Honoring a Pioneer: Salimah Omar

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "He is not of us who does not have mercy on young children, nor honor the elderly"  (Al-Tirmidhi)

I recently learned about this sister from Bro. Mubaashir, and I decided to forward an email to assist in her cause.  She is now in hospice care and her family needs support for after she returns to Allah. I've added a few pictures and a youtube video about Sis. Salimah.  May Allah reward her for her good and grant her a place in paradise. 

“Your Lord has commanded that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to your parents. If one or both of them reach old age with you, do not say to them a word of disrespect, or scold them, but say a generous word to them. And act humbly to them in mercy, and say, ‘My Lord, have mercy on them, since they cared for me when I was small.” (17: 23-24)

Dear Muslims, Network Members, and Friends,

I have several things to report to you as of this evening:

HEALTH

Allahu Akbar! Family, friends, and medical personnel are doing all they can to provide a loving, warm, comfortable rest for Salimah. She is truly loved by many.

INSURANCE

Allahu Akbar! The family found 3 small insurance policies totaling $2,287.00. This cuts the amount of money we are raising almost in half.

YOUR DONATIONS

Allahu Akbar! We have received 18 donations totaling $875.00. This gives us a total of $3,162.00 towards the $5,100.00, leaving us with a balance of $1,938.00.

WHO IS SALIMAH OMAR?

For those wondering, "Who is Salimah Omar?" If you don't know her, you will read more about her in the Muslim Journal. Suffice it to say for now that in our Islamic community she is a great woman to all who know her, including Imam W. Deen Mohammed, who named her the first Muslim Woman of the Year from our community. She is a great example of a Muslimah, a great musician, champion of culture and fierce advocate for the arts and education. She is a mother to us all. A member of our community since the 1950s or 60s, I believe. She was 86 years old on Monday.

Let me give you one example of the kind of person she is. If you saw the pictures I sent out yesterday, she was on that bed with her eyes closed selling her book of poetry called Islamizing Our Culture (copyright 2008). Her daughter would tell visitors who wanted to buy the book to go over to her and ask the price. As they approached her to speak, with her eyes closed and head tilted to the side (you would think that she was sleep), she would pronounce the price.

WHY ARE WE REQUESTING DONATIONS NOW?

For those wondering, "Why we are collecting donations now while Salimah is still with us?" We understand that the final determination rests in the hands of Allah and believers are making du'aa for Salimah daily and nightly. We pray that Allah chooses to defy all indications and restore our sister to health. However, Muslims understand that none of us know the hour of our departure from this life and thus, we are encouraged to prepare ourselves ahead of time so that we, our families, and friends are not overly burdened by our departure.

Hence, we purchase our burial plots before they are needed. We purchase life insurance to cover our departure arrangements. We write wills to instruct those we leave behind how to dispose of our property and possessions. We do these things while we are living, not because we are second-guessing Allah, but because HE enjoins us and it is our custom to be prepared for life and death. So we plan ahead.

Our beloved sister Salimah has managed her affairs very well. Our assistance effort is a humble attempt to help augment Salimah's preparation and ease the burden on her children.

May Allah bless our good and forgive our mistakes.

A DUA FROM SALIMAH'S BOOK

Oh Allah

I thank you for knowing me

Better than I know myself

And knowing myself better

Than others know me

Make me I pray thee

Better than they suppose

And forgive me

What they do not know 

                                Salimah Omar

I will keep you updated...

Peace Be Upon You,

Mubaashir Uqdah

mubaashir.uqdah@verizon.net

You can donate HERE.