Dr. Ahsan Zafrullah breathed his last on March 20.
Dr. Zafrullah was born in the state of Bihar, India, where he spent his early years and was also associated with Halqa Talaba Islami Bihar. He spent most of his life in Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, and Australia, where he not only fulfilled his professional duties but also made the call to Islam and its service the central focus of his life. His life serves as a shining example of sincerity, dedication, and selflessness.
Dr. Zafrullah was an anaesthetist and an expert in his field by profession, but his true identity lay in his deep connection with the Quran. He was a reciter, a memoriser (Hafiz), and a teacher of the Quran. Along with the Quran, he also made the memorisation of Hadith a part of his life, and he had committed hundreds of Hadiths to memory along with their Arabic texts.
However, what truly set him apart was his sincerity and pure love for Allah. Allah has granted sincerity to many of His pious servants, but the level of sincerity that Dr. Zafrullah possessed is rarely found. His love and fear of Allah were so profound that during his lectures, tears would often stream down his face. Even during personal meetings at his home, he would frequently break into tears while speaking.
Dr. Zafrullah’s life in Saudi Arabia was extremely busy. Even after completing his hospital duties, he would make time for spreading the message of Islam. His dedication was so intense that his family often complained that he couldn’t give them enough time. His heart and mind were constantly engaged in the thought of how to convey the message of Islam to as many people as possible.
In New Zealand, Dr. Zafrullah was stationed in a city where the nearest mosque was a two-and-a-half-hour drive away. This distance was a test for him, as he would often feel distressed about not being able to pray in the mosque. Every Friday, he would travel for two and a half hours to attend the Friday prayer and then spend the same amount of time returning.
Additionally, he started teaching Islam in New Zealand. It is said that if ever no one showed up for a lesson, Dr. Sahib would still conduct the session alone and complete it. He would say, “The duty assigned to me must be fulfilled, whether anyone joins me or not.”
In 2011-12, he moved to Australia and settled down in Rooty Hill. By then, he had grown weak with age, but the demands of the Deen and preaching always remained his priority. His presence graced many Quran study gatherings. He tried to reach the mosque, and the people of Rooty Hill greatly benefited from his knowledge and guidance.
Later, he moved to Auburn because his eldest son, Dr. Aflah, had a job there. Initially, he continued offering prayers in congregation, but with time, his frailty confined him to his bed.
His funeral prayer was offered after Friday prayers at Omar Masjid, Auburn, Australia and he was laid to rest at Rookwood Cemetery on March 21.
