Hafiz Fateh Muhammad Sahib (May Allah bless his soul) always used to say that a person leaves this world doing the same activities he indulged in during his lifetime. Therefore, rather than indulging in those activities that are forbidden in Islam or are disliked by Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him), Muslims should keep themselves occupied in those activities and actions which will bring them closer to their Lord, so that when they leave this world, they do so doing those activities which are considered as acts of worship. We see that this was very true of Hafiz Sahib as he passed away whilst sitting in the mosque, reading a biography of the beloved Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). About 45 minutes before his departure from this world, Hafiz Sahib had given a lecture on the Holy Qur’an in the daily study circle that he had been holding for the past 10 years.

Hafiz Sahib’s whole life revolved around learning, reciting, teaching and reflecting on the Holy Qur’an and studying, discussing and honouring our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). He dedicated his life to the Qur’an and Sunnah, following the perfect example of the Prophet (May Allah shower blessings on him).

Professor Qari Fateh Muhammad Sahib was an inspirational figure who benefitted his community tremendously through teaching them the knowledge of Islam. He was a great believer in having inner peace, which would lead to establishing peace in the world. He openly spoke against Extremism, arguing that Extremism has no place in the faith of Islam.

We pray to Allah (swt) that He grants Hafiz Sahib the highest place in Paradise, and grants him the company of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) on the Day of Judgement and in Paradise. Ameen.

A Jalsa and annual gathering in memory of Professor Hafiz Fateh Muhammad Sahib will be held at Leeds Makkah Masjid on Sunday 1 May 2011 at 2:30pm after the ZUHR PRAYER.

The keynote talk will be given by Dr Musharraf Hussain Al-Azhari OBE on the topic of: “The importance and the rewards of working for Allah.”

In the gathering, Professor Sahib’s students, colleagues and contemporaries will talk about the life and works of the ambassador of peace and lover of the beloved Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), Professor Hafiz Fateh Muhammad (May Allah shower mercy on his soul).

To read further about the life of Shaykh Hafiz Fateh Muhammad, please click on the following links:

http://www.makkahmasjid.co.uk/wp/index.php/category/professor-hafiz-fateh-muhammad-sahib/life-of-professor-hafiz-fateh-muhammad/

http://www.makkahmasjid.co.uk/wp/index.php/category/professor-hafiz-fateh-muhammad-sahib/

If you would like to take part in this project, either by sharing memories of your encounters with Hafiz Sahib or sending us photos or videos featuring him, please contact us on mail@makkahmasjid.co.uk.

When I came to see Hafiz, he calmed my worries and reassured me that living under the shade of God’s mercy, being a Muslim, was a process that required hard work and endurance. He reminded me of the saying of the Prophet that the religion is ease and that if you take one step to Allah, He comes ten steps towards you. He asked me to learn about my new faith step by step and not be overwhelmed by it all.  As Allah had accepted me into his chosen faith, I could only come closer to Him by learning more about this faith. Since then whenever I had a particular dilemma, I came to Hafiz sahib for his spiritual and practical advice and sometimes I brought other reverts with me. He never made us feel intimidated by his knowledge

He was truly a man of people. He would often remind those close to him of the saying of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) “the best amongst you is the one most beneficial to them”. He was sincerely interested in providing religious advice in a practical form. People of all backgrounds; Muslims, non-Muslims, young, old, men and women would come to him regarding private and personal matters of love and life, family and faith. Despite the fact that these meetings with people affected his routine of doing set remembrance of Allah and recitation of the Glorious Qur’an and his studies and writing, he always gave time to the people who came to him and listened to their heartache.  He never judged people and would not talk behind their backs about their private and personal matters. Instead he guided with compassion and always tried to make the religion easy to practice.

