By Shaykh Yūsuf Badāt
Quiet and Peaceful Departure
We, the Muslims of Toronto were extremely saddened on the sudden but peaceful and quiet departure of Shaykh Moulanā Khalīl Aḥmad Ṣufī (may Allāh have mercy on him) on Thursday 13th August, 2015 (eve of Jumū’ah, 28th Shawwāl 1436).
His age was 75. His death occurred in a state while being independent of any human. He did not even ask for medicine nor a glass of water in his final days. He not only left behind his two sons and three daughters, rather the entire community of Toronto.
The news of his demise quickly spread. Shock and grief enveloped one and all. A large peaceful crowd arrived at the hospital putting the hospital on lock down. Police were called in, as the hospital staff could not understand why so many people are at the hospital. Both hospital staff and the authorities quickly realized that a religious saint and great man of the Muslim community had passed.
Shaykh Khalīl’s final rites and funeral preparations were completed in the hours following his demise. His funeral was performed at Madīnah Masjid, Toronto, after Jumū’ah by thousands of believers who came from far and wide. Sobbing with tears were echoing from all corners of the very same masjid, where Shaykh Khalīl (may Allāh have mercy on him) would once stand and deliver his sermons and discourses. The funeral prayer was led by one of his close acquaintances and attendant, Ḥāfidh Dāwūd Ḥakīm. The crowd at the burial also reached the thousands. Those who attended the funeral and burial, all agreed that this funeral was one of the largest ever seen in Toronto. Countless condolence messages poured in from all parts of the world at his demise, a testimony that he was loved by believers across the globe.
A Glimpse of Shaykh’s Life
Shaykh Khalīl (may Allāh have mercy on him) was a descendant of a scholarly and pious family. His linage also goes back to the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him). He came from a village in Gujarat, India, known as Lachpor. His ancestors established the famous institution and Islamic seminary, Dārul ‘Ulūm Ṣūfī Bagh in Surat, Gujarat, India.
Shaykh Khalīl (may Allāh have mercy on him) studied the Islamic sciences in Islamic seminaries of India, in Rander and his final year at the great seminary, Dārul ‘Ulūm Deoband. The likes of Shaykh Aḥmad Lāt (may Allāh preserve him) were his class fellows. Shaykh Khalīl (may Allāh have mercy on him) served in teaching the basics of religion to the most complex of subjects in India, in various towns and also in the university of Islamic sciences, Jāmi’ah Islamiah Dhabel, before arriving in Toronto in the early 1970s.
Shaykh Khalīl (may Allāh have mercy on him) was the very first traditional Islamic scholar to set feet in Toronto. Initially, he worked a full time job and simultaneously volunteered his services as an Imam and Islamic teacher for a number of years. He was the founder, imam and khatīb of Madīnah Masjid in Toronto, Canada. Many objected when Shaykh Khalīl’s eyes fell on a large property to be purchased for the beginning of Madīnah Masjid, protesting that the property would be too big for the community. With Shaykh Khalīl’s vision, he indicated that one day, a time will come, in the future, the property will be too small due to the influx of Muslims. His foresight certainly came to a clear manifestation.
Shaykh Khalīl (may Allāh have mercy on him) remained the sole resource for countless people regarding religious matters and guidance. In the early 1970’s when some Muslims in Toronto were performing Jumū’ah on Sunday, he guided them to the correct teachings of the Qur’ān. He did thorough research and consultations with Islamic scholars for the contemporary matters faced by the Muslim community of Toronto, from establishing the first ṣalāh time-table to helping the early Muslims in determining Ramadān and ‘Eīd. He was a walking reserve of the Islamic sciences. He embraced everyone, regardless of background and persuasions. He was a sincere and honest man. He was known for his positive diplomacy and firmness on his principles and Islamic practices. He stayed far from materialist greed, owning very little of this world. His humble abode, until his last breath, was a rented apartment in Scarborough where he would commute from, on public transport, every day to Madīnah Masjid. He deliberately chose not to own property, a vehicle or even a cell phone. He was very independent and always served others. His excess money was spent in charitable causes and on family.
He would always bring extra lunch and share it with congregants, especially on Fridays. His passionate sermons and discourses were not only full of knowledge but also brimming with relevance and context. His teaching style was far from reprimand and put downs. He strived for unity and togetherness but never at the compromise of religion. In legitimate difference of opinion, on Islamic matters, such as prayer timings and moon sighting, he respected the opinions of others but stood firm on his ground. He never took difference of opinion, personal. Rather, he continued to show love and respect. He even spoke highly of those who differed with him.
During his tenure, many Islamic groups and organizations offered to take him as group leader with paid expenses for Ḥajj, ‘Umrah and historical tours which he always declined. It was only once when he was personally invited by the Saudi government to perform Ḥajj and meet Islamic international scholars, that he traveled in this manner. His humbleness was such that he also declined the position of being the Amīr of the Tablīgh Jamāt movement in Toronto, when it was suggested to him by the elders of Nizāmuddin, India.
