Hafiz Patel Rahimahullah Tribute Thread

Hafiz Muhammad Patel, the Ameer of Da'wah and Tableegh, Dewsbury, passed away yesterday after Maghrib at the age of 92.

Inna lillah wa inna ilaihi rajeoon

His Janazah and burial will take place today Friday 19th February in Dewsbury.

May Almighty Allah Grant him high stages in Jannah. Ameen

In 1987 before even I set upon the path to seek knowledge, I spent 40 days in the path of Allah in Zimbabwe.
It was Imran Pilodia from Middelburg in South Africa who visited me at my home and encouraged me to spend these 40 days. I spent some days in Bulawayo, Gweru and Harare with a good Ameer, Muhammad Chalakta, who also sadly passed away a few years ago in Laudium, South Africa.

These efforts have indeed transformed lives.

As a student in Karachi, I visited the Markaz in Raiwind and also spent 40 days there, some of which in Lahore and Sarghoda.

While I was a student in Cairo in 1992 I spent some days in Tableegh there.

The passing away of Hafiz Muhammad Patel brings back some memories.
I visited the Markaz in Dewsbury a few times and had the opportunity to sit in his pious company.

Well fortunate indeed are those who have committed themselves to this effort while refreshing their own Imaan as well as inspiring others.

On 21 April 2006 I took some youngsters from Tooting to Tableegh in Southampton. Had they not joined me they would have been at the scene of the murder. On that day in Tooting two brothers were murdered.

"Whosoever directs to do good will earn the same reward as the doer."

Salaams
Imam Sulaiman Gani

Today's Jumuah Thought By Hafiz Zuber Rawat. A Tribute to Late Hafiz Patel Sahib

Such a Sad moment, such a Sad day, A Legend of Islam has passed away.

His Zikr, His Fikr, His Crying at night, His Sparkling face, shining so bright.

His Continuous striving in Allah's way, Throughout the decades, until his last day.

The reward of Europe, he takes in his grave, As the people flocked, wave after wave.

Masajids, Madaris, Ulamah and more, As the Sunnah entered, from door to door.

We Muslims are orphaned by his demise, The nights are deprived of weeping eyes.

As the Ummah prepares to fill this hole, The Angels take pride in carrying his Soul.

On this blessed night, though Hafiz Sahib has gone, In the shape of the work, his legacy lives on.

Have a blessed jumuah.

With tearful eyes I write this, in remembrance of Hafiz Patel Saheb Ra - his demise is a great and saddening loss to the Ummat.

Allah granted this weak one the opportunity to sit in his company numerous times. The one thing about him that left upon me the most lasting impression, something that I can still vividly picture even after many years, is his fikr for Deen - the worry and concern he had for this Ummat. Every word he would utter would be literally soaked in fikr and concern. Such a high level of fikr is difficult to find in the world today.

His way of speaking, the gestures of his hands while speaking, Allahu akbar, everything about him would be loudly and clearly showing his extreme sadness and worry for the Ummat.
A few hours after his demise, an Aalim from South Africa saw him in a dream smiling, his face shining, and he was already relaxing in Jannat. (He hasn't even been buried yet, at least as of the typing of this post)

May Allah grant us that same fikr for deen which is so missing in us. It is this fikr which is needed in Kenya specifically, and the whole world in general.

Below are some of his blessed words which I heard from him and noted down (his words were in Urdu which I have then translated into English) -

"The effort of Deen is more important than eating and the (material) upbringing of children"
What this means is that to make an effort of Deen, and to have the worry and concern for Deen is more important than eating and the material upbringing of children, because the former is a means of success in both Dunya and Aakhirat, while the later is restricted to the comfort of Dunya. Unfortunately many times we see parents going all out in giving material comfort to their children - food, clothes, toys, and anything else they may want. However, giving them the true Islamic and Deeni nurturing, according to Shariah is given the back seat, if at all in the picture.

"Hazrat Maulana Ilyas Ra said that nothing can be achieved with ease and comfort - neither 'Ilm nor Deen nor the strength of Imaan"
Sadly, today we want to reach great heights without making any efforts, without sacrificing in the least bit. Our great Ulama and elders reached the lofty levels we see them on, or read about, after long periods of great difficulties and distress, through which they persevered.

