Students of Islam in Kenya and East and Central Africa are well acquainted with the name of Sheikh Mahmud Suleiman. He was one of the leading figures of the new generation of Islamic scholars which in Kenya began in the nineteen-sixties. The scholars of this period included members of the ulama as well as concerned intellectuals whose collective efforts led to the emergence of an environment in Kenya which was filled with enthusiasm for Islam.
Mahmud Suleiman joined this Islamic propagation work when he was very young, and contributed immensely to its evolution after his education which began in Nairobi and continued in Kisumu before completing at the Muslim Academy in Zanzibar in mid- sixties.
Mahmud was among the very few Muslim scholars who presented Islam in the light of prevailing realities. He masterfully presented the lofty principles and teachings of Islam in a simple and common-sense language. His interpretation of Islam unraveled and unveiled a faith with unlimited depth, logic, activity and simplicity.
While most Kenyan Muslim masses may have been aware of Mahmud’s contributions through his sermons in the national radio service (KBC), there were, however, sizeable groups of mostly madrasa populations who were in constant touch with his ideas. The inspirations from his lectures were enough to travel from one individual to another, and provide the necessary ingredients for the fruition of the new spirit of Islam realized in most parts of Kenya today.
Based profoundly upon Quranic principles, he provided matter-of-fact answers on how to draw Muslims closer to Allah in order to enrich his life and establish a progressive society based on justice, peace and equality. Sheikh Mahmud’s style of conveying the message of Islam was unique. It was fresh, humorous, flowery and extremely earthy.
In reality, he was a teacher for the Muslim community in not only Kenya but the larger Eastern Africa. From 1965 onwards his life was centred on the mosque, madrasa and his family while concentrated on educating the community. Through Mahmud’s mentorship there have emerged competent and committed Muslims who work not only as madrasa teachers but also in both civil and military services in the country. His students cannot be counted.
However, to limit Mahmud’s life to madrasa teaching is to do grave injustice to this great Islamic soul. Besides being a great Islamic teacher, Sheikh Mahmud was also actively present in the corporate and social scene. He worked with Molem Construction Company as foreman in the 1940’s and 50’s and also in the Ministry of Labour. Mahmud was also a human rights activist who engaged in the campaign for land for the Nubian community in Kenya. He was also a leading peace maker.
Sheikh Mahmud’s legacy is embodied in the basic things without which the Kibera community would have been ruined. His 1960s classes against consumption of liquor played a big role in shaping the youth at that time. He exposed the evil of the drink every time until its harmful effects got ingrained in the minds of the youth and they eventually abandoned it completely.
The passing on of Sheikh Mahmud Suleiman on 12th December, 2011 at the age of 81 has indeed left an indelible memory not only in the minds of his innumerable students but also in people from diverse social and cultural backgrounds who had an opportunity to interact with him. The ideal way to immortalize him would be by practicing what he preached, for it was his wish to see not only the Nubian community but all Muslims reform and become better Muslims who can contribute positively in nation building and humanity at large.
Certainly we came from Allah, and to Him is our return ( Quran: 2: 156).
Source http://www.thenewdawn.info/
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