The enviable demise of Mawlānā Kāmrān Aḥmad of Scotland (1401/1981 – 1446/2025)
بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم
One of the greatest bounties that a person desires and supplicates for is Ḥusn al-Khātimah, which is to die a good death upon Īmān and good deeds. “Actions are according to the final actions” is an authentic and famous Prophetic statement (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 6607, 6493) that explains that the crux of life is the state in which a person’s demise occurs. How fortunate is our beloved colleague and family friend, 45 (43) year old Mawlānā Mawlānā Kāmrān Maḥmood Aḥmad ibn Nazir Aḥmad Raḥimahullāh to have passed away two days ago, on the blessed day of Friday, shortly before sunset the time when supplications are accepted, in the blessed month of Ramaḍān, in the company of fasting family members and friends, with a smiling and content face, as though he was happy with the departure from this temporary abode and transfer to the eternal abode, after attaining the rank of a martyr as a result of his illness, preceded by a life of serving the impoverished and oppressed worldwide, with sincerity, dedication and selflessness, whilst remaining engaged in the remembrance of Allah Almighty until the very end.
Mawlānā Kāmrān was a unique person, a hidden gem, with so many qualities. He was simple, humble, dedicated and abstinent. He won the hearts of people with his kind nature and generosity. He was loved by his seniors, contemporaries and juniors. He would always smile and constantly praise Allah no matter the circumstance. He was genuine in everything that he did. He developed a very close relationships with my respected father and would regularly visit him. Reflecting on his demise, my respected father Mufti Shabbīr Aḥmad (b. 1376/1957) said in a message to his family:
“Mawlānā’s demise is a great loss. He was like a son to me. We were in Ḥaram (in Makkah al-Mukarramah) and Mawlānā Muṣṭafā (of Birmingham) informed me of the demise after the two Rakʿah of Tarāwīḥ Ṣalāh. The Imam in the proceeding Rakʿah then recited the verse (Yūnus: 62), “Remember that friends of God will have nothing to fear nor will they grieve.” Indeed, Mawlānā Kamrān was a very Muttaqī (God-conscious) person, he was a like a member of our household. All of our children and grand-children knew him and were very fond of him. Allah Almighty forgive him and raise his status. Allah Almighty resurrect him with our beloved Prophet ﷺ, the companions and the martyrs. This demise of his is martyrdom. We are with you in your hour of grief and sadness, although I am thinking that I should also be the recipient of condolences because I was very close to him and there was a lot of affection between us. He was very considerate of me and attended to me. Inshāʾ Allah, I will tell Yusuf and we will launch an appeal for a Masjid for his reward, and I hope that a Masjid is built on his name.”
Mawlānā Kāmrān Raḥimahullāh was born on 16 September 1981 (18 Dhū al-Qaʿdah 1401) in Stirling, situated 25 miles from Glasgow. At the age of seven, he moved with his parents and the family to Dundee as his father had purchased a business there. The family returned to Stirling in 2001. His journey to acquire Islamic education started at the hands of Mawlānā ʿĀrif Hansrot, who taught him the basic Islamic education. He recalls that it was approximately in 2002, when he was an Imam in Stirling that he first met with brother Kamrān who was working in his father’s takeaway. He invited him to attend Fajr Ṣalāh and at that point he expressed an interest to be able to recite the Qurʾān properly. Mawlānā taught him Nūrānī Qāʿidah and thereafter the recitation of the Qurʾān and from here his zeal for Islamic knowledge started. One should never underestimate the importance of an Imam or a Maktab teacher who is located in a remote community. Only Allah Almighty knows what good will arise as a result of their efforts.
Mawlānā ʿĀrif recalls that Mawlānā Kāmrān Raḥimahullāh then wished to travel to South Africa to become an ʿĀlīm and also received visa. He was by now connected to Mawlānā ʿĀrif’s teacher, the late Mufti Ebrahim Desai (d. 1442/2021) having spent time in his company and served him. However, his parents preferred for him to stay in the UK. He thus enrolled at Darul Uloom Leicester and thereafter at Darul Uloom London for short periods but struggled due to the age gap between him and other students. Thereafter, he enrolled at Darul Uloom Blackburn in approximately 2004 and spent 2-3 years studying here. During this period, his brother was sadly murdered and as a result, he paused his studies.