"Once the students of Darul Uloom Deoband came to Markaz Nizamuddeen at a time when the health of Maulana Ilyas Ra was down. Through his attendant, Maulana Ilyas Ra gave them three points of advice - 1. 'Ilm is acquired through adab. Adab holds the greatest importance, especially adab of the Ustadhs. 2. Realize your own value! You are more valuable than the wealth of the entire world! 3. In acquiring 'Ilm, your objective should be to act upon the knowledge that you gain."
May Allah grant us the tawfeeq to act upon these meaningful and blessed words, and bless us with the ability to walk on the footsteps of our Akaabireen. Aameen. By Maulana Arif Omar

By Maulana Salih Patel, Bradford.

My time with HAFIZ PATEL SAHIB. 1997 - 2007

In my 10 years in madrassah doing his khidmat not once can I recall him shouting at me. The love he showed for every individual was always equal.

I can recall when I and his grandchildren were ever together with him he never treated me differently to them, the same love and affection was shown to me and them. This was a great quality hafiz sahib had, he loved everyone the same for the sake of Allah.

The love and care he showed me was immense. The support he gave me till his final days was priceless.

He would always advice on helping others for the sake of deen and only for the pleasure of Allah.

Also those precious moments after graduation when he would give a ticking off when you needed a push just showed the love he had for you.

He use to always say when sharing food with us and feeding us with his own hands, APP KE BIBI BE AAP KO ESI MUHABBAT KE SATH NAHI KHILAYENGI.

He showed us more love than our own parents taught us things we will hold on to dearly.

When I and moulana Imraan (Todmorden) use to take tea for him after fajar 430am and Hafiz Sahib use to return late after mashwara, we would usally lie down and dose off he would come read his Ishrak and with so much love wake us both up.

Never once did he shout "GET UP" he would come to us and wake us up with his hands.

In ramadahn before sehri he would be on the musallah making duah for all the ummah and he would name countless individuals during his duah. Hafiz Sahib would make duah for each individual and their families, ustaad that taught in madrassah, his family.
We use to sit behind him and join in to listen to what he had to say and see if he would mention our names and when he did it would bring great joy to us.

Hafiz Sahib son Marhoom Moulana Abdullah Sahib once told us he met shaikh younis in sahranpor whilst he was studying there and requested hadhrat to do duah for him. He said hadhrat shouted back and said "BEWAQOOF APP KE WALI SAHIB SAY DUAH KARWAWO WO MUSTAJAB UD DUAH WALL MAI SAY HAI.

When ever I travelled with Hafiz Sahib his mamulaats were always the same they never changed even when he was ill he use to continue with his mamulaats.

The respect he had for Ulama was great.

I can share so much more like many others.

May Allah give Hafiz Sahib janatul firdous and let us all follow in his footsteps.

Ameen

Tribute to Hafiz Mohammed Ahmed Patel, Rahimahullah (1926-2016)

As the sun sank of Thursday 18th February 2016, so did the great shining star sink and begin to fade away to start a new journey towards the eternal life.

As the blessed day of Friday began (after Maghrib), little did anyone know that Hafiz Sahib Rahimahullah, was taking his final breaths and before Esha, he would have taken his last breath and departed from this world.

Whilst Markaz was busy with Shab-e-Jummah, he slipped away very peacefully in his sleep without any signs of pain or visible discomfort and it was confirmed before Esha that he had left this world for the next.

Within a span of 15-20 minutes, news spread around the globe like fire and shocked all those that knew him or whose hearts he had touched and minds that he had transformed into better beings. Individuals and groups rushed to airports from various countries to try and book a seat to fly over to pay their final respects and get a possible glimpse of the guide and leader who they had revered and honoured all their life. They had been lectured by him on topics of respect, tolerance, love, unity and piety.

Those that were present became helpless in holding back their tears when the shocking news finally registered and they came face to face with reality. The individual who used to comfort them at times of distress was no longer any-more. They had lost the shoulder they were so used to, crying on.

Preparations were soon underway and instructions were given on how and where the Janazah would take place, in order to best accommodate the thousands that would be arriving from all over the globe at such a short notice.

The esteemed body that had travelled around the world tirelessly propagating the message of peace and love for all, had finally come to a halt and remained in Markaz that night.

Friday morning welcomed all with bright sunshine’s followed by grey skies after midday which was to lead to Allah’s mercy in the sign of slight drizzle just before the Janazah.

Ghusal was undertaken by members of the household and the body was laid in Masjid Umar for family members to pay their last respects to the pillar of the family, locality, community and for all around the globe.