Another key characteristic of Hafiz sahib’s personality was his altruistic, selfless and self-sacrificing personality. He did not want people to praise him for how close he was to Allah or recognize how high his status was in terms of spirituality or how much insight/farasah of a believer he had, rather he wanted people to turn to Allah and develop those characteristics in themselves. He wanted to empower others rather than hold all the power to himself. That is the reason that with his practical advice, he would always ask people to either recite a particular surah or verse of the Noble Qu’ran or some other zikr. It was his quality of serving His Lord by helping people that people not only from all over the UK but even from outside the UK would call him and discuss their matters with him. He knew a lot of people in Europe and the US who would invite him to visit their countries but he always declined saying that with the time that he had, he was even unable to serve people locally.

Most reverts to Islam are usually so disillusioned with the world and its attractions that they want to run away from the ordinary life and perhaps try to create a new world for themselves. However, Hafiz sahib always motivated reverts to not isolate themselves from the world. Muslims must live in the world but not let the world live in their hearts so much that they forget the Creator of the world. We often spoke about the challenges of our times and the difficulty of balancing student life/ professional life with  spiritual life. He once said that he went through the same emotions during the early days of him teaching English Literature in a College and in order to create emotions conducive for nurturing the soul, he increased his portion of daily recitation of the Holy Qur’an.

Muhammad Dawud

Being born a Muslim, the obvious thing was to turn to Islam but I did not know much about Islam. I was afraid to learn about Islam because I felt that learning more about it would make me realise my own shortcomings and weaknesses. I did not want to feel more depressed. I wanted to meet someone who could unlock my mind and spirit, who could direct me to my Lord, who could hold my hand as I treaded on the path of Islam and got myself back on track. The experience that I have had of mosques did not fill me with confidence that I would find someone like that in a mosque. My first thought was that if I went to a mosque, I would be frowned upon, I would be told off, there would be no one to understand my condition, there would be a language barrier etc.

Then one of my clients told me of an Imam in a mosque nearby in Hyde Park and everything he told me about him was a great shock to me.

My client said that the Imam spoke English and had a lot of young people coming to his mosque. I found it surprising that he was an English Professor and an Imam at the same time. I could understand someone being a Professor of Arabic or Islamic Studies and an Imam but not an English Professor and an Imam.

My client told me that he was a humble man but dignified in his humility and that he always made time for common people and he cared about people – religious or irreligious. I could only remember people inside the mosque who assumed that they were better than others because they came to the mosque to pray.

My client also said that that Imam always has a huge welcoming smile on his shining face. Again, it was hard for me to imagine an Imam with a beautiful smile on his face. I could only remember these guardians of mosques being stern faced, feeling tense and angry with everything.

My client carried on telling me about the knowledge that this Imam possessed and other characteristics that he had had but my mind was wondering off, trying to imagine the Imam in mind and burning with the desire to meet him.

After a few days, I pulled myself together to meet this great personality, with a mixed feeling of awe and yearning. As I approached his room inside the mosque, he was sat on the floor studying a book. As soon as he saw me, he welcomed me with a smile and started chatting to me, listening to me attentively. He was not only hearing me, he was also waiting for his turn to speak. Although it was the first time I had met him, I felt that I had always known him.

As I sat listening to the Imam discussing the intricacies of the Glorious Qur’an with references to modern intellectualism, my eyes grew wider and I distinctly remember thinking, “Ohh…so that’s what it means!”

I left that brief meeting with a very light heart, feeling good inside. I had a strange feeling inside me; I felt that I had done a good deed just meeting him and listening to his melodious voice. I still cannot describe that feeling.

From that day onward, whenever I got the chance to come and sit with him, I would do so. I would go to meet him during lunch time and he in his kindness would welcome me each time I went to meet him. I would always leave him with a heavy heart, wishing I could have extra time to stay with him. In his gatherings, he used to feel spiritually immersed in the light of the Qur’an.  He was a walking encyclopedia/dictionary of the Glorious Qur’an.

