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Al Modarresi Mourns the Loss of Sheikh Fahad Al A'meli
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
روي عن موسى بن جعفر عليه السلام أنه قال: "إذا مات المؤمن بكت عليه
الملائكة و بقاع الأرض التي كان يعبد الله عليها و أبواب السماء التي
كان يصعد فيها بأعماله و ثلم في الإسلام ثلمة لا يسدها شيء، لأن
المؤمنين الفقهاء حصون الإسلام كحصن سور المدينة لها"
It is with sheer sorrow and grief to mourn the loss of a great
scholar; his eminence Shiekh Fahad Mehdi Al Ameli. The only way to
describe such a loss is to refer to a tradition by Imam Musa bin
Ja’far who said:
“When a believer dies the angels weep over him as well as the blocks
of land on which he worshipped Allah, as well as the heavenly gates
through which his deeds were ascended, and a void is created is
Islam which shall never be filled, because the believing jurists are
the fortresses of Islam just as the walls of a city fortify it
[against danger].”
Sheikh Fahad Mehdi Al Ameli demonstrated the virtues of a true
believer; steadfast faith in Allah, unreserved love for the
Household of Purity, as well as a profound sense of resentment and
disavowal towards their enemies.
His loyalty to Ahlulbayt and his devotion to their cause was the
focus of his entire restless life. The departed Sheikh had
experienced the full spectrum of pain that any man of such a caliber
would inevitably encounter on this lowly earth; from the persecution
of the notorious regime of Saddam, to the financial hardships of
living among an ungrateful community, to the scornful treatment of
opportunistic adversaries, and a long struggle with a deteriorating
health condition. Yet throughout his fruitful life he never
abandoned his mission; always on call to extend a helping hand,
always offering wise council, and consistently in par with his
master Amir ul’ Mo’meneen who was “not hindered by the admonition of
a reproacher” in siding with the truth.
He was always as frank as the truth can be, as honest as a Godly man
must be, and as strong in defending Ahlulbayt as his gracious spirit
allowed him to be.
As opposed to others who attempt to please their crowds at the
expense of religious principles, the beloved Sheikh always
confronted the masses with nothing but the naked truth; a fact which
often resulted in their dispersal with anger.
Despite his ailing physical condition he was a true manifestation of
the narration:
“المومن حزنه في قلبه و بشره
في وجهه”
"A believer's sadness rests in his heart while his cheerfulness
appears on his face”
He was the first person to bring in the white turban into ‘White
Australia’; thus lighting the torch of guidance for an entire
generation of Muslims, saving from definite perversity.
He once told me that he left the holy city of Najaf while crying and
continued to shed tears after his arrival in Sydney. He said that
were it not for the instructions given to him by the religious
leadership at the time he would never have exchanged the proximity
to the Commander of the Faithful with any place else. The fact that
he was never able to return – as sad at it is – meant that he
receives the reward set for a lone preacher.
It narrated that a man named Hammad Al Samandari said to Imam Al
Sadeq: “I travel to the lands of infidelity and my people tell me
that if I die while there I will be raised among them”. In response,
Imam Al Sadeq asked him “do you preach our message in those lands?”
Hammad said: “yes”… The Imam said: “If you die you will be
resurrected as a single nation and your light will move right before
you”.
The arrival of the beloved Sheikh was, thus, a blessing to the
growing Shia community unlike any other. His contribution to the
building of the first Shia mosque in the country – alongside Sayed
Kadhim Qazwini - is acknowledged by all. People still remember how
he took part in the construction by laying bricks and carrying
building material with his bear hands.
Although representing the great religious jurists in the country he
had to secretly endure manual labor in order to support his family.
The blessed Sheikh was a real life representation of the narration
by the Commander of the Faithful:
"خالطوا الناس مخالطة إن متم
معها بكوا عليكم و إن غبتم حنوا إليكم"
“Live among people in such a manner that if you die they
would weep over you and if you are absent they would dearly miss
you”
A man of ingenious wisdom; Sheikh Fahad was a master of oratory and
debate. He never ceased to amaze everyone with his decisive
arguments. At a time when people were saying “God doesn’t exist in
this earthly paradise” he would awaken their lost souls by enquiring
“Does death exist in Australia?” When they reluctantly responded in
the affirmative he then went on to say “How could this divine law
[death] apply here while the Divine Deity Himself does not exist”?!
Having known our dear Sheikh Fahad for several years, I cannot
describe my grief at his departure. I lost not only a very dear
friend but an inspirational teacher as well as a wise leader so I
cannot begin to imagine the loss of his family. The only consolation
I could find in his demise is our trust that he will finally find
peace in the presence of whom he loved; the infallible progeny of
the Prophet of Mercy.
Having departed this unforgiving world during the festive period of
the birth anniversary of the great mistress of the women of the
worlds; Lady Fatemah Al Zahra, it never escapes my memory how he
displayed a special love for Lady Fatima and cried bitterly upon
recounting her tragic calamity. I pray that she may intercede for
him as she does for her most devout followers. Being the epitome of
graciousness, I am sure that it was this great lady who first
greeted his departing soul with glad tidings of Paradise.
I also pray that his legacy may be remembered through his words and
deeds, and that his mission may be carried on by his faithful sons;
the dearest Haj Moufid, Haj Mohammad, Haj Ali, and Haj Hussein.
“..Peace be upon him on the day when he was born, and the day when
he dies, and the day when he will be resurrected alive”
Mahdi Al Modarresi |
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