Announcements
Our Condolences at the Passing of Aminah Assilmi
From the International Union of Muslim Women:
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’oon. Our beloved sister, Aminah Assilmi passed away this morning in an automobile accident.
We pray that Allah (SWT) will shower His mercy on this sister and grant her the highest level of Paradise – Jannat Ul-Firdous – and give her family patience in this difficult time. Ameen.
Keep supporting MuslimMatters for the sake of Allah
Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. Help us get to 900 supporters this month. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month.
The Prophet (SAW) has taught us the best of deeds are those that done consistently, even if they are small. Click here to support MuslimMatters with a monthly donation of $2 per month. Set it and collect blessings from Allah (swt) for the khayr you're supporting without thinking about it.
Sister Aminah Assilmi, Director of the International Union of Muslim Women, Author, Advocate of Women’s Rights, and Renowned Speaker died early this morning while returning from a speaking engagement in New York .
Sister Aminah and her son, were in single car accident just outside of Newport Tennessee where she had been living for just over a year. The car accident happened just after 3am and it appears that Aminah was killed instantly. Her son Mohammad was taken to a hospital in Knoxville.
Aminah had some health issues, but still maintained a rigorous schedule of speaking engagements to many communities around the country and around the world. She was instrumental in getting the Eid stamp issued in 2001 and had been planning to start a campaign to have the stamp reissued with a new design in time for its 10 year anniversary. She was also trying to build a Center for Muslim Women’s Studies that would serve as a place where converts could learn about Islam and the basics including how to pray etc., as a retreat, and as a summer camp for Muslim children.
Funeral arrangements are being arranged through:
Click Funeral Home
109 Walnut Street
Lenoir City , TN 37771
(865) 986-8013
Fax: (865) 986-4738
Aminah was 65 and is survived by her daughter Amber, and sons, Whitney and Mohammad as well as several grandchildren.
Any donations to offset final expenses or to continue her work with IUMW can go through the International Union of Muslim Women through the website at IUMW.org.
Remembrances can be sent to IUMW@yahoo.com, some of these may be published on the website.
Ina lillaahi ma akhadha wa ina lillaahi ma a3dha wa kulloo shayin 3ndahoo bi miqdar.
“To Allah belongs what He takes and to Him belongs what He gives. And there is a set time by Him for everything.”
On Thursday March 4, 2010 sister Aminah Assilmi, the da’eeah and one of the most active caller of Allah in North America, her long journey in this life came to an end. Sister Aminah was coming back from NY, after an event with her son, and died in a car accident. My Allah forgive her, shower her with His Mercy, accept her good deeds, and give her son a speedy recovery. What a great reminder to all of us, that a lady in her old age and after surviving 5 cancers died upon the one thing she dedicated her whole life for, dawah. This is a sign of good ending, insha’Allah. Plus, dying in the night of Jumuah is another sign of a good ending. Her Janazah will be held on Saturday in Tennessee.
A few years back she performed Hajj in the same group with me and I came to see one of the most active, sincere and energetic persons in dawah. She was a sweet good natured “big sister” for all of us.
On behalf of the AlMaghrib family, I send my condolences to her family and I ask Allah to support them and give them patience.
Aminah Assilmi was a national Muslim community activist, scholar and leader who died earlier today in a car accident outside of Newport, Tenn. She was returning with her son from a speaking engagement in New York. Her son, who was injured in the accident, was taken to a hospital in Knoxville.
“To God we belong and to Him we return,” said CAIR National Board Chairman State Senator Larry Shaw (NC). “We ask God to shower His mercy on Sister Aminah and to grant her loved ones strength and patience in this time of sorrow.”
Sister Aminah, who was 65, served as the Director of the International Union of Muslim Women. She was an internationally-respected author, an advocate for women’s rights and a renowned speaker on Islam.
Despite health issues, Sister Aminah maintained a rigorous schedule of speaking engagements around the nation and the world. She was instrumental in the U.S. Postal Service’s 2001 issuing of the “Eid” stamp, which marks the two main Muslim holidays. Her current project included a Center for Muslim Women’s Studies that would serve as a resource center for new Muslims and as a summer camp for Muslim children.
