Sunday, July 11, was a sad day with the sudden and tragic passing of my good friend, Goolam Bha (Bhidia). It’s almost a week and I am still in a state of shock and disbelief and have yet to come to terms with his untimely death, which will most definitely leave a huge void in my life as it will to his dear family and friends. 

It is rather difficult and challenging to compact the enormous memories and tributes of my departed brother in a few short passages. He was my very close friend and confidant for the last fifteen years which I could appropriately refer to as our ‘Golden Years’ and I could literally write volumes about his unique traits and larger than life characteristics. I will attempt to recall just some of them.

He was an unassuming person, soft spoken, gracious, but never ostentatious. He was extremely generous and virtuous and only those of us who knew him well, captured the true spirit of this gifted soul. He had this extraordinary passion for giving and helping the poor, the destitute and the sick and our community will be so much the poorer with his passing. Goolam Bha touched the lives of many people in need especially NOW during Covid-19, where he was personally involved in the distribution and repair of oxygen machines and related equipment. Barely 10 days ago (before he took ill), he was busy with repairs and sourcing new ventilators. He took time off from his office and stayed home not only as a Covid precaution, but also to manage the distribution of oxymeters and medicines free of charge. Unable to meet, we would talk regularly and while I complained of boredom during lockdown, Goolam Bha would simply say that his day has too few hours. He always kept himself busy by fixing stuff from engines (his business) to air cons and sound systems in the Mosques and anything, you name it. In fact, he loved putting up or fixing loudspeakers in Mosques and would personally do the job. He had a set routine and a strict regime of exercise, diet and Quran recitation. One of his many legacies will be the Thursday Night Surah Kahf program. 

He was so passionate about this Sunnah of Surah Kahf recitation which he introduced/ institutionalized in many mosques locally and country wide. He encouraged students to do the Hifz program, including his grandchildren.

He also started the much needed ‘Langer Khanna’ with a group of volunteers in which this facility provided daily free meals to the needy. Goolam would personally supervise this operation and even arrange delivery to many residents in and around Laudium.

His generosity and open heartedness knew no limits with an upright moral compass and social responsibility par excellence. He never ever scorned a beggar and in fact, was always on the lookout for the needy. An altruist and a passionate giver until the end. Goolam Bha will be sorely missed. He had a special bond with ALL his nephews and nieces, as a friend, not an uncle and they too would look up to him as a friend.

He was well travelled and loved to visit The Holy Land, at every possible opportunity. He was endowed with good health and happiness and shared his wealth in a just manner. 

May Allah Grant him the Highest abode in Jannah Insha Allah.

“But give glad tidings to those who patiently endure, who say when afflicted with calamity : To Allah (SWT) we belong and to Him, we return. Blessings from their Lord and Mercy, and they are the ones that receive guidance.” 

                – Aboo Baker Gani

Departed brother Goolam.

Now that you have been laid to rest,

but you know what they say,

Allah (SWT) only takes the best.

And no doubt you are the best, Goolam.

Everything happens for a reason,

even if we may not agree.

The thought of never seeing you again brings tears to our eyes,

and even more so,

because all of this was such a shock. 

But we should never question what the Almighty has planned,

Sometimes, it’s not meant for us to understand.

So as we sit here and mourn the loss of a beloved friend, we have to keep telling ourselves that we will meet again, Insha Allah.

We are here to celebrate your life

and the measure of its worth

and every single life you touched

while you were on this earth.

We wish to pay our last respects,

that’s why we all are here, in heart and spirit (notwithstanding Covid), 

to thank you for your friendship

and all the memories we hold dear.

It’s been a privilege to have known you.

We were family, not just friends,

and we will carry you in spirit

until we meet up once again in the hereafter. 

– On behalf of his friends on  PMT’s stoep.com