From the age of around 8, I had the honour of praying Taraweeh Salah behind him. We would be dismissed from Darul Uloom for Ramadan, which allowed me to spend some quality time with Hafiz papa. In those days he was a Doctor in a provincial hospital in Ladysmith. Just before Ramadan, Hafiz papa would would work extra days in the hospital on call. This allowed him to spend the first 15 nights of Ramadan off duty. He would complete a khatam by reciting two juz per night in Taraweeh Salah. Yet he never rushed. His recitation was beautiful and calming, mirroring his character that touched the hearts of many.
After the first 15 nights of Ramadan were over, he would still lead Taraweeh but he was on call and would leave when required. His dedication to Deen despite his profession was inspiring. After Asr, he would return from the hospital and practise his recitation for Taraweeh. This was a daily habit that some would consider difficult to maintain. But Allah had blessed with a great level of self discipline. He never missed Salah with Jamaat even when he was on call in the hospital. If he could not leave the hospital, he would call someone to come to the hospital and pray Salah with him. Thus he proved by way of example, that it’s possible to prioritize religion even in our worldly professions.
I later moved to Pietermaritzburg but Ladysmith remains my childhood home. Decades have elapsed and now when I visit Ladysmith, it is inspiring to see the fruits of Hafiz papa’s efforts. The nature of effort is that the results appear slowly. It can take years or decades but don’t allow that to demotivate you, for often, it is the slow and steady efforts that create the greatest results. Hafiz papa’s life is an example of this. Many people learnt from him, businessmen became ethical through him and Masaajid were built under his guidance.
Initially, he would conduct a few majaalis in a small house which slowly developed into a weekly schedule. This continued for years, until a shop in Rosepark, Ladysmith, was converted into a small Musallah. Hafiz papa then moved there. Eventually, a Masjid was built opposite the Musallah called Musjud Maseehullah. He was then based in Musjud Maseehullah, while the Musallah was converted into a Madrassah. Nowadays, consistent effort is undermined, while Masaajid buildings and aesthetics are given preference. This was never the way of the scholars of the past. They focused on studying, teaching and propagating Deen. After years of consistent efforts, Allah blesses them with the building but the building was never the goal. The work and effort was prioritized.
In his early years, Hafiz papa lived in Pietermaritzburg with his mother. He later moved to Ladysmith but while his mother was alive, he never made Ladysmith his watn (hometown). He would often stay with his mother or take her to Ladysmith. Even in her old age and illness, we would visit and find Hafiz papa taking care of her. He never neglected his parents despite his busy schedule. Hafiz papa was neat and immaculate. He knew exactly what he carried in his pockets and his bags were well organized and tidy. He was punctual, as scholars are, for they recognise time is a blessing from Allah. And to waste time is to waste life itself. He was cautious of hurting others. If he became upset, he would immediately clear his heart and move on, rather than holding grudges and pain inside.
He maintained these noble characteristics even in his final stages of life. His son-in-law mentioned that they had to stop visitors from visiting because Hafiz papa would become concerned if they’ve eaten or not. When they would leave, he would not rest until his visitors reached home. Even on his deathbed, he cared for others more than his own self. Hafiz saab always made dua to pass away on Jumah. Before his demise, he peacefully mentioned that I will go this Jumah but Allah decreed his demise to fall on the day of Eid. His peaceful response reminded me of the understanding from a Hadith in which Nabi ﷺ stated that everyone has a natural fear of death. But when the time comes, a believer looks forward to it. Though we make dua for a long life to accumulate maximum amount of good deeds, ultimately, our whole life is a preparation for that final moment.
Hafiz papa was a magnet in the community and a selfless soul. His inspiration was his talluq and spending time in the company of his Shaykh, Shaykh Maseehullah Khan (RA). He was so dedicated and humble that when he received khilafah, he was completely unaware. A brother from a western country established talluq with Shaykh Maseehullah (RA). The brother couldn’t write in Urdu. Shaykh Maseehullah (RA) advised him to send his letters to Hafiz papa, his Khalifah, who will translate them from English to Urdu. He approached Hafiz papa with this request. It was only at this point that Hafiz papa learnt of his khilafah.
My father also took bayah at the hands of Shaykh Maseehullah (RA). He couldn’t write in Urdu so Hafiz papa would translate the letter. Then the letter was sent by airmail to Jalalabad, India and Shaykh Maseehullah (RA) would reply. The entire process took approximately six weeks. Yet they persevered and continued to seek guidance. We live in an era where communication has become easy but we are lazy in seeking guidance. As we draw closer to Qiyamah, scholars will pass away at a faster rate. Appreciate them while they are alive and seek their guidance. Because one by one, the lights are being switched off. May Allah allow us to benefit from our remaining scholars and grant Hafiz papa Jannatul firdaws, aameen.
— Shaykh Dawood Seedat حفظه اللّٰه
Above is an extract from Shaykh’s talk on 03/08/20 in Masjid-ut-Taqwa, Pietermaritzburg. To listen to the full talk, please click here.