Whilst studying at Darul Uloom Blackburn, Mawlānā had also involved himself with Ummah Welfare Trust and supported its efforts in the establishment of the Blackburn office as well as championing the charity in Scotland. Thereafter, Mawlānā migrated to London and lead the establishment of the charity there. This was approximately in 2007 or 2008 when Ummah Welfare Trust had a limited presence in London. It is here that Mawlānā worked day and night and laid the foundation of the charity’s presence in the capital.
I vividly recall that in 2007 or 2008, I travelled on train to London and Mawlānā collected me in his VW Passat (which was the UWT London office!) and drove me to City University where the charity had an appeal and thereafter accompanied me to a meeting with the charity working in Iraq, Help the Needy. The following morning, he dropped me to Cambridge at my sister’s residence. What is remarkable is that prior to migrating to London, Mawlānā was studying at Darul Uloom Blackburn. His passion of serving the oppressed worldwide was such that he decided to migrate to London to help establish the charity’s base there and delayed his studies further. Today, the charity raises millions of pounds from the London region. Whilst in London, he also continued some of his studies one to one with Mawlānā Muḥammad Kallā and other scholars.
Reflecting on his efforts in London, brother Mujib of Baitul Hikmah writes:
“Maulana was one of a kind. His smile, warmth and generosity is what I remember. Despite me being unworthy, he made me feel welcomed and valued. If you see Ummah Welfare Trust in London especially all the leaflets, buckets, the volunteers etc, he is the man who laid the seed and worked hard to cultivate the effort. Someone once told me that they found Maulana awake at an odd time in the night. When asked about it, he said: ‘How can I sleep when the Ummah is suffering?’ May Allah grant him Jannatul Firdaus, Ameen.”
Another brother Shaba Ali writes:
“Back in 2008, I met a brother called Kamran from Scotland. He came to establish Ummah Welfare Trust in London. He worked night and day. Before the nice office established in Forest Gate, we would use his car as the office. We did some mad journeys trying to get people to know UWT. He sacrificed his family life and studies (later he would go to finish and become a Mawlana). Many of us were inspired by him and would not be where we are today, Alhamdulillah. Today, he departed this world in a blessed month during a blessed time between Asr and Maghrib on a blessed Jumuah. Allah truly honoured him.”
Another brother writes:
“‘How can I sleep when the Ummah is in such need’ was a common statement from him. He had so much concern for our Ummah. He was tested a lot but he always had a smile and accepted the Qadr of Allah. He also died with a smile in the blessed month and day of Jumuah in the blessed hour before Maghrib, Subhanallah.”
Ḥāfiẓ Arshad of London, founder of Salam Youth Academy recalls:
“In the early Days, in Ramadan, when we would volunteer with Moulana Kamran, we would sometimes say that we are tired we need rest. He would respond by saying, “You get your rest in Jannatul Firdaus.” Such wisdom leaves a lasting impact, May Allah grant him Jannatul Firdaus.”
He further recalls:
“Whenever Moulana Kamran Ahmed called us, he would always ask about our parents and the well-being of our entire family even if the call lasted no more than sixty seconds, it was truly heartwarming. It shows how deeply Moulana cared for others. Indeed, we have lost a true gem.”
After spending a few years in London, Mawlānā decided to complete his studies in Darul Uloom Blackburn from where he graduated in 2013. He was loved by his teachers. Thereafter, he returned to Scotland and continued his involvement with the charity and also visited Malawi with Shaykh Aḥmad ʿAlī of Bradford. He would regularly mention the Masjid in Zomba that was built by my grandfather. He also established a family business Treadz Stirling specialising in car tyres. His generosity was such that he would gift many people including myself tyres. He would visit Blackburn and check the tyres on our cars on his own accord and bring the car tyres on subsequent visits. He visited Ḥaramayn many times for ʿUmrah and Hajj and his generosity there knew no bounds. He was dedicated to his family and treated his nephews and nieces as his own children. He would frequently mention his late mother to my father and recollect her demise.
Mawlānā Raḥimahullāḥ was diagnosed with cancer approximately a year ago and underwent treatment. During his illness, his family looked after him and he would visit Blackburn frequently. Most recently, he visited our house a few weeks ago. He was extremely close to my cousin, Mawlānā Muḥammad Fārūq, who spent a lot of time with him and supported and guided him since 2004, treating him like his own brother and truly fulfilling this friendship until the very end. Mawlānā Raḥimahullāh was hugely appreciative of this. Mawlānā’s health deteriorated ten days ago and he was admitted to the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh. My father visited him a week ago as did Mufti ʿAbduṣṣamad Ṣāḥib and others.
