Assalaamu Alaikum

 

“Verily, Allah does not take away knowledge by snatching it from the people but He takes away knowledge by taking away the scholars … ” (Bukhari and Muslim)

 

The Jamiatul Ula ma South Africa has received the news of the passing of Mufti Ebrahim Desai, with deep sorrow. lnalillahiwaina ‘ilayhi rajiun.

 

Mufti Ebrahim Desai was one of the foremost scholars of our country in the field of lfta. Darul-lfta Sherwood in Durban which he had founded was not only a bastion of learning for advanced students of Islamic studies but also a platform from which he engaged other scholars and offered opinions and guidance to the Muslim public, on many contemporary issues.

 

In his long service towards the Deen, Mufti Desai was associated with a number of leading institutions of Islamic higher learning in the KwaZulu-Natal region. He was also well-known through the online portal, Asklmam.org from which the public benefitted through questions-and-answers on Fiqh and other Islamic topics. Mufti Desai was also part of the Darul lfta of the Jamiatul Ulama (KwaZulu-Natal) as well as the ulama body’s executive member.

 

The passing of Mufti Desai coming barely over a month after the demise of Mufti Taha Karaan Rahimahullah represents a fresh blow and a big loss of the Ummah, not only in South Africa but across the Muslim world, where the two scholars had students and communities that tapped on their knowledge and expertise, from time to time.

 

“Verily, Allah does not take away knowledge by snatching it from the people but He takes away knowledge by taking away the scholars… “ (Bukhari and Muslim)

 

As our illustrious scholars are being taken away from our midst, we are being diminished incrementally. It is a fresh reminder to appreciate our scholars while they are among us. We pray to the Almighty not to put us through trials of such loss of knowledge.

 

We take solace in the fact that Mufti Desai returned to the Creator on the eve of a Friday, within the ten auspicious days of Dhu al Hijjah as a sign of one who has departed to a better place. We pray to Allah Ta’aala to forgive the shortcomings of Marhoom Mufti Ebrahim Desai, illuminate his resting place and raise him among the accepted servants with whom He is pleased.

 

We extend our condolences to the family of Marhoom Mufti Ebrahim Desai, the Jamiatul Ulama (KwaZulu­Natal) Darul Ifta Sherwood, his students, friends and associates.

 

May the Almighty be the Comforter in this moment of mourning and sense of great loss. Aameen.

 

Executive Committee
Jamiatul Ulama South Africa

 

05 Dhu al Hijjah 1442 / 15 July 2021