Sheikh Sulaimon Farooq and Sheikh Muhammed Adam (El-Ilory) are at the center of a growing controversy following accusations of diabolical practices.
The clash between these two prominent Islamic clerics has drawn significant attention, especially as they belong to influential schools in Lagos and Kwara States.
The tension surfaced when Sheikh Muhammed Adam, the leader of the Markaz Centre for Arabic and Islamic Studies in Agege, Lagos, accused Sheikh Sulaimon Farooq (known as Onikijipa) of orchestrating his recent illness through voodoo. Adam made the statement during his speech at the 2025 Ramadan Tafseer Program at his institution.
Tafseer, which is derived from the Arabic word “fasara,” aims to explain and interpret the Quran for deeper understanding of God’s will. Adam stressed that while he usually refrains from discussing personal conflicts, he felt compelled to clarify the situation surrounding his illness and the rift with Farooq.
Adam accused Farooq of harboring resentment over the omission of his father’s name in a book written by Adam’s late father, Sheikh Adam. According to Adam, Farooq had long criticized his father for this perceived slight.
The feud also touches on the Onikijipa lineage, with Adam challenging Farooq’s claims about his heritage. Adam asserted that the true heirs of the Onikijipa lineage were not from Farooq’s family but from other individuals in Ilorin, specifically Alfa Alabi Onikijipa, who is considered the rightful heir.
During his lecture, Adam refrained from directly naming Farooq, instead referring to him as “the person” or “he.” He further shared details of his illness, which he believes was triggered by Farooq’s actions.
Adam recounted an incident at a wedding in Ilorin, where he alleges Farooq placed an object in his pocket, which later caused his condition to deteriorate.
Adam denied rumors that he had suffered a stroke and claimed that Farooq had sought to retrieve the mysterious items placed in his pocket. These items, which were allegedly used for protection, were later returned by Farooq, but Adam’s condition remained unchanged.
In response, Farooq vehemently denied any involvement in Adam’s illness. In a sworn declaration made during Ramadan, Farooq swore on the Quran, denying any role in causing Adam’s sickness. He invoked a curse upon himself if the allegations were true but insisted that Adam was fabricating the claims.
Despite the heated exchange, both clerics remain respected figures in the Islamic community, particularly in southwestern and northern Nigeria, and their dispute continues to spark debate among their followers.