On Friday (14 Ramadan 1446 – 14 March 2025) morning two days ago, after attending the foundation of the first Masjid in South Lakes, I travelled to Edinburgh with my two sons Ḥāfiẓ Muhammad and Ahmad shortly before he passed away. My cousins Mawlānā Muḥammad Fārūq along with Mawlānā ʿUmar, brother Arshad and other family members were also present, all reciting the Qurʾān and supplicating. We departed at 5.30pm and a short while thereafter received the message from Mawlānā ʿUmar that Mawlānā had left this world. Mawlānā was very fond of my sons Ḥāfiẓ Muḥammad and Aḥmad and on his most recent visit to our house, had brought them many chocolates. It was as though he was waiting for them before departing from this world. Moreover, Mawlānā was very punctual on his Adhkār and supplications as well as his Ṣalāh and fasts. It is reported in Muṣannaf ʿAbd al-Razzāq (5574) that Imām Ṭāwūs ibn Kaysān (d. 106/724-5) would engage himself in supplicating to Allah on Fridays after ʿAṣr Ṣalāh. His son says, “My father passed away in the hour that he loved, he passed away on Friday after ʿAṣr.” Mawlānā Kāmrān was no different. A colleague writes:
“Mawlana Kamran would often visit Blackburn and pray Jumuah in the Masajid there. I would pray at Blackburn Markaz and meet him and his nephew Abu Bakr very briefly for a few minutes after Jumuah Salah. I would invite him to join us to eat but he would kindly refuse and say ‘Today is Friday. Can’t waste time, I’ll see you at night. I can’t come now …” bearing in mind this was still a few hours before Asr and Maghrib. It is no wonder that he returned to Allah in such a blessed time between Asr and Maghrib. He realised the value of time and left us a great lesson and something to strive towards.”
The following day (yesterday Saturday 15 Ramaḍān 1446 – 15 March 2025), the bathing and shrouding took place at Glasgow Central Mosque. Those present noticed that both his hands were positioned as if he was counting dhikr on his fingers. He constantly remembered Allah and this was the state in which he passed away. This was followed by the Janāzah Ṣalāh which took place at the Mosque after Ẓuhr Ṣalāh, at approximately 1.15pm. The Imam of the Mosque, Mawlānā ʿAbd al-Gafūr Ṣāḥib paid tribute to Mawlānā and reminded the audience of his death being a form of martyrdom and how fortunate he was to have passed away in Ramaḍān on a Friday before sunset. Some of the leading scholars of the UK were present including Mufti Ikrām al-Ḥaq Ṣāḥib who led the Janāzah Ṣalāḥ and Mufti Abdussamad Ṣāḥib, the Principal of Darul Uloom Blackburn. The number of attendees in the Ṣalāh was approximately two thousand. After the Janāzah Ṣalāh, the face was uncovered enabling hundreds of people including ourselves to line up and get a glimpse of his smiling beautiful face with so much radiance (nūr) emanating from it. As one of his close associates wrote:
“Have seen many Shuhadā (martyrs) die with a smile on their faces and this is not a rarity. However, to see someone die, away from the battlefield, with a vibrant smile on their face is very rare.”
The Janāzah Ṣalāh was followed by burial at the Bannockburn Cemetery in Stirling, where Mawlānā was buried next to his mother, another miracle, as some space was identified next to her. Mawlānā Zakariyyā, senior Ḥadīth lecturer at Darul Uloom Leicester, rendered the recitation on the grave and Mawlānā Muḥammad Aḥmad, the founder of Ummah Welfare Trust made an emotional supplication thereafter. Many staff and volunteers of Ummah Welfare Trust from all over the country were present as were others from as far as London in the south and Dundee in the north. Mawlānā ʿĀrif Hansrot, and his brother Mawlānā Ashraf Ṣāḥib were also present. Some of the scholars of Glasgow including Mawlānā Wasīm were also present, as were some students of Islamic Dawah Academy, Leicester. It only transpired yesterday that Mawlānā was funding their Islamic studies, something not known to others. Mawlānā was very discreet about his endeavours and good deeds.
