Maulana Muhammed Ishaque returned to his Creator, after a long period of illness, on 19th December 2024. He was an exemplary Imam who served his mosque and community in Oldham for nearly 40 years. Maulana Ishaque was an outstanding Imam who didn’t just look after his flock in Oldham but also worked for people back home in Bangladesh. He was a reflective, proactive, warm-hearted Imam.
To the family of Maulana Ishaque Sahib, his friends and those who are mourning him, I deeply sympathise with you, since the death of our Maulana, a loyal friend is a great loss. The outpouring of grief and sorrow around Oldham extremely moves me. I wish to convey my deep condolences to his dear wife, daughters and sons. You’ve lost a beloved husband and father. The death of Maulana has seriously inflicted a wound that will take a long time to heal. It is as though the golden years of your life are gone, it has robbed us of mutual bonds of love that are now broken, and Maulana’s soft, gentle smile has mysteriously disappeared into heaven. Maulana’s going has darkened the mood, and the inevitable moment of truth has arrived.
Our Imam sahib finished this life at 84 years old, what will happen to us when we finish ours? When we stand before Allah, will we be received with open arms or be given the cold shoulder? That day neither our family nor our wealth and social status will save us from the judgement we deserve.
I want you to share your fond memories of Maulana, so we can keep him in our hearts and minds. His wonderful memories and our grief are a sign of our deep love for him. Maulana Ishaque was born on 10th November 1941 in Jahidpur, Chattak, Bangladesh. He moved to the UK in 1987. He was appointed as the Imam of Jalalabad Masjid in Glodwick, Oldham. Then in Medina Mosque in Coldhurst, Oldham. Later, he set up Jamia Al-Jalaliah Madrassah and Noorani Masjid in Chadderton, Oldham. He loved his family dearly and had three wonderful sons and three daughters.
I met Maulana Ishaque in 2016 in Oldham when he invited me to support him with the running of the Noorani Masjid, where he was struggling. I saw his sincerity and humility, I witnessed his love of the beloved Messenger (peace be upon him), so I was impressed and took the offer without too much persuasion.
A student of his Muhammed Sanaur Ali Koyes, from London, paid tribute in these words to his esteemed teacher. “Maulana Ishaque was an exceptionally bright student who graduated with distinction (Kamil) from Satpur Alia Madrasa. He also served as the General Secretary of the Satpur Madrasa Student Union in 1969. As a religious leader, he made significant contributions to the establishment of mosques and madrasas in the UK and Bangladesh. Early in his career, in the 1970s, he worked as a teacher at Jahidpur Government Primary School. Later, in the UK, he served with dedication as the principal of a madrasa he founded and as the Imam of a mosque for many years. He was a well-known and highly respected figure in South Chattak. From my childhood, he was my teacher and mentor, who encouraged and inspired me in education and social activities. His guidance and wisdom played a vital role in overcoming obstacles and achieving success in establishing Jahidur Women’s College.”
Let me end on a solemn note, it is reported that when the bier of Sa’ad ibn Muadh was lifted, his mother screamed and wailed, the Messenger (peace be upon him) said to her “Your tears should stop now since your son is the first one for whom Allah has smiled and the mighty throne trembled” (Tabrani). Let’s pray that Maulana is received like this disciple of the beloved Messenger (peace be upon him), Ameen.