Donations are being accepted to offset burial expenses. For more information, visit the web site of the International Union of Muslim Women, http://www.IUMW.org. Any surplus donations will go to continue her work. The International Union of Muslim Women is a nonprofit, 501 c(3) organization.
Remembrances can be sent to IUMW@yahoo.com. Some of these may be published on the web site.
For additional information, contact Nadiah Beekun at (775) 762-4905 or e-mail nadiah@usa.com.
Keep supporting MuslimMatters for the sake of Allah
Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. Help us get to 900 supporters this month. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month.
The Prophet (SAW) has taught us the best of deeds are those that done consistently, even if they are small. Click here to support MuslimMatters with a monthly donation of $2 per month. Set it and collect blessings from Allah (swt) for the khayr you're supporting without thinking about it.
[Podcast] How To Free A Jinn & Other Questions | Ustadha Raidah Shah Idil
Study Classical Texts the Traditional Way | Session 3
Processing Spiritual Abuse In Islam: A Comprehensive Guide For Individuals, Communities, And Organizations
Family Troubles Of The Prophets: A MuslimMatters Series – [Part I] Sibling Rivalries Gone Wild
Dear Resilient Soul… – A Message To Survivors Of Childhood Sexual Trauma
MuslimMatters Official Statement On Wisam Sharieff
Statement Against Abuse: The Female Scholars Network
Sami Hamdi: “Muslims Must Abandon Harris” | Transcript and Summary
Keeping Our Children Safe From Predators: A Guide For Parents
From The Chaplain’s Desk – Reap The Rewards Of Being Mindful Of Allah
Study Classical Texts The Traditional Way [Session 1] | Sh. Yaser Birjas
Sami Hamdi: “Muslims Must Abandon Harris” | Transcript and Summary
IOK Ramadan: The Importance of Spiritual Purification | Keys To The Divine Compass [Ep30]
IOK Ramadan: The Power of Prayer | Keys To The Divine Compass [Ep29]
IOK Ramadan: The Weight of the Qur’an | Keys To The Divine Compass [Ep28]
-
Announcements2 weeks agoMuslimMatters Official Statement On Wisam Sharieff
-
featured1 month ago
The Role Of Kurds In The Dissemination Of Islamic Knowledge In The Malay Archipelago
-
#Islam1 month ago
Husn Al-Dhann: The Path To Islamic Optimism
-
#Current Affairs1 month ago
Why Mehdi Hasan’s “Lesser Of Two Evils” Election Advice Is Wrong
Abu Abdullah
March 6, 2010 at 6:51 AM
Bismillah.
when calamaty befalls them, they say inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon. may she be granted calmness in her qabr and may Allaah give her jannah. ameen.
may Allaah remind us our own death and make us prepare for our death, which can be any moment.
Allahumma inna audhubika min alKasal. ya arrahmaan, walaa takilni ilaa nafsee tarfata aynee, aww ajurrahu ila muslim. ameen.
'Uthmaan
March 6, 2010 at 6:53 AM
Inna lillaahi wa inna ilayhi raaji’oon and Ameen to the ‘adiyah
Zifirdaus Adnan
October 24, 2015 at 11:28 PM
Aww,
It’s really sad to see such a wonderful woman go so suddenly. But, I understand it’s Allah’s will. I wish her the best of position Allah could grant her in His jannah, and the family left behind be blessed and granted patience. Amien.
Ibrahim
March 6, 2010 at 6:56 AM
Sr. Aminah, may Allah have mercy on her, was one of the very first Muslim American sisters I had met as a new Muslim attending my first MSA convention. I was impressed by her quiet dignity and confidence. I pray Allah to reward her with the highest levels of Paradise. May her example be an inspiration for young Muslim, or non-Muslim women – in America or abroad.
elham
March 6, 2010 at 9:37 AM
inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon, may Allah swt give us a good ending husn al khatima and bring light in her grave and put peace into her family’s hearts, ameen.
Harnida Adda
March 6, 2010 at 9:43 AM
Innalillahi Wainnailihi rajiuun..
