Sadaqah Jariyah for Mohamed Samassa
Donation protected
Mohammed Samassa passed away on Friday, October 22/16 Rabiul Awwal. He was from Mali, Africa, and migrated to the United States in 2000. Mohammed Samassa was ill for several weeks with repeated pneumonia. He then tested positive for covid and his health continued to deteriorate and was in a fragile state. He was on the ventilator for days and succumbed to his illness this past Friday, inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajiun.
Mohammed was a loyal, God-conscious, sincere, and devoted man. He was a man of service. He contributed 15 years of volunteer work at his local masjid, Islamic Center of Quad Cities (ICQC) in Moline, IL. He was always present for all the 5 daily prayers. He volunteered at Sunday School, masjid events, directing parking, cutting Masjid Lawn, setting up chairs and tables and putting them away, unlocking/locking the Masjid, serving guest speakers, cleaning. Any service that we would consider to be mundane, he did it. The community considered him the most reliable and trustworthy volunteer. They knew that if he was present, the job would get done. People called to ask him about the community affairs because they knew he was well-aware of Masjid-related matters, despite the language barrier. English was not his native language and he had to learn to communicate with the little English he knew. The language barrier never stopped him from fulfilling his tasks. His life revolved around the Masjid and there was never a day that he didn't come to the Masjid. His wife said that Allah was always on his mind. Even in the last few days of his life, during his illness and the fragile state he was in, he continued to be in the remembrance of Allah. The community has lost a valuable, devoted, and sincere member of the community. They have canceled Sunday school so that everyone can attend the Janazah. The Masjid wished to accommodate that individual who always accommodated the Masjid in his own busy life.
Br. Samassa was not a bachelor or without children, nor did he have a financially stable job with lots of free time to engage in volunteer work. Rather, he had 7 children all under 14 and had always struggled financially and many difficulties that were thrown his way. His wife took the entire responsibility of domestic affairs to allow Mohammed Samassa to continue his sincere service to the Masjid. She would often be alone at home tending to all her children who were and are entirely dependent on her. Mohammed Samassa was devoted to his family as well. He greatly appreciated his wife and often brought his children to the Masjid so they could learn about Islam. Mohammed Samassa was the sole provider for his family. He left behind 7 children and his wife who reside in the US. He also supported his family in Africa. His eldest son was separated from him when he was only an infant. Mohammed Samassa had to leave his son with his grandparents after he migrated to America. Samassa and his wife never saw their own son after that, however, he continued to support him financially.
It is our responsibility, as a community, to take care of Samassa's family after he sacrificed his own family time to take care of the Muslim Community. We must continue to do whatever we can to provide some stability during this emotional and difficult time for his family. His wife is unemployed, has health problems, and has no family here. She is left with supporting 7 children under 14. Please donate generously. Allah is always in the help of an individual so long as he is helping his brother.
UPDATE:
Assalamu Alaykum Everyone,
I, Saad Hassan Baig, have been given permission by Sister Diaba, the widow of our beloved Muhammad Samasa, to withdraw the funds and have been authorized to put the funds into a trust whose beneficiaries will be his wife and children. I would like to once again thank everyone for their sincere contributions and I pray that your burden is lifted on the Day of Judgement just as you have lifted the burden of this family during their time of need.
Thanks, wa Salam.
Mohammed was a loyal, God-conscious, sincere, and devoted man. He was a man of service. He contributed 15 years of volunteer work at his local masjid, Islamic Center of Quad Cities (ICQC) in Moline, IL. He was always present for all the 5 daily prayers. He volunteered at Sunday School, masjid events, directing parking, cutting Masjid Lawn, setting up chairs and tables and putting them away, unlocking/locking the Masjid, serving guest speakers, cleaning. Any service that we would consider to be mundane, he did it. The community considered him the most reliable and trustworthy volunteer. They knew that if he was present, the job would get done. People called to ask him about the community affairs because they knew he was well-aware of Masjid-related matters, despite the language barrier. English was not his native language and he had to learn to communicate with the little English he knew. The language barrier never stopped him from fulfilling his tasks. His life revolved around the Masjid and there was never a day that he didn't come to the Masjid. His wife said that Allah was always on his mind. Even in the last few days of his life, during his illness and the fragile state he was in, he continued to be in the remembrance of Allah. The community has lost a valuable, devoted, and sincere member of the community. They have canceled Sunday school so that everyone can attend the Janazah. The Masjid wished to accommodate that individual who always accommodated the Masjid in his own busy life.
Br. Samassa was not a bachelor or without children, nor did he have a financially stable job with lots of free time to engage in volunteer work. Rather, he had 7 children all under 14 and had always struggled financially and many difficulties that were thrown his way. His wife took the entire responsibility of domestic affairs to allow Mohammed Samassa to continue his sincere service to the Masjid. She would often be alone at home tending to all her children who were and are entirely dependent on her. Mohammed Samassa was devoted to his family as well. He greatly appreciated his wife and often brought his children to the Masjid so they could learn about Islam. Mohammed Samassa was the sole provider for his family. He left behind 7 children and his wife who reside in the US. He also supported his family in Africa. His eldest son was separated from him when he was only an infant. Mohammed Samassa had to leave his son with his grandparents after he migrated to America. Samassa and his wife never saw their own son after that, however, he continued to support him financially.
It is our responsibility, as a community, to take care of Samassa's family after he sacrificed his own family time to take care of the Muslim Community. We must continue to do whatever we can to provide some stability during this emotional and difficult time for his family. His wife is unemployed, has health problems, and has no family here. She is left with supporting 7 children under 14. Please donate generously. Allah is always in the help of an individual so long as he is helping his brother.
UPDATE:
Assalamu Alaykum Everyone,
I, Saad Hassan Baig, have been given permission by Sister Diaba, the widow of our beloved Muhammad Samasa, to withdraw the funds and have been authorized to put the funds into a trust whose beneficiaries will be his wife and children. I would like to once again thank everyone for their sincere contributions and I pray that your burden is lifted on the Day of Judgement just as you have lifted the burden of this family during their time of need.
Thanks, wa Salam.
Organizer
Hassan Baig
Organizer
Moline, IL