Shakil Ahmad Khan

My buzurg dost Shakil Bhai (founder of Ziauddin Memorial Public School Bad’haria – Azamgarh) passed away in Hyderabad yesterday – leaving a big number of his friends and acquaintances sad. He was a resident of Sharjah and was living in the UAE for about (or over) three decades. Many on our Forums may already know him.

I heard about him in Abu Dhabi about eight years ago in connection to his plans of establishing a University. It made me contact him a couple of times. After moving to Ajman I happened to be a few minutes’ drive away from his house. Ever since I have been in touch with him.

He was a man who inspired many and a lot of people benefited from him in a variety of ways. A graduate from the BHU he proved that he loved challenges. With a very positive attitude towards life and unceasing hard work he overcame many odds. His motto, which his father – ‘Abdul Aziz (alias Ajju) Khan – had instilled in him was “kaam, kaam aur kaam”. It echoed the saying of Hakim ‘Abdul Hamid, “zameen ke ooper kaam, zameen ke neech-e aaraam”.

Shakil Bhai was ‘merciless’ at times like the laws of nature. As the fire is. But we could cook our choicest food in that fire, too. Barahna shamsheer! Always spoke straight from his heart. And openly.

He helped a lot many people silently. He used to give a hefty amount to Dr Zakir Naik annually. Educating many a poor families is a commendable work that he has done. Was very active contributor to the Indian Republic Day Mushairah in Dubai – chiefly organized by Mr Syed Salahuddin. If anyone ever did a small favour to him he remembered it always and openly shared it whenever and wherever he could.

Hailing from the family of AMU luminary, Iqbal Suhail, Shakil Bhai had a special place in his heart for Aligarh. He helped establish a psychology lab in the AMU. He authored a book with the help of his friends on inheritance in Islam and co-authored a book titled Ghibah: A Major Social Evil. Both the books have been published by his cousin, Dr Saniyasnain Khan, from Goodwords - New Delhi.

Shakil Bhai could not tolerate some of the discussions on our Forums. I requested him not to unsubscribe but he did, I guess. We pray for his forgiveness. May Allah the Almighty grant him Paradise. Aameen!

Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere, who say, when afflicted with calamity: "To Allah we belong, and to Him is Our return". (Soorah al-Baqarah, 2: 155-156)