Shaykh Abul-Hasan Khatib Al Makki

Shaykh Fakhruddin Owaisi On the 28th of March 2011, we, the Masjidul- Quds Umrah group embarked on an unforgettable spiritual journey to the Holy Land. The most historical and extraordinary event of the whole trip was the most auspicious and blessed death of “the father of the group” Shaykh Abul-Hasan Khateeb right in front of the Holy Ka’bah. While every other Muslim prays for a death on Friday or in the holy Mosques or during Umrah, very few are actually granted such a privileged death by Allah (SWT). I had heard and read of great Awliya who were granted such auspicious endings. During our blessed trip, I had the honor of actually witnessing such a great sight with my own eyes. We had put on our Ihrams from Istanbul airport and arrived in Makkah on Friday Morning. On the journey Shaykh Abul- Hasan Saheb was enjoying listening to our Na’ats and poems in yearning for the Holy land. One Couplet I read was very much liked by him. It said: Kabay pay parhi jab pehli nazar…kya cheez hai dunya bhool gaya…… “When my eyes fell on the Kabah for the first time, I forgot all about this World!”

“He is Shaheed al-Umrah!” After performing the Friday prayers and Asr salah in the holy Haram, we embarked on the Umrah. Shaykh Abul-Hasan performed the Umrah with everyone with a clam pace and finished at the same time we all did, despite his old age. Thereafter, I saw him walking with his eldest son Ismail behind the Sacred Maqam Ibrahim. He looked as if he was on his way “back”. A minute later, I heard a commotion nearby and saw a crowd gathering. As I went closer, I saw him lying there, and was told that he had passed away. The first thing I said was: Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar! He is Shaheed al- Umrah! What a death! What a place! Allahu Akbar! As the family and the group stated to gather around him crying, I was still amazed at this privilege that Allah had granted him. His sons were saying: “This is the fulfillment of our fathers wish. He had always prayed to die in the Holy Land!”