Justice M. Jameel
A Lost Asset of the Muslim Community
It really sent a wave
of shock and sorrow to me and others as well. On
11.09.2008 the hearts of all who received the news
of the demise of Justice M. Jameel found it difficult
to accept it.
It was the 10th day of
holy month of Ramadhan. Soon after breaking fast,
telephones started ringing carrying that stunning
news. Sorrow over sorrow. Death of an outstanding
personage who contributed a lot for the betterment
of the community behind the scenes.
For the last few months
he was ailing but not much. It is reported that
he could not recover fully from chikungunya fever
that stroke him.
Justice Jameel was in
fact a model of politeness, humility, simplicity,
honesty, integrity and deliberation - superior attributes
very hardly found in people of this era. He was
a legend laden with knowledge, yet lived so quietly.
It must be noted that while he was well versed in
law and judiciary, he had knowledge of Islamic Jurisprudence.
There are a great deal
of services rendered by Justice Jameel for the development
of the Muslim Community educationally, culturally
and economically, but his yeomen services are not
visible in his name for the simple reason that he
did them all behind the scenes. Frankly speaking,
leading institutions of repute involved in religious,
educational, social and economical activities such
as All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama, Ceylon Baitul Mal,
Ilma International School and Amana Investments
Limited enormously benefited from him. It indeed
multiplies our dejection that he has passed away
while he was providing numerous multifaceted services
to the society with no publicity at all.
Silence was one of the
first-rate qualities he was adorned with. He talked
very little; just a few meaningful sentences constructed
of well-chosen words. He was loved by virtually
everyone.
He rose in his career
to the very exalted position of ‘Justice’,
a position Muslims in Sri Lanka very barely reached,
thus earning them a fame that will not vanish with
the passage of time. Many responsible positions
came to his feet. He had the honour of being a member
of the Constitutional Council and ambassador of
Sri Lanka in UAE. It is a fact that his presence
illuminated the positions he held rather than the
positions illuminating him.
He was keen on social
service during his judicature and after his retirement
he got deeply involved in it with much enthusiasm.
As president of the Ceylon Baitul Mal, president
of the Board of Governors of the Ilma International
School, member of the Shari’ah Supervisory
Council of the Amana Investments Limited and holding
many other responsible posts in various public organizations,
he performed his duties with great patience and
utmost prudence and thus set a good example to others
who are in public life and social work.
In his last few years,
he showed an intense interest in reading Islamic
Shari’ah literature. Particularly Islamic
Jurisprudence was his focal point. He never hesitated
to get any doubts cleared by respected Ulama.
I fondly recall the way
we used to address each other. Though older than
me by many years, he would address me ‘Sir’.
I had the habit of addressing him ‘Your Lordship’.
All in all, Justice Jameel
will definitely go down in the annals as a great
seasoned scholar of piety, excellent attributes
and social-mindedness.
Justice Jameel’s
end has certainly created a void which cannot be
easily filled. A human being par excellence who
proved himself an asset to the community by serving
it in silence with sincerity, humility, simplicity
and deliberation has left us. The society is unlimitedly
indebted to him. It is my considered opinion that
Justice Jameel is a chapter that should be researched
in depth.
May Almighty Allah forgive
his sins, accept his good deeds and honour him by
granting him Jannatul Firdaws while granting his
kith and kin patience, solace, equanimity and fortitude!
Ash-Shaikh H. Abdul Nazar
President, Centre for Spiritual Solidarity
General Secretary, All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama
30.09.2008