I am sure that anyone who had the privilege of visiting the Imam and spending time with him felt uplifted and enriched by his humanity, his wisdom and his spirituality. He was positive and motivational. He always showed you the bright side of any situation that you were in. He used to make things perfectly clear by using simple language and examples. He would come down to peoples’ level, despite himself being an ocean of knowledge. For him lecturing or writing was not about scholastic manipulation of intellectual constructs but rather a means to connect people to Allah and the spiritual reality.  He would de-mystify things so that people could understand the Word of God and the sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). He always reminded his students to use simple language with people in accordance with the prophetic saying: “Speak to people at their level”. But at the same time his colourful talks were full of gushing flow, treasure of vocabulary and tremendous appealing.

I love him dearly because, through him I came closer to My Lord and gained an understanding of what a logical and balanced the religion of Islam is. It is through him that I have been able to tell people around me something about my faith. It is because of him that I am proud to call myself a Muslim. He wanted young British Muslims to be good and great. Work hard to unlock our potentials with the key of the Qur’an and Sunnah.

Unfortunately, after a few months of coming to stay in Leeds, I got transferred to another city and our enlightening and refreshing meetings came to end. At first I did continue to phone him and seek his advice on important matters in my life. Then with the passage of time, I got busy and the contact became less and less.

The memories that I have shall remain ingrained on my mind forever. He is always in my prayers. My Allah grant me his company under the banner of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

Zahid Hussain

Hafiz Fateh Muhammad Sahib (May Allah bless his soul) always used to say that a person leaves this world doing the same activities he indulged in during his lifetime. Therefore, rather than indulging in those activities that are forbidden in Islam or are disliked by Allah and His Messenger, Muslims should keep themselves occupied in those activities and actions which will bring them closer to their Lord, so that when they leave this world, they do so doing those activities which are considered as acts of worship. We see that this was very true of Hafiz Sahib as he passed away whilst sitting in the mosque, reading a biography of the beloved Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). About 45 minutes before his departure from this world, Hafiz Sahib had given a lecture on the Holy Qur’an in the daily study circle that he had been holding for the past 10 years.

Hafiz Sahib’s whole life revolved around learning, reciting, teaching and reflecting on the Holy Qur’an and studying, discussing and honouring our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). He dedicated his life to the Qur’an and Sunnah, following the perfect example of the Prophet (May Allah shower blessings on him).

Professor Qari Fateh Muhammad Sahib was of very few distinguished Ulemas who excelled in both worldly and religious knowledge and understanding. He was indeed an inspirational figure who benefitted his community tremendously through teaching them the knowledge of Islam. He was a great believer in having inner peace, which would lead to establishing peace in the world. In order to provide a beacon of light, guidance, love and hope to mankind, he founded Leeds Makkah Masjid and Deen Foundation.

We pray to Allah (swt) that He grants Hafiz Sahib the highest place in Paradise, and grants him the company of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) on the Day of Judgement and in Paradise. Ameen.

A Jalsa and annual gathering in memory of Professor Hafiz Fateh Muhammad Sahib will be held at Leeds Makkah Masjid on Sunday 18 April 2010 at 2:30pm after the ZUHR PRAYER. In the gathering, Professor Sahib’s students, colleagues and contemporaries will talk about the life and works of the ambassador of peace and lover of the beloved Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), Professor Hafiz Fateh Muhammad (May Allah shower mercy on his soul).

TIME: 2:30 pm After ZUHR PRAYER
DATE: Sunday, 18th April 2010
VENUE: Makkah Masjid

• “I will miss his inspiring conversations full of humour, wit and insight”, a PhD students from the Far East

• “His optimism, his compassion and, most important of all, the love he always had for his faith and community was remarkable.” A Roman Catholic Vicar

• He was “a wonderful mix of spirituality and practicality”, Faith Advisor to the former Prime Minister, Tony Blair.

• His death was “a blow to the whole community”, a local MP.

