Reported by Suprovat Sydney: The Australian multicultural Muslim community has been left in profound grief following the passing of respected Islamic preacher (Da’ee), community leader, and humanitarian Br. ABM Shahabuddin (78), who returned to the mercy of Almighty Allah (SWT) on 22 July 2026 at approximately 9:45 pm at his residence on McDonald Street, Lakemba, Sydney.
Br. Shahabuddin had been suffering from age-related health complications for some time and had recently undergone hospital treatment. He was born in Bangladesh in February 1948.
His passing has left countless people heartbroken across Australia and beyond. He was widely recognised as one of the most respected and beloved figures in Australia’s multicultural Islamic community, admired for his humility, wisdom, sincerity, and unwavering dedication to serving Islam. According to eyewitnesses, as he was departing this temporary world, he was peacefully reciting, “La ilaha illallah, Muhammadur Rasūlullāh (ﷺ),” while wearing a gentle smile.
According to Islamic faith, dying with the declaration of faith (the Shahadah) on one’s lips is regarded as one of the signs of a blessed end (husn al-khātimah). The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever’s last words are ‘Lā ilāha illallāh’ will enter Paradise.”
(Sunan Abu Dawud)
Br. Shahabuddin graduated as an engineer from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), one of South Asia’s most prestigious engineering universities. Throughout his distinguished professional career, he worked in several countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Iran, and Malaysia, before migrating to Australia around 1991.
After arriving in Australia, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to community service and Islamic Da’wah. His gentle nature, warm personality, and remarkable ability to connect with people quickly earned him the love and respect of Muslims from every cultural and ethnic background. Whether in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, or Darwin, he was regarded as a trusted friend, mentor, and family member by countless people.
His Janaza (funeral prayer) was held at Omar Masjid, Auburn, Sydney, attended by a large gathering of mourners from across Australia. He was laid to rest at Rookwood Cemetery
Many devoted Muslims travelled from Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Darwin, and other parts of Australia to attend his Janaza. Their presence reflected the immense love (Muhabbah), respect, and admiration they held for him. The atmosphere was filled with sorrow as tearful worshippers bid farewell to a man whose life had touched so many hearts.
A Life dedicated to Da’wah
Br. ABM Shahabuddin dedicated his life to inviting people towards the path of Allah (SWT) through knowledge, wisdom, compassion, and exemplary character. In Islam, a Da’ee literally means “one who invites” a person who calls others to the way of Allah through sincere guidance and righteous conduct.
Throughout his life, he exemplified the qualities of a true Da’ee by:
- Teaching Islamic beliefs and practices based on the Qur’an and the Sunnah.
- Calling people towards faith and righteousness with wisdom, compassion, and excellent character.
- Delivering Islamic lectures and reminders in mosques, community centres, and public gatherings.
- Providing religious guidance and helping people better understand their faith.
- Encouraging honesty, kindness, justice, respect, and good moral conduct.
- Promoting unity, harmony, and mutual understanding within the Muslim community.
- Mentoring children, youth, and adults in Islamic knowledge.
- Leading by personal example through humility, sincerity, and noble character.
- Participating in charitable and community service activities.
- Addressing misconceptions about Islam through respectful dialogue and education.
The Holy Qur’an beautifully reminds believers:
“Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best.” (Qur’an 16:125)
A sincere Da’ee is expected to possess sound Islamic knowledge, maintain sincerity of intention, demonstrate patience, humility and compassion, speak truthfully, avoid coercion, and respect the dignity of every human being regardless of their beliefs.
Br. ABM Shahabuddin embodied these qualities throughout his life. He was not merely a speaker; he was a mentor, educator, counsellor, and compassionate servant of the community. He worked tirelessly to inspire people to strengthen their relationship with Allah (SWT), benefiting not only members of the Bangladeshi community but Muslims and non-Muslims from many different backgrounds across Australia.
He travelled to many countries around the world for Da’wah and was fluent in several languages, including Arabic, English, Malay, Kurdish, Urdu, Hindi, and Bengali. Whoever met him instantly grew fond of him, and he never forgot a face. His Akhlaq (character) reflected the noble Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
The prominent Arab scholar, Sheikh Khaled, led his Janaazah (funeral) prayer at Masjid Omar in Auburn. He was then laid to rest at Rookwood Cemetery. Thousands of righteous Muslims attended his burial, including many Ulama, scholars, Mawlana, and Huffaz from diverse communities, Arab, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Pakistani, Indian, Burmese, Turkish, and many others.
Only the Almighty Allah swt knows how long it will take to overcome the profound loss the Muslim Ummah has suffered with the passing of the late Brother Sahabuddin. May Allah accept his righteous deeds and bestow upon him an exalted rank in Paradise. (Aameen)
His legacy will continue to inspire future generations through the countless lives he touched with his wisdom, kindness, and unwavering commitment to Islam.
May Almighty Allah (SWT) forgive his shortcomings, accept all of his good deeds, expand his grave with light, and grant him the highest place in Jannatul Firdaus Ameen.