I have just met her once, last Sunday at Masjid Al Hikmah New York. Even though that was our first meeting, I instantly feel her love, warmth, and dedication of Islam. May Allah bless her and put her in Jannatul Firdousy. Aminn
Faraz
March 6, 2010 at 10:50 AM
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’oon. Never met her but heard of her many times and heard many good things.
Also, as a reminder … if you’re tired and it’s late, don’t drive, no matter how much of a hurry you’re in. I see that the accident happened at 3am; probably fatigue played a factor.
ummjade
March 8, 2010 at 1:41 AM
Assalam Alaikum, I had just spoke with her 1/2 hour before her fatal accident. Her son was driving and they were both very much awake and in good spirits. You are correct about your caution. However, this was not the issue in this case.
Fi Aminallah
ummjade
ummjade
March 23, 2010 at 4:36 AM
I stand corrected…………….
A Brother
March 6, 2010 at 11:45 AM
http://www.suhaibwebb.com/personaldvlpt/in-remembrance-of-sister-aminah-assilimi-by-sr-jannah/
laila
March 6, 2010 at 1:11 PM
ina lilah waa ina lilahi rajuun may Allah have mercy on her and grant her the highest level in paradise.
I did not know her personally and i never met her,i saw her once on youtube giving lectures.What an inspiration she was.She seemed so sweet and she had a kind face u can see she was a lovely person.I instantly liked her even though i never met her.
May Allah grant her janaat al fardous amiin.
Sadaf Farooqi
March 6, 2010 at 1:37 PM
This is such sad news. A big loss for our ummah and especially the Muslim sisterhood. May the One in the heavens be pleased with the one, we here on earth, have lost. Ameen.
It is also a lesson for us that, if we spend most of our time in Allah’s path, we die in a state that is counted as being pleasing to Him. So if you want a good end, try to spend all your time in pursuit of His pleasure.
Amatullah
March 6, 2010 at 3:23 PM
inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’oon.
SubhanAllah, may Allah forgive her, have mercy on her, and enter her into Firdaws bi ghayri hisaab. May Allah make her among those believers who are relieved by death and make what is ahead of her better than what she left behind. May Allah accept her work, and make her among those who increase in their good deeds because of the beneficial aathar they left upon this earth.
Sayf
March 6, 2010 at 4:03 PM
inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’oon.
Umm Bilqis
March 6, 2010 at 5:15 PM
Inna lilla wa innal ilayji rajoon.
May Allah grant her Jannat Alfirdous for all her work towards Dawah and the the defense of Islaam.
ummahmed
March 6, 2010 at 7:54 PM
To Allah we belong and to Allah we indeed return..May Allah accept all her good deeds and make her among the salaheen.May Allah shower his blessings on her family.
Khalil
March 6, 2010 at 8:15 PM
Inna lillahi wa innaa ilayhi raji’oon. May Allah grant sister Amina, the great da’iyah of our time, Jannatul Firdaws.
S.Muhammad
March 6, 2010 at 8:20 PM
No sadness for this loss. Though I shed tears upon hearing her loss I am also inspired and happy for the way in which her life ended, while doing dawah, the work of the best of Muslims. MashaAllah this sister’s life is an example for us all. She was doing the work of Allah before the public knew anything of Islam. May Allah give her firdous and I am thankful to Him for her example of what we can do.
