Canopies Create Comfort for Muslim Worshippers at UDUS Mosque

Before umbrella canopies that shaded the mosque environment were rooted in the compound, Aliy Imogbemi always felt reluctant to go to the mosque on Friday whenever he heard the call to prayer.

When the mosque is full, outside in the scorching sun is inconvenient for those who listen to sermons and observe their prayers outside. 

Until the new canopies, Imogbemi—a 300-level law student—had abandoned the central Mosque of Usmanu Danfodiyo University for another one farther away.   

“Before, I used to be surprised the whole UDUS Jumah Masjid for lacking space,” he said. “But now, the shelter erected has been helping in saving us from the scorching sun.”

The Sokoto sun is popular for being unbearably hot recording the highest temperatures in Nigeria sometimes. On the other hand, when it is the rainy season, the rain is unpredictable and this makes going to Friday prayers at this mosque difficult due to the fear of being caught in the downpour.

UDUS Central Mosque, Old But Odd

According to the Chief Imam of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Jum’ah mosque, Prof. Gambo Hassan, the Jum’ah was constructed on the 12th of December, 2003 similar to the 19th of Shawwal, 1424. 

Despite its decades-long existence, the mosque is short of space for all observers who patronize the place of worship every Friday. 

Fortunately, the umbrella canopies are changing the narrative.

These days, students like Murtadhor Idris, a 300-level Education Economics student, can go to the mosque, spread his mat outside, listen to sermons and enjoy the shade under the canopies. 

“The shelter is greatly helping in many ways,” Idris said. 

Unknown Philanthropist

In their act of kindness, some people expect rewards in heaven and not in the praises from men. Such is that of the philanthropist who sponsored the construction of canopies in the UDUS central mosque compound.

“The philanthropist doesn’t want himself to be disclosed, he only does it for the sake of Allah,” Mallam Sharif Abdulsalam, a member of the Maintenance and Accommodation Committee, said. 

Muhammad Babadoko, the Amir of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, (MSSN) UDUS chapter, explained the act is the kind that continues to generate rewards to the doer even after death. This is according to the narration from Prophet Muhammad which says, “When a human being dies, his deeds end save three things: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge and a righteous child who prays for him.” 

So what this servant of Allah has done is an ongoing charity, Babadoko said, for which he will get rewards now and even after death.