A Friend Who Lives On: Remembering Naveed Brother’s Unforgettable Legacy

By: Atiq-ur-Rahman Dangi Nadvi

He was tall, handsome, and dignified. A young man whose personality left a lasting impression from the very first meeting. Beyond his appearance, he was well-spoken, balanced in temperament, and serious in nature. His character was even more attractive than his looks. He was a man of principles, good manners, thoughtful ideas, and deep understanding of current affairs. Sitting with him would refresh both faith and courage.

It feels like just yesterday when I met him in Mangalore while accompanying my father for medical treatment. We had a wonderful meeting, refreshed old memories, and he kept reminding me to take care of my health. Little did anyone know that the person giving health advice to others was unaware of his own condition. He had come to Mangalore for his close friend Yaseen Ooty’s treatment, while I was there with my father.

Yesterday, right after the evening prayer, as I was leaving the mosque, Maulvi Syed Ahmed Ayad Nadvi called me. His first question was if I had heard any news. I said no. He asked again and again, but my answer remained negative. Then he asked specifically about Naveed Brother. When he told me what had happened, I stood frozen for a few moments. My tongue went silent, my body felt numb, and time seemed to stop. I called Maulvi Rizwan Ahmed Nadvi, who confirmed that the person I had just met in Mangalore, with whom I had refreshed beautiful memories, was no longer in this world.

I first knew Naveed Brother since 2013, when I first met him at Fikrokhabar’s office. He had a pleasant face, a bright personality, minded his own work, spoke little, and was filled with religious commitment. What qualities should I mention? During our work together, we developed a friendly relationship. He would share his problems with me, and I would seek his advice when facing challenges.

After work, ten to fifteen minutes of conversation became our routine. We would discuss the day’s events, exchange thoughts on national and Islamic world affairs, and then conclude our gathering. Sometimes these sessions would become so long that we would lose track of time.

Religious thinking was evident in everything he said. He always encouraged service and directed attention toward religious priorities rather than getting too tangled in worldly complications. They say if you want to know someone’s character, travel with them. I traveled with Maulana Azhar Nadvi and spent time with Naveed Brother on various trips, but never found any reason to complain. Even during travel, he cared more about others’ comfort than his own.

After befriending him, I learned many life principles. He used to say that staying informed about situations doesn’t mean you must speak on every topic and jump into every debate. Rather, the real point is knowing what is happening around you—in your neighborhood, in your country, and in the Islamic world. Many times, he guided me step by step, not just in Fikrokhabar matters, but also at important turning points in my personal life. His far-sighted vision saw things that I can now see with my own eyes today, and his every word keeps coming back to my memory.

After joining Fikrokhabar, he accomplished several developmental tasks for the organization. During his tenure, Fikrokhabar’s YouTube channel was established. As a result, Fikrokhabar earned the honor of being the first to present video news in Bhatkal and surrounding areas. This series then expanded to live telecasts. From 2014 to 2019 (before COVID), major programs from different parts of the country were broadcast live on Fikrokhabar’s channel, including important gatherings of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind.

He preferred working behind the scenes rather than appearing in front, but his hard work was the soul of all these activities. Editor-in-Chief of Fikrokhabar, Maulana Hashim Nadvi, would repeatedly mention this in his informal gatherings.

He was a thoughtful and serious person who always prioritized work with lasting impact. Perhaps he had sensed early on that if Fikrokhabar continued its efforts with the pace of time, it would soon become famous. People witnessed that Fikrokhabar planted flags of success in a very short period, and invitations started pouring in from different states of India. Everyone wanted their programs to be broadcast live on Fikrokhabar’s YouTube channel.

His advice was that strong intentions alone aren’t enough to move forward; stepping into the practical field is also necessary. He would give advice, show the path, but wouldn’t tie the hands of those who wanted to act. He believed that every person has different abilities and performs better in a free environment. When discussing this topic, he would openly say that experiences push a person forward, with the condition that determination is strong and the person has the strength to face obstacles that come along the way.

He had great love for books. He would spend his free time reading. Although he wasn’t fully proficient in reading and writing Urdu, he had extensive study of authentic English translations of important Urdu books. Because of this interest, he had created the Ahle Sunnah Library (E-Library), which contained books by famous scholars. Anyone could read them for free and also download their PDFs.

His selection of books was distinctive. He always said that not everything should be read online. First, examine and assess the ideology, and then study any book. In his e-library, he very carefully selected only those books that were ideologically in accordance with Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat.

Oh Naveed Brother! Which of your qualities should we mention and which should we leave out? The truth is that your every word keeps coming back to my memory. It feels like the days spent with you didn’t end with your life. Rather, your passing has given them wings that will always remain alive in the windows of our minds and hearts, providing guidance through different stages of life.

May Allah shower His mercy upon you, fill your grave with light, grant you a place in Jannat-ul-Firdaus, and give all your loved ones beautiful patience in this tragic incident. Ameen.