farrukh choudhary
March 6, 2010 at 11:20 PM
اللَّهÙمَّ اغْÙÙرْ لَه٠وَارْØَمْه٠وَعَاÙÙه٠وَاعْÙ٠عَنْه٠وَأَكْرÙمْ Ù†ÙزÙلَه٠وَوَسّÙعْ Ù…Ùدْخَلَه٠وَاغْسÙلْه٠بÙالْمَاء٠وَالثَّلْج٠وَالْبَرَد٠وَنَقّÙÙ‡Ù Ù…Ùنْ الْخَطَايَا كَمَا نَقَّيْتَ الثَّوْبَ الْأَبْيَضَ Ù…Ùنْ الدَّنَس٠وَأَبْدÙلْه٠دَارًا خَيْرًا Ù…Ùنْ دَارÙه٠وَأَهْلًا خَيْرًا Ù…Ùنْ أَهْلÙه٠وَزَوْجًا خَيْرًا Ù…Ùنْ زَوْجÙه٠وَأَدْخÙلْه٠الْجَنَّةَ وَأَعÙذْه٠مÙنْ عَذَاب٠الْقَبْر٠أَوْ Ù…Ùنْ عَذَاب٠النَّارÙ
UmA
March 7, 2010 at 10:07 AM
Ma sha Allah she had been so ill and yet Allah ta’ala took her in the way He deemed best. She and her son had stayed with us in Toronto during my MSA university days: very peaceful lady, very patient with her then teenaged son.
Sr Jannah in Suhaib Webb’s blog mentions how people like Sr Aminah and Imam Siraaj were really our parents in the Deen, back in the 80’s and 90’s.
They may have not had the ijazahs or degrees, and yet they were powerhouse da’ees, who brought the Western experience to the podium.
It’s unfortunate: we don’t seem to have a support system for our da’ees when it comes to their health, housing or income.
amad
March 7, 2010 at 10:07 AM
inna lillahi wa inna alehi rajioon
may Allah grant her the a place in jannatul firdaus.
Big loss for the ummah…
Pingback: Peace In Islam » Blog Archive » ইনà§à¦¨à¦¾ লিলà§à¦²à¦¾à¦¹à¦¿ ওয়া ইনà§à¦¨à¦¾ ইলাইহি রাজিউন!
ummmanar
March 7, 2010 at 12:59 PM
inna lilahi wa inna ilahi rajioon.even though I am shading tears mushallah the way she die was remarkable caming from duwa, and friday night amasing .my allah rewards her with jenatal ferdus and make her minsalhin.my condolences to her family.my allah give them strength.
Lifesstrand.net
March 7, 2010 at 2:40 PM
Memorial for Aminah Assilmi . Feel free to express your thoughts
http://www.lifestrand.net/affection/show/Aminah_Assilmi
Omar
March 7, 2010 at 8:32 PM
May Allah grant her Paradise. SubhanaAllah, death comes so unexpectedly. May Allah have mercy upon her, and upon us when our time comes. All is in the hands of Allah.
ABDIKARIM
March 7, 2010 at 8:45 PM
MAY ALLAH BLESS HER FOR ALL GOOD DEEDS AND IMAN AND WHAT IMAN SHE HAD . HER LIFE IS POIGNANT ANSWER TO ALL THOSE NONSENSE THAT ISLAM OPPRESSES WOMEN
Pingback: Shodalap | ইনà§à¦¨à¦¾ লিলà§à¦²à¦¾à¦¹à¦¿ ওয়া ইনà§à¦¨à¦¾ ইলাইহি রাজিউন!
hidayat
March 8, 2010 at 12:33 AM
May Allah bless her and give patience to her family.
Badia K
March 8, 2010 at 1:41 AM
Inna lillahi wa Inna ilaihe rajioon
May Allah swt grant her the highest place in jannah and forgive her sins. Masha’allah she was a great daa3iyah.
اللهم ارØمها واغÙرلها واسكنها ÙØ³ÙŠØ Ø¬Ù†Ø§ØªÙ‡
UmmOsman
March 8, 2010 at 7:27 AM
Assalamo elikuim
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’oon
May Allah swt bless her with Jannat -ul-firdous and give her family sabr, Ameen.
djamel lazibi
March 8, 2010 at 2:14 PM
اللهم ارØمها واغÙرلها واسكنها ÙØ³ÙŠØ Ø¬Ù†Ø§ØªÙ‡
We pray that Allah (SWT) will shower His mercy on this sister and grant her the highest level of Paradise – Jannat Ul-Firdous – and give her family patience in this difficult time. Ameen.
mms
March 8, 2010 at 3:31 PM
inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’oon
What a tragedy! SubhanAllah!
The first time I met her was in CA where she worked at Orange Crescent School in the early 90s. She was a wonderful lady.
