Cape Town's Deen was kept alive by teachers, imams and huffaadh who taught quietly for generations. One is remembered here each day, so their names stay in our homes and on our tongues. Series idea shared by Hafiz Abdu Rashid, DIS Communications & Media.
Sheikh Yusuf al-Maqassari (ra)
Zandvliet, Macassar
Banished to the Cape with his followers, he gathered the first Muslim community here at Zandvliet, where his kramat still draws visitors.
“And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together, and do not become divided.”Meaning from Surah Aal-Imran 3:103
Series idea shared by Hafiz Abdu Rashid, DIS Communications & Media. Know a Cape Town Mashaa-iekh or Qur'an teacher who should be remembered here — or a detail we should correct? Send it to Patrick VDV or use the suggestion box.
Imam Abdullah ibn Qadi Abdus Salam (ra)
Robben Island · Dorp Street, Bo-Kaap
Exiled to Robben Island, he wrote out the Qur'an from memory and later opened the first madrasah in Dorp Street — the beginning of organised Islamic teaching at the Cape.
“Indeed, We have sent down the Qur'an, and indeed, We will be its guardian.”Meaning from Surah Al-Hijr 15:9
Tuan Nuruman (ra)
Robben Island · Tana Baru
One of the early exiles who kept salaah, dhikr and the teaching of the Qur'an alive in secret before Muslims could worship openly at the Cape.
Bo-Kaap, Cape Town
The Ottoman scholar sent to teach at the Cape. His Bayaan-ud-Deen, written in Arabic-Afrikaans, put fiqh into the language people actually spoke at home.
“My Lord, increase me in knowledge.”Meaning from Surah Ta-Ha 20:114
Al-Jaamia Masjid, Stegman Road, Claremont
A teacher and imam who reached the youth and the poor, and who died in detention. Remembered in Cape Town as a man whose Deen and courage were one thing.
“O you who believe, be steadfast for Allah, bearing witness with justice.”Meaning from Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:8
Cape Town
Teacher, academic and writer who spent his life explaining Islam at the Cape to a new generation, and guided many seekers and reverts.
Cape Town
Remembered as a devoted teacher of the Qur'an whose recitation and classes touched the hearts of many families across the Cape.
“The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it.”Hadeeth — Sahih al-Bukhari 5027
Families, masajid and students are welcome to send a name, a short legacy note, or a correction to a date or spelling. We keep every entry brief, factual and respectful.