Action-Alerts
Waleed Shaalan- A Tribute to a Muslim Hero at Virginia Tech [11 UPDATES]
Last Update #11 posted on 5/11/07 with pictures of Janazah courtesy Facebook group (updates appended at the top)
Action Alerts: (a) Make Dua’ for the brother, his family, and for all the victims of the tragedy, (b) Donate to Br. Waleed’s memorial fund here: MSA National Memorial Fund for Waleed’s Family ($20,000 collected, goal is $25,000) (c) 
You can also pay tribute to the brother on Facebook and on NY Times.
Br. Waleed Shaalan, a student at VA Tech, died in the shooting rampage that occurred there. He is survived by his wife of 3 years, Amira, and
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Khaled, his 1-year old son. Can it get more tragic? This entry is dedicated to him and his family. Please add your
thoughts and your dua’s. We would especially like to hear from friends and acquaintances to shed more light on this brother, so that he is not forgotten among the victims of the massacre. We will be trying to get in touch with Br. Ahmed Sidky to give more of his thoughts inshallah. This post will be updated as more information becomes available. When you read this, make dua’ for the brother and his family.
Update 9: This tribute along with comments will be packaged and shipped off or hand-delivered if possible to Br. Waleed’s family inshallah. See this post.David Neiwert, a freelance journalist and book author, has written an interesting piece on his Orcinus blog. This is only an example of the posts and the articles that will become the legacy of Br. Waleed’s heroic act. Thank you David, who begins his entry with: “Hey everyone. You heroic right-wing bloggers especially. I want you to meet a real hero.” [MORE]
Update 8: New pictures posted in memory of Br. Waleed at MSA Website @”MSA pictures in Memory of our brother Waleed Shaalan“. Other news story links:
- “Egyptian Among Virginia Shooting Victims“; Gaurdian story has a statements from Br.Waleed’s parents.
- “Friends say Waleed Shaalan Saved Students, Died a Hero“; video clip from TV Station WDBJ7 [click on video box just above the picture of the building]
- “Student Gave His Life To Save Others” at Sky TV’s website. Also see FOX News and BBC News in Arabic
Update 7: People magazine has added a photo special with Br. Waleed after contacting MuslimMatters. At our request
they were kind enough to add the MSA National collection link alhamdulillah. Goal is $25,000 inshallah. People Magazine Link here.We want to remind all our readers that it is of utmost importance to get the word out of Br. Waleed’s heroism. SubhanAllah, Br. Waleed gave Muslims an opportunity for dawah in his own death… he left behind a legacy for us to latch on. We cannot let it die. Americans of all faiths are listening; let’s make sure they heart this story too.So, what can you do? Cross-promote the story, whether this link on MuslimMatters.org or other websites stating it. E-mail your friends and family (Muslims and non-Muslims). Post links on other forums. In other words, TALK about it, online and off-line. Use the “Digg” link at the bottom to cast a vote for the story, the higher the “diggs”, the more it will be read by the average person. Help us spread Br. Waleed’s legacy.
Update 6:
Janazah (Funeral) Prayer
1:30 PM – Thursday April 19th at Masjid Al-Ihsan (North Main Mosque)
Elhamdel Allah Br. Waleed’s body has arrived in Blacksburg. Two brothers have seen him and said his face is shining and, as always, he is smiling.
Inshaa Allah Janazah (Funeral) Prayers will be held on Thursday, April 19th, at Masjid Al-Ihsan (North Main Mosque) at 1:30 PM sharp.
We know this is a very late notice, however, we urge everyone to attend and to convey this information to as many Muslims as you can. The more people attending the prayer, the better it is for Br. Waleed.
Due to limited parking spaces, please try to carpool or use the Food Lion parking lot nearby.
Please, no media is invited.
Update 5:
NY Times is reporting that Brother Shaalan was also a hero that day. According to Randy Dymond, a civil engineering professor at Virginia Tech, Mr. Shaalan saved the life of a fellow graduate student just before he died. Mr. Dymond said the student recounted to him how he and Mr. Shaalan were both in the first classroom the gunman entered. Mr. Shaalan was badly wounded and lay beside the student, who was not shot but played dead, as the gunman returned two times searching for signs of life. Just as the gunman noticed the student, Mr. Shaalan made a move to distract him, at which point he was shot a second time and died.The student believed that Mr. Shaalan purposefully distracted the shooter to save him, Mr. Dymond said.”Waleed was bright, energetic and caring,” Mr. Dymond said. “The reason we are in higher education is because there are students who are the bright light to the future. Waleed was one of them.”
