Hafiz Idrees Khan (1413/1993-1445/2024)
My Dear Friend: My Brother
In the Name of Allah, the most Beneficent the most Merciful
إِنَّ الْعَيْنَ تَدْمَعُ، وَالْقَلْبَ يَحْزَنُ، وَلاَ نَقُولُ إِلاَّ مَا يَرْضَى رَبُّنَا، وَإِنَّا بِفِرَاقِكَ لَمَحْزُونُونَ
"The eyes are shedding tears, and the heart is grieved, but we will only say what pleases our Lord. Indeed, we are saddened by your separation"
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Ḥāfiẓ Idrees Ikbal Khan, a beloved friend and brother, whose presence touched the lives of many in Coventry and beyond. Born in 1993, in Coventry, Ḥāfiẓ Idrees left us on Friday 21st June 2024 (14th Dhul Ḥijjah 1445) at the tender age of 31, leaving behind a legacy of faith, friendship, and unwavering kindness.
I had the honour of knowing Ḥāfiẓ Idrees for nearly 15 years, a bond that transcended age and time. Despite being seven years my senior, our friendship was one of profound closeness, evident to anyone who saw us together in Coventry. Our paths first crossed many years ago at Masjid Zeenatul Islam, where my father served as Imām. Ḥāfiẓ Idrees would attend the Masjid with his father and brother when he would return home in his holidays from Jamea Abu Bakr, Walsall, where he was enrolled in the Ḥifẓ programme.
My close relationship with Ḥāfiẓ Idrees began in 2013 when we both enrolled in the ʿĀlimiyyah programme at the Islamic Academy of Coventry. For over a year, Ḥāfiẓ Shb would kindly drive me home after class, a routine that deepened our friendship. Classes were always filled with joy with Ḥāfiẓ Shb, his character was such that students and teachers alike were fond of his company. He was proficient in Urdu and picked up Arabic grammar quicker than the rest of us, he was sharp minded and grasped the lessons quick. We often referred back to him to understand the lessons.
In 2015 I relocated to Blackburn and attended Jamiatul Ilm Wal Huda where I enrolled in the ʿĀlimiyyah programme. I maintained a close relationship with him with regular phone calls. Whenever I would return home from Madrassah, he would be there to pick me up without fail. Holidays were always spent together, with Ḥāfiẓ Shb driving me wherever I needed to go.
Ḥāfiẓ Shb continued his studies at the Islamic Academy of Coventry until his health began to decline during the COVID-19 pandemic. He endured a grave illness, spending several weeks in the ICU. Though he recovered enough to return home, his health remained fragile.
In 2022, as I left Coventry to study in Madīnah, Ḥāfiẓ Shb was visibly emotional yet supportive. Throughout my time in Madīnah, our weekly calls were a source of comfort and connection. In December of 2022, I received the distressing news of his severe illness due to a second bout of COVID-19. Despite the grim prognosis, the power of everyone's prayers saw him recover once more, though he never fully regained his health.
During my time away, his health remained unstable and continued to deteriorate. In June 2023, when I returned home after a year away, Ḥāfiẓ Shb, along with his brother, came to pick me up at the airport. His health was still fairly stable at that time, and that holiday of over a month was the last summer I spent with him. I returned to Madīnah in August 2023. In Ramadan 2024, I came back to Coventry for the last 10 days. During this time, I visited him daily, sharing precious moments with him after Tarāwīḥ prayers. Despite his worsening health, Ḥāfiẓ Idrees remained a pillar of strength and faith.
Before I left for Madīnah again after Eid, he was feeling better. I had mentioned that I might come home late if I performed Ḥajj, and his mother later informed me that he was upset about my delayed return. During one of our phone calls, he jokingly said, “This time when you come home, you'll be leading my Janāzah Salah.” I laughed and assured him that he would get better, Insha’Allah.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, I returned home early, before Ḥajj. Each time I returned from Madīnah, Ḥāfiẓ Idrees would come to pick me up from the airport, but this last time, he couldn't make it. Upon reaching Coventry, I went to see him before going home and immediately saw he was in considerable pain and hardship. I arrived back in England on Monday June 10th, and every evening after Maghrib, I would visit him and spend time with him until the very evening before his passing. He was in significant pain and hardship, and I am grateful that he is now in a better place. During one of my visits, he shared how he was struggling and couldn't describe the pain he was enduring. Alḥamdulillāh, he is now at peace.
