Ahmed Deedat passes away

I was stunned to hear the news, confirmed by UmmZaid's blog:(http://www.sunnisisters.com/sunnisister/?p=577)

It appears the angel of death is working overtime, on extinguishing our erstwhile, living lights...

Ahmed Deedat was a juggernaut of zeal & a vociferous defender of our deen - particularly when the South African context needed him. Most of all, he was disciplined & tenacious in his efforts. I believe that it was these two qualities, which catapulted him into the public sphere, into our hearts, into the curiously skeptical minds of many a non-Muslim - and ultimately, into Firdaus.

He deserves nothing less than this.

Our former student amir visited him in the hospital years ago and noted that, despite his bed-ridden state, he was busy working on publishing books - and conveying his message to his scribes by way of code through blinking his EYES. This fact alone, should elicit heartfelt Masha'Allah's from us all.

Such dedication only comes to mind from the likes of the sincere ulemah of old - it is related that when Imam Abu Yusuf, the great Qadi and student of Imam Abu Hanifah , was on his deathbed - he was still reading and seeking knowledge.

In my jahilliyah days, I recall how a zealous da'iyee sought to win me over with loads of Ahmed Deedat tapes. Though I was not formerly Christian, I found myself intrigued by the debates. Soon enough, I became a 'Deedat fan', and even took notes. His unbridled enthusiasm was infectious, and his theological knowledge wide enough to win the masses. This was another one of his greatest strengths - the ability to appeal to the common man.

Predictably, he had his critics. He's been branded as confrontational and blunt - as though there aren't times in our lives when bluntness is exactly what's required. But anyone who's read Ecclesiastics 3:1-8, knows:

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven;

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a
time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

It was time for Ahmed Deedat to leave this world. It is now time for us to mourn him, to thank Allah for sending him to us, to reflect upon his legacy...

And to become BETTER than him. Because, our ummah deserves nothing less than this.

May Allah grant us assistance in this lofty goal - Ameen.