Updated 24 October 2012
8th Zulhajj marks the death anniversary of well-known Marhum Allamah Haji Gulamali Haji Ismail.
He pioneered the art of preaching and passing the message of Ahlul Bayt in Gujarati
Thousand upon thousands of Gujarati speaking (Khoja) Shia Ithnasheris will always be indebted to him for his various books and publications, numbering some 300, including the famous Majmua - collection of Duas with their meaning.
Haji Ghulamali Haji Ismail, remembered as Haji Naji was born in Bombay in 1864. A Gujarati speaking scholar, he was instrumental in converting many Muslims from Ismail to Ithna Asheri.
Haji Naji carried unique qualities of leadership and had a clear vision and goal. Despite the difficulty of practicing faith, he preached with confidence, determination, and persistence. It is said that Haji Naji’s sermons were simple, but touched the hearts of his listeners, and through his eloquence he was instrumental in connecting to people across generations.
"From a third class compartment of the train alighted a five feet tall person with black cap, long beard on a radiant handsome face. He was wearing country style shoes and ha a walking stick in one hand, a bag and a basket in another." Moonis Vartejwala describes his arrival at one his extensive visits to remote towns and villages of Kathiawar, as this unassuming great muballigh of the Khoja Community travelled delivering sermons and guiding the community towards the path of Ahlul Bayt a.s.
It is said that he never asked that he wanted to travel first class or never demanded a specific sum for preaching - everything was done Qurbatan Illallah. Because of this, Allah swt has gave barakat in his tablighi duties and has kept his name glowing in the hearts and minds of mo'mineen for over 70 years.
He started a Gujarati magazine, Rah-e-Najat , and wrote and published nearly 300 books on tafsir, duas, majlises, marthiyas, and sermons. He also published the Majmua in Gujarati, which is still an integral part of Ithna Asheri literature.
His speeches, his preaching, and his simple way of explaining the faith has earned him great respect. Khoja Ithna Asheri’s will remain indebted to Haji Naji as his work lives on well after his passing. He left this world on 8th Zulhajj 1362 AH. Let us remember him and all marhumeens with Sura-e-Fateha.
Contributed by Mustafa Mawjee