Imam Ebrahim Davids was born in 1936 in Claremont into a large family. His father was Abduragiem Davids and his mother, Zograh. Their humble home was situated where the back of Pick n Pay is in Draper Street today.
He was schooled at Talfallah Primary in Claremont. Later he moved on to Livingstone High School. Here he was heavily involved in school politics, S.R.C’s and sport. In fact, he excelled in the latter. His political views brought him into conflict with authority many times.
He worked as a builder and painter for a short while, until he started working with his brother, teaching at his Alma Mater, Talfallah, in Islamic Studies. Later he started teaching P.E. , Mathematics etc. at the same school. He stayed at the school for over 23 years.
He was taught by various teachers throughout his life, most notably Imam Abdullah Haroun, Imam Yaseen Ely, Imam Ismail Johnstone and Sheigh Ismail Ganief. He initially started as an assistant to Imam Abdullah Haroun, along with his brother at Stegman Road Mosque in Claremont. Imam Haroun played a vital role in the lives of the young men he taught . They developed a close bond. He sent many out to serve as imam at township mosques, i.e Imam Abdullah Gamieldien (Bilali) in Steenberg, still serving the community. He and his brother, Imam Salim Davids, served Al-Jaamia after the death of Imam Haroun.
in 1969, he served Al- Jaamia for 22 years until 1991. He later took up the Imam position at Masjidus-Sunni in Kromboom, till his death in 1998.
He served the community well throughout his life. His involvement included working in the townships and amongst the squatter camps especially during the Apartheid days. He was vociferous against the old regime and this resulted in him being locked up at various times and running into trouble with the law of that time. His lectures and Khutbas dealt with topical issues. He was involved in personally packaging and delivering the fitrah parcels and qurbaan meat. At times guests at his house were asked to take him to the homes of these people, much to the surprise of the guests.
Such was his nature that he never talked about himself. He married in 1965 to Sharifa Bakardien, his trusted companion until his death. A lady who had to see her husband rarely during the week. From Monday to Thursday, formal classes were held, and weekends didn’t leave time for going out. Sep was so busy with Imamat and community duties.
After a long illness, ending at Tygerberg hospital, he breathed his last breath on the 17th of Ramadaan, a Friday morning corresponding to the 16th of January 1998. His janaazah was at Shukrul Mubeen, York Road Masjid in Lansdowne, led by his son, Imam Isma-eel Davids, and was attended by more than 20 000 people.