From morning onwards people started trickling in, then flocking and finally pouring in to Dewsbury to attend Jummah, all admiring the great work of an outstanding leader, regretting the loss and mentioning how they had been orphaned.

All the local Masaajid were packed out well before time. Food was served before and after Jummah to all the guests arriving at various times.

Muslims and non-Muslims had been touched by the departure of such a great character that had gone in the books of history as a ‘Wali of Allah’. The local politicians approved free parking in all car parks around the town and so had the council workers and funeral services shown their kind gestures in trying to accommodate such a large funeral.

Even though the ground of the sports field was quite soft and damp, thousands wrapped in warm coats and hats, merged onto the funeral ground well before time in hope of getting a place at the front to get a glimpse of the coffin, when it was to be presented.

Asar Salah took place on the field and in the local Masaajid which was followed by the attendees pouring onto the sports field from all angles and corners. The rightful heir, Hafiz Sahib’s son, Maulana Saeed Sahib DB led the Janazah Salaah, in front of approximately 25k attendees.

Straight after the Janazah, everyone tried to rush towards the cemetery to participate for the burial but the narrow roads of Dewsbury had not witnessed before, such a huge number of vehicles all trying to get to the same destination. Whilst driving through some areas it was difficult to even see the road due to the crowds of people trying to pass by.

Around 5k people made it for burial, with many deciding to park up and come walking, whilst others either gave up due to the nearly standstill traffic at many places or were still on their way.

During the blessed time after Asar on the Friday and before the day could slip away, Hafiz Sahib Rahimahullah was laid to rest in the grave and people started to leave for Maghrib after Dua was made.

There was a sombre mood upon the great loss, mixed with exchanges of personal celebratory notes and fond memories of the great Ameer who was well versed in the art of giving Dawah. He knew when to be stern and when to be soft. He comforted when appropriate and condemned when need be. He hugged when a need arouse and held accountable when tasks weren’t completed.

Everyone will have their loving memories of the great spiritual fatherly figure that had touched their lives. I remember that he was very fond of my handwriting would always call upon me for a many years whenever he needed to send a letters to the elders of the work of Dawah around the world for various reasons. He had also instructed me to compile 100’s of pages of other work including lectures, letters and other valuable work, all handwritten. Whether it was late night, tahajjud time or daytime, he always had the same level of worry and concern in trying to get the message across to others about unity, love, respect, and tolerance. He would always show so much love and affection to me and never get angry or frustrated at any of my shortcomings. One of the last things I remember him saying to me was. “I always tell you what is good for you because I care for you”. The advice he used to give to all the Maktab, Madrasah teachers was, “Do not think it is great of you that you come to teach these children (but humble yourselves) and consider it an Ihsaan of these children that they come to you to learn”.

He has left many great lessons for us to learn and to follow. I am positive all of us will be able to recall similar incidents. To keep his legacy alive we need to follow and adopt those lessons of love, unity mutual respect and tolerance.

May Allah bless Hadhrat Hafiz Sahib with ease on this first night in the grave and make it a garden of Jannah and bless him with the very best in the Hereafter Insh’Allah, AMEEN

Asad

...

A few hours after his demise, an Aalim from South Africa saw him in a dream smiling, his face shining, and he was already relaxing in Jannat.

We buried a great man who affected millions worldwide, directly and indirectly. His funeral wasn't just an event or an occasion we can put a tick next to and tell our children about.
It's an occasion from which we must stand up, return home and take lessons.

Today we buried a giant who left behind a legacy of self-sacrifice and an inner worry for every person in this Ummah.
Who will carry on this legacy of his? YOU and I

We lost a giant who would cry every night in Tahajjud and invoke the mercy and guidance of Allah for every single individual of this Ummah till his beard would become wet.
Who will carry on this habit of tahajjud, crying and dua? YOU and I

InshaAllah

May Allah accept us all for the service of his Deen, grant us even an ounce of fikr that Hafiz sb had, and make us people who will be remembered after death as those who helped change the lives of others for the better. Ameen

Mufti Faraz Adam

If Allah loves you, He will elevate your name in this world & the Akhirah without you even knowing. That's when Allah is your only wish.

All the cyber traffic & fame is worthless when your soul departs this lowly existence.Your spiritual traffic & fame in Heavens is what lasts.

