Innā lillāhi wa innā ilayhī rājiʿūn. Indeed, to Allah we belong, and to Him we are returning.
Umar Abdullah was described by Yusuf Chambers as “the Da’wah Legend” — a fitting tribute to an individual who spent over 30 years of his life dedicated to spreading the Dīn. [1]
He was known and loved throughout his community. A pioneer of Islamic da’wah. A husband. A father to six. And a friend to many.
In this article, we remember and honour a life that was nothing short of miraculous — a life once marked by struggle and brokenness, but which was then totally transformed by the words,
“Ash-hadu al-lā ilāha ill-Allah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammad ar-Rasūl-Allah.”
BACKGROUND
- Umar Abdullah, previously known as Tobias Taitt, was born in 1967; he arrived in the UK as second-generation Windrush
- A father of three sons and three daughters, he was active in the da'wah for decades, starting in the early 1990s
- His janāza will take place on Thursday 26 September 2024, fifteen minutes after Duhr prayer (1:30pm) at Darrusalam Masjid, North Hyde House, Hayes Road, Southall, UB2 5NS
- Immediately thereafter, he will be laid to rest at Gardens of Peace, 1 Five Oaks Lane, Chigwell, IG7 4QP
- May Allah have mercy upon him and grant his family patience to deal with their loss
His early life
Raised in foster homes in a turbulent environment in the 1970s — riddled with abuse, no parents, and no guidance — Umar’s life descended into what can only be described as a dark place.
Those who were privileged to meet him in person and be guided by his lectures, number in the hundreds, if not thousands.
His eloquence and speech made him a great ambassador for Muslims. Whenever the press would go on an Islamic feeding frenzy, Umar stepped in and stepped up regardless of the media platform.
He would set the record straight and always be an avid defender of the Dīn.
The da’wah years
Once Umar — then Tobias — accepted Islam, Speakers’ Corner became his regular haunt.
His zeal for Islam didn’t let a lack of knowledge as a new Muslim act as a hindrance.
He would engage in debates and spread da’wah at every opportunity he got.
Umar brought life to the hadīth of the Prophet ﷺ,
“Convey from me, even if it is one verse.” [2]
Rise of the da’wah table
He had a bigger vision, how could he spread the message further?
This gave birth to the da’wah table: a poorly and cheaply constructed wallpapering table found at a B&Q DIY store, that bowed in the middle under the weight of a single sheet of wallpaper, but would now be tested with hundreds of leaflets.
Bright and bold colours, extra-large fonts, Ahmed Deedat attention-grabbing headlines. The concept was simple, no lengthy or verbose articles.
Short and sharp, plain English, and punchy explanations clarifying the most common misconceptions and proofs in Islam.
We now call them FAQs!
The first da’wah table was born on Kilburn High Road, one of the busiest roads in London. Fast forward a few years, Islamic Propagation Organisation Charity was now up and running.
50 tables in all major cities, up and down the length and breadth of the UK, from England to Scotland, with hundreds of conversions.
The boxer
An avid boxer, Umar competed at a high level in his younger years and later formed one of many clubs that trained thousands of students over many years.
In some cases, the students went on to create clubs that benefited all.
Another first, Umar pioneered Muslim boxing classes without compromising on the Dīn.
The khatīb
Living in Chiswick at the time, Umar realised that there were no mosques in the area that catered for Jumu’ah (Friday) prayers.
He, along with some helpers, rented a space in the area.
These days, it continues to benefit thousands of Muslims every week, even when the founder is no longer with us. [3]
His Sadaqa Jāriyah goes on.
Our hearts are heavy
Unexpectedly losing Umar Abdullah has left a deep void in the hearts of the community.
A life lived with profound purpose, passion, and unshakable faith. Umar Abdullah was more than a da’wah man, trainer, khatīb; he was a shepherd, a guide, a beacon of hope for all who sought direction in this journey of life.
The suddenness of his departure has left us speechless. And yet, in this silence, we hear the echoes of his words. Words that lifted our spirits, challenged our souls, and reminded us of Allah’s mercy and favours.
Through his da’wah projects, Umar touched countless lives, especially those who felt lost or broken. He spoke from a place of deep personal experience, with an authenticity that could not be denied.
And he reminded us that no matter how far we stray, doors to Allah’s mercy are always open, ready to receive us and guide us home.
Taking comfort in his legacy
We will miss his voice, the laughter he brought to the community, and the quiet strength he carried through every trial.
And yet, we are comforted by the legacy he has left behind — one of faith, hope, and love that will continue to shape our lives and our community.
In moments like these, we are reminded of the preciousness of time, the fragility of life.
As we grieve, we also give thanks — for the countless lives Umar Abdullah touched, for the seeds of faith he planted, and for the love he so freely gave.
May we honour his memory by continuing the work he started, living out our faith boldly and compassionately, just as he did.
Though his work here is finished, his legacy goes on.
We must now support the family
Innā lillāhi wa innā ilayhī rājiʿūn. Until we meet again in Jannah, inshāAllah.
As Umar leaves behind his wife and six children — the youngest aged 15 — they will undoubtedly benefit from the community’s support, be that financial or otherwise.
A GoFundMe page set up by a family friend has already raised around £30,000, we should continue to give what we can to not only bury the brother with the utmost respect, but to also help his surviving family.
Source: Islam21c
Notes
[1] https://www.instagram.com/yusuf_chambers/p/C_-0VCxCfIG/
allahumma barek May Allah have mercy on him fill his grave with noor and make his journey to the hereafter easy aameen
Innā lillāhi wa innā ilayhī rājiʿūn.
I remember our late brother Umar well. Like his namesake, he didn’t beat around the bush!
More often than not, we didn’t see ‘eye to eye’, however, no one could doubt his sincerity and passion for the deen.