• “He was a reformer in that he began calling for imams to start using English in their sermons and in their teachings so that the British Muslim youth could learn something about their faith when attending the mosques”, Chair of a leading British Muslim Organisation.

• “He was a true lover of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and that is why he was always at the forefront of any cause and campaign dealing with Tahafuz-e-Namose-e- Risalat”, Secretary of Ahl-Sunna wal-Jama’at.

• “He effectively gave me a new life”, a revert who embraced Islam at the hands of Professor Qari Fateh Muhammad.

• “His intelligent conversations, his ability to listen to opponents’ views, his inner beauty, his immense love for the Prophet, the Ahle-bait and the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) made me reconsider my beliefs”, a shia Professor from Iran.

• “He was as friendly and hospitable to his opponents as he was towards his friends and followers”, a young enthusiast who enjoyed debating with Professor Qari Fateh Muhammad.

• “Through his guidance and mediation, he saved my marriage”, a young newly married sister.

• “He was an inspiration to me. If it had not been for him, I would not have had the love of my religion in my heart today”, a pharmacist.

• “He helped me find myself”, an investment banker.

• “He was always there for my family”, a mother of six children.

• “If it had not been for his financial support, I would not have been able to do an MBA”, a student who went on to become an entrepreneur.

• “He was our rock”, a grandmother.

• “Whenever I followed his practical advice, I never regretted it”, a father of four and politician.

• “I always confided in him and he counseled me” a granddad and community leader.

• “If it had not been for him, my children today would have been somewhere else rather than in the mosque. He brought faith into our hearts”, a mother of three.

• “He was my guide, my teacher, my source of inspiration, my role model and my spiritual father”, a student of Islamic sciences and Tassawuf.

• “He was a truly humble and sincere servant of Allah, who was not after worldly positions or wealth; he declined whenever he was given a position of power and rather recommended his colleagues to take those positions”, founder of the British Muslim Forum.

• “He was a man of extraordinary vision. He sat on a prayer mat but touched the hearts of thousands of people from all walks of life whether they be doctors, Imams, builders, politicians, professors, taxi drivers or entrepreneurs. It was his simplicity and spirituality, combined with his wisdom, that made him everyone’s hero”, a medical doctor.

• “It was his love for the Noble Qur’an, his constant recitation day and night, which brought me closer to Allah”, a Hafiz and recite of the Holy Qur’an.

• “He sometimes would give money in charity when he did not have much in his own pocket”, Trustee of a Charity.

• “He was the father figure for our community”, teenage attendee of the mosque

• “He was a shining star; people like him are not born everyday”, a professor colleague at Islamic University Islamabad, Pakistan.

Reciting the Qur’an is described in the following Qur’anic verse as a profitable transaction, the profit of which shall never end. This is the case at any time of the year but in Ramadan the recitation and study of the Qur’an has greater status and significance due to many reasons.

Allah says: “Indeed, those who recite the Book of Allah and establish prayer and spend (in His cause) out of what We have provided them secretly and publicly, can expect a transaction (profit) that will never perish. That He may give them in full their rewards and increase for them His bounty. Indeed He is forgiving and most ready to appreciate.” (Surah Fatir:30)

Mother of the Believers, Sayyidah Aisha (may Allah be well pleased with her) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)  said, ‘Read the Qur’an, for verily it will come as an intercessor for its companion on the Day of Judgement.’ [Sahih Muslim]

It is recommended that one finishes a complete recitation of the Qur’an in the month of Ramadan. It is the Sunnah to complete reciting the whole Qur’an once every month.

The great scholars of Islam, the pious predecessors devoted most of their time in Ramadan to reciting and studying the Noble Qur’an. When Ramadan entered, Imam Malik used to leave his study of hadith and devote his total attention to the reading of the Qur’an. Imam Azam Imam Abu Hanifa and Muhammad Ibn Idris Al-Shaf’i would accomplish sixty completions of the Qur’an in Ramadan, all in the form of prayer.

