“Whoever humbles himself by one degree, for the Sake of Allah, Allah will raise him in status by one degree…” (Sunan Ibn Majah)

 

Brother Abdul Karimu Nawanga came from Kausi, a fishing village, in Chimwala area of Mangochi in Malawi. He was born in 1980 and had in 2001 travelled to South Africa after obtaining the Malawi School Certificate of Education.

 

After brief employment engagements in Johannesburg, he joined the Jamiatul Ulama South Africa in 2004, as an office assistant.

 

At work, he was of a demeanour that made him easily get along with many people: colleagues as well as office guests and various stakeholders. For 22 years of his service, there had not been a record of a quarrel between him against anyone.

 

Matrimony came in 2009 with Brother Abdul Karimu entering into nikaah to Shameem Issah, the union through which Allah would bless them with five children namely: Jamila, Muhammad, Ameerah, Mu‘een and Razia.

 

During the 2010s, he was active with a group of Malawian Muslims, organising and mobilising gatherings for lectures and dawah programmes. This initiative would take him together with his group to many corners of Johannesburg and sometimes beyond Gauteng. He would also join parties of the Tabligh Jamaat and always sought counsel in matters of Deen with a keen interest to learn and apply himself to the best of his abilities.  It was a case of faith through knowledge and action.

 

At a point, with Shameem, now his widow, they became a foster family for orphaned children under the auspices of the Muslim AIDS Programme. They would see to the children’s needs in terms of education, nutrition and medical interventions or prescribed therapies.

 

The generosity of Brother Abdul Karimu was remarkable, often going out of his way with sincere compassion, trying to ease the plight of many who approached him, while in need. Yearly, during Ramadan, he would organise iftār deliveries to hundreds of the less-fortunate in the CBD, Brixton, Freedom Park, Langlaagte and Newtown.

 

Towards the end of 2025, he had been unwell. Yet, as recent as December, he was reporting for work. However, a series of diagnostic tests had shown he had cancer, which was at an advanced stage. Hitherto, he had only minor complaints that did not reveal the extent of the illness. In the past two months that have preceded his eventual demise, he was under palliative care.

 

On 20 February, Brother Abdul-Karimu responded to the Jum’uah Salāh adhān with a peaceful surrender of his soul and the return to the Creator, on the first Friday, and second day of Blessed Ramadan. Inalillahi waina ilayhi rajiun. His burial took place after Asr Salāh, at West Park, attended by hundreds of mourners, who included family members, friends and colleagues.

 

The Jamiatul Ulama South Africa condoles the family and prays that all those who have been saddened by the passing of the dear one take solace in the signs of a blessed departure of one who suffered an ailment that places him, by the Permission of Allah, in the company of the martyrs, and also had left this temporal abode on special day of Jum’uah, during Blessed Ramadan.

 

Co-congregants and neighbours have nothing but admiration for Brother Abdul-Karimu’s gentle character and humility. One remarked on an aspect of his steadfastness on Salāh: “He was the only one who would come out for the jamaat of Fajr, with his young son (Muhammad).” This was a mark of his desire to raise children with a spiritual orientation, all the time showing love, care, and making sure that indeed charity begins at home.

 

May Allah forgive the shortcomings of his humble servant and admit his soul to Jannatul Firdaus. Āmīn.