After serving diligently for approximately 40 years as Imam and khatīb of Madīnah Masjid, Shaykh Khalīl (may Allāh have mercy on him) decided to spend the later part of his life in secluded worship, meditation, research and study. Despite some of the sicknesses and weaknesses that come with old age, his daily activities included waking up early every morning for Tahajjud prayers and supplications to Allāh for Muslims and protection of future generations. He completed large amounts of reading material in days. He would attend numerous programs and events in and around the city, sharing his words of wisdom and rendering concluding supplications. The Toronto Muslim community continued to meet with him for advice and navigation in their personal and community matters. Shaykh Khalīl (may Allāh have mercy on him) was a torch-bearer of the luminaries (akābirīn) of India and Pakistan in Toronto. He was always abreast with the latest, in both Islamic developments and current world events and affairs. He kept his door open to anyone who came. Any visiting scholar or Muslim leader that came to Toronto, would definitely take out time to visit and pay respects to Shaykh Khalīl (may Allāh have mercy on him). One of his last public appearances was a week before his demise, at the wedding of the son of a well known Muslim merchant. Just over a thousand people who were near and dear to Shaykh Khalīl (may Allāh have mercy on him) were present at this function. He rendered a heartfelt congregational supplication there and met with one and all, leaving his mark, as usual, with his embraces, inspirations and smiles. His demise is definitely a loss for the Toronto Muslim community.
The Meanings of Khalīl Fit Very Well with Shaykh Khalīl (may Allāh have mercy on him)
Linguistically, the Arabic word ‘khalīl’ can mean, friend, saint or simple. Shaykh Khalīl (may Allāh have mercy on him) was all three in one. He was a friend to one and all, regardless of background or perspective. His sincerity, interactions and prayers reflected his piety. His simplicity, humbleness and abstinence from the material of this world was witnessed by all.
Shaykh Khalīl (may Allāh have mercy on him) passed away not too long after the blessed month of Ramadān. Islamic scholars tell us that this is a blessed time to pass, as one is in a state of purity, spirituality and forgiveness after the month of Ramadān. Rain fell the day of his passing and at his funeral, which reminds the believer of Allāh’s mercy.
Death: A Reminder
The words of Abū Hurayrah (may Allāh be pleased with him) articulated at the demise of Zayd bin Thābit (may Allāh be pleased with him) are very fitting for the Muslims of Toronto.
مَاتَ الْيَوْمَ حِبْرُ هَذِهِ الْأُمّة
“The demise of the scholar of this community has taken place today”
Shaykh Khalīl’s demise is a stark reminder of death. Every death should serve to remind us of our reality and every death should bring us closer to the Almighty.
‘Abdullāh Ibn ‘Omar (may Allāh be please with him) reports that an Ansārī man came in the presence of the Messenger (peace and blessings upon him), greeted him and asked, “Who is the most intelligent of the believers?” The Prophet Muḥammad (peace and blessings upon him) responded, “The one who remembers death most frequently and the one who is best in preparing for what comes after death. These are the intelligent ones” (Ibn Mājah)
The Arab poet said,
الْمَوْتُ كَاسٌ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ شَارِبُهُ وَالْمَوْتُ بَابٌ كُلُّنَفْسٍ دَاخِلُهُ
“Death is a cup, every person shall drink from, death is a door, every individual must enter through.”
Sentiments on Shaykh Khalil’s Demise
“Toronto is now orphan” – Shaykh Shiraz Mohammed
“He was a tower” – Br. Abdulhaq Ingar
“We lost the father of Toronto” Shaykh Imran Khan
“Allāh had placed Shaykh Khalīl in the right position at the right time, for Toronto” – Muftī Aslam Nakhuda
“Shaykh Khalīl attained his high rank by what he showed Allāh, not the people” – Muftī ‘Abdullāh Mangera
Conclusion
We pray that the Almighty bless Shaykh Khālil’s soul with forgiveness and mercy. May Allāh enter him into the highest ranks of paradise. May Allāh make his demise a means for one and all to turn to Allāh in nearness, sincerity and acts of obedience.
Even though Shaykh Khalīl (may Allāh have mercy on him) is no longer with us, his legacy lives on. Aptly stated by the current imam of Madīnah Masjid, Toronto.
“Shaykh Khalīl (may Allāh have mercy on him) has rendered such a service, as a pioneer in Toronto, that he certainly has a share and will be rewarded for any Islamic work, institution or services that is currently in place or will ever come into existence in Toronto” – Muftī Aslam Nakhuda
I leave you with the advices of ‘Abdullāh ibn Mas’ūd (may Allāh be pleased with him) articulated to his son, while he was on his death-bed. I believe Shaykh Khālīl’s life and demise are echoing the same pertinent counsels;
أَظْهِرِ الْيَأْسَ لِلنَّاسِ , فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ غِنًى فَاضِلٌ , وَدَعْ مَطْلَبَ الْحَاجَاتِ إِلَى النَّاسِ , فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ فَقْرٌ حَاضِرٌ , وَدَعْ مَا تَعْتَذِرُ مِنْهُ مِنَ الأُمُورِ , وَلا تَعْمَلْ بِهِ . وَإِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ لا يَأْتِيَ عَلَيْكَ يَوْمٌ إِلا وَأَنْتَ خَيْرٌ مِنْكَ بِالأَمْسِ فَافْعَلْ . فَإِذَا صَلَّيْتَ صَلاةً فَصَلِّ صَلاةَ مُوَدِّعٍ , كَأَنَّكَ لا تُصَلِّي بَعْدَهَا
“Be independent of people, for indeed that is an abundant wealth. Refrain from seeking your needs from the creation, as doing so, is a living poverty. Abstain from doing anything that will require you to apologize for in the future. Try your utmost to make every day better than the previous. Finally, whenever you pray, pray as though it is your final prayer of your life.”
