October 9th, 2015
It is not often that we are blessed with beautiful examples of what it means to be good. Coach Salah Abdul-Razacq was one of those examples.
I visited Ustadha Zaynab Ansari and Abu Salah, as his wife lovingly and respectfully referred to him, in their home last year. I was struck by the kindness, peace and faith that pulsated in their home. His interactions with his children, his in-laws, his wife, and his guests were examples of Prophetic grace and good manners. He was a gentle man and a gentleman. He supported his wife, Ustadha Zaynab Ansari, and gave her space to be and become a dignified daiyah. He was a loving and involved father. His community loved him, and indeed, people across the nation are expressing their grief at the loss of this good man.
Prophet Muhammad (s) tells us, “If Allah loves someone He calls upon Angel Jibrīl and says, ‘ I love so and so, and so you love him.’ Jibrīl loves him and calls the other angels in Heaven to love that person. They love him, then his love is made upon the earth, and he becomes loved.”
I look at the outpouring of love and imagine that at one point Allah, may He be glorified, said, “I love Salah Abdul-Razacq, so love him.” And now we will all miss him.
Let us all pray for Abu Salah, that he is accepted into Jannat al Firdus, that his sins are forgiven, and that he finds himself in the company of the beloved Messenger (s). And let us pray for his family, that Allah (swt) sends them comfort in this time of hardship, patience in the face of this devastating grief, and strength of faith in this time of pain and loss.
We will pray the prayer of Umm Salamah for our dear Ustadha Zaynab, though we know her heart is as hers was, and we will know that our prayers will be answered either in this life or the next.
With all of my love, and the love of all the sisters of Ribaat, and Daybreak, and Circles of Light – all of the Rabata sisters and our families, God bless you and keep you and protect you.
Anse Tamara Gray
(Ustadha Zaynab is one of our beloved Ribaat teachers. Her husband, Abu Salah, passed away after a hit-and-run car accident).
