An Ode to Hadhrat (Allah drench him in His mercy)

He was born in 1946 in Gujarat, Naroli,

His mother was spiritual and hailed from a pious family.

His father was devout and had a spiritual connection,

A friend of Allah, constantly in dhikr, remembrance and reflection.

He started Alim class (Randeyr) at the age of fifteen,

With a passion to learn and a zeal to increase his deen.

It was after this he met his spiritual mentor,

Shaykh Zakariyya RH, who nurtured him as a son, rather, even more.

In 1968, he came to the UK and his married life started,

He was a great husband, respectful and kind-hearted.

Handsome, generous, simple and sincere, his beauty shone through,

And so he opened the first seminary, in Bury, small and humble, which eventually grew.

 His students were many, leaders and giants, too many to name, but here are a few,

Mufti Abdus Samad, Mufti Ibrahim Raja, Mawlana Saleem Dhorat, Mawlana Fadhle Haq, Mawlana Abdul Raheem and many others too!

Darul Uloom Bury (aka Ummul Madaris of Europe) was just the start of his grand plan,

Many other institutes now opened and this is where his dream began.

He continued with Mawlana Qasim’s legacy,

Who started Deoband under the shade of a pomegranate tree.

Not just for boys, but he opened Madaris for girls,

So they could also derive benefit, succeed, prosper and shine like pearls.

His piety was known to all, his knowledge spread far and wide,

He was known for his resilience, principles, not to sway left or right,

He did what others could not do, he went against all odds, no matter how high the tide.

His humility, his patience, his wisdom and long silence,

We will remember his sweet, soft voice, gently advising – the epitome of his excellence.

He would never raise his voice, never speak out of turn,

Constantly remembering his Lord, it was His love he would yearn.

He was a lantern of knowledge, a lamp for guidance, in every matter he sought Allah as a friend.

He became a leader, a luminary and left as a legend.

May your soul rest in the Gardens of Paradise, where you have been laid,

May Allah recompense you for all your toils and sacrifice, we pray you are repaid.

We make Dua to Allah to grant you the company of his Nabi SAW,

“Sarkar dow Alam SAW” (as you would always refer to him) and his companions RA and family.

O Allah, he is now with You,

Forgive him and exalt him,

We pray for his success and elevation in Jannah too! Ameen.

Ismail ibn Nazir Satia (one who is in dire need of Allah’s forgiveness, mercy and pleasure).

10 Muharram 1441