The World Federation of KSIMC

As we approach the end of the Holy month of Ramadhan and enter into the day of Eid, there was something missing in this Holy month especially in the Baitus Salaat, Stanmore. When I think deeper what, it was none other than Marhum Mohamedraza Kanji who despite his ill health was always in the fore front of activities of the Holy month. Be it for Dhohrain prayers, Maghribain prayers and Quran Khani. He always prayed behind the Imam and made sure the duas and ziyaraat were conducted in the most efficient manner.

When I arrived twenty years ago, he was the one who was very helpful to me and my colleagues especially transporting us to and from the centre. He used to call me "Dost". During the weekends in the winter months, he used to pick Mulla Asgher first from South Harrow and then pick me up from Rayners Lane and head for the centre. Many times he would come and I was fast asleep. He would wait for a few minutes and then leave. He never complained but I would initiate an apology and ask "Was Mulla there and he would smile and say yes". I would feel so embarrassed that I made them wait unnecessarily.

He will be most remembered for his services to the Marhumeen for giving them ghusl and kafan. His selfless services spanned for more than fifty years since his days in Moshi, Kampala and London. He was very particular about the fiqh masael and during his last trip to Iraq in April 2014, he made a special appointment with Ayatullah Seestani to discuss two main issues. One was some masael of Ghusl and Kafan and secondly on the way the seniors pray whilst sitting on their chairs. He actually demonstrated to Ayatullah by arranging few chairs and showing him how the seniors prayed at Stanmore and sought his guidance and approval. Ayatullah Seestani gave his guidance on both issues which he then relayed to Ghusl & Kafan team and the seniors respectively back in Stanmore. Sheikh Mustafa Jaffer was there to translate his conversation with Ayatullah.

When he passed away, I remember Anwer Bhai Jagani coming to his son Taslim and saying he couldn't remember Marhum ever saying NO whenever approached to give ghusl and kafan be it a community member or an outsider. In fact, over the years if we add the numbers of deceased he has attended to, the number of outsiders have benefited more than our community members. Sometimes he travelled distances to offer his services which included all parts of the UK and occasionally to Europe. He trained as many individuals as he could including his son Shiraz so that when he is not there, there are others to provide the service to the community. INSHALLAH this will act as thawab-e-Jariya for him.

I once asked him what was his biggest regret was when it came to Ghusl and Kafan. He said I was leaving for Moshi in early 2000 and as usual went to Mulla Asgher as he would recite the dua for safety in both my ears and bid me farewell. This time he wasn't happy that i was leaving and asked me not to go. I told him I had to go and look after the Bakery. Mulla then recited the Dua in both his ears and bade him farewell but this time it was different as if he was trying to tell him something. And the inevitable happened on 21 March 2000 when Mulla passed away and Marhum was in Moshi not being able to give Ghusl and Kafan to him.

He was a very generous person and never missed the opportunity to invite guests at his residence. He was also very particular about his dressing. Those who observed him will recall him wearing his jacket with matching shirt and trouser and the high quality socks when he attended the programmes and prayers at the centre. He had a personality in him and was of strong character. After suffering from all the illnesses in his life, never do I remember him praying on a chair at the centre. He always prayed on the floor. What kept him motivated and forget his illnesses was attending the centre and giving his services to the community.Before the Holy month of Ramadhan commenced, he ensured that the centre was fully equipped with new mohrs(Turbah). He used to recycle the old ones and prepared new ones on a regular basis as a hobby. Now that he has passed away, the jamaat has to regularly order the Mohrs from Karbala.

Last year I remember him telling me his days are numbered and he was worried who would take over from him. He was looking for somebody who would be there for all the prayers. He then told me that he was encouraging Mahmood Bhai Khaki to take over and we can already see that his efforts are bearing fruit. He also appreciated the assistance offered to him by Makbul Bhai Jaffer and Munir Merali in the Baitus Salaat.

His favourite Dua was the one mentioned below which he regularly recited after wajib prayers and encouraged many to recite it. He had a unique way to start a Dua. He recited Auzu Billah, Bismilah, Salaawat and Bismillah again before starting the main Dua ensuring he has not missed any pre-requisites for his supplication to be accepted.

On the day of ‘Aashura, in the year 61 A.H. when Imam Hussein (as) came into the tent to bid farewell to his family members, he held the hand of his sick son, Ali ibn al-Hussein (as) and pressed it against his chest. He (as) then said,

“O son! I am teaching you a dua’ which you should remember. Angel Jibrael taught it to my grandfather the messenger of Allah who passed it to my mother Fatima. Whenever you have a special need or are faced with any calamity or crises, or are inflicted with any grief or hardship, then recite the following supplication”:

بِحَقِّ يس وَ الْقُرْآنِ الْحَكِيمِ وَ بِحَقِّ طه وَ الْقُرْآنِ الْعَظِيمِ

يَا مَنْ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى حَوَائِجِ السَّائِلِينَ يَا مَنْ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِي الضَّمِيرِ يَا مُنَفِّساً عَنِ الْمَكْرُوبِينَ

يَا مُفَرِّجاً عَنِ الْمَغْمُومِينَ

يَا رَاحِمَ الشَّيْخِ الْكَبِيرِ يَا رَازِقَ الطِّفْلِ الصَّغِيرِ

يَا مَنْ لَا يَحْتَاجُ إِلَى التَّفْسِيرِ

صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ افْعَلْ بِي..

By the truth of Yaseen (a title of the Holy Prophet) and the Quran full of wisdom And for the sake of Taa-haa (another title of the Holy Prophet) and the great Quran

O He Who is able to fulfil the desires of those ask.

O He Who knows what is in the heart.

O He Who banishes sorrow from the sorrowful.

O He Who dispels grief from those who grieve.

O He Who is merciful to old men. O He Who provides for infants.

O He Who needs not to be explained.

Send blessings upon Muhammad and his progeny and fulfill for me…(mention your wishes)

He will always be missed. Recently I met his closest friend Anwer Bhai Pirbhai and we remembered him. He said what should I tell you. I lost both my closest companions within a short space of time i.e. Raza Bhai and Anwer Bhai's wife. He said I feel very lonely now without these two.

During his last days at the Watford General Hospital, he asked for forgiveness to as many as he could and also forgave everybody. Today being the night of Eid when the Almighty's forgiveness is in abundance, we raise our hands to ask HIM to forgive all the sins of the Marhum and give him the highest of stations in Jannah within the vicinity of the 14 Masoomeen (AS).

Please join me in reciting a Sura-e-Fateha and three times Suratul Ikhlas for the Marhum.