Shaykh Ahmad Deedat: The Legacy of a Great Muslim Icon, 19 Years Later

Yusuf A. Fatoyinbo

While Nelson Mandela is widely associated with South Africa, another influential figure from the country remains deeply revered by Muslims worldwide. Shaykh Ahmad Deedat, a renowned Muslim thinker, author, and orator, earned international acclaim for his dynamic engagements in comparative religion. Known as the "Lion of the Stage," Deedat was celebrated across the Muslim world for his vibrant inter-religious debates. He passed away on this day in 2005, leaving behind a legacy of passionate discourse and intellectual rigour.

Background

Ahmad Deedat was born in Gujarat, India, on July 1, 1918. His father, a tailor, immigrated to South Africa soon after. In 1927, Deedat joined him in the city of Durban on the east coast of Africa. Despite excelling at school, poverty forced him to drop out and start work at the age of 16. During his time as a furniture salesman, Ahmad Deedat encountered missionaries sent to convert non-Christians, sparking his interest in comparative religions.

Shaykh Ahmad Deedat's first public lecture, delivered in 1942 at what was then the Avalon Cinema in Durban, was a significant moment. His Topic was Muhammad: Messenger of Peace. In 1956, Deedat and his friends formed a study circle to analyse the teachings of the Quran, leading to the establishment of theIslamic Propagation Center International (IPCI) in Durban 1956.

Shaykh Ahmad Deedat is often recognised as a formidable Bible scholar, with his expertise extending well beyond the Quran. He gained prominence for his fervent critiques of Christian doctrines, engaging in high-profile debates with evangelical figures such as Jimmy Swaggart. Deedat’s outreach also extended to numerous Christian organisations and clergy across the United States. Notably, according to his official website, www.ahmed-deedat.co.za, he invited the late Pope John Paul II to participate in a debate and explore the teachings of Islam.

His popularity and achievement

This impressive body of work and effort in the service of Islam made Ahmad Deedat a celebrated figure in the Muslim world. His son, Yusuf Deedat, recalls how former South African President Nelson Mandela called his Father during a presidential visit to Saudi Arabia in 1994, telling him that people inquired about the Muslim Scholar wherever he went. This global recognition is a testament to the profound impact of Shaykh Ahmad Deedat's work on the Muslim community.

Over the next four decades, Ahmad Deedat immersed himself in studying and memorising the Bible and the Quran, conducting lectures and public debates worldwide. He delivered over one thousand lectures and wrote over 20 books, now published in numerous languages. In 1986, he was awarded the King Faisal Award for his service to Islam.

Attacks on his personality

By the virtues of the work Ahmad Deedat was doing, he was a target of political propaganda by Christians and enemies of Islam. In France, the sale and distribution of Deedat’s writing were banned in 1994 for what was described as a violently anti-Western, anti-Semitic tone inciting racial hatred.

Deedat’s close relations with the family of Osama bin Laden also prompted media scrutiny. The building housing the IPCI was initially named the Bin Laden Centre after the family contributed a sizable donation for its construction; in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, the name brought notoriety to the organisation. But then, Ahmad Deedat, throughout his life, upheld a commitment to peaceful dialogue and constructive criticism in his advocacy of Islam.

Towards the end of His life

Shaykh Ahmad Deedat was tested with a stroke towards the end of his life, which left him unable to speak, swallow or show expression. “But his brain was as sharp as it has always been,” says his son, Yusuf Deedat. “He could see and hear, he could laugh and cry, and he could blink. And more importantly, he could reason.” During this time, Deedat’s wife (Hawa Deedat) cared for him at their home.

Despite his condition, Ahmad Deedat was able to discuss politics and debate with members of the Christian clergy who visited him. Using a grid of the alphabet, Deedat signalled with a blink for ‘yes’ or a widening of the eyes for ‘no’, guiding his son to spell out the words letter by letter. Thus, up until his death, the Shaykh was studying. He dictated tracts and continued his communication with people around the world.

By his bedside, Shaykh Ahmad Deedat kept two framed quotations. One was a verse from the Qur’an: “And [remember] when Job cried out to his Lord, ‘I have been touched with adversity, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful’” (Anbiya 21:83). The other quote read: “There is no end to what a man can achieve if he does not mind who gets the credit.”

His Death and legacy

Shaykh Ahmad Deedat suffered a debilitating stroke in 1996, which left him paralysed and unable to speak. Despite being given a grim prognosis by doctors, he continued his work until his death on August 8, 2005, from kidney failure at the age of 87.

Deedat's contributions to comparative religion remain significant. His works have inspired numerous scholars to explore this discipline and have facilitated the conversion of many to Islam. Most notably, his writings and lectures have bolstered the confidence of Muslims in their faith.

May Allah forgive him and accept his good deeds.