•It Is Located Inside 185-Year-Old Mosque @ IDIAPE, ILORIN
When people refer to the ancient city of Ilorin a state far from Hell but close to Heaven, they definitely mean it. Visit the Emirates City, and you will be told that there is a mystery well in a popular Mosque in Ilorin called “Mosalasi Alimi (Mosque of Alimi) in Idi-Idiape area of Ilorin where many celebrities go to for prayers and their prayers get answered.
The well is located inside the 185 years old ancient Mosque, located very close to the modern Mosque in Oja Oba. It is always a beehive of activities as many celebrities come from far and near to fetch the water from the first Well in Ilorin, done by foremost Shehu Alimi of Ilorin.
Although, the Mosque worldwide serves the same spiritual purposes but late Alimi Mosque in Idi-Aape serves much more than. Just being a worship centre for Muslims faithful. It is a prayer centre for many Muslims who always storm the Mosque due to who founded the Mosque.
In case you don’t know, Shehu Alimi built the Idi Aape mosque. The mosque is the 2nd Mosque in the Ilorin. The Mosque was built in 1835 during the reign of the first Emir of Ilorin, Abdus-salam. However, more than a century later, this central mosque could no longer cope with the growth in the Muslim population of the city. For this reason, in 1974, the ninth Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr) Zulkarnaini Gambari, invited Grand Mufti Alhaji Mohammed Kamal-u-deen and the then present Wazirin Ngeri of Ilorin, Dr. Abubakar Sola Saraki, to co-ordinate the fundraising and construction of a new Central Mosque.
Despite the fact that the new ultra-modern was built just a few miles away from Idi Ape mosque, it has still been able to retain its importance.
Did you just ask how does the Mosque look? Driving towards the popular Oja Oba market directly opposites the Oja Oba, ask for Idi Ape mosque where people go to fetch the misery Well water. It is an old mosque which is surrounded by many traders at the popular Oja Oba market. You will also notice some traders selling Islamic materials. Walking a little bit further, it may be difficult to spot the old Mosque there.
Entering through the wooden door, you will begin to appreciate the local settings of the mosque as you will see many alfas who surrounded the mosque reciting the Holy Quran. You will then see as many pigeons in the compound. While some of them made the tree their abode, some are on the floor eating corn, which many who come for prayers give them as alms (Saara).
The Mosque is led by an old Chief Imam Man who will be in his late 70. He is always within the compound. You will also see old women who will help you fetch the water from the well. Some always put the water in a white keg to take home,
It is said that the well was dug by Shehu Alimi and he seeks Allah guidance before he embarks on digging the well. It is also said that he prayed and fast for a number of days before he got to where there is water. They said he believe so much in the water and many have received miracles by visiting the mosque and drinking the water.
When City People visited the ancient city a few days ago, it was not difficult to get the Mosque as virtually, everybody knows the location of the Mosque and the mystery Well.
– Abiola Orisile
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