May Allah Bless her with Jannah and give her family Sabr to bear hte loss. aamin
Ahmad Khairy
March 8, 2010 at 8:04 PM
May Allah make her among those who were true to what they promised Allah, and fulfilled their vow to the death >>> May Allah reward the truthful for their truth… Ameen
Arshad Anwar
March 9, 2010 at 1:28 AM
Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun. May Allah forgive her and grant her the highest ranks in Paradise.
najma mirza
March 10, 2010 at 12:49 PM
Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun. May Allah grant her the paradise . Give her family sabar.
.
Shihabudheen, Dammam-Saudi Arabia
March 11, 2010 at 3:44 AM
May Allah (swt) Bless her with a great place in Jannath ul Firdouz (Ameen). My deepest condelences to her family . May Allah the Almighty give them strength.
Olivia
March 12, 2010 at 9:22 PM
may Allah have mercy on her and elevate her status. i met her twice and she was a very sweet woman. and she was so cool with those rocks. she would speak about how for each rock its qualities would remind her in some way of one of Allah’s names or attributes. mashallah, may Allah reward her.
Jo Hassan
March 13, 2010 at 2:14 AM
asalaamu alaikum.
I had never heard of this sister before, and yet now I cry for that reason. May Allah subhana wa ta’ala accept her good works, and may her efforts in this abode continue. Alhumdulilah her story is one of the saddest but most inspiring stories I have ever read. I could only hope to live a second in her shoes, and be a vehicle in others lives so they may accept the beauty of islam without prejudice.
My condolences to all of her family who gave her, by Allahs leave the love she lost because of her strength and trust in Allah and in the wonderful gift of islam. Inshallah many others will read her story and know that with faith as strong as sister Aminah Assilmi they can undertake the most difficult of tests by sincerity and trust in Allah.
Anwar
March 14, 2010 at 1:26 AM
May Allah take hoer soul directly to Jannah. I learned about Sister Aminah today for the first time, her story is the very few blessed people that Allah bestows his mercy on them. She makes every muslim be proud of Islam and of her. May Allah enable us to do as much work for Islam like what she did.
Karim
March 21, 2010 at 6:05 AM
May Allah bless her, ameen.
abu-dujana
March 21, 2010 at 8:30 PM
Inna Lillahi Wa Inna iLayhi Rajihun…..Al Quran Al Karim : 36 (Surat Ya-Seen) …..Lo! those who merit paradise this day are happily employed, (55) They and their wives, in pleasant shade, on thrones reclining; (56) Theirs the fruit (of their good deeds) and theirs (all) that they ask; (57) The word from a Merciful Lord (for them) is: Peace! (58)…….La ILaha ILa Allaah. Mohammadan Rasolu Allaah.
Adnan
March 22, 2010 at 5:21 AM
انّا Ù„Ù„Û Ùˆ انّا Ø§Ù„ÛŒÛ Ø±Ø§Ø¬Ø¹ÙˆÙ†
May Alllah grant her Jannah amin, thuma amin!
Zi
March 22, 2010 at 7:24 AM
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’oon.
I remember reading the story of sister Aminah, rahamatullah ‘alayha, journey to Islam years ago, and it had me weeping uncontrollably, affecting even a heart that needs softening like mine. I remember thinking, finally someone who matches the description of a believer as mentioned in the Qur’an! Truly a role model of our time for us all.
Here is the story:
http://www.welcome-back.org/profile/aminah1.shtml
May Allah grant her the highest rank in Paradise, ameen.
Moosa APM
March 23, 2010 at 3:45 AM
Inna Lilllahi wainna ilaihi rajohoon, May allah gives her junnah & gives more courages to her family to face the situation
Fatima
March 26, 2010 at 8:23 AM
May Allah have mercy on sister Aminah’s soul and make her of the righteous on the day of judgement.
May Allah give her family patience and increase in iman.
Ayesha
December 13, 2010 at 12:51 AM
inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon, may Allah swt give us a good ending husn al khatima and bring light in her grave and put peace into her family’s hearts, ameen.