Final; An Appreciation Letter

what person of the past do you remind me of?

Have you ever just looked at someone and thought, “I really love you”. They’re just talking or humming or watching a movie or reading a book or laughing or something, and there’s something about them in that moment that makes you think, “I just really love you.”

I have, several times. Someone said good companionship is a rizq from Allah and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. Allah has willed for me to be surrounded by amazing people. People who make ordinary days extraordinary. People who are willing to go above and beyond to make me happy. People who genuinely want to see me become a better version of myself. People who, above all, I greatly benefit from. People who I’d gladly donate my kidney to were they ever in need of one.

Have you ever met someone who truly inspires you in every way possible? Someone who you’d do anything for without even thinking twice?

I have, and she is the epitome of perfection. You can't talk to her or listen to her speak without being reminded of Allah S.W.T. What a passionate woman she is, and what an aura she exudes. She's the same person who inspired me to start writing in the first place. She reminds me of Abu Bakr R.A, who was a trailblazer in the field of ajr hunting. The love and respect he had for the Rasul S.A.W was extraordinary. The love she has for the Rasul S.A.W and his companions is extraordinary. How do I know this? It’s easily detectable. The love I have for her is…you guessed it…extraordinary.

"A man is the one who fears the death of his heart, not his body."   -Ibn Al-Qayyim

I've never read anything that so perfectly portrays this person. There are no words to adequately express how incredible they are. People who are concerned not only about themselves but also about those around them. Our very own Umar R.A. Strong, kind, responsible, wise and downright incredible.

And then there’s the Umar R.A to my Abu Bakr R.A. Over the years, I've heard a lot of people say "I love you for the sake of Allah," but to have someone truly mean it is a rare blessing. There are numerous lessons to be learned from her, but one that I'd want to highlight is her patience. Her patience in the face of misfortune, as well as her patience when dealing with people. If tawwakul (reliance upon Allah) were a person, it would be her.

Emotional Intelligence, Self-improvement, Selflessness. Three words that sum up one of the most remarkable individuals I've ever met. Nothing compares to someone who actively strives to improve themselves in all aspects of their lives. Someone who truly means it when they say, "I'm here for you." All you need is one phone call with her and another friend of ours to feel inspired and cherished. You can never talk to these two without being reminded of how loved you are and how good it feels to be happy.

I read about Abdullah Ibn Abbas R.A. for the 'only God knows how many'th time a few days ago, and Subhanallah. The more I learned about him, the more I noticed similarities between him and four people I know. These four people come to mind whenever the Qur'an, or anything related to it, is mentioned. It's incredible to witness their humility, passion, love for Allah, and the excitement with which they discuss the Qur'an.

We also have someone who reminds me of Ibn Taymiyyah. Their thirst for knowledge, combined with their humility, are two of the most admirable qualities one can have. They remind me of the adage, "the more I learn, the more I realize how little I know." They may not realize it, but they have inspired me to seek knowledge without doing anything other than being themselves.

Aisha reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The best of you are the best to their families”

Two people spring to mind when it comes to maintaining ties of kinship. These two would do whatever it is to take care of their families' needs. Their selflessness is one for the books. It's awe-inspiring to watch. And not just that, when one of them says she’s there for you, just know that she wholeheartedly means it. I’d do anything for her not just because she has done everything for me but because she deserves the whole world and more.

On the subject of mindfulness and giving, I've never encountered somebody so generous and considerate. They are one of the first people that come to mind when I think of Adab & Akhlaaq. They live by the phrase "for you a thousand times over," and not a day goes by that they don't put it into practice. Abdulrahman Ibn ‘Awf if you may.

The more I write, the more I realize how fortunate I am to have such wonderful people in my life. I guess all I’m trying to say is thank you. Thank you so much for your love and support. Thank you for being so thoughtful and considerate. Thank you for patiently ignoring my flaws while gently encouraging me to improve. Thank you for being a source of inspiration for me. Thank you for making life bearable.

NB; Thank you, too, to those subscribers who are constantly engaging. Nabila, Fareed, Nusaybah, Hauwa, Sawfiyah, Sadiya, and so on are only few of the names. I've been writing primarily for you, but I'm afraid this will be my final newsletter. Don’t fret though, I’ve got something special in store for you....

May Al-Jaami' inspire us to think on how He brought us and the rest of creation together, and may He guide us in observing the fard and sunan. May He open our hearts to recall the Day of Gathering often and to seek His shade on a day when there is none other than His. Ameen!