The man of principle, Hafiz
Ismail Munshi Sahab (Rahmatullah Aleih), popularly known as "Hifz Sahab" among
his dear and near ones, passed away at 12:15, on 14th November 2015. Till
yesterday, observing his humbleness, firmness, piety, modesty, principle,
splendid character and wonderful services of Deen, we used to value and
appreciate him. From today, discussing about him and his remarkable works, we
will pray for him to Allah, may He accept his services and grant him the best
abode in Jannah!
Hafiz Sahab (RA) was suffering from heart problem since 2008. His health
condition was not good since a month ago. He used to visit the hospital
frequently for checkup. When the chest pain increased and was unbearable, he was
admitted in the Fairview Hospital, Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia, on Friday
morning, 13th November. In the night of 13th November, he suffered from the
heart attack and the heart stopped working normally. Just then he was shifted in
the ICU (Intensive Care Unit). On Saturday, 14th November, at 10: 23 am, on a
WhatsApp group, a message of his sad demise was sent. But just after 8 minutes,
at 10: 31 am, it was rejected by the sender with regret. Once again at 12:20, we
received the message that he passed away at 12:15. This was accurate and final.
Hafiz Sahab (RA) was a well-known personality in whole Zambia. After completing
his studies from Darul Uloom Falahe Darain, Tarkeshwar, Surat, Gujarat, India,
Allah had destined him to serve in Zambia, a tiny African country with the
population of 1,54,08,479 people as of 1st January 2015. He arrived in Zambia in
1969, when he was a 20-year young boy. After coming to Zambia, he started
serving the small Muslim Community in the country by teaching the children in
Jama Masjid, Lusaka for a small period of time that was just one year.
Real works of Hafiz Sahab (RA) began when he started working in a village Kawere,
near Petauke Town of Zambia. While serving in Kawere, he established an
association namely "Petauke Kawere Muslim Association", in 1973. Under this
Association, he founded an Islamic school known as "Anusa Secondary School" and
a Madrasa namely "Madrasa Anwarul Islam" where about 370 downtrodden, destitute,
poor and orphans pupils and students are being equipped with both the Islamic
and secular educations under a roof through the guidance of 15 qualified and
hardworking teachers who impart knowledge among them. Apart from the school and
Madrasah, there are dozens of Makaatib, where hundreds of children are learning
basic of Islam, in Petauke area which are run under the "Petauke Kawere Muslim
Association" as well.
Though he was a Hafiz, but the passion for serving of Deen was so high that he
played a pivotal role to preach Islam in the country in whichever way maybe.
Just after his arrival, he learnt English and Nyanja (a local language)
languages. He translated about nine Urdu books of our Ulama into Nyanja. The
translation of "Taleemul Islam" (Urdu) into Nyanja language, for the little
starts of the Muslim Community, is one among his famous translated books.
Commonly people don't know anything about Tablighi Jama'at and they start
pointing finger at those who are connected with the Tablighi Jamat. This author
heard many people speaking against Chhe Baten (Six Points= the common activities
of the brothers who go in Tablighi Jama'at). The people say: "Is it complete
Islam? Why do they force on these Six Points only?" It means, they want to say
that it's not complete Islam. I mostly argue with such peoples, as I heard once
from one of my honourable teachers saying, "Yes, Six Points aren't complete
Islam, but without Six Points, Islam is not complete as well." It means we must
know "Six Points" to know Islam. Cutting the long story short, reading the mind
of the common people regarding Tablighi Jama'at, Hafiz Sahab (RA) translated "Chhe
Baten" into local language. So that the people will learn and realize that what
is learnt, taught and practiced in Tablighi Jama'at.
In 1996, Hafiz Sahab (RA) left Petauke and settled in Makeni, Lusaka. After
leaving Petauke, he resigned from every post he had been holding to rest. But he
remained as mentor and guide for his whole life for his founded Association and
his words were final regarding any decision of the Association due to his
services and personality. For the very reason he used to visit Petauke
frequently to check the works on the ground and the activities of the school and
Madrasa. The teacher and students were very happy with him. Whenever I talked to
my colleague, Mufti Abdul Qavi Qasmi and my friend, Maulan Zakiur Rahman Qasmi,
who are working in the School and Madrasa of the Petauke Kawere Muslim
Association, founded by Hafiz Sahab (RA), were always full with his praise due
to his kindness, sincerity and generosity.
