Outpouring of condolences on death of muezzin during dawn prayer

NT Bureau

DOHA: Condolences and prayers are pouring in on social media in Qatar on the passing of Sheikh Qari Muhammad Iqbal, a revered muezzin at the Hessa Al Suwaidi Mosque.

Muezzin, in Islam, is the person who proclaims the call to prayer five times a day from the mosque.

Sheikh Iqbal’s death had caused widespread grief in the community because he passed away during Monday’s dawn prayers, known as Fajr, while he was in prostration (Sujood) at the mosque in Al Aziziyah,
according to witnesses who shared the news on social media.

The funeral rites were held on Monday at the Mesaimeer cemetery, according to the local page Qatar Deaths on X in a recent post.

News of Sheikh Iqbal’s passing prompted an outpouring of condolences and prayers from the community with many reflecting on the significance of his departure during the last 10 holy nights of Ramadan.
“Mubarak Al Khayarin,” a member of the Qatar Leadership Centre, remarked, “May God accept him among the righteous. The virtues of time, place, form, and situation have come together… Prostration is the closest the servant gets to God, and the state is fasting.

In a touching tribute, a video circulated on social media showing one of Sheikh Iqbal’s sons performing the call to prayer during the Duhur (noon) prayer at the same mosque, merely hours after his father’s
passing.

Commenting on the emotional moment, one individual said, “The first call to prayer is performed by one of Sheikh Qari Muhammad Iqbal’s sons, who passed away to God’s mercy at dawn today while performing the dawn prayer. May God have mercy on him and bless his descendants.”

As the community mourned the loss of Sheikh Qari Muhammad Iqbal, they reflected on his dedication to his faith and service to the community, finding solace in the teachings and practices of Ramadan during this poignant time.