Orbituary of Ml Mumtazul Haq (ra)

INSTITUTION FOR HIGHER ISLAMIC EDUCATION SOUTH AFRICA
ORBITUARY
MAWLANA MUMTAZUL HAQ NAZIR (RA)
A SUDDEN LOSS
Ml Safwaan Navlakhi
POETRY
Ml Safwaan Navlakhi Qr Ridwaan Bavaddin Ml Abu Huraira Bobat


A SUDDEN LOSS
THE DEMISE OF MAWLĀNĀ MUMTAZUL HAQ NAZIR RA
By Ml Safwaan Navlakhi
On Tuesday, 8th August 2017, the Jāmi’ah experienced its greatest loss to date. One of our most senior teachers, the honorable Hadhrat Moulānā Mumtazul Haq RA was returning home to Roshnee after a morning of delivering Hadith and Tafseer lessons at the Jamiah when he was tragically martyred on a false pretense. Moulānā served at the Jāmi’ah since 2011 and played various fundamental roles at the Jāmi’ah apart from his celebrated discourses in Hadith, Qur’an Tafsīr and Arabic literature and poetry. Moulānā’s presence is and will be sorely missed by Jāmi’ah students, teachers and management alike. May Allāh elevate his status and fill his grave with divine light, Āmīn.
A glimpse into Mawlānā's life Birth and upbringing
Moulānā was born in 1953 in Thakhtee, near Gujarkhan in Punjab, Pakistan and trod the path of knowledge from the tender age of 7. He was enrolled in the Hifdh (Qur’ān memorization) course at the acclaimed Jāmi’ah al-Ulūm al-Islāmiyyah of Binnori Town, Karachi, Pakistan. By 1963, at the age of 10, Moulānā had completed memorization of the Holy Qur’ān. He was then enrolled in the ‘Ālim Fādil course at the very same institute from which he qualified in 1972. The final exams of the ‘Ālim course in Pakistan is nationally standardized and is overseen by a national board named Wifāqul Madāris. Thousands of graduates participate in this examination annually. It is worth noting that Moulānā ranked second overall in this examination; Moulānā’s esteemed brother, Moulānā Mansurul Haq DB obtained first position.
The master of Hadith in his era, the then patron of Jāmi’ah al-Ulūm al- Islāmiyyah of Binnori Town, Hadhrat Moulānā Yusuf Binnori RA took a great liking to Moulānā Mumtazul Haq RA. He encouraged him to learn the English language with the vision that he will one day serve in an English speaking country. Moulānā proved to master the English language in later years, together with mastering Arabic, Persian and Punjabi. During his years in Newcastle, Moulānā also became conversant in Zulu!


Teaching Career
After graduating in 1972, Moulānā served in various positions of teaching and Imāmat until 1979. It was at this point that both Moulānā and his brother, Moulānā Mansurul Haq were sent by their great teacher, Moulānā Yusuf Binnori RA, to serve in South Africa. At this point, Moulānā Binnori is famously quoted as saying, “I am sending to you two of my stars.” Upon arrival in South Africa, Moulānā and his esteemed brother began teaching at the first established Islamic University of South Africa, Dārul Ulūm Newcastle. Here, they played a pivotal role in upskilling the students in their knowledge and usage of the Arabic language. During his stay in Newcastle, Moulānā taught various subjects and classical works, the foremost of which is the Hadīth collection: Sunan Abī Dāwūd. In 1992, Moulānā relocated to Rustenburg where he served for a further 7 years. During his stay, Moulānā made valuable contributions to the Muslim community in his capacity as Imām, teacher and Madrasah principal. Moulānā was also instrumental in initiating the first Muslim school in Rustenburg.
In 1998, Moulānā was called to San Jose, California USA. He served as Imām and Director of an Islamic center for 10 years up to 2008.
Moulānā’s stay in USA was abruptly terminated when his visa was cancelled pursuant to which he was detained for almost two months without charge. Moulānā then returned to South Africa. After settling in Roshnee, Moulānā graced the Jāmi’ah with his services since 2011. Moulānā played a pivotal role in many key areas of the Jāmi’ah,
some of which are:
- Shaykhul Hadīth
- Head of Tarbiyyah
- Head of Syllabus Design etc.
Moulana taught Sahīh al-Bukhāri, Jāmi’ al- Tirmidhi, Tafsīr al-Jalālayn and advanced texts in Arabic literature.
Simultaneously, Moulānā was extremely proactive in various community building projects in Roshnee including the CPF, burial services and Tarawīh program.
Special Salient Attributes
Moulānā’s life is a living reflection of the Islamic requirements of character and conduct. Some of Moulānā’s salient attributes are:


