Tribute to the Late Moulana Abdur Rahman Khan
The Chatsworth Ulama Council pays tribute to our beloved Ameer, the Late Moulana Abdur Rahman Khan. Moulana Khan, a profound, dynamic scholar of Islam returned to the mercy of Almighty Allah on Wednesday, 25 August 2021 (16 Muharram 1443). It was indeed a solemn day for all of us. His passing on has left his beloved family, friends and the community which he served in disbelief and sadness. We find solace in the knowledge that Allah is the best planner and we cannot question Allah’s plans.A look at the appearance of a man helps a great deal in understanding his personality. The face being the index of the mind, is an open book in which a man’s character and the history of his achievements can be clearly read. Moulana Khan was fortunate to be gifted with excellent qualities, sound character & an amazing personality. Vibrant, caring, compassionate, generous and gentle are words which best describe him. His charm, wisdom, warmth and charismatic smile spoke volumes about him. He was a kind, humble and remarkable human being who always put the needs of others before his own. He was indeed a “people’s person”. His passing on has left an indelible mark of sorrow and grief. His presence will always be felt even in his absence. His departure from this worldly abode is undoubtedly an irreplaceable loss which will continue to linger on in the hearts of all those whose lives he touched with his warmth and charm. He always said that this world is a temporary journey with our final destination being the hereafter. He believed that the good we do today for the betterment of society will allow us to reap the rewards in the hereafter.
Moulana Khan was born in October 1956 at Kings Rest. He spent his childhood in Bayview, Chatsworth and matriculated in 1973 at Chatsworth High School. He acquired a diploma at Natal Technikon for an accounting course. He pursued higher Islamic studies at an institute in Bangalore, India. He returned to South Africa and served as an orator and Imam at different masaajids in Chatsworth and in Durban. He also worked as a Madrassah teacher in Crossmoor, Chatsworth and Newlands, Durban. Thereafter, he was employed at Orient School to teach Islamic Studies. He worked as joint secretary for Jamiatul Ulama (Natal) for 20 years under the leadership of Hadhrat Moulana Yunus Patel Saab, Moulana Omarjee and all the senior ulama of that era. Moulana attended numerous seminars & conferences in South Africa & abroad. He supervised Madrassahs and conducted teacher training classes as well. After resigning from Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) he established the Chatworth Ulama Council in June 1996. He was designated by Home affairs in August 2001 as a marriage registration officer and commissioner of oaths. He served as the Ameer of the Organization since inception until his demise. In June 2021 he completed 25 years of service under the banner of the Chatsworth Ulama Council.
During his career at the Chatsworth Ulama Council, Moulana worked tirelessly and effortlessly to alleviate the plight of the indigenous communities of Chatsworth & District. He played a meaningful and pivotal role for the upliftment of poverty-stricken families. His other duties included marital counselling, handling of queries pertaining to various aspects of Islamic Law, co-ordination of the social welfare department, arbitration of disputes in the distribution of estates, official registration of marriages, performance of Nikkahs, annulment of Nikkahs, attesting of documents and drawing up of Last Will and Testament, issuing of certificates to attorneys for the winding up of estates in accordance with Islamic law of Succession and Inheritance. He also sacrificed his time for the benefit of the Ummah with his vibrant discourses, performing Jummah programmes and lecturing on Deen-ul-Islam at various Masaajids across KwaZulu Natal.
Through his foresight and expertise, the Organization and community benefitted immensely. He was a friend, philosopher, mentor and guide to all of us. His loss has created a huge vacuum. He will be deeply missed not only by his beloved family but by all members of the Organisation, staff and the community which he served with his unrelenting efforts and plethora of knowledge. Someone as special as him cannot be forgotten. “May Almighty Allah reward him for his noble work.”
Moulana Abdur Rahman Khan is survived by his wife, 2 sons, 5 daughters, 2 brothers, 3 sisters and numerous nephews and nieces. Since Moulana was a well-known public figure, his mayyet was attended by an enormous gathering of Ulama and well-wishers.
We make Dua that Almighty Allah elevate his rank, grant him the highest stages in Jannatul Firdous and continue to illuminate his resting place with celestial light, Ameen. May the grace and mercy of Allah heal the hearts of his beloved family and grant them patience, fortitude and strength.
Moulana Khan was born in October 1956 at Kings Rest. He spent his childhood in Bayview, Chatsworth and matriculated in 1973 at Chatsworth High School. He acquired a diploma at Natal Technikon for an accounting course. He pursued higher Islamic studies at an institute in Bangalore, India. He returned to South Africa and served as an orator and Imam at different masaajids in Chatsworth and in Durban. He also worked as a Madrassah teacher in Crossmoor, Chatsworth and Newlands, Durban. Thereafter, he was employed at Orient School to teach Islamic Studies. He worked as joint secretary for Jamiatul Ulama (Natal) for 20 years under the leadership of Hadhrat Moulana Yunus Patel Saab, Moulana Omarjee and all the senior ulama of that era. Moulana attended numerous seminars & conferences in South Africa & abroad. He supervised Madrassahs and conducted teacher training classes as well. After resigning from Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) he established the Chatworth Ulama Council in June 1996. He was designated by Home affairs in August 2001 as a marriage registration officer and commissioner of oaths. He served as the Ameer of the Organization since inception until his demise. In June 2021 he completed 25 years of service under the banner of the Chatsworth Ulama Council.
During his career at the Chatsworth Ulama Council, Moulana worked tirelessly and effortlessly to alleviate the plight of the indigenous communities of Chatsworth & District. He played a meaningful and pivotal role for the upliftment of poverty-stricken families. His other duties included marital counselling, handling of queries pertaining to various aspects of Islamic Law, co-ordination of the social welfare department, arbitration of disputes in the distribution of estates, official registration of marriages, performance of Nikkahs, annulment of Nikkahs, attesting of documents and drawing up of Last Will and Testament, issuing of certificates to attorneys for the winding up of estates in accordance with Islamic law of Succession and Inheritance. He also sacrificed his time for the benefit of the Ummah with his vibrant discourses, performing Jummah programmes and lecturing on Deen-ul-Islam at various Masaajids across KwaZulu Natal.
Through his foresight and expertise, the Organization and community benefitted immensely. He was a friend, philosopher, mentor and guide to all of us. His loss has created a huge vacuum. He will be deeply missed not only by his beloved family but by all members of the Organisation, staff and the community which he served with his unrelenting efforts and plethora of knowledge. Someone as special as him cannot be forgotten. “May Almighty Allah reward him for his noble work.”
Moulana Abdur Rahman Khan is survived by his wife, 2 sons, 5 daughters, 2 brothers, 3 sisters and numerous nephews and nieces. Since Moulana was a well-known public figure, his mayyet was attended by an enormous gathering of Ulama and well-wishers.
We make Dua that Almighty Allah elevate his rank, grant him the highest stages in Jannatul Firdous and continue to illuminate his resting place with celestial light, Ameen. May the grace and mercy of Allah heal the hearts of his beloved family and grant them patience, fortitude and strength.
