Al-Qalam 
By Fuad Hendricks
This is a story of two visually challenged brothers, Zakariya and his younger brother Shuaib Moola. Their brotherly love and support for each other compensated for their blindness.
What was unique about them that teaches us so many instructive lessons of life? They saw the world with their hearts and minds.
Their strong belief in Allah (God) was informed by what they saw with their hearts and minds.
But let me focus on Zakariya who sadly transitioned to the next world on Monday, August 11. He was 47.
The story of Zakariya from boyhood to manhood is a fascinating story. Why do I describe his life as fascinating rather than sad? Because I was fortunate to witness his upbringing by his mother Hajra and Ahmed Saeed as well as his beloved extended family headed by his grandfather Moosa Paruk and grandmother Zubeida.
Zakariya did question “Why me?’ Why did Allah (God) choose him to be blind was amongst the questions of dialogue between him and Allah But he introspectively, from within, resolved over time this and other human questions about his interaction with the Divine. But he moved on to build his life on what was given to him rather than brooding over what was not.
Zakariya’s life was filled with trials and tribulation which strengthened him. He never succumbed to helplessness and despair. He had his first heart surgery in 1981 when he was only three years old. Thereafter in 1984, he underwent a second heart operation.
With his physically mended broken heart he tried never to break the hearts of others.
Zakariya appreciated his younger brother Yusuf, who was the second born. His sight became the sight of his brothers by way of unstinting support and love.
The title of this article was adapted from Zakariya’s chapter ‘A TALE OF TWO CITIES’ in the book by Dr Sivalingum Moodley titled ‘Passion for SUCCESS’.
The Chapter ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ portrays Zakariya’s life in two major cities Durban and Pietermaritzburg.
Zakariya’s parents Hajra and Ahmed Saeed Moola had to make their migration (hijrah) from Durban to Pietermaritzburg so that Zakariya could attend the New Horizon School for the blind in Pietermaritzburg.
Zakariya expressed his profound gratitude throughout his chapter to his parents and the rest of his extended family. He made a point to mention his maternal grandmother Zubeida Paruk several times for her supporting upbringing role she played in his life.
Zakariya singled out for specific mention his gratefulness and thanks to Mrs Cook, a teacher at the New Horizon School for her special mentoring love and support. Also, Maulana Hassan Murchi was highly regarded by him. Maulana Murchi played a significant tutoring role in his life at the Madrassa Noor for the blind.
How Zakariya forged his career path was significant.
Zakariya was driven to make the best of his life. He wanted to optimise the gifts Allah has given him. His perseverance, persistence, love of knowledge and pursuit of personal excellence were manifested in him, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the Howard College Campus of the University of Natal.
Zakariya was a practical person. He chose to translate his studies into work experience. He, together with his mother Hajra, started a business called ZAKS Stationers, which he managed.
Zakariya married Asma Essack on 25 November 2011. He described his marriage to Asma as “providing unwavering assistance and support” to him. It was a marriage of love, support and strengthening the bonds between them and members of their extended family.
In an interview with Shuaib this is how he remembers his brother Zakariya. “In every family, there is sibling rivalry. But our love, respect, and support for one another trumped or outdid our sibling rivalry. He set an example for me. He led and I followed. Words failed me to describe him adequately and fully.”
With tears in his eyes Shuaib said: “I will miss his presence. It is hard to say goodbye to the one you really love and grew up with. I do miss him. I always felt reassured knowing he was with me and was always there for me.”
Zakariya and Shuaib were blessed to be born and reared in a family where love, support and solidarity of the extended family were not in short supply.
Hajira and Ahmed Saeed Moola did not see their two visually challenged children as a burden. But as gifts from Allah.
Zakariya believed strongly in the transition from this life to another life free from hardship, conflict, misery, trials and tribulation. He has made the worthy transition from this life to another life. He is amongst those whose transition to the next life which the Quranic Scripture described as “they shall neither fear nor shall they grieve.”
Farewell Zakariya. Until we meet again, Insha’Allah.
