Innā lillāhi wa innā ilayhī rājiʿūn. Indeed, to Allah we belong, and to Him we are returning.
It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of one of the most revolutionary figures when it came to the field of Qur’ānic Arabic and its understanding, Shaykh Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim Hafiz Ismail Surty. He had reached the age of 82. [1] [2]
The late scholar — raḥimahu Allah — who returned to his Lord on Wednesday, was renowned throughout the world for his immense contribution towards the teaching of Qur’ānic Arabic for children and adults.
Shaykh Dr. Ibrahim Surty was also a retired professor who had tenure at the Department of Theology and Religion at the University of Birmingham.
Background on the late educator
Born in 1941, Shaykh Dr. Ibrahim Surty completed his bachelor’s and Masters degrees by 1966. The latter degree was awarded by the University of Bombay (known today as the University of Mumbai). [2]
Migrating to the United Kingdom in the years that followed, the professor successfully obtained his PhD at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, in 1972. [2]
During his extensive career studying and teaching the Qur’ānic language, Shaykh Dr. Ibrahim Surty spent fourteen years in the Nigerian city of Sokoto, in addition to holding a senior research fellowship at the Islamic Foundation of Leicester, and a position at the Centre of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations, Selly Oak Colleges, University of Birmingham. [2]
Qur’ānic Arabic Foundation
Known for his unique approach to teaching Qur’ānic script with the correct pronunciation, his live classes were well received throughout the world.
Indeed, while the Qur’ānic Arabic Foundation was headquartered in Birmingham, his efforts have undoubtedly touched millions more, particularly through the recorded television transmissions of his classes on Peace TV, as well as the DVD versions of the same.
Shaykh Dr. Ibrahim Surty was also the author of a number of books pertaining to the particular form of Arabic language used in the Qur’ān. [3]
May the Qur’ān intercede on his behalf!
As Allah (subḥānahu wa ta’āla) reminds us in His Book, this worldly life is but for a very short time, and we will all experience death.
“Every soul will taste death. And you will only receive your full reward on the Day of Judgment.
“Whoever is spared from the Fire and is admitted into Paradise will indeed triumph, whereas the life of this world is no more than the delusion of enjoyment.” [4]
In a narration recorded by Muslim, Abu Umāmah al-Bāhili (radiy Allāhu ‘anhu) said,
“I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say:
‘Read the Qur’ān, for it will come on the Day of Resurrection interceding for its companions.’” [5]
The janāza (funeral) prayer for Shaykh Dr. Ibrahim Surty took place yesterday, at the Birmingham Central Mosque, where the late educator often led prayers. [1]
His burial took place immediately afterwards at the Handsworth Cemetery, Birmingham. [1]
Remarks from Shaykh Dr. Haitham al-Haddad
Shaykh Dr. Haitham al-Haddad, our esteemed murrabi at Islam21c, who also serves as a senior jurist at the Islamic Council of Europe, in addition to having extensive and varied knowledge in the Islamic sciences, said of the passing of Shaykh Dr. Ibrahim Surty,
“I send my deep condolences to the family of Shaykh Ibrahim Surty, and the entire Muslim community.
“I had the pleasure of meeting Shaykh Surty a few times, and Shaykh Surty had gifted me his books on the Qur’ān.
“It was a great loss to lose a person of the Qur’ān and a person of education who had dedicated his life to educate the English-speaking Muslim community all over the world.”
Prayers for the deceased, his loved ones, and the Ummah
From the entire team at Islam21c, we take this opportunity to pray that Allah widens the grave of the Ummah’s late teacher, Shaykh Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim Hafiz Ismail Surty.
We pray that He (subḥānahu wa ta’āla) grants patience to the late shaykh’s loved ones, and to quote a du’ā prominently displayed on the Qur’ānic Arabic Foundation website, may Allah let the world witness peace, justice, human dignity, freedom, unity, and prosperity. [6]
Source: Islam21c
Notes
[1] https://leadership.ng/just-in-popular-islamic-cleric-dr-ismail-surty-dies-in-uk/
[2] https://kitaabun.com/shopping3/studies-islamic-judicial-system-muhammad-ibrahim-surty-p-2595.html
[3] https://www.qaf.org.uk/index.php?cPath=2&osCsid=mj85foqnuosur955400nns92l3
[4] al-Qur’ān, 3:185
[6] https://www.qaf.org.uk/information.php?info_id=70&osCsid=mj85foqnuosur955400nns92l3
May Allah have mercy on him, forgive his shortcomings and grant him the highest ranks in jannah.