I travelled to Petauke, in January 2012, for 3 days on the invitation of Mufti
Abdul Qavi Qasmi, who recently has returned after performing Hajj and Umarh with
his family members. When I visited the School and Maradsa, I was overjoyed to
see the Christian pupils and students clad in Kurta, Pajamas and Topi and
reading 30th part or so of the Holy Quran with correct pronunciation and caring
fully the rules of Tajweed. Hafiz Sahab (RA) had made it compulsory for all
students of his School to participate in the periods of Islamic Studies. It
doesn't matter, either some of them are from Christian Faith. As my colleague,
Mufti Abdul Qavi Qasmi informed me that in this manner many students themselves
embraced Islam without any invitation, Al-Hamdulillah.
Hafiz Ismail Munshi Sahab (RA), along with being a mentor of Petauke Kawere
Muslim Association, he was one among the senior trustees of Moon Rays Trust,
which is one of the largest trusts of the country - running separate schools for
boys and girls from Nursery to Senior Secondary, one Madarsa for Aalimiyah
Course and 45+ Makaatib and Masajid in the country for the welfare of the Muslim
Community. He has the best relation with the trust and those who are related to
it. He was completely aware of the ground reality in the country, so he used to
suggest running the trust accordingly. His cooperation and suggestion was
totally constructive and productive for the trust. On some junctures, his
suggestion used to be the final and concluding.
Initially Hafiz Sahab (RA) took the oath of allegiance to Hazrat Maulana
Maseehullah Khan (RA), one of the Khulafaa of Hakeemul Ummat Hazrat Thanvi (RA).
After his death, he joined Hazrat Maulana Sayyid Abrar Ahmad Dhulyavi (ex-Sheikhul
Hadeeth: Darul Uloom Falahe Darain, Tarkeshwar) for his spiritual guidance.
Following his demise, he attached himself with Sheikhe Tariqat Hazrat Maulana
Qamruz Zaman Sahab (May Allah protect him!) in 1995 and was blessed with
Khilaafah in 1998 by the Sheikh. He was one among the leading Khulafaa of the
Sheikh.
Hafiz Sahab (RA) was born on 22nd June, 1950 in Tankariya, a village in Bharuch
district of Gujarat, India. He was blessed with three sons, (Late) Mr. Salim
Munshi, a pilot, Mr. Muhammad Zahir Munshi, a businessman and Dr. Abdur Rahim
Munshi, a medical doctor and two daughters. In 2008, Mr. Saleem (RA) passed away
on his Umrah trip. After performing Umrah, he reached Madianh Manawwarah, where
he died on the spot in a car accident and was buried in Jannatul Baqee', a
graveyard in Madinah. Hafiz Sahab (RA) suffered the heartbreak of losing his
elder and youth son and it affected him badly.
The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Aleihi Wa Sallam) said, "When a man dies his
deeds discontinue, save three things (which he leaves behind): Permanent
charity, or a knowledge from which people can take benefit or a righteous son
who prays for him." (Sahih Muslim) Now, Hafiz Sahab (RA) is no more with us. His
deeds have discontinued with his death definitely according to the saying of the
beloved Prophet (SAWS). But, Al-Hamdulillah, the knowledge which he imparted,
his permanent charity in the form of his works and services as well as his
righteous sons are alive among us. The people will remember his vibrant services
and tireless works. They will pray for the elevation of his ranks In Shaa Allah.
On top of that, I hope that his Record of Deeds would be full with good deeds
and he will be rewarded for that by his Maker and Creator In Shaa Allah. May
Allah shower His mercy on his grave and grant him Jannatul Firdaus! Aameen!
(The author is a Darul Uloom, Deoband alumnus and presently teacher of Moon Rays
Trust School, Zambia, Africa.)