Hafiz Patel رضي الله عنه probably didn't use the Internet let alone a smartphone.Yet his name has captured social media & humbled world. #acceptance

The lesson is: work for Allah sincerely, He will make the entire creation subservient to you.

The cure to all our spiritual illnesses like pride, jealousy, hatred for one another etc is one: true love, yearning & submission to Allah.

I've never seen a Janazah like this in my life. Without doubt, this Muslim funeral was the largest of it's kind in the Western Hemisphere. Thousands of people from all over the globe came to attend the Janazah of Hāfidh Patel Sb (Rahimahullah). Police and other authorities had to manage the traffic due to the thousands of people attending. Hāfidh Patel undisputedly brought light and Dīnī revolution to the soil of UK and Europe. The man who became the *means* for the existence of thousands of Ulamā, Qurrā, Huffāz, and Duāt, who are serving the Dīn of Allah in all four corners of the world. This great man for decades spent his nights crying hours on end for the entire Ummah of our beloved Prophet ﷺ. The true Daī (caller to Allah) who carried the pain and worry for this Ummah in his heart.
I'm in pain and sorrow, and I worry who now will make dua for us like this.
Indeed, his life, death and entire legacy was dedicated to calling the people towards the worship of the Rab of the people.
Till his last breath, the words of the great Imam, Shaykh Yusuf Khandalawi (author of Hayat Al-Sahabah), were ringing in his ears and constantly motivating him, when he said to him:
"The Evil conspirers of the world have set their Evil plans to turn Makkah & Madinah into London & Paris. O my dear Hafiz Sahib, you make an all out effort to turn London & Paris into (the likes of) Makkah & Madinah."
Oh beloved father, indeed you have left great pain behind. Your life is a legacy for the generations to come.
May Allah give you the highest rank in Jannatul Firdaws. Amīn.

Shaykh Yasir Al hanafi

Kalma may woh taaqat hai jo atom bomb may nahi hai!!!
(Hafez Patel Sahib)
The Kalimah has such Power that is not found even in the atom-bomb

Indeed the Kalimah is Extremely Powerful , and Hafez Sahib would explain in this easy way that is understandable by all.

we get awed by the advances in science and atomic energy, yet Hafez Sahib would convey the Power of Laa ilaaha illalah!!! that Belief in Allah and following Muhammad SAW is more powerful than any advances in Science

Hafiz Patel Sahib Rahimahullah,
"The Most Dynamic Da'wah Man".
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I can't exactly remember when I first met Hafiz Sahib, but every time I met him, his words of wisdom and efforts for da'wah and tableegh has always inspired me. I had the opportunity to see Hafiz Sahib in several occasions at Dewsbury Markaz, Birmingham Markaz, Masjid Hamza and Jamia Islamia Birmingham. Some of the memories I have about Hafiz Sahib would like to share them with everyone for the purpose of da'wah;

(1) Hafiz Sahib's dedication for Da'wah and Tableegh was really admirable, when he would deliver lectures on da'wah it was as if his heart was ripped apart for the pain that why the ummah does not dedicate them selves for the sake of humanity to protect them from Jahannam.

(2) During his lectures Hafiz Sahib would humbly request the ulama to participate in the da'wah work, he would call out the names of the ulama whom he knew to go in the path of Allah to spend times.

(3) When the current building of our Jamia Islamia Birmingham was purchased, Hafiz Sahib paid a short visit and mentioned some very important things in the presence of ulama which he wouldn't normally mention such as;

(4) He came to England in 1954 when there were only few Muslims, Hafiz Sahib would work from 8am to 4pm, after work he would walk miles to go to people's house to give da'wah.

(5) He would teach a Hifz class early in the morning from 4, after teaching the children he would drop them home and go to work. Hafiz Sahib very happily said in our Jamia Islamia talk " If anyone writes the British history, he has to write that Hafiz Patel was the 1st person to make some one Hafiz on the British soil".

(6) Hafiz Sahib often used to say "If one hundred thousand pounds was to be spent on a student to make him an Alim it's still a "Sasta Sawdah" very cheap burgain.

(7) Hafiz Sahib used to say regarding the da'wah work "karte karte marna hay aur marte marte karna hay", which means; keep doing the da'wah work until you die.
Subhan Allah, he proved that with his action, he worked for the Deen until he passed away.

(8) Hafiz Sahib's devotion in worshiping Allah was unbelievable, his optional Salah, Recitation of the Qur'an and Tasbeehat used to be really long, he used to spend hours on them. Many times I have witnessed in Birmingham Markaz he would spend the entire time between Maghrib and Isha in Nawafil, Tilawah and Tasbeehat.