1. Ardent lover and reciter of the Holy Qur’ān – during the latter part of his life, Moulānā was known to recite upto 20 Ajzā’ of the Holy Qur’ān daily.
2. Always strived for excellence – Moulānā always insisted on students putting sufficient effort in their studies and stressed on meticulousness in aspects that some may consider insignificant.
3. Absolute humility – Despite his great stature in knowledge and piety, Moulānā was never known to seek fame and never promoted himself. The person engaging with Moulānā would feel like an equal/superior due to his immense humility.
4. Very appreciative – Moulānā would always accept even the smallest of gifts and express enormous appreciation for any act of kindness.
5. Passionate teacher – Moulānā had a deep passion for knowledge of Qur’ān, Hadīth and Arabic literature. This passion shone brightly in his enthusiastic approach to teaching. When identifying potential in a student, Moulānā mastered the art of maximizing the student’s potential.
6. Well-balanced individual – Together with being an established scholar and academic, Moulānā was also socially and physically active.
7. Clean hearted – Moulānā never housed feelings that were contrary to his speech. If he felt a particular way about anything, he would clearly and respectfully express his feelings.
8. Person of integrity – Moulānā was professional in his approach and never did anything lopsidedly. On one occasion, Moulānā missed a day of teaching; at the end of that particular month, he returned the proportionate amount of salary to the principal.
Wise Words
Moulānā’s lessons and discourses were filled with wisdom and justice. Some of his beautiful sayings are:
1. Sincerity is not enough, one needs sincerity with guidance.
2. Good people are tested in the Dunyā so they may be blessed with high stages in the
Ākhirah.
May Allāh Ta’ala forgive Moulānā and shower His Mercies upon him. May Allāh allow the legacy of this great teacher and leader to live in his students and progeny for generations to come. Āmīn.


A poem by Ml. Safwaan Navlakhi
TRANSLATION
1. Oh, how I yearn and desire to meet my beloved and dear (teacher)!
2. (to see) his (radiant) face (which shone) like a lamp and (to engage) with his kind and lofty heart.
3. He set off (to the hereafter) without bidding farewell, thus we are left without a shield.
4. (However) Every person has to one day (upon demise) lie in the depths of the earth.
5. He gave us to drink (by treating us kindly) from the drink of love, and how many are there who will treat others with such love?
6. We knew him as the best of people, always in the forefront of good initiatives.
7. Truly, (Ml) Mumtaz (ul Haq RA) was distinguished from everyone else.
8. Through (his) knowledge and sincerity, his pure-heartedness and beauty.
9. (and through his) mastery (in many fields), his generosity, kindness and good character.
10. He is a key to goodness (one is exposed only to good in his company) and he is like a lock for evil (in his company, one is saved from sin)
11. We have been afflicted with severe grief! Is there any curer for this grief?
12. Oh Lord of the worlds, enshroud him in Your forgiveness and your eternal pleasure.
13. And grant us and his family patience oh my Lord and Creator. 14. And reunite us with him and the chosen (messenger), the majestic Adnan Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam.


I present to you oh dear ones a lament of our mentor, (Ml) Mumtazul Haq who was a scholar and a poet. Everyone has benefited from his legacy and knowledge, thus everyone is weeping over his death in memory.
My night and day is prolonged due to his loss, and grievingly I complain about my sorrows and sadness (to Allah).
He personified Taqwā not to mention his kindness, and he was an embodiment of diligence and forbearance. He distinguished himself in his understanding and wisdom and we boast of his memory and proficiency. North and South, every direction I travelled, I found (many teachers) but none matched his prowess.
I call unto my Nourisher and Sustainer, to grant my teacher an easy reckoning. Oh my Nourisher honour and cleanse him with pardon and forgiveness when he stands on the plains of reckoning. Oh my Nourisher send our pious actions to him, who was a sweet fragrance amongst us.
And our last dua for Our (Ml) Mumtaz is that Allah rewards him with delight.
A POEM BY QR. RIDWAAN BAVADIEN


Our father and our teacher Mumtaz has journeyed (from this world).
And by the decree of Allah has become a resident of the grave.
Oh my companions! Do you even know who you have lost?
You have lost a leader in life and a guide.
An exegete of the Qur'an, a transmitter of the Sunnah.
A teacher of luminaries and a nurturing mentor.
Enshroud him oh my Rabb with with mercy and light.
And coupled with being pleased (with him) honour him with success and forgiveness.
Give Abu Hirr the good fortune of dying upon piety and Allah- consciousness.
Likewise (grant death upon piety to)all the believers oh my Allah.



In verse (41;13) Allāh discusses how the earth will become constraint and curtailed for the people. Regarding this, ibn al Abbās (Ra) & Mujāhid have explained that it refers to the death of Ulamā , Fuqahā and people of good and piety.