1978 and 1990.

He joined WEMA Bank Plc. in 1982, working at the Agodi Gate Branch, Ibadan as a banker. Two years later, in 1984, he started a prayer group with his co-workers at the same branch and single-handedly coordinated it due to his Islamic background. The name of the prayer group became NASRUL-LAHI-ALFATIH, which is today known as NASFAT, with the motto: “Wa ma Nasru illa-min “ indillah...” meaning, “There is no help except from Allah”. The name and the motto of the society were given to him by his late father who prayed seriously for the growth of the prayer group. When he was moved to the Oyingbo Branch of Wema Bank Lagos, he was still very much active in the propagation of Islam. He gained more supports for the launching of NASFAT. The late Abdulmun’im Taiye Tijani led this group till it became a house hold name, as a vibrant Islamic organization within and outside Nigeria.

He played a very significant role in the progress of “Yusrullahi Asalatu (IRORUN OLUWA LONII) which was founded by late Alhaji Murtala Akangbe a top Management Officer at Wema Bank Oyingbo Branch in Lagos. The late AbdulMun’im left NASFAT due to crisis and founded another Asalatu group known as Alfathul Quareeb Islamic Society of Nigeria on June 20, 1999. Shaykh Abdulmun’im proceeded to Lagos State University (LASU) where he completed his B.A Degree in Islamic Studies in 2009.

He was the founder, Chief Missioner and the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the society till his death on 6th January 2011. The late AbdulMun’im compiled the prayer books for the two associations and was instrumental to their formations, which remain as a copying-manual for many Muslim societies today. The founder of the two leading Islamic organizations produced Asalatu audio cassettes for the use of members.

Following his demise, a break out faction withdrew the CAC certificate from Wema Bank where it was deposited and claimed ownership of the association. Consequently, the loyalists of the founder sprung up to continue his legacy, struggled to obtain a certificate from the CAC with the new name: Alfathu-l-Qareeb Muslim Organization of Nigeria, differing from the initial spelling of Quareeb. Shaykh AbdulMun’im Taye is no more, He returned to his Creator, Allah, thirteen years ago but his legacies live on and he is the reason thousands of members of the association from within and outside Nigeria came together to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the organization. May Allah overlook his shortcomings and grant him al-Jannah firdaus, Ameen.

Shaykh Abdul Mun'im Taiye Tijani passed on, thus, the mantle of leadership was conferred on his twin brother, Shaykh (Dr.) Fadlu-r- Rahman Kehinde Tijani, who was among the loyalists that continued the propagation of Islam through the Alfathu-l-Qareeb Muslim Organization of Nigeria. He became the next Chief Imam/Missioner and the spiritual guide of the organization.

Interestingly, Dr. Fadlu-r-Rahman shared many things in common with his twin brother right from their childhood, including the same records up till secondary school. Like his twin brother, he used to represent the Muslim Students’ Society at quiz competitions. He also represented the school in essay writing and other academic competitions. He won prizes for his school and was the Senior Prefect of his school, Moslem Grammar School, Odinjo, Ibadan, set of 81. Dr. Fadlu-r-Rahman served as the Chief Missioner for YOMPAN SA’IDNA (Young Muslim Progressive Association of Nigeria) in Ibadan in the 80s.

Dr. Fadlu-r-Rahman obtained his

1. B.A (Hons) in Arabic Studies from University of Ilorin in 1985.
2. Postgraduate Diploma in Education (P.G.D.E) from University of Ibadan in 1989.
3. Masters degree in Communication and Language Arts from University of Ibadan 1997.
4. Masters in Arabic Studies from University of Ilorin in 1997;
5. Ph.D in Arabic Literature from University of Ilorin in 2010.

Dr. Fadlu-r-Rahman worked with the Federal Ministry of Education as Education Officer from 1987 to 2020. He served as the College Imam at the Federal Government Colleges Ilorin and Minna respectively. He retired from the service as a Director.

He has some publications to his credit including Jihad, A misunderstood concept-communication perspective, information technology and Arabic Language in Nigeria.

His exemplary leadership and Spiritual guide contribute to the growth of the society left behind by his brother as he introduced different programmes for the members.