Update 4:
MSA-VT released the following statements (appended below):How Waleed Shaalan saves a classmate’s lifeStory is narrated by Dr. Hesham Rakha, a professor in the Civil Engineering Department. At this time, we do not have a last name for Waleed’s classmate that survived, but his first name is Nathaniel.I would like to share with you some additional information that I received from a colleague in the CEE Dept. This colleague of mine is the supervisor of a graduate student who was with Waleed in the class and survived the massacre. I should mention that the description is graphical so I apologize in advance. The student mentions that Waleed saved his life and wants to convey this to Waleed’s family. Apparently, the murderer came into Norris 206 and shot Dr. Loganathan and a number of students injuring Waleed. Waleed was sitting in the front row where he always sat. Everyone jumped to the floor after hearing the gun shots including the person narrating the story. The murderer then left Norris 206 to go to another classroom.The student that narrates the story was not shot but pretended to be dead and lay on the ground beside Waleed who at that time was only injured. The murderer then re-entered the classroom and was checking for alive victims. He had approached the person narrating the story who mentions that his heart was pounding out of fear. Waleed at that instant made a movement to distract the murderer’s attention and was shot for the second time. At that time Waleed died and the murderer left the narrator to search for other victims.To Allah we belong and to Allah we will return.We ask Allah to forgive Waleed and all of his sins and grant him paradise.
———————-
Brother Waleed Shaalan, a victim of the Virginia tech shootings.
Waleed Shaalan, 32 years old, first stepped onto the Virginia Tech campus in August 2006. An international student originally from Zagazig, Egypt, with no family members in the United States, Waleed quickly became an essential member of the Blacksburg Muslim community. Among those mourning his death are his two roommates (Fahad Pasha and Irfan Waseem) to whom Waleed was their loving older brother, cook, academic and spiritual mentor.Waleed initially began his PhD program in Egypt, but when Virginia Tech offered him an assistantship position, he chose to leave his original degree path and continue it in Blacksburg. Following in the footsteps of his father, Waleed was a dedicated and passionate student of Civil Engineering. Though he had a hectic schedule, juggling classes, PhD research and TA responsibilities, he always made time for the people around him. Waleed was known for his broad smile and wave that he gave everyone.”He was the simplest and nicest guy I ever knew.We would be studying for our exams and he would go buy a cake and make tea for us,” said Fahad, Waleed’s roommate. Fahad was the last person to have spoken to Waleed, he remarked “He was studying late for an exam the morning of the incident; it was about 4 am when I last saw and spoke to him. We were talking about how amazing it would be once he brought his wife and son to Tech after the summer. I could never have imagined that in 5 hours he’d be gone forever.”Waleed left behind Amira, his wife for 3 years, and Khaled his one-year old son.As we express our grief and sympathy for the families of all those directly affected by this senseless tragedy, we honor them through memory and reflection; and Waleed will always be smiling in our hearts.We have set up a fund to support Br. Waleed Shaalan’s family. Click here to donate.
——————–MSA Official Statement about the VT Massacre
Monday, April 16, 2007. Peace to all. The Muslim Students Association, along with the wider campus of Virginia Tech, extends its deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of those victims affected by today’s events. We are shocked at this senseless loss of life and we feel the pain and outrage of the student body. We open our hearts and ears to anyone wishing counsel or comfort and pray that our collective pain will be eased through patience and sharing. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) tells us, “Patience comes only at the first moment of grief.” The Hokie family is in our prayers..
Update 3:
More photos added at the bottom courtesy Br. Waleed’s friends.
Update 2:
Br. MR pointed us to pictures and biography of the brother. Br. Waleed was 32 years old, over 6′, doing his Doctorate in Civil Engineering. He had been married for 3 years.Waleed Shaalan first stepped onto the Virginia Tech campus in August 2006. An international student originally from Zagazig Egypt, with no family members in the United States, Waleed was quickly adopted as an essential member of the Blacksburg Muslim community. Among those mourning his death are his two roommates (Fahad Pasha and Irfan Waseem) to whom Waleed was their loving older brother, cook, academic and spiritual mentor.Waleed initially began his PhD program in Egypt, but when Virginia Tech offered him an assistance-ship position, he chose to leave his original degree path and continue it in Blacksburg. Following in the footsteps of his father, Waleed was a dedicated and passionate student of Civil Engineering. Though he had a hectic schedule, juggling classes, PhD research and TA responsibilities, he always made time for the people around him. Waleed was known for his broad smile and wave that he gave everyone.