On Friday afternoon, after Jumuʿah Salah, I received a phone call from Ḥāfiẓ Idrees's brother and my dear friend Kaleem, urgently asking me to come to their house. Kaleem had left for a wedding but made a U-turn back to Coventry upon hearing the news. When I inquired about what had happened, he informed me that his brother's health had taken a turn for the worse. I immediately left home and reached their house.
By the time I arrived, the ambulances were already there, and the paramedics had begun CPR. Five ambulances had come, including an air ambulance that had landed in a nearby park to assist with the resuscitation efforts. I stayed with Ḥāfiẓ Idrees's mother, whom I would often see during my visits to him.
After 30 minutes of trying, the doctor called us into the room and informed us that they had tried all possible avenues and decided to stop CPR. I stayed with his mother, who held his hand as they pronounced his time of death.
The family immediately began making burial and Ghusl arrangements, and his body was transported to the local mortuary for Ghusl. That night, we performed his Ghusl, and the next day, we hoped to receive clearance for the burial. However, due to some delays, the paperwork was not completed until Monday.
The Janāzah Ṣalāh took place on Saturday at 4 PM, attended by hundreds, if not over a thousand people—a sign of his acceptance by the community. He had informed me and his family that he wanted me to lead his Janāzah Ṣalāh, a request I was honoured to fulfil. Overcome with emotion, I made a mistake and performed one less Takbīr in the Ṣalāh. As it was not possible to repeat it at that moment, it was decided that the Janāzah Ṣalāh would be repeated at the graveside on the day of the burial. Although this initially seemed like an issue, it became clear that it was part of Allah's plan. Many people who had travelled from far and wide missed the Ṣalāh due to insufficient parking facilities. The second Ṣalāh provided an opportunity for those who had missed it to participate and fulfil the Janāzah prayer.
The second Janāzah prayer took place at Lentons Lane Cemetery, drawing hundreds of attendees from around the country. They gathered to pay their respects and lay Ḥāfiẓ shb to rest.
Below, I will share some anecdotes from the life of our beloved Ḥāfiẓ Shb, may they serve as lessons for us all, in accordance with the statement of our noble Prophet Muhammad ﷺ:
His Kindness
Ḥāfiẓ Idrees possessed a remarkable quality that I rarely witnessed in others — his respectful and loving interaction with members of all faiths. His compassion extended beyond Muslims to include Christians, Sikhs, and others. He often fondly spoke of a Romanian friend whom he would personally drive to work in the early hours of the morning, covering the expenses himself. Similarly, he would offer lifts to Sikh individuals he saw walking alone near their Gurdwara. His profound understanding of different religions was remarkable; he would engage with Sikh community members, sharing insights into their religious history and reciting their scriptures from memory. His inclusive kindness left a lasting impact on everyone he met.
His acceptance in the community
His acceptance within the community was a testament to his open-mindedness and ability to forge meaningful relationships across various schools of thought. Unlike many who prefer familiarity, Ḥāfiẓ Idrees embraced new experiences and engaged comfortably with diverse perspectives. His Islamic education began at Foleshill Road Mosque under the late Hājī Aashique. He later enrolled at Jamea Abu Bakr in Walsall, where he memorized the Qur’ān (he completed his Ḥifẓ under the tutelage of his beloved teacher Qārī Ashraf, with whom he kept a close relationship until the very end). Returning to Coventry, he enrolled in the ʿĀlimiyyah programme at the Islamic Academy of Coventry while also teaching at Madrassah Zeenatul-Islam. Later, he commuted over an hour daily to Daruloom Kidderminster to teach Ḥifẓ. He also taught at Madrassah Foleshill Road and conducted classes at Al-Falah Islamic Education Centre, Coventry. His final teaching engagement was at Al-Madinah Institute, where he taught until his health began to decline.
His Love for Durūd and Anāshīd
Ḥāfiẓ Idrees was widely recognized for his devotion to Anāshīd, often invited to events to enrich the atmosphere with his resonant voice. His renditions of deeply profound Kalām captivated listeners, leaving them eager for more. Despite his youth, his musical taste was seasoned, favouring compositions by classical masters. He eloquently recited verses penned by luminaries such as Mawlānā Qasim Nanotwi, Syed Amin Gilani, Qārī Waheed Zafar, and others. He always began his performances by encouraging the audience to recite Durūd Sharīf, highlighting his profound love for sending blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ. His dedication to reciting Durūd extended beyond performances; Fridays were particularly significant to him, dedicated to reciting abundant Durūd. It is perhaps due to this deep connection that he was blessed with departing from this world on a blessed Friday.
