With great sorrow, we announce to the Islamic Ummah the passing of one of its brave sons, a carrier of the da‘wah, whom Allah (swt) took unto Himself yesterday, Thursday, 22 January. Our brother Habibullah Tursunov, who resided in Germany as a migrant, was born in 1963 in the village of Bulakbashin in Andijan Province, Uzbekistan. May Allah have mercy on him, he devoted a large part of his life to working for the resumption of the Islamic way of life through the establishment of the Khilafah (Caliphate) State, spending one third of his life (21 years) for that cause in the prisons of the tyrant Karimov’s regime.

Our brother suffered from cancer throughout the past year and a half. Despite his serious illness, until his final breaths he remained concerned with the worries and problems of the Islamic Ummah and worked tirelessly to deliver it from the state of humiliation and backwardness it is currently suffering from. In particular, in his last appearances in video recordings, Habibullah was enduring severe pain and a high fever. Nevertheless, driven by a deep sense of responsibility, he continued without regard for his illness, placing the concerns of the Ummah foremost.

One of the unique abilities that Habibullah possessed was his ability to reach the heart of any person. He used this ability skillfully in calling people to the Deen of Allah, which led many to take steps toward guidance. Among the virtues of our brother was also that he spoke the truth boldly and did not fear blame for the sake of Allah. He always offered advice to those around him, including his brothers, and encouraged them in their work for the Deen. He excelled at relieving the worries of the distressed and won the love and respect of many through his beautiful and meaningful conversations… Our brother lived a life worthy of his name: Habibullah (the Beloved of Allah).

Those who knew our brother well know with certainty that despite the many hardships and trials he faced throughout the years of carrying the da‘wah, he was among those patient Shabab who never once thought of abandoning this path. Even psychological and physical torture in the damp prisons of the Karimov regime did not break his resolve. After his release from prison, he continued carrying the da‘wah. In short, our brother truly deserved to be a role model for the youth of his era. We hope that he fulfilled his covenant with Allah, Allah willing. Allah the Exalted said:

[مِنْ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ رِجَالٌ صَدَقُوا مَا عَاهَدُوا اللَّهَ عَلَيْهِ فَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ قَضَى نَحْبَهُ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَنْتَظِرُ وَمَا بَدَّلُوا تَبْدِيلاً]

“Among the believers are men true to what they promised Allah. Some of them have fulfilled their vow, and some are still waiting; and they did not alter [the terms of their commitment] by any alteration.”[Surah Al-Ahzab:23].

We ask Allah the Exalted to honor us with many like Habibullah, may Allah have mercy on him. We ask Him, whose mercy encompasses all things, to record our brother Habibullah among the martyrs and among the people of Al-Firdaws Al-A‘la. We extend our sincere condolences to his wife, children, and relatives, and we ask Allah (swt) to grant them beautiful patience. And we say only that which pleases our Lord, Glorified and Exalted:

[إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ]“Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.”[Surah Al-Baqarah:156].

Media Office of Hizb ut Tahririn Uzbekistan