Sadqah Jariyah in Loving Memory of Afshan Khalid

This Sadaqah Jariyah fundraiser is dedicated to the life and memory of Afshan (Nosheen) Khalid. A loving mother and true angel amongst us whose impactful life can teach us countless lessons. These funds are specifically being raised to build a solar-powered clean water well in order to support a disadvantaged community in a manner that is sustainable and everlasting.

"When the human being dies, his deeds end except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.” - Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Exactly 1 year ago today on January 30 2022, I lost the most beloved woman in my life - my beautiful mother. She passed very unexpectedly in the ICU despite full resuscitation efforts after a lengthy battle with COVID-19 complications which had deteriorated her underlying health conditions further. While her death (at the age of 54) was very sudden, I am infinitely grateful for the 20+ years we had together in which I got to learn from and serve the most special person I have ever known.

My mother and I shared a truly one of a kind bond. We moved to Canada alone when I was 4. With no immediate family around us and frequently living in precarious financial circumstances, we became one another’s support system. Beyond a parent, she was my best friend, confidant, closest ally and towards the end of her life - she was my child as well.

Against this difficult socioeconomic reality, she also bravely tackled diagnoses of schizophrenia, liver failure (and its numerous complications including recurrent encephalopathy), immobility and diabetes for most of the time that I knew her. The last few years of my mother’s life were exceptionally difficult as her daily routine consisted of debilitating pain, medications and injections every few hours, severe fluctuations in cognitive states, and a lack of ability to freely navigate the world. This harsh reality was compounded by frequent hospital visits and admissions.

Despite these challenges, my mother remained the most affectionate, selfless, kind-hearted and pure soul - someone who never allowed life's hardships to break her spirit or her wit. Indeed, she was the best mother I could have asked for. She taught me to love unconditionally, to forgive and accept, and to be generous no matter how little one may seem to have left themselves. What I admired most about her however was her ability to always find humor, laugh and remain positive in spite of the incessant challenges she faced.

She was a woman who, despite living through darkness, acted as a source of light for all those around her. My mum truly embodied the definition of Tawakkul - she awoke every morning excited by the gift of life, grateful to be in Canada, and at complete peace with the plan God had in place for us no matter what circumstances unfolded.

Supporting my mother as a caregiver from a young age was the biggest blessing and honor of my life - she taught me countless invaluable lessons on facing hardship with grace and remaining resilient in the face of overwhelming odds. Witnessing her health battles inspired me to pursue medicine as a profession myself. In the most surprising timing of events, just 1 week after her passing I received a medical school interview invitation and subsequently commenced my studies in fall 2022. While it has been difficult to reach this life-long goal without my best friend by my side, I promise to always serve my future patients with the fierce dedication, kindness, and generosity my mum taught me to value above all else.

What is Sadaqah Jariyah?

A simple definition is that it is a way of giving that keeps on giving (i.e. perpetual, continuous charity). In honour of 1-year passing since my mother departed, I am raising funds for this life-altering project that can provide sustainable, everlasting support for a community struggling to access clean drinking water.

Indeed, when the Prophet (PBUH) was asked “Which charity is best?” he replied, “Providing water.” (Abu Dawud)

I ask you all to kindly donate as little or as much as you can (every little bit adds up!) and to keep my mother in your duas so that she may indeed be granted a place in Jannat-ul-Firdous. All updates on this project will be posted on this page or you may directly connect with me. JazakAllah Khairan.