In Makkah Masjid, the recitation of the Holy Qur’an is completed in the Taraweeh prayer (night prayer) every year. It has been a tradition of Madina Jamia Masjid and Makkah Mosque, for the last 25 years, that the key themes contained in a part of the Holy Qur’an that is recited each night is explained to the congregation after the Taraweeh prayer. This tradition was set up by the late Imam professor Shaykh Hafiz Fateh Muhammad (May Allah bless his soul), who fist served as an Imam and khateeb at Madina Jamia Masjid for 20 years and then founded the Makkah Masjid in 2003. This year since the Tarweeh prayer finishes around midnight, it has been decided by the Imams of the Masjid that rather than presenting the meaning and tafseer of the juz (part) of the Glorious Qur’an that is recited each night after the Night (Taraweeh) prayer, the same undertaking will take place after zuhr prayer each day.

Throughout the month of Ramadan, the Qur’anic study circles will be held every day after the Zuhr prayer at 2:15pm. In these Qur’anic study circles, the key theme(s) of each of the juz/sapara/part of the Holy Qur’an will be explained in English and Urdu by the Imams, Qari Asim and Qari Qasim.

Makkah Mosque study circles are open to Muslims and non-Muslims, brothers and sisters who have an interest in learning about Islam.

Ramadan Audio Lectures

1st Ramadan:

Click here to download this file or listen to the lecture by pressing the Play button: Download audio file (01-Ramadan-22-08-09-online.mp3)


2 Ramadan

O ye who believe! Spend out of (the bounties) We have provided for you, before the Day comes when no bargaining (Will avail), nor friendship nor intercession. Those who reject Faith they are the wrong-doers. (2.254):
Click here to download this file or listen to the lecture by pressing the Play button: Download audio file (02-Ramadan-23-08-09-online.mp3)


3 Ramadan

Who can be better in religion than one who submits his whole self to Allah, does good, and follows the way of Abraham the true in Faith? For Allah did take Abraham for a friend. (4:125):
Click here to download this file or listen to the lecture by pressing the Play button: Download audio file (03-Ramadan-24-08-09-online.mp3)


4 Ramadan

O ye who believe! Do your duty to Allah, seek the means of approach unto Him, and strive with might and main in his cause: that ye may prosper. (5:35):
Click here to download this file or listen to the lecture by pressing the Play button: Download audio file (04-Ramadan-25-08-09-online.mp3)


5 Ramadan

O ye who believe! make not unlawful the good things which Allah hath made lawful for you, but commit no excess: for Allah loveth not those given to excess. (5:87):
Click here to download this file or listen to the lecture by pressing the Play button: Download audio file (05-Ramadan-26-08-09-online.mp3)


6 Ramadan

It is We Who have placed you with authority on earth, and provided you therein with means for the fulfilment of your life: small are the thanks that ye give (7:10):
Click here to download this file or listen to the lecture by pressing the Play button: Download audio file (06-Ramadan-27-08-09-online.mp3)


10 Ramadan

Say: If it be that your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your mates, or your kindred; the wealth that ye have gained; the commerce in which ye fear a decline: or the dwellings in which ye delight – are dearer to you than Allah, or His Messenger, or the striving in His cause;- then wait until Allah brings about His decision: and Allah guides not the rebellious (9:24):
Click here to download this file or listen to the lecture by pressing the Play button: Download audio file (10-Ramadan-31-08-09-online.mp3)


11 Ramadan

The prayer that man should make for good, he maketh for evil; for man is given to hasty (deeds) (17:11):
Click here to download this file or listen to the lecture by pressing the Play button: Download audio file (11-Ramadan-01-09-09-online.mp3)


13 Ramadan

O mankind! fear your Lord! for the convulsion of the Hour (of Judgment) will be a thing terrible! (21:01):
Click here to download this file or listen to the lecture by pressing the Play button: Download audio file (13-Ramadan-03-09-09-online.mp3)


15 Ramadan

And the servants of ((Allah)) Most Gracious are those who walk on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say, “Peace!” (25:63):
Click here to download this file or listen to the lecture by pressing the Play button: Download audio file (15-Ramadan-05-09-09-online.mp3)


Many University students undertake projects about the activities of the Mosque as part of their modules regarding theology, comparative studies, Islam in Britain, European Islam, multi-culturalism and community cohesion etc. Over the course of a year, Imam Qari Asim sees a large number of students researching these topics and has useful discussions with those students.

