Ebrahim Moosa – Radio Islam International | 01 Shabaan 1438/28 April 2017

Family and confidants of the Indonesian reciter Sheikh Muhammad Ja’afar Abdulrahman who passed while reciting verses from the Qur’an at a religious ceremony on Monday are still reeling with shock after his sudden demise.

A distinguished Qari, Abdurahman was called on to recite at a ceremony for a deceased on 27 Rajab which was being broadcast live on TV and had the Indonesian Social Affairs Minister in attendance as well.

The 60-year old had barely begun his recital of Surah Mulk when he showed signs of distress that saw his voice quivering and the Qari eventually collapsing. Fellow guests on stage rushed to his assistance, and medical intervention was quickly requested. He was subsequently whisked off on a stretcher by emergency personnel and apparently declared dead thereafter.

Family members said the Qari had a history of heart disease, but his active public profile largely made his medical condition invisible.

Ahmad Baidowi, a neighbor of the deceased remembered him as a religious man, ever involved in religious events in his hometown and across Indonesia.

Abdurahman reportedly rose to fame decades ago when he was crowned National Qira-ah champion and subsequently became a regular invitee to religious events.

A niece, who the Qari cherished as his own child, fondly remembered the religious lessons he would impart to her, as well his cooking.

Qari Abdurahman was reportedly proficient in preparing a variety of vegetables, side dishes, and other meals.

Indonesian Minister of Social Affairs, Khofifah Indar Parawansa, who was seated close to the deceased at the time of the incident, said he considered the Qari’s demise whilst reciting Quraan an indication of a husnul khotimah(good ending).

“So, we were shocked, shocked, and when we got to the second verse, he was silent, we all got confused.”

“In fact, Ustadh Ja’far passed away,” Khofifah said.

“I am optimistic, Allah willing, he died Husnul Khatimah, he died while reading the Quraan and at an event full of blessings,” he said.

The minister said the subject matter of the final verse the Qari had recited had simply enhanced his good premonition of the deceased.

The ayah, the second of Surah Mulk, highlights the system of life and death as a Divine mechanism for determining those who are best in performing good actions: “[He] who created death and life, that He may test you, which of you is best in deed, and He is Exalted in Might, the Oft-Forgiving (Quraan 67:2).

It was narrated from Sayyidina Abu Hurayrah RA that the Prophet SAW said: “A soorah from the Qur’aan containing thirty verses will intercede for a man so that he will be forgiven. It is the soorah Tabaarak Alathi bi yadihi’l-mulk [i.e., Soorat al-Mulk]” (Tirmidhi)

Sayyidina ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ood RA said: “Whoever reads Tabaarak allaahi bi yadihi’l-mulk [i.e., Soorat al-Mulk] every night, Allaah will protect him from the torment of the grave. At the time of the Messenger of Allaah SAW we used to call it al-maani’ah (that which protects). In the Book of Allaah it is a soorah which, whoever recites it every night has done very well.” (Nasai)

The video of Qari Abdurahman’s recital and the moments leading up to his demise has gone viral, and has recorded millions of views from across the world.

“Not only did the Qari from Indonesia die reciting the Quran, millions have now heard his recitation of the Qur’an and millions have praised Allah/made du’a of different sorts as a result,” Rafiq Abu Safiyyah, founder of IlmFeed wrote on Facebook.

“Only Allah knows what deed this man must have done to deserve this honour.”