A BRISBANE man was stabbed to death overnight after he went outside his home overnight to investigate a power cut.

The body of 35-year-old Abdul Basith was found in the front yard of his home in suburban Kuraby, 16km from the central city, with several stab wounds about 12.30am. His wife and four children were inside at the time of the attack.

The children are all believed to be aged under 10.

Detective Superintendent Tony Fleming told reporters police were investigating what links the power cut had with the fatal attack.

It was not thought to be a random attack.

“We are following up a number of inquiries, but based on the information that we have, we don’t think there is a random person running around the streets of Brisbane.”

Homicide squad detectives were investigating whether the power supply was deliberately cut.

He would not say if a knife was used, but confirmed the wounds were consistent with a stabbing.

Police have cordoned off the area and launched a murder inquiry. I

The area was normally quiet. “This is certainly not something that we expected and that’s why we have pulled all our resources out and we are following up with as much vigour as we can,” Det Supt Fleming said.

Mr Basith died at the scene despite desperate attempts by paramedics to save him.

Police are doorknocking the area and have urged anyone with information to contact Policelink or Crime Stoppers.

Mr Basith was a member of his local mosque, located close by to where he was killed, but Det Supt Fleming said nothing there was “absolutely nothing” to indicate the murder was religiously or racially motivated.

“He was a decent fellow, had some private businesses, and he had a young family.”

The man’s traumatised wife is being given counselling.

Fidaur Rehman, a teacher at the mosque, said the man was humble and his murder came as shock to the community.

“I’ve lost my best friend,” Mr Rehman told The Courier Mail. “It’s also very bad for the society. We feel shocked.”

Friends said he was at the mosque on Tuesday night attending evening prayers.

Know more? Email: andrew.koubaridis@news.com.au