The Imam of Makkah Masque also receives student delegations from various countries, and they exchange views on Islamic and cultural practices in their respective countries. In the past couple of months, Imam Qari Asim has met student delegations from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Indonesia. Makkah Masjid and its sister mosque, Al-Madina Jamia Masjid has a long history of working with the Turkish people. Imam Professor Hafiz Fateh Muhammad who served the Muslim Leeds community used to work with people from various regions and backgrounds and set a good tradition of different groups working with each other for the greater good.

Imam Qari Asim recently also met Piet Hizbullah Khaidir, The Chairperson of Muhammadiyah Youth Movement-Central Board, Indonesia, and The Former Chairman of Leeds-Indonesian Muslim Society, and Arif Rahman Bambang, a senior lecturer at Assalaam, a modern boarding school for boys and girls in Indonesia.

Qari Asim discussed with them the work that Muhammadiyah has done in building the social and educational infrastructure in Indonesia in such a short period of time. Qari Asim said that many other organizations around the world could learn from the model propounded by Muhammadiyah. Piet said that “we will have great opportunities to build colaborative programmes in the future”.

Qari Asim also discussed the thesis of Arif Rahman Bambang regarding ‘Mosque and Community Cohesion: Interaction between Muslims and Non-Muslims in Leeds’. In this thesis Qari Asim worked with Arif Rahman Bambang and met him on a number of occasions for the purposes of interviews and to shed light on the activities of Makkah Masjid. Arif Rahman Bambang said that he was “grateful for the support that the community of Makkah Masjid had offered him during his stay in Leeds and wished to continue to work with them in the coming years.”

Qari Asim gave signed copies of his books, including copies of his most recent book Our Children -Our future to the delegation.  For further details about Our Children -Our future,  please click on: http://www.deenfoundation.org.uk/wp/index.php/2009/04/08/75/

Imam also invited the Leeds-Indonesian Muslim Society to the upcoming event at Makkah Masjid on Sunday 2 August 2009.

All those who had the honour to meet him will testify that Hafiz Sahib’s whole life revolved around learning, reciting, teaching and reflecting on the Holy Qur’an and studying, discussing and honouring our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). He dedicated his life to the Qur’an and Sunnah, living in accordance with the principles of Islam and encouraging others to do the same. His sudden departure from this world was a tragic loss to the Muslim community of Leeds which he had ardently and diligently served for over 20 years of his life. Hafiz Sahib was indeed one of very few distinguished Ulemas who excelled in both worldly and religious knowledge and understanding.

Professor Hafiz Fateh Muhammad Sahib was a great religious scholar, an ambassador of peace, an advocate of love of the Holy Qur’an and the beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and the founder of Leeds Makkah Mosque and Deen Foundation. He was indeed an inspirational figure who benefitted his community tremendously through teaching them the knowledge of Islam.

We pray to Allah (swt) that He grants Hafiz Sahib the highest place in Paradise, and makes the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and the Holy Qur’an his intercessors on the Day of Judgement. Ameen.

A Jalsa and annual gathering in memory of Professor Hafiz Fateh Muhammad Sahib will be held at Leeds Makkah Mosque on 26 April 2009 at 2:30 pm After ZUHR PRAYER

TIME: 2:30 pm After ZUHR PRAYER
DATE: Sunday, 26th April 2009
VENUE: Makkah Masjid