Amin Abdullah: Slain San Diego mosque guard hailed as hero for shielding worshippers from attackers

American Imam and aurhor, Omar Suleiman, and others highlighted his sacrifice during the blessed days of the Islamic calendar. 

Sharing Abdullah’s final social media post, Suleiman wrote: “Brother Amin Abdullah was the guard at the mosque in San Diego for years. He was instrumental in stopping the shooters from reaching the children today. This was his final post on Facebook. On these holiest days, may Allah have mercy on him and accept him as a martyr. Ameen.”

Abdullah’s post reflected his deep faith and desire to “return to Allah with a pure soul”, which many have noted as prophetic given the circumstances of his death while protecting others at the Islamic centre.

“What is success? To many people success is financial stability, good reputation, beauty, etc. As for ME! Wallahi, thumma Wallahi. It is returning back to Allah OUR creator with the same pure soul he loaned me at birth. Having the Mala‘ikah of Allahu ta‘ala saying ‘don‘t fear and don‘t grieve, but receive the glad tidings of Jannah which you were promised by the Most forgiving and Most Merciful.‘ May Allahu ta‘ala grant us Husnal Khatimah, AAAAMEEEEN,” the slain guard wrote on May 5.

Abdullah ‘wanted to defend the innocent’

Another video of Abdullah is being widely shared online as communities mourn his death.

The footage captures Abdullah discussing his fondness for halal hamburgers from Babaz Grill during an Eid interview, offering insight into the individual now being commemorated as hero.

The Islamic centre has called him “a courageous man who put himself on the line of the safety of others, who even in his last moments did not stop protecting our community”.

“Amin was loved by everybody, he stood there day after day, always smiling, welcoming everybody, welcoming the kids who came to the school. He was a shining light. He is a true hero, a martyr,” a CAIR official told BBC.

Shaykh Uthman Ibn Farooq, a friend of the family told the Associated Press that Abdullah “wanted to defend the innocent so he decided to become a security guard.”

Sam Hamideh, who knew Abdullah through the mosque told US media that the guard would be remembered for his kindness.

“It didn’t matter who walked up… any random person could just walk up and, like, [Abdullah] would greet them, make sure they are OK,” Hamideh said. “Whether they were homeless off the street looking for something, whether it was a child or elderly.”

Hamideh, whose son attends the school next to the Islamic centre, said that Abdullah would have done anything to help the people inside.

“Even when the day was going wrong you could just smile … he just had that kind of heart and he always really cared,” Hamideh said.