Ibraheem Sayeed, former zonal president, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Karnataka and Goa (62) passed away after a prolonged illness here in Mangalore (Karnataka) in the early hours of Sunday (May 27, 2007). He is bereaved by his wife, four daughters, four sons and a large number of his admirers and followers.
Ibraheem Sayeed left unforgettable impressions on not only the cadre of Islamic Movement but on Muslim masses and other fellow countrymen as well. He was the gift of Almighty Allah to the Islamic Movement in Karnataka. His life was an epitome of a silent crusade for the propagation of Islam among the Kannada masses across the state. It would be no exaggeration to state that a great part of credit of presenting Islam in the Kannada language would go to Ibraheem Sayeed for his extensive works on Islam in that language. All his life he struggled to help the followers of Islam to understand their faith better, and to remove the misconceptions about it in the fellow countrymen. He has left an example of devotion to Allah and uncompromising commitment in the way of Allah. He was a person of strong faith in Allah. He lived a life of Nafs-e-Mutmainnah (Satisfied Soul). Even during his severe illness he reflected total satisfaction.
When I visited him at the hospital 10 days before his departure to the eternal world, I was moved to see his stability. He spoke to me politely and asked to convey his salaam to one and all. These were his last days after completing his mission of presenting Islam to masses, training a dedicated team for the same cause and leaving behind a treasury of Islamic knowledge. He also performed the holy obligation of Hajj four months back and it was on return from pilgrimage that he fell ill.
His works, both in speech and writing, speak volumes about his contribution to not only the Islamic Movement but also for the masses of Karnataka. He has authored 25 books on Islam and translated 25 others into Kannada from Urdu. He also undertook extensive lecture tours throughout Karnataka and also abroad in Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman. All his books received wide acclamation from all sections of society. Especially his works Tappu Kalpanegalu (Misconceptions about Islam), was translated into 10 other languages, including Urdu and Hindi. His other famous works include Pravadi Muhammad-Jeevana Mattu Sandesh (The Life and Contribution of Prophet Muhammad), Islam Mattu Paradharma Sahishnute (Islam and Religious Tolerance), Islaminalli Jihad (Jihad in Islam), Mahileyara Hakkugalu (The Rights of Women). Besides this he served as the chief editor of Sanmarga, Kannada Weekly of Jama’at until his last breath. Ibraheem Sayeed will be remembered for being a successful writer, orator, administrator, thinker, translator, and a great leader, who accomplished his mission to receive the pleasure of Allah.
Ibraheem Sayeed did his B.Com from Government City College, Mangalore. He secured third rank in Hindi in the entire state and achieved excellence in academics. He was well versed in Urdu, Kannada, Arabic, English and Malayalam. He had a fascination to the Urdu language right from his early days. He was enlightened with the true concept of Islam, as a way of life, and a solution to all the problems of mankind by his classmate Muhammad Ghouse from Bhatkal, during his college days. Earlier Sayeed was impressed by communism. But when he read the Khutbaat of Maulana Maudoodi gifted to him by Maulana Muhammad Yusuf, the imam of Kachchi Memon Masjid, Mangalore, he was a totally changed man. He embarked on an extensive study of Islam. He later on joined Jamaat-e-Islami Hind as a karkun in 1965. In 1969 he was married to Aayesha, the second daughter of K. Muhiyuddin Kutti and Khadeeja in Mangalore.
In his early career he worked in different branches of State Bank of Mysore at Sulya, Shikaripur and Karkala. During his study of Islam, he came to know the ill effects of interest. As a result he resigned from his job in the bank and joined his brother K. M. Shareef in his business. From then on he dedicated his entire life to the Islamic Movement. He wholeheartedly devoted his services for a joint venture of translating the Qur’an into Kannanda during Emergency.
When the Jamaat decided to launch a Kannada weekly, all eyes were set upon Ibraheem Sayeed for the noble task. He became the founder Editor of Sanmarga, Kannada weekly in 1978. He was conferred with the membership of Jamaat in 1979. He was a founding member and later the chairman of the Shanti Prakashana Publishing House, Mangalore. It has so far brought out 150 titles in Kannada on Islam. The Publishing House took its books to the doorsteps of readers by launching a mobile library.
Ibraheem Sayeed was appointed state secretary for Dawah, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Karnataka and Goa. He also represented Karnataka in the Majlis-e-Numa’indagaan (Council of Representatives) of Jama’at for a decade. He served as the state president of JIH, Karnataka and Goa for the last term. Ibraheem Sayeed was one of the founding members of ‘Karnataka Dharmika Souharda Vedike’ aimed at creating communal harmony. Ibraheem Sayeed organised meetings with heads of all faiths to jointly stamp out hatred from the society and promote brotherhood instead. He presented papers and delivered lectures in national and state-level seminars and introduced Islam to countrymen in many public functions. He carried out the movement of Harmony through literature untiringly for two years which aimed at bridging gaps between different religions and communities through meaningful literature. His Qur’an Pravachan lectures inspired all Muslims and Non-Muslims alike. He took initiatives in launching a Kannada magazine for women Anupama.
In his death we have lost not an individual but an institution who contributed as a one-man-army to the Islamic Movement in general and to Karnataka in particular. It is heartening however that he has prepared a band of spirited workers who are as committed as he was. We are sure the benefits of the good work he has done will never cease. Indeed Ibraheem Sayeed is physically no more amongst us, but his works will be with us for ever and the virtues of his works will keep on adding to his account till the day of judgment. We are sure his soul would have received a respectful welcome in the group of Abrar (righteous souls) in the other world. And Insha Allah he will receive the invitation of Allah Ya ayyatuhannafsul Mutma’innah! Irjiyee ilaa rabbiki raaziyatham marziyya. Fadkhulee fee ibaadee. Wadkhulee Jannatee (Al Qur’an, 89:27-30) “But ah ! thou soul at peace! Return unto your Lord, content In His good pleasure! Enter thou among My bondmen! Enter thou My Garden”. May Allah forgive his sins and accept his endeavours and give him the eternal success. His death was condoled by Jamaat Ameer Syed Jalaluddin Umri, State chiefs of Jamaat, and a host of well-wishers. Former chief minister of Karnataka Dharam Singh, academics, journalists, religious leaders and a large number of his admirers paid rich tribute to him. More than 5000 people attended his funeral prayers.
[The writer is the State President of Students Islamic Organisation of India, Karnataka Zone.]