Mawlānā Kāmrān Raḥimahullāh had a lot of respect and admiration for his teachers and senior scholars and was very obedient to his parents, his father is still alive. He served his teachers with great care and love. His brother recollects that Mawlānā shared with him a few dreams. He saw in one dream that his late mother and late brother have come to take him. In another dream, he saw that he had a house in Jannat al-Firdaws next to Shaykh Yūnus Raḥimahullāḥ (d. 1438/2017). In another dream, he saw Mawlānā Muḥammad Fārūq and Mawlānā Umar Fārūq at his grave. His brother also recalls that he would regularly say that he wants to meet Allah Almighty. He adds that in recent months and years, he would see Shaykh Yūnus Ṣāḥib regularly in his dream. His brother adds, “I think they had some similarities in terms of illnesses, marriages, detachment from dunyā, generosity, abstinence and helping others.”
My dear cousin, Ḥāfiẓ Arshad of London writes:
“One sentence we heard from Mawlānā Kamrān Aḥmad Raḥimahullāḥ: I am ready to meet Allah.” He had a very unique big smile on his Mubārak face.”
He adds that Mawlānā would teach them to recite the following supplication transmitted in Sunan al-Tirmidhī (3490):
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ حُبَّكَ، وَحُبَّ مَنْ يُحِبُّكَ، وَالعَمَلَ الَّذِي يُبَلِّغُنِي حُبَّكَ
O Allah, I ask you Your love, and the love of those who love you, and the deeds which will cause me to attain Your Love.
This statement “I am ready to meet Allah” is no ordinary statement. It reflects the strong connection of a person with Allah Almighty and the confidence of a person who is at a lofty status of Maʿrifah and Iḥsān.
Those who knew Mawlānā Raḥimahullāḥ have many fond memories of him. Everyone has a story to share. A family member wrote:
“Moulana was selfless, he only cared about you interacting with the Quran, he was mesmerised by the word of Allah, he was a very deep thinker, he would only get angry for the sake of Allah. He loved the scholars like his own family, he would phone me about helping this scholar with tyres and that scholar with tyres. We would share food together for Iftar and Suhur during lockdown, we would go for walks, he would remind me of the importance of being punctual for Salah in Masjid for Fajr and Isha in the Masjid and work around the Salah times when travelling anywhere. He took me out of darkness and into light, and to be a role model Muslim, to care for one’s family and friends, and the importance of being obedient to the creator not the creation. To rely on Allah on all matters. Good or bad, to do Sabr on illness, to remain steadfast, have full conviction that Allah loves you and you are special only by the will of Allah, never to think that you are bigger and better than anyone, stay humble to the creator.”
Another person wrote:
“Moulana Kamran was a true inspiration, touching the hearts of countless individuals through his knowledge, character, and unwavering devotion to Allah Almighty. Masha’Allah, his presence was a source of light and guidance for so many. Even in his final moments, despite the physical challenges he faced, his heart remained steadfast in remembrance of Allah Almighty. On Thursday after Maghrib, he continued his Adhkar with his left hand when his right side was paralyzed due to a stroke, an incredible testament to his faith and resilience. Allah Almighty in His infinite mercy, granted him the honour of departing this temporary world on the most blessed of days Jumu’ah, in its final sacred hour, and in the blessed month of Ramadan. What a beautiful sign of divine favour for a beautiful soul. May Allah Almighty elevate his rank in Jannah, grant him an abode among the righteous, and shower him with His endless mercy. May his legacy of knowledge and piety continue to benefit generations to come. Ameen.”
Another colleague reflected on his life:
“Mawlānā Raḥimahullāh’s relationship with the creator and creation sums up his life. The devotion and concentration in his Ṣalāh and the frequent mention of Allah Almighty in every few sentences along with his frequent fasts are some examples of this. With the creation, he championed the cause of the oppressed, maintained family ties, invited non-Muslims to Islam and embodied the Prophetic traits of compassion and empathy.”
Mawlānā Raḥimahullāh did not marry and did not have any children. However, he regarded the children of others as his own and had a particular concern and love for orphans. It was his ardent desire for many years to travel and look after the orphans. However, he prioritised looking after his mother. As a result of this, the family and friends have decided to launch a Masjid Kamran campaign for his reward. The Masjid will be built in Afghanistan within an orphanage that is being established by Ummah Welfare Trust in the Khost province. The orphanage will be home to 1200 orphans and the proposed Masjid will serve 2000 worshippers. The total cost of the Masjid is £320,000. Further details are available on this link for those who wish to donate: https://ummahgiving.com/donate/afghanistan-khost-orphanage.
May Allah Almighty accept this Ṣadaqah Jāriyah project and forgive Mawlānā Raḥimahullāḥ and grant him an abode in Jannat al-Firdaws. May Allah Almighty reward and bless his family members and friends who looked after him during his illness and grant us the Tawfīq to draw lessons from his life. Āmīn.