(9) Our Ustad Maulana Bilal Sahib Hafizahullah from Darul Uloom Bury has mentioned that, "he has seen Hafiz Sahib at night for long time just making du'a for the Ummah and this was his habit for so many years".

(10) Maulana Hanif Sahib Luharavi Hafizahullah from India has mentioned that, "Hafiz Sahib was a very highly spiritual person and a great Wali of Allah, countless people came to the touch of Deen through his efforts".

(11) When Shaykhul Hadith Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya Rahimahullah sent Shaykhul Hadith Hazrat Maulana Yusuf Motala Sahib Hafizahullah to England in 1978, he advised him to be in the company of Hafiz Patel Sahib.

(12) Hafiz Patel Sahib was really respectful to Hazrat Maulana Yusuf Motala Sahib eventhough Hazrat is 22 yrs younger than him. Our Ustad Shaykh Abdur Rahim Limbada Hafizahullah used to say "The reason why Hafiz Sahib respects Shaykh Yusuf Motala Sahib so much is due to his strong connection with Shaykhul Hadith Zakariyya Rahimahullah".

(13) Hafiz Sahib was an encyclopedia for memorising the sayings of our ancestors. Even in this old age he would constantly quote from the Akabir such as Hazrat Maulana Ilyas Sahib Rahimahullah, Hazratji Maulana Yusuf Sahib Rahimahullah, Shaykhul Islam Sayyid Husain Ahmad Madni Rahimahullah, Hakeemul Ummah Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi Rahimahullah, Maulana Abdul Qadir Raipuri Rahimahullah and others.

(14) Allah almighty selected Maulana Ilyas Sahib Rahimahullah for the revival of the da'wah work. However, Hazratji Maulana Yusuf Sahib Rahimahullah was selected to take the dawah work through Asia, Sayyid Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi Rahimahullah to take the da'wah work to Arab world and Hafiz Patel Sahib Rahimahullah to spread the dawah work in Europe and America.

(15) Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki Rahimahullah was only known as "Haji Sahib" but influenced thousands of people, similarly Hafiz Patel Sahib is only known as "Hafiz Sahib", but swear by Allah, Hafiz Sahib has influenced thousands of ulama and Public.

(16) Through Hafiz Sahib's efforts the biggest Masjid of Europe "Dewsbury Markaz" was built in 1978 and Darul Uloom in mid 80s where thousands of students studied from all over Europe, America and Africa.

(17) It's quiet famous regarding Hafiz Sahib that he used to be out of the country more than in the country for the purpose of da'wah and he has visited most of the countries of the world.

May Allah almighty grant Hafiz Sahib Rahimahullah the highest place in Jannah and grant some one like him who can cry and struggle for the Ummah, Ameen.

Shared by Ml faizul haq Abdul Aziz

Hazrat Hafiz Patel Saab RA-

'Spiritual Light- Shines Bright'
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖💡

Generations yet unborn, will be reminded of the day, when over 25 thousand heart struck followers, put their shining light to rest.

As the grief of such a calamity dawns on us, let us take solace in the fact he has left such a 'wiring network' which has every branch of deen attached to it. Connected together by his efforts, love and tears. Hazrat leaves behind beacons of spiritual illumination in the forms of Marakiz, Makhtabs, Darul Ulooms and Kankhas.

As I was driving back with a heavy heart and joined the motorway, I reflected on how many times Hazrat Hafizsab would be up and down the length and breadth of these motorways. With the beloved drivers rushing to get to the appointed programmes and Hazrat would be deep in zikr, dua and worry for us all.

These same roads must be lamenting the loss of such a pious servant, never to travel upon this earth remembering the creator with such fondness and attachment.

I leave you with the saddening reality that indeed time it self is a healer and the emotional loss will slowly fade. But I beg from the Almighty Allah سبحانه وتعالى that we stay steadfast in the fervour to carry on the advices of Hazrat Hafizsab and keep wiring the whole world, connecting them (through the effort of dawah) towards the Lord who we must inevitably all return to.

Saturday 20th February 2016

The thoughts of one low insignificant being who was blessed with Hazrats' attention. Who regrets deeply that he didn't do more to live up to what Hazrat Hafizsab advised and tashkeeled him to do.

Molana Riaz Dola (Preston)