IPOH – Although known for his outspoken nature when delivering talks or voicing views on issues related to Islamic affairs, the late Mufti of Perak, Tan Sri Dr Harussani Zakaria, also liked to tell jokes with anyone he came across.
According to his youngest son, Datuk Ahmad Wafi, 44, his father was known to weave elements of humour while delivering talks on various current issues, religious and political affairs, which never failed to gain everyone’s attention.
“He loved to talk about his experiences during his youth, for example, on returning from talks in the past when there were no highways, only rat trails; he had a pocket full of interesting anecdotes he liked to share with his grandchildren.
“He also often advised us to be obedient to the Almighty Allah and not to go against His will. Whenever we had problems we often sought his advice. Indeed, he was very close to all of his children,” he told reporters at the residence of the deceased, at Kampung Melayu Sungai Rapat, today.
The late Harussani, who held the position of Mufti of Perak since 1985, breathed his last at 2.45 pm yesterday, after more than a week of receiving treatment for COVID-19 at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital (HRPB), Ipoh.
Elaborating further, Ahmad Wafi said that his father’s health had deteriorated since August last year due to a stroke, which made it difficult for him to speak, and he only performed official duties as a mufti from his residence.
He said that his late father was confirmed positive for COVID-19 on May 11, after obtaining swab test results on the same day. Also confirmed positive was Harussani’s wife Puan Seri Ainon Abdul Ghani, 81 and several other family members, as well as two personal nurses.
“When he was taken by ambulance with our mother, he looked healthy. While receiving treatment, we only received information about his health through one of our sisters who worked as a doctor at the hospital.
“Over the past one week, we were prepared for any eventuality. The hospital had done its best to provide treatment and medicine to stabilise him, and at that time we could only pray for the best.
“Doctors informed us that the virus had caused infections in his lungs and kidneys, and his health began to deteriorate from 12 noon yesterday. At 2.45 pm, the doctor who treated him confirmed that my father had died,” he said.
Harussani is survived by his wife, Ainon, four children, 20 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Apart from Ahmad Wafi, Harussani’s other three surviving children are Ahmad Abdul Hakim Mazhar, 54; Najah, 53; and Naelah, 47. Another son, Abdul Hakam, died at the age of 23 in a road accident in Egypt in 1994.
Born on April 8, 1939 in Parit Tok Ngah, Tanjung Piandang, Parit Buntar, Harussani, received his education, among others, at the Anglo Chinese School and Kolej Islam Malaya Klang.
Harussani was laid to rest at the Muslim cemetery in Kampung Melayu Sungai Rapat at about 6.20 pm yesterday, in compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