Yusuf Shabbir
16 Ramadan 1446 / 16 March 2025
The Legacy of Moulana Kamran Rahmatullahi Alayh
By Shaykh Muhammad Ahmad, UWT
Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Rasulullah ﷺ said, “Mention what is good about your dead” (Sunan Abu Dawood).
The eyes shed tears, and we are grieved by your separation, and we do not say except what pleases Allah.
Allah chose Moulana Kamran from the city of Stirling, Scotland, to join the ranks of scholars and martyrs, insha’Allah, through His grace and mercy. He possessed the following qualities, which he left behind as a legacy for us to follow.
1. Concern for the Ummah
He devoted a full year to lay the foundations of Ummah Welfare Trust in London, working tirelessly day and night to fundraise for the oppressed Muslims of the world.
I still recall events all over England where he would stand to fundraise alongside other brothers, and his face would be radiant when targets surpassed pledges of £500,000 in a single sitting.
2. Concern for friends and scholars
Even in the final months of stage 4 cancer, he would constantly be in contact with his teachers and colleagues, asking about their well-being. He called and asked about the well-being of my son, and the last time I spoke to him a few weeks ago, he called to inquire about my family’s health, even though he was in a very critical condition. He once told me that every single day he takes out sadaqah on behalf of his teachers and friends.
3. Generosity
My uncle informed me yesterday that while they were together in Hajj, he started distributing money to the poor to the extent that people flocked for a share, and he gave to everyone without leaving anyone out. He would constantly send gifts to the Ulama and friends. Since my son became ill, he would send gifts for him constantly, and he once told me, “Alhamdulillah, I do not save any money for myself.”
4. Connection with Allah Subhanahu wa Taalaa
Allah Ta’ala gifted him with exemplary Salah, which one would envy when he would stand in front of his Master. On one occasion, he mentioned to a scholar that when he is praying, he feels like Noor is emanating from his fingers. At the time of his mother’s death (may Allah grant her Jannah), he could feel the Noor of the angels or Iman in the room.
Every year he would look forward to travelling in Ramadhan to the Haramain.
He had a special attachment to the Qur’an and would enjoy hours of recitation in the day and in the darkness of the night in front of his Lord.
Seldom was there a sitting or gathering in which he would not remember Allah.
5. His longing to meet Allah
Allah informed us in the Qur’an that the way to measure how much one loves Allah is to wish for death and to meet Him. If we were to ask ourselves if we are ready to meet Allah with our sins, the answer would likely be negative. Since Moulana Kamran became ill, the only joy he expressed was that he was longing to meet Allah now. The first time the doctors operated on him, he woke up and was upset that he had not yet reached the company of his beloved Lord.
When we met at the charity retreat for volunteers in Huddersfield last year, he told me that he was very happy with the contribution he had made to the charity because he had been informed in a vision that all of his efforts would be accepted by Allah.
6. Loving for the sake of Allah
It is rare to find true sincere love for the sake of Allah in the era we live in. Blood-related family love has become poisoned because of personal or financial feuds, and even in religious circles, relationships are often based on worldly benefits or disadvantages. Allah blessed Moulana Kamran with friendships formed solely for the sake of Allah. His close circle of friends was only for this reason, and he would tell me that when he travelled from Scotland to England, it was only for this company; otherwise, he had no other personal gain or benefit.
The people who attended his funeral from as far as London, Leicester, Luton, Bradford, and Lancashire were a testament to the repayment he received in this world due to the pure love he had for others. I am aware of people who called from abroad and said, “We have never met Moulana Kamran; however, our eyes are shedding tears for him, and we are making dua for him.” Just before his death, it seemed like Allah had informed the angels, “I love this person”, so the angels announced to the people on earth that Allah loves such and such a person, so you should love him too, as mentioned in the hadith.
He will be remembered for his selflessness, sacrifice, humbleness, and Taqwa. Although only Allah is aware of one’s destination in the Aakhirah, his death in Ramadan on Friday between Asr and Maghrib is a good omen for us, indicating that Allah was also pleased to meet him.
May Allah grant sabr to his family and all of us at such a great loss and reward his family and close friends who were at his bedside until his last breath.
O Allah, unite us all together in firdaus with the prophets, martyrs and the righteous by following in his footsteps.
Muhammad Ahmad,
Ummah Welfare Trust
16 Ramadan 1446
