A Sokoto-based cleric, Musa Lukuwa, led his followers in observing Eid al-Fitr prayers on Thursday.
The move was against the directive of Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, who had fixed Friday as the day for the celebration.
Lukuwa held the Eid prayer at his mosque in Mabera around 9:10am.
This came shortly after the Sultan announced that the Shawwal moon had not been seen anywhere in Nigeria, meaning Muslims should continue fasting for one more day.
In a message shared online, Lukuwa explained that his decision was based on reports that the moon had been sighted in the nearby Niger Republic.
The cleric said, “Niger Republic is very close to us — about 100 kilometres away.
“If we accept reports from cities like Kano or even Lagos, which are farther away, there is no reason to reject confirmed sightings from a neighbouring country.”
He said his action was not meant to challenge the authority of the Sultan but was guided by his understanding of Islamic teachings.
“We usually follow the Sultan’s directive in starting and ending Ramadan. However, when it is clear that the moon has been sighted, we must act in accordance with the teachings of the Prophet, even if it differs from the Sultan’s declaration,” he stated.
He also referred to earlier times when Islamic scholars independently announced moon sightings before the responsibility was later centralised under the Sultan to ensure unity among Muslims.
According to him, the Sultan’s decision in this case was mistaken.
Lukuwa reportedly informed his followers late at night and asked them to prepare for Eid prayers the next morning.
In Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto is widely recognised as the authority responsible for announcing the start and end of Ramadan, based on verified moon sightings across the country, in order to maintain unity among Muslims.
However, disagreements sometimes arise, especially when moon sightings are reported in neighbouring countries.
This has led to different practices among some clerics and communities, particularly in northern parts of the country.
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