CIRCULAR NO: JMT/131/21 Date: 29th July 2021
“Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Rajeeun”
“To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return”
(Holy Qur’an, Surah Al Baqarah 2:156)
ALHAJ MULLA ABDULRASUL MULLA HASSANALI KHAKI
BIDDING FAREWELL TO A RENOWNED AND DEVOTED MUALLIM OF OUR COMMUNITY IN AFRICA
The Africa Federation Secretariat received with sadness the news of the passing away of Alhaj Mulla Abdulrasul Mulla Hassanali Khaki in Mombasa on Wednesday 28th July 2021 (17th Zilhajj 1442 AH) and was buried there on the same day.
Marhum Mulla Abdulrasul, well known by his deserving title of Mulla was an iconic figure of Mombasa Jamaat and a shining example of how an individual can leave a lasting impact and footprint by dedicating his life in service to the community, maintaining Islamic values and promoting Shia Ithna-Asheri faith.
Mulla was born in Mombasa on 15th March 1926, and had a special interest in Islamic History and Fiqh since from a young age and he sought the company of Ulema to further his knowledge.
Marhum was one of the first teachers of the Huseini Night School Mombasa when it was established in 1944, under late M. M. Jaffer. In 1956, he became the deputy when late H. M. Nasser took over as the Head Master following the death of Marhum M. M. Jaffer. Few years later, he became the Head Master of the Huseini Night School where he continued serving what is now Huseini Madrasah until 2000.
He was actively involved in the Ghusl Kafan Committee and over the years, taught scores of individuals on the related practices and masael. He also held classes on the same for Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya Mualims from rural areas of Mombasa in Kenya.
His role in Tabligh activities of Mombasa Jamaat included conducting Islamic History classes for adults and special masael classes for prospective Hujjaj.
His passion for imparting religious education and conducting classes in Fiqh and Islamic history was such that despite his age and medical issues which limited his vision and curtailed his passion for reading, Mulla Abdulrasul was ever ready to conduct classes, even if it was for one student only.
He also played important role in imparting religious knowledge to the women of the Community in Mombasa where in the early 1970s he conducted classes on Fiqh, History and Muaamelaat (dealings) and indulged in interactive discussion with the lady members. In 1974, when Mombasa Jamaat convened a special Open Forum for ladies to review rites, rituals, customs and traditions practiced by the community Mulla Abdulrasul was one of the persons present at this Forum together with the then Jamaat leadership and late Resident Aalim of the Jamaat Maulana Syed Aqa Haider.
He was actively involved in match making and was a member of the Marriage Reconciliation Committee. In addition, he was also an effective Zakir delivering Majalis in Gujarati and on several occasions travelled to Madagascar and to Paris during Muharram and Safar.
Marhum was bestowed various Awards and Recognitions for his vast contribution to the Community, they are:
- Citation by KSI Jamaat of Mombasa
- Husseini Medal and Citation by Africa Federation
- Al Baqir award by the World Federation
Message from the Chairman of Africa Federation, Alhaj Shabir Najafi:
The sad demise of Mulla Abdulrasul Hassanali Khaki has robbed Mombasa Jamaat and the Community of one of the prolific, sincere and dedicated member who served all his life for the Community’s spiritual and social wellbeing. As a teacher and a scholar, he imparted Islamic History, Fiqh Masaels, Qur’an, Diniyat, and the Madha’b of Ahlulbayt (AS) to scores of students, young and old. He was always available to give guidance to the Jamaat, individual members and on several occasions to Africa Federation whenever required. Mulla was a source of enlightenment and a beacon of light who illuminated the hearts and souls of many during his lifetime. Sadly, Mulla has left this transient world on 17th of Zilhajj for a permanent abode.
Whilst we celebrate the auspicious anniversary of Eid-e-Ghadeer, the declaration of the Wilayah of Ameer ul Momineen Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS) we also mourn the deaths of two prominent scholars of our community in Africa, Marhum Alhaj Sheikh Hassan Mwalupa and Marhum Alhaj Mulla Abdulrasul Khaki. May Allah (SWT) grant them maghferat and a lofty station in the proximity of Ahlulbayt (AS), Ameen.
The Vice Chairman of Africa Federation, Alhaj Aunali Khalfan during his visit to Mombasa in August 2019 had an audience with Murabbi Alhaj Mulla Abdulrasul Khaki, he recalls amongst the discussion with him was in regards to the Madressahs in Africa, particularly those being managed by our Jamaats. Mulla expressed his deep concern and gave this advice – “Please ensure that the number of days of Madressahs (both for boys and girls) in our Jamaats are increased to twice or thrice a week and that the Holy Qur’an must be included in the Madressah Syllabus and taught with meaning and understanding”. This important message and advice from Marhum Mulla was communicated with the Jamaats through AFTAB, we trust that appropriate steps had been taken to implement them.
We convey our heartfelt condolences to Marhum’s children, Ahmed, Mohsin, Zainab. Zehra, Nazma, Salma, Nargis and Masuma, his siblings Mohamed bhai, Mustafa bhai and Murtaza bhai and all family members.
We pray to Allah (SWT) to grant Marhum maghferat and place his soul amongst the blessed ones in the vicinity of the Chahardah Ma’sumeen (AS), and who continuously receive the mercy and grace of Allah (SWT), and give his family solace and strength to bear this great loss, Ameen.
Sura-Al-Fateha is requested for Marhum Mulla Abdulrasul and all the Marhumeen.
SECRETARIAT