By: Mahmud Babangida Beli
InThe bustling city of Kaduna, Nigeria, amidst the rhythmic hum of sewing machines, a humble tailor named Malam Ismaila Musa Shuaibu crafted garments with skill and precision.
His hands, shaped by years of stitching fabric, were also the hands of a man with a deep and abiding faith. For years, Malam Ismail tailored (pun intended) to perform Hajj, the sacred pilgrimage to Makkah, which every able Muslim is required to undertake.
However each year, as the cost of Hajj soared, Malam Ismail watched from the sidelines as wealthier pilgrims boarded planes and buses, while his savings, though hard-earned, diminished. Each attempt to fulfil this sacred obligation seemed to slip through his fingers, and he felt helpless. Yet his faith, unwavering and resolute, refused to let go of the dream.
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Then, in 2023, frustrated by years of waiting and watching the opportunity pass by, Malam Ismail made a final decision. He would go to Hajj by road.
Armed with only a backpack, a prayer mat, a well-worn Qur’an, and his unshakable belief, Malam Ismail, who is in his late fifties, set out from his home. His journey took him down the paths of buses, bikes at times on foot. He would cross borders on foot, facing the harsh elements of the Sahara and the unknown challenges of unfamiliar lands.
For weeks, Malam Ismail travelled across Niger, Chad, and into Sudan. Each step he took was a prayer, each mile a manifestation of his devotion to God. He prayed with nomads in the desert, shared meals with strangers, and slept beneath the stars, his body exhausted but his spirit alight. Every blister on his feet was a reminder of his commitment, every new horizon, a symbol of his faith in Allah’s plan.
But as Malam Ismail neared his goal, fate dealt a cruel blow.
In April 2023, while in Sudan, war broke out. The violence between rival military factions turned peaceful cities into battlefields. Malam Ismail, unaware of the growing tensions, found himself trapped in a war zone. His dream of reaching Makkah now faced a terrifying new obstacle: survival.
Stranded in Sudan, Malam Ismail’s journey could have ended in tragedy. But his story didn’t fade away into the chaos. Instead, it caught the attention of many around him, and then the producers of NAHCON’s Hausa program on Sunnah TV, Hajji Kiran Allah”. His tale of unwavering faith, courage, and determination touched the hearts of many viewers.
His story was shared widely, and soon, the Chairman of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) took notice. Moved deeply by Malam Ismail’s struggle and relentless spirit, he decided that Malam Ismail’s journey should not end there.
In an unprecedented act of grace, the Chairman offered Ismail a fully-sponsored Hajj slot — a chance to complete his pilgrimage, not by road, but with honour and dignity. Ismail’s dream, once interrupted by war, was now within reach.
Ismail’s story is more than just one man’s pilgrimage; it is an evidence of the power of faith. In a world that often values lobbying and convenience, his journey reminds us that the path to God is not always easy, but it is always worth walking — no matter how hard the road may seem.
As he reflected on his journey, Malam Ismail shared these words: “I set out to find Allah, and He met me on the road.”
His story continues to inspire those who hear it — a reminder that sometimes, it’s the most difficult journeys that bring the most profound rewards.
