On 16th May 2023
at 8:25pm, my father in-law passed away in Newham University Hospital, London.
To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return.
He was, Hafiz
Maulana Azd Uddin Numan Golmokaponi. He was the head Imam and Khateeb of Madina
Masjid in the Isle of Dogs, London, for a good 30 years. His father was a well
known scholar in Bangladesh, Mohiussunnah Hazrat Maulana Fakhruddin sab
(Rahimahullah), founder of the 70+ years old Jamia Darus-Sunnah Madrasah in
Golmokapon, Osmaninogor, Sylhet, Bangladesh. His father in-law was Shaykhul
Hadith Maulana Hussain Ahmad Barakuti (Rahimahullah) who was a well-known
scholar from Gulapgoinj, Sylhet, Bangladesh.
He was a man of
few words yet principled, independent, knowledgeable and wise. He liked his
gadgets and sweets. He loved his grandchildren and would sneak sweets into
their hands!
He had great
concern for the poor and needy and set up avenues to provide support,
especially to those in Bangladesh. Despite old age, illnesses, being bed-bound
etc. he was still active in ensuring funds were raised and distributed to the
needy.
People remarked
how he had a sharp memory when it came to reciting Qur'an. He would lead
Tarawih without making mistakes. I had the honour of praying Tarawih behind
him. His Tajweed was on point and recitation clear. He had been leading tarawih
for 30+ years and was an Imam at East London Mosque in the early 90s.
Thereafter he was
appointed Imam at Madina Jame Mosque, in the Isle of Dogs. The only Masjid in
the Docklands at the time, converted from a pub. Anyone I speak to who knew
him, would often say how much he was dedicated to the Masjid. His students saw
me at the Janazah and told me how they learnt Alif, Baa, Taa with him.
Going even
earlier, he was an Imam in Scunthorpe, UK, teaching students who've now gone on
to become parents and grandparents! He went to Scunthorpe last year for a few
days, his last trip outside of London. There he reunited with his students,
their families and his relatives.
In 2019 I had the
urge to participate in the Khatmul Qur'an of that year's Ramadan. Despite being
late at night, I went to his Masjid and joined in. Alhamdulillah and Qadrullah
that was the last Tarawih he had led, as Covid-19 had hit soon after. He gave a
nice talk before the Du'a, praising the young huffaz who led Tarawih with
him.
Me and my wife
went for Hajj that year. He and my mother in-law came to our house around 5am
in the morning to see us off. He gave us advice. Encouraged us to make
Du'a.
Alhamdulillah I
got married to his youngest daughter. He did our Nikah, in the Masjid where he
was Imam. We couldn't have asked for a better person to do it, Alhamdulillah. I
learnt a lot about marriage from his actions, the way he would behave towards
my mother in-law. He would tease her and she would tease him, despite their
age. I saw how, being older in age compared to us young ones, it didn't stop a
couple from loving and caring for each other.
He comes from a
background and family of scholars and huffaz, and despite me not achieving
either of these, he never belittled me. Once someone told him that his son
in-law (me) isn't an Alim; he replied back saying, ''well he does dress like
one!" I often wonder why he chose me to marry his daughter despite his own
background. Alhamdulillah, even before marriage, I had often prayed behind him,
little did I know I'd become his son in-law.
He never
interfered in our marriage. He had a beautiful bond with my wife. He called her
by a lovable name and regularly spoke to her, even if it was late at
night.
His health started detoriating
since being tested positive for Covid. That began multiple hospital visits and
doctors appointments. Since around July 2022 he had been hospitalised for liver
disease. Despite knowing his health wasn't good, he didn't seem unsettled. He
never worried about dying. He was always praising and glorifying Allah. He had
a habit of saying 'Fee Amanillah' to anyone who left his presence. The day
before he passed away, he said this to me and my wife at least 5-6 times. I
took strength in this knowing he prayed for us and that's the last words we
heard from him.
We were called by the hospital
to come and see him, as he wasn't doing well. They were not able to continue
his treatment, but could only make him comfortable. As you can imagine, it was
a tough time for the family, but I applaud him for raising children and having
a wife who all had Tawakkul in Allah. It was by the qadr of Allah, that he
would return to Allah within 24 hours of us being in the hospital.
I was present when he breathed
his last. Checking his pulse, looking for any sign of breathing, I was in a
state of shock, yet realised he had gone. The doctors then came in and
confirmed his death.
I had the
honour of participating in the ghusl of my father in-law. It only hit me when I
saw him laying in the funeral directors washing room. The brother washed him so
beautifully, with so much dignity. I also went into his grave to lower him
in with his son. I felt a sense of peace in the grave. I reflected about my own
time to come there too. It was my first time in a grave SubhanAllah.
He was a good man. Despite being known to him for 5
years (he passed away in May, the same month I got married in 2018), I thank
Allah and praise Him for allowing me to be part of this great man's family. We
have a bond through marriage and inshaAllah it'll be a reason for our
familiarity in the hereafter, in Jannatul Firdaus by Allah's Mercy.
May the Fadl & Mercy of Allah Ta'ala descend
upon him.
May Allah Ta'ala forgive his sins, elevate his
status, grant him Jannah al-Firdous, make his grave a garden from the Gardens
of Paradise and may Allah Ta'ala be eternally pleased with him.
May Allah Ta'ala grant the family patience &
allow us all to take this as a lesson & remember our death as we may be
next.
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