It is possible that if he had lived, political power would have worked its common corruption on Donald Dewar, the first First minister of the first Scottish Parliament for 300 years. It might have broken his spirit or ruined his reputation, but I don't think so. He was only human, but he was splendidly so, and distressed as I was (as were so many) at the suddenness of his departure, I was glad that my Thought for the Day was propitiously scheduled for a day immediately after his death, so giving me the opportunity to say my piece about him.

There is little that can be said about Donald Dewar that hasn’t been said already, as what is extraordinary about his passing is the unanimity of opinion about the man. Across all political convictions and social divisions, everyone seemed to see him the same way and use the same words to describe him. As for me, I thought he was thoroughly muslim.

Now that may sound rather strange, but Wisdom, Justice, Compassion and Integrity, words carved into the Scottish Mace, are readily associated with Donald Dewar. They are also qualities associated with the way of life that makes a man a muslim.

Beneath the external religious formalities by which modern muslims follow the way of Muhammad, there is a deeper understanding of Islam that is traced back to Adam and seen in human goodness.

The Qur’an which often associates muslim behaviour with care for the dispossessed and the feeding of the poor, says “Woe to those that pray, but are mindless of their prayers, those who make pious display but give no help to others”.

The Prophet said that on the Day of Judgement every man and woman will be questioned about the welfare of those under their care. What is clearly indisputable about Donald is that he cared passionately for the welfare of others, and the response to his death shows just how much those others cared for him.

The last time I met him was in January at a celebration he had arranged for MSP’s to meet with Scottish muslims to celebrate the end of the fasting month of Ramadhan, an aspect of Islam unlikely to attract a man with an appetite so mythically prodigious. But my last contact was more recent, when I received a letter on another matter, which ended “I am sure that our paths will cross again”.

Well, no longer in this life, Donald, so God willing not for a little while yet. But if I finally get to where I hope I’m going, the Garden where we are reunited with loved ones and rewarded for whatever good we have done in our lives, I’m pretty sure I’ll meet you there.

I’m told that the food and drink there are quite excellent.