|
To Allah we belong and to Him is our return. |
Dr. Muhammad Hamidullah r.a.
At the age of 94, Professor Muhammad Hamidullah breathed his last on December 17, 2002, in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.A. He woke up for Fajr (Dawn) prayer and then after breakfast went back to sleep only to never wake again.
Dr. Muhammad Hamidullah was born in 1908 (Feb 19, 1908 / 16 Muharram 1326) and he obtained several degrees in Theology and Law from Osmania University in the state of Hyderabad Deccan (India). He also studied in Germany and France where he received his PhD degrees (he had more than one PhD) in International Law. He was a law professor in his native city. He then settled in France but later moved to the United States in 1996. The professor never married. He had been taken care of by the grand-daughter of his brother. Her name is Sadida and she devoted herself to him.
His book, Introduction to Islam, was translated into at least a dozen languages and it became so popular that it is used as a textbook in Russia as well as other countries. His book, The Muslim Conduct of State, was a groundbreaking work in Muslim International Law. A series of his lectures, delivered at Bhawalpur, Pakistan, were translated into English, under the title of Emergence of Islam and it is also very popular among his other original works.
This is an enormous loss for all of mankind. {1] He was truly a magnificent man whose humility was legendary. Au revoir monsieur. As-Salaamu Alaikum.
Once,
the Prophet 
had the occasion to send a letter of condolence to an esteemed companion
upon the death of the companion's son. It is so nicely phrased and appropriate
that we thought we would like to give the English translation here.
For further information about Dr. Hamidullah, r.a. click here or here or here or here or here or here (this website)or here (a letter from him in Urdu in his own handwriting)In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.From Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, to Mu'az bin Jabal.
Peace be upon you!
First of all, I glorify Allah besides Whom there is no god. Then I pray that Allah may bestow upon you a great reward for this bereavement, and grant you patience and fortitude, and give you and us the courage to be grateful to Him for His favours. The fact is that our lives and our near and dear ones are sacred gifts to us from Allah Who has given those in our charge only temporarily. He allowed us to benefit from the gifts for as long as He willed and withdrew them as and when He willed. And in return for this (apparent loss), He will bless you with higher rewards of His special favours, Mercy and guidance, provided that you display fortitude for His sake and for the sake of the benefits of the Hereafter. Therefore, I counsel you to have patience. Let not your wailing bring your rewards of the Hereafter to naught and you to remorse. Be assured that no amount of lamentation and wailing has ever brought a dead person back, nor can it help do away with grief and sorrow. Allah's Will is always done, rather has already been done!
1. From Sahih Bukhari, Book 1 Number 100:
"Narrated Abdullah bin Amr bin Al As ... I heard Allah's Apostle saying, 'Allah does not take away knowledge, by taking it away from (the hearts of) the people, but takes it away by the death of the religious learned men till when none of the (religious learned men) remain, people will take as their leaders ignorant persons who when consulted will give their verdict without knowledge. So they will go astray and will lead the people astray.' "