Funeral Prayer Performed for Hafiz Ismet-ef. Spahić: He Was a Comfort to the Weeping, an Encouragement to the Brave

(Patria) - In the courtyard of the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque in Sarajevo today, in the presence of a large number of worshippers, the funeral prayer was performed for Hafiz Ismet-ef. Spahić, one of the most prominent alims of the last several decades.

The funeral prayer was led by Reis-ul-ulema Husein Kavazović, who also gave a brief address, and was attended by muftis, alims, numerous professors from educational institutions of the Islamic Community, ambassadors, prominent members of society, and many citizens.

Before the funeral prayer, Mustafa-ef. Cerić (Reis-ul-ulema 1993-2012), during whose mandate the late Hafiz Spahić served as his deputy (naibu-reis), addressed the gathering.

- Remember Hafiz Ismet, he was sincere, he was a humble member of the Ummah, a servant obedient to Allah Almighty, he was not a polytheist, he was grateful for blessings, therefore Allah chose him and guided him to the right path. Remember Hafiz Ismet, he fulfilled his promise, he was a truly loyal brother and friend, following the example of the Prophet Muhammad, on a high level of morality – said Reis-ul-ulema Cerić.

He also said that Hafiz Ismet was a person with a soul and heart, a person of open mind and generous hand, and a person of comfort to the weeping and encouragement to the brave.

- Hafiz Ismet was at the top of our community, but he lived the reality of an ordinary person, where the roots of its maturity and boldness lie on the path of iman and Islam – stated Dr. Cerić.

Hafiz Ismet-ef. Spahić, as an exceptional alim, was buried in the courtyard of the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, where before the funeral prayer a hatma dova was recited for his soul. His immense contribution to education was highlighted in his address after the hatma dova by the deputy reis-ul-ulema, Dr. Enes Ljevaković.

- Whenever hifz is mentioned, we always remember Hafiz Ismet Spahić, because his contribution to the institutional organization of hifz learning is enormous – said Dr. Ljevaković, among other things.

Finally, he said that Hafiz Ismet Spahić is leaving, but his deeds and the trust to preserve the Islamic Community remain.

Hafiz Ismet-ef. Spahić was born in 1940 in Puhovac near Zenica, and he graduated from the Gazi Husrev-beg Madrasa in 1959 in Sarajevo. He completed the first level of Economics in Zagreb in 1968, and continued his studies in Belgrade.

He began his imam duties in Visoko in 1962. From 1965 to 1978, he was the chief imam in the area of the Islamic Community Board in Visoko. He was a professor of qira'at at the Gazi Husrev-beg Madrasa from 1978, and he earned the honorable title of hafiz in 1980. He was appointed the first imam and khatib of the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque in 1985.

He was elected deputy reis-ul-ulema in 1993 and remained in that position until his retirement in 2012. He was appointed acting director of the Gazi Husrev-beg Madrasa in 1998. Until his death, he was the chairman of the Commission for Hifz of the Riyasat of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina.