The Islamic Bulletin Volume XX No. 25 Page 11 Once Maghrib ended, the priority was to recite Surah Kahf - a practice neither Papa nor his progeny would ever overlook. The recital was slow and measured, drawing out ayah which gave special reference to the occasion . “Al-maalu wa al-banoon zeenatul hayaat dunyaa… Wealth and sons are (only) desires and temptations in the life of this world: But the things that last, good deeds with your Lord, are the best as (the basis for all) reward and hopes. (Quran Surat Al Kahaf 18:46) The Isha he would soon make resembled so many others he had completed that week, beginning with his intention(niyya) for prayer in Urdu, “ye chaar rakaat namaaz….” Though weak in strength, he managed to reserve whatever he had to determinedly raise his hands for the takbir al-ula, both palms Qibla-bound and turn his face from right to left greeting the scribe-angels with the greetings of salaam and rahma. Sitting on Papa’s right side on my knees with my face directly facing Papa’s, now on his side, I saw Papa open his near centuryold eyes looking directly at me. “Ketla vaaja(what time is it)?” “Half past nine, papa” Did I make my Isha?” “Yes” “Sure? Did I make my Isha?” “Yes, papa” “Mere puree namaz pare? Are you sure? I made Isha? “, Thinking that three times was sufficient to establish certainty, I heard Papa ask once more, “So, I made my Isha?” He then said, ”Don’t forget to pay the gardener his salary.” “Yes, Papa, Still sitting next to Papa looking at him eye to eye, I spoke, “Papa, Jumuah Mubarak, we love you so much Papa. Is there anything else I can do for you?” The whisper came, “Straighten me……” and asked to remove the pillows behind Him so he would be laying him flat. He then repeated, “Straight, straight.” Papa then said, “dori topi” referring to the snowy white cap he diligently worn for the last four decades. He then initiated the tayammum process. After completing this purifying rite, Papa raised both of his arms into the air and began waving them gracefully through the air. This was certainly not the waving of a soul in distress, but the waving of a soul jubilantly welcoming the angels of the moment. A few breaths later, Papa began his journey in the next leaving this world on the eve of Jumuah at age of 96. About three thousand people attended his funeral on Friday. Farhana (Lunat) Rana was a 30 year old young woman who died after a year-long struggle with a cancerous brain tumor. The Prophet (SAW) said, “Whoever loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him.” (Bukhari) My dear cousin Farhana passed away. She was an only child and was a joy to her parents and family. Three years ago, Farhana got married and moved to Lawrence, MA. However, she returned to Stockton last year after becoming ill. Throughout her life, she always had a kind word and sweet smile for those around her. This remained true even as she faced many obstacles during this past year. She showed great courage throughout her illness and preferred to remain positive and be thankful for all the blessings that she had in her life. She became very focused on strengthening her relationship with Allah, the Creator, appreciating her family, and imparting words of wisdom to those around her. One of my beloved aunts described her last moments in this world by likening the exit of her soul to a silk thread being drawn out of a delicate flower. May Allah make that moment for us as easy as Farhana’s. Her short life gave her enough time to exemplify the sincerity and simplicity one can live one’s life with. As she lost function of various facilities -movement, sight and then speech - she used what remained to bring the way of the Prophet (SAW) into her life. In fact, for the last week of her life, as she lay on her bed immobile, she used the only hand she had left to use — her right — to make dhikr on the tasbeeh and use the miswak. All she wanted us to recite was Ya Salaamu (Oh Peace — referring to Allah) and Surah Yaseen. Her last actions on this earth were doing her own miswak and holding on tightly to the Qur’an after making tayammum. She knew where she was going and wanted to leave in the most excellent way. In her last year, Farhana purified herself and got prepared to meet Allah. She got closer to Allah, found her purpose, was able to have a peaceful death and was full of noor (light) at her passing. Now we must all make that same decision and get closer to Allah. This is the legacy that Farhana leaves for us. Asama Ayyad, was a 20 year old young man who was killed as a result of a drive-by shooting. The Prophet (SAW) said, “There are seven whom Allaah will shade in His Shade on the Day when there is no shade except His Shade: ....‘A man whose heart is attached to the mosques...’ (Bukhari, Muslim) I want to share something with the youngsters who think that death is not for them. Last month my 20-year-old nephew, Asama Ayyad went to a Richmond mosque that was hosting a reunion for Muslims from California and other states. They were getting together for an annual Ijtimah, a gathering to pray, help each other, and remember Islamic values. Asama enjoyed helping and especially wanted to give me a hand as I was the cook for this large crowd. After dinner, some people stayed to sleep at the mosque, and others went home. After helping me, he decided to leave, too. I asked him to stay longer at the mosque. He was afraid for his beloved car, which was parked outside. He left with his friend, a teenage neighbor who wanted a ride in the shiny white Lexus. The plan was to go for a ride and then go home, but at the traffic light on 22nd Street and Bissell Avenue, gunfire erupted from a white van that was following them, hitting the car several times. Mortally wounded, Asama’s first instinct was to go back to the mosque, a safe haven of spirituality, family and community. He drove back to the mosque rather than go to the hospital. His heart was attached to the Masjid, where he had been praying and volunteering just before the assault. Almost unconscious, he crashed into the electric poles next to the masjid. “ La ilaha illa-Allah, Mohammed Rasullulah. Innalilahe wa inna ilayhi rajioon.” There is no God but God and Mohamed is his prophet. To God we belong and to Him is our return,” The Prophet (SAW) said: “He whose last words are ‘La ilaha illa-Allah’ shall enter Paradise.” Those were Asama’s last words. All these people that died will be very much missed by their family, friends, and the staff of at the Islamic bulletin.We ask each of our readers to remember them in their Duas this Holy Month. May Allah grant them Paradise.
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