His Charity
His commitment to charity was deeply personal and dear to his heart, yet he preferred to keep it private. Following my move to Madinah, Ḥāfiẓ Idrees regularly supported two families each month with financial assistance, including a Sayyid family, ensuring their living expenses were covered. I had the privilege of personally delivering this support and often distributing it myself. In addition to his support in Madīnah, I knew of his charitable contributions in Pakistan. He served as a benefactor to Ḥājī Aashique’s Madrassah, consistently sending financial aid to cover teachers' salaries and support various educational initiatives. Last year, he generously funded the completion of the end-of-year Jalsah event and facilitated the distribution of gifts to participants. These acts of kindness were just a part of his charitable efforts; there may have been numerous other instances of his generosity that I am not aware of. His quiet dedication to helping others, without seeking recognition or publicity, reflected his deep compassion and desire to make a positive impact on those in need.
How He Made People Feel
His Janāzah was attended by a multitude, a testament to his ability to make everyone feel cherished and valued. Following the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, he treated each person as if they were his closest companion. His warm smile and loving demeanour naturally drew people to him, fostering bonds that he nurtured consistently. As I reflect on these memories, tears fill my eyes, recalling his infectious smile and powering voice that resonate with days gone by. His genuine care for others and his ability to make everyone feel special left an indelible mark on all who knew him. At his Janāzah, we were met with individuals whom we had never seen before, each sharing heartfelt stories of how Ḥāfiẓ Shb had touched their lives. Many recounted how he had taught them, their children, or had offered them invaluable assistance in various ways. His impact was evident in the diverse array of people who came forward to express their gratitude and share how deeply he had influenced them.
Eid Salah
Ḥāfiẓ Idrees was vocal in following local moonsighting, and during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, he took the initiative to host Eid Ṣalāh in his spacious garden. He graciously invited me to join the first Eid Ṣalāh there, which drew around 10 attendees. Following the prayer, his mother would prepare breakfast for everyone. This Eid gathering in his garden, which began in 2020, continued annually, with attendance growing each year. To accommodate larger groups, the family started setting up a marquee in case of rain.
Ḥāfiẓ Idrees attended every Eid Ṣalāh with us, except for the last Eid when he was unable to make it to the garden due to his health. Despite this, he ensured that children attending received sweets and gifts, and he always sent attendees home with something, never letting anyone leave empty-handed. After Ṣalāh, it was customary for us to visit the graveyard together, something we had upheld for many years. His dedication to community and his thoughtful gestures left an enduring impact on those who shared these Eid celebrations with him.
Pir Shb
Despite his young age, Ḥāfiẓ Idrees carried himself with a maturity that belied his years. Many mistook him for someone much older, leading to the affectionate nickname ‘Pir Shb’ among his peers. This title stemmed from his distinctive Imāmah (turban) and ʿAṣā’ (walking stick), which he carried with him when mobile. What many may not know is that despite his youth, he had pledged allegiance (Bayʿah) to his Shaykh, Qārī Laiq Ali from Faisalabad, Pakistan. In one of our last conversations before his passing, when he was still able to speak, he passionately discussed his spiritual lineage (Silsilah) and his profound connection to his Shaykh. During this conversation, he revealed something previously unknown: his Shaykh had granted him Khilāfah, a significant mark of trust and responsibility within the spiritual tradition.
A Lost Friend
With only a few days since his passing, my heart aches and my eyes fill as his memories continue to follow me. He was always the first person I would message or call whenever there was something to share. Now, when I scroll to his name on WhatsApp, I find myself unable to read his messages. His absence has left a profound void among his family, friends, and the wider community. To me, he was not just a dear friend but also a beloved brother. If I ever needed to talk or seek guidance, he was always the first person I would reach out to.
While he has undoubtedly left a profound impact on our lives, I also find solace and happiness for him in several aspects. Firstly, I rejoice that he attained the blessing of passing away on a Friday regarding which the Prophet ﷺ said,
Secondly, I am comforted by the large number of people who attended his Janāzah. Regarding which the Prophet ﷺ said,
Finally, I find solace that he is now in a state of tranquillity and bliss, far removed from the trials of this world. The difficulties he endured served as a purification of his soul and a means for Allah to cleanse his sins. He has been called back to Allah as a pure and righteous soul, ready to receive the eternal blessings promised to the believers.
May Allah grant him forgiveness, mercy, and the highest ranks in Jannah (Paradise), and may He grant patience and strength to all who mourn his passing.
In memory of Hafiz Shb, we will be fundraising to build a Masjid and dig a well in his name, the donation link can be found below,
Abrar Vedachhia
Monday 24th June 2024/ 17th Dhul Ḥijjah 1445
