The Passing of Islam’s Eco-Warrior
I was informed that as-Sayyid Hajj Ayman Ahwal passed away on the 16th of Ramadan (16th August). May Allah grant him the highest maqam and proximity to those with whom Allah is utterly content with. Sayyidi Ayman was a sweet, kind, gentle, humble, generous, caring, loving and beautiful person. I was introduced to him through a mutual friend Sidi Dean Othman a number of years ago when Imam Zaid Shakir was visiting Birmingham. I was honoured to have hosted a few of articles that he had written:
Living by the River http://www.masud.co.uk/ISLAM/misc/Ayman_River.htm
Malaysia in the 21st Century http://www.masud.co.uk/ISLAM/misc/Ayman_malaysia.htm
Pilgrimage to the Garden http://www.masud.co.uk/ISLAM/misc/Ayman_garden.htm
He started a litter clean-up project in Birmingham called Clean Medina to get Muslims to have enough pride in the places where they live so as not to throw litter and rubbish in the streets. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=By97K9JtWAQ
I was in awe of the concern and love he had for nature, he was a man striving for a life of fitra, a man who was a true guardian of the earth. He shall be missed, not just by humans, but by the very natural world that he so loved, cared for and respected.
An amazing man who lead an amazing life and Allah granted him the best of months in which to return to the Divine presence and the abode of bliss.
One thought on “The Passing of Islam’s Eco-Warrior”
Dear Mas’ud,
As-salaamu ‘alaykum. I hope all is well insha Allah. I was fortunate to meet brother Ayman through my good friend Stephen Ibrahim Roche when I was in Dublin. I had known Ibrahim for some time as a friend and someone to share my interests with. Sometimes I would attend his theology classes and we would have conversations afterwards which I enjoyed. Anyways, now and then he used to tell me about this man he met in the middle of no where in Malaysia and how a great variety of people, from politicians to filmmakers and musicians, used to visit his eco-friendly home he made along the river. He also told me how this man was important in his conversion to Islam. At the time I didn’t know anything about the background of Ayman. I pictured him to be a Malay ecologist in fact. When I finally met Ayman, I opened conversation with him, somehow I brought up Sh. AHM’s name and was quite shocked to find out this man, whom Ibrahim met in the middle of no where, had a long history with Sh. AHM. I later went home to google Ayman’s name that day and was even more shocked that I met the author of “Malaysia in the 21st century” and that Ibrahim’s description of the river Ayman built his garden at was detailed in another essay by him! For me this is shocking, I guess, as someone who has struggled at one time to determine which Islam is authentic or not and whom Sh. AHM and your website has played a role in helping out.
Recently, I notified Ibrahim about Deenport’s message board after finding out the news of brother Ayman. Nobody can replace Ayman ever, but I wish to introduce him to reliable and good people as much as I can, insha Allah. If it is okay with you, I would like to at least send a friend request over Facebook between you and Ibrahim to introduce him to you and that you have published Ayman’s essays on your website.
Wasalaam. Omar