Tribute to Almarhum Dr Husin Hamid Hassan
This fatherly great scholar has passed away. He was born in Egypt but grew up as a global citizen. His noted signature underlying the fatwas of so many Islamic financial products has been a common feature in Islamic finance.
I met with him for the first time while presenting my paper on Financing Intellectual Property (in Arabic) at Dallah Barakah seminar in Mekah in Ramadhan (around 1997). He said to me "Dr Mohammad, you are courageous enough to write on this". I later joined the AAOIFI being the youngest scholar in 2000. He was the prominent member in AAOIFI. I have learnt a lot from him during AAOIFI intensive series of meeting.
Then I worked with him officially through Dar al-Istithmar's Shariah Board in Oxford, UK (2005-2010).
I enjoyed reading all his articles & books .
He was so active in many things. Shariah advisory. Talks. Articles. Fatwas.
He also innovated many new things in Islamic finance.
Two things that I am intrigued to share about him.
He told me that he took two courses concurrently while doing his first degree. He did Shariah and Law. He got stuck because some of the exams were clashing.
"I sat for 40 minutes for my Shariah exam and I rode my motorcyle for 30 minutes to sit for my law paper for the last 40 minutes. With the grace of Allah, I passed with distintion". For me, he is the legend of intensity.
Another episode of life worth tellling happened in Mecca in 1998. After Zohor prayer, I stopped at one of the local restaurants alongside the crowded streets (i.e.sha'biyyah). While I was eating the beriyani, this great scholar came in & sat down at one of the tables together with many other ordinary people. He ate what others were having. He is a personality of humility.
Can we find the replacement of him? We may find someone of his credential but we might not find someone of his character & personality.
I always consider him as the father, mentor, colleague & inspirator.
May Allah bless his soul & forgive all his sins. May we be gathered again in the Paradise.
(I have already written this tribute early in my native language. Some have asked me to write in English).
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