The last Tafseer of Hazrat Mufti Mohammed Desai Sahebؒ
On the afternoon of the 6th of Rabi ul Awwal 1446, corresponding to the 10th of September 2024, Mufti Mohammed Desai Saheb (Rahimahullah) left this temporary abode and entered into the Mercy of Allah Ta'aala.
Mufti Saheb R.A. dedicated his life to the service of the Deen of Allah Ta’aala with unwavering zeal and commitment.
Mufti Saheb R.A. completed his Hifz of the Qur'aan-e-Kareem under the expert tutelage of Mufti Abdus Samad Desai Saheb D.B. of Pietermaritzburg, and from a young age led the Taraweeh Salaah in different Masaajid in the Pietermaritzburg area. During this time, Mufti Saheb RA was also invited to lead the taraweeh salaah in the USA. Mufti Saheb R.A. was a Haafiz of note, and was without a shadow of doubt a 'walking Qur'aan'. It was extremely rare for Mufti Saheb R.A. to err in recitation during the Taraweeh Salaah.
After completing Hifz, Mufti Saheb R.A. then set about furthering his studies at Jaamia Mahmoodiyah in Springs, but upon the sudden demise of his Marhoom father, Hafez Yusuf Desai Saheb R.A., Mufti Saheb R.A. transferred to Madrasah Inaamiyah Camperdown, to be closer to his family. Here, Mufti Saheb R.A. completed the first two years off the Aalim Faadil course, which was the highest offered, as the Madrasah at that time was still a fledgling institute. Thereafter, Mufti Saheb R.A. transferred to Madrasah Taalemudeen in Isipingo, however, Mufti Saheb R.A. had to put his studies on hold due to personal circumstances and family responsibilities.
Nevertheless, the zeal for knowledge did not leave Mufti Saheb R.A. and he eventually resumed his studies at Madrasah Arabia Islamiyyah in Azaadville, where Mufti Saheb R.A. qualified as a Sab'ah Qaari, Aalim, and Mufti. Mufti Saheb R.A. specialised in the field of Iftaa under the expert tutelage of Mufti Sa'eed Motara Saheb D.B. Mufti Saheb R.A. remained under the guidance of Mufti Sa'eed Saheb for approximately ten years. During Mufti Saheb's R.A. student days, he was noted by his Honourable Asaatizah as a student par excellence, coupled with adab and akhlaaq of the highest level. In the line of Islaah, Mufti Saheb R.A. had intially taken bay'at with Hazrat Moulana Hakeem Akhtar Saheb R.A. Thereafter, Mufti Saheb R.A. was spiritually linked to Hazrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Saheb D.B. from whom he received the mantle of khilafat.
After qualifying, Mufti Saheb R.A. served the community of Masjid-e-Taqwa, Azaadville, as the Imam, Hifz Ustaadh, community leader and spiritual guide. Together with this Mufti Saheb R.A. also held a post as an Ustaadh and Assistant Mufti at Darul Uloom Azaadville.
Mufti Saheb R.A. thereafter returned to his hometown of Pietermaritzburg with the intention of spending time and making khidmat of his respected mother. Here, Mufti Saheb R.A. established Darul Iftaa Ibn Mas’ood (https://fataawa.co.za) which is located at Musjid Khadijatul Kubra (Carbis Road), where he also served as an Imaam, community leader, and spiritual guide. Mufti Saheb R.A. also initiated the training of students in the field of Iftaa. Mufti Saheb R.A served here for approximately two years and seven months until his demise.
For over a decade, Mufti Saheb R.A. conducted daily Tafseer and Hadeeth lessons after the Fajr Salaah, together with a weekly Islaahi Majlis which was well received in both communities. Mufti Saheb R.A. would also conduct special Ramadaan programmes for those sitting in I'tikaaf.
Amongst the notable qualities of Mufti Saheb R.A. was lofty akhlaaq. Those who acquainted themselves with Mufti Saheb R.A. were very quickly endeared to him. Mufti Saheb's R.A. dedication to serving the Deen of Allah Ta'aala was extremely admirable. Those close to Mufti Saheb R.A. will attest to his passion and fervour in this regard, and how he would dedicate countless hours way beyond the call of duty in fulfilling his responsibilities. Mufti Saheb's R.A. connection with the Qur'aan-e-Kareem was also noteworthy as mentioned before. After his demise, an associate saw Mufti Saheb R.A. in a dream reciting the Qur'aan-e-Kareem with deep concentration and devotion. Perhaps this is glad tidings that Mufti Saheb's R.A. deep connection with the Qur'aan-e-Kareem will bode him well in the Hereafter. There are many other sterling attributes which cannot be enumerated in this brief article. May Allah Ta'aala give us the Divine ability to emulate the lofty character of Mufti Saheb R.A.
Mufti Saheb R.A. passed away at the age of forty six, in the Masjid at the time of the Zuhr Salaah (he was out off salaah), following a series of heart attacks.
Mufti Saheb R.A. is survived by his mother, two wives, and seven children.
We make Du’aa that Allah Ta’aala fills the qabr of Mufti Saheb R.A with Noor, and Allah Ta'aala bestow Mufti Saheb R.A. with the highest stages of Jannatul Firdous, and Allah Ta'aala grant Sabr-e-Jameel to his family, asaatizah, students, and associates far and wide.
