Umar Hakim-Dey My Brother, Friend, and Humanitarian

Imam Hanafi Shakur • October 14, 2025

A Personal Reflection of My Brother

Man in a car, wearing a light-colored sweatshirt and beanie. He has a beard and is looking at the camera.

Islam gives you a very clear perspective about death and dying, however this is an extremely difficult one. It reminds me of what Prophet Muhammad said when his last son Ibrahim returned to Allah, “The eyes will shed tears, the heart will grieve, but the tongue will never question its Lord.” Umar was my brother, my friend, and co-worker. He was also a servant of Allah, a humanitarian, a student of knowledge, a committed son, father, husband, and family man.


Umar was the kind of brother that would give you the shirt off his back. He was the kind of brother to make sure women got to their cars after events, cut his neighbors grass, feed stray cats in the neighborhood, and walk the streets of Compton greeting everyone he encountered. Umar and I originally connected because we both were from the great city of Compton, The Hub City. One of the most fascinating things about Umar, no matter where he was, whose company he was in, he remained Compton. He wore his Levi’s, his Puma tennis shoes, and his signature beanie. He was unapologetically Compton. He was a man of the people, if someone encountered Umar, he for sure left a lasting impression on them with his baritone voice, soft heart, and Compton swag.

Man speaking to a crowd on a city street; crowd wears white shirts.

As one of the founders of the ILM Foundation and Humanitarian Day, I am internally grateful to Umar for helping the mission of the Foundation continue after Naim and I moved away from Los Angeles. Umar was a major part of the ILM Foundation for close to 20 years. He began as a volunteer passing out flyers which later evolved in 2012, when he was appointed the Executive Director of the foundation. He continued the vision of the foundation’s founders by working for unity, justice, and community service. He was our Executive Director for ten very productive years before establishing his own social entrepreneurial vision with Inkerij. With Inkerij Umar attempted to address solutions to poverty, inequalities, and environmental issues by collaborating with people and organizations that also pursue meaningful change. Umar was concerned about humanity. 

Man speaking into microphone, other men in white shirts stand behind him, outdoor event.

I’m going to miss our motivational song ‘Ante Up’, I’m going to miss our calls that began with As Salaamu Alaykum kid, and my airport pick-ups when I traveled to Los Angeles. My last trip to LA was the weekend of August 9, Umar picked me up, we went to breakfast which he wouldn’t let me pay for, as always, we visited Papa Shah, got to the Masjid early, he made sure I was able to get a bean pie, sold me some face cleanser and lotion that his wonderful wife makes, then dropped me off at my hotel. During the ride, I shared a story with him about our teacher and Imam, Imam Saadiq Saafir. The story was about Imam Saadiq having a stroke while giving a khutbah and not stopping. Later I asked Imam Saadiq about what he was thinking during the episode and he said, “If I was going to die, this is what I was going to die doing.” Umar became silent for a minute. My brother, our brother died working in the cause of Allah. His life so fittingly exudes the ayah in Quran 17:80, which Umar would quote often, “My Lord! Grant me an honorable entrance and an honorable exit and give me a supporting authority from yourself.”

Two men seated, conversing outdoors at an event with tents and people in the background.

I am so thankful to Allah that as I got out of his car that evening, I got a chance to tell Umar that I loved him and was able to hear his reply. On behalf of Imam Saadiq Saafir above with his Inkerij jacket, Naim Shah Jr., myself, and ILM Foundation staff,  we pray that Allah forgives his sins and grants him a spacious abode in Jannah.


As Salaamu Alaykum Kid!!!!
 

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