Update 1:
Sh. Yasir spoke to Br. Ahmed, and inshallah we should be receiving something from him in terms of a statement and possibly photos. Br. Ahmed was still very much emotional, as one can expect him to be. Br. Ahmed also mentioned that rather amazingly, a reporter came to their Masjid trying to find out if the killer attended it! Desperate for the elusive Muslim link!
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Faiez
April 18, 2007 at 9:34 AM
Inna lillahi wa inna ilahi raji’oon.
The brother Waleed was a roommate of one my friends. Make dua’ for his maghfirah.
Asalaamu alaikum
Amad
April 18, 2007 at 9:36 AM
wasalam. May Allah forgive Br. Waleed and grant him jannah…
Br. Faiez, if Br. Waleed’s room-mate wants to say a few things about him, he is welcome to do so here and we can append it to the main post text. Was he a student? His family in USA? SubhanAllah, I cannot imagine the heartache of the families, esp. in the case of folks on student visas, where it takes days sometimes to just see a son or a daughter’s body…
jazakAllahkhair for posting your comments.
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Niqaabis
April 18, 2007 at 10:47 AM
Inna lilaahi wa inna ilayhi raji’oon
May Allaah accept his death as a shaheed aameen
Pingback: muslimmatters.org » Updates (3): Virginia Tech Tragedy, One Muslim Brother Dead.
iMuslim
April 18, 2007 at 11:18 AM
Truly this whole event has touched the lives of so many. I pray that Brother Waleed died as shaheed.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajiun.
AnonyMouse
April 18, 2007 at 12:13 PM
Innaa lillaahi wa inna ilayhi raaji’oon.
Ameen to all the du’aas… may Allah make matters easier to bear for his family and friends, and grant them all immense sabr, ameen.
May this also be one of those bad things from which some good/benefit emerges…
Affad Shaikh
April 18, 2007 at 12:18 PM
For those who know Br. Waleed, it might be a good way to express to others in the community a little bit about who he was, those memories/thoughts can be left at the following place for the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/17/us/victims-index.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Ayman
April 18, 2007 at 12:42 PM
Assalamu ‘Alaiykom,
May Allah grant our brother the highest level of paradise, ameen. I hope that his family reads this and realized that they can help him by increasing in their obedience and worship to Allah and make du’aa for him. The messenger of Allah sallahu ‘aleeyhi wa sallam told us that the deeds of a person are cut off except for three: knowledge people benefited from, righteous children to make du’aa for him/her, and sadaqa jariyah. Please do not forget to make du’aa for him in all your prayers and continue to stand strong upon the sunnah of the prophet Sallahu ‘aleeyhi wa sallam. As for the rest of us, make du’aa for your brother and take heed to this remembrance and with it come closer to Allah and follow his messenger for Allah subhanahu wa ta’alah informs us that in following the path of his messenger he will love us (3:31). Barakallahu feekom, may Allah give our brother and his family the highest level of paradise, AMEEN! May Allah bestow his mercy upon him and his family, AMEEN. May Allah give them patience and for it reward them in this dunyah and in the hereafter, AMEEN.
Assalamu ‘Alaiykom
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Maverick
April 18, 2007 at 12:50 PM
Inna lillahe wa inna ilayhe raji3oun – may Allaah accept him from amongst the Shuhadaa.
Amad
April 18, 2007 at 12:51 PM
Br. Ayman, that was a beautiful reminder.
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nuqtah
April 18, 2007 at 1:26 PM
inna lilahi wa inna ilayhi raji’oon.
moeed
April 18, 2007 at 1:56 PM
salaam
innaa lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un
This is somewhat trivial, but does anyone know why the brothers name is not listed on the various ‘victim’ pages on the news websites? Pages like msn.com and cnn.com have pages with names of victims on it but the brothers name is not listed on any of them. Is it because the authorities are still in the process of contacting his family in Egypt?
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Amad
April 18, 2007 at 2:02 PM
WS, Br. Moeed, his name is on NY Times’s list:
Link here
muslimmatters
April 18, 2007 at 2:04 PM
From MR’s blog: Omar H sat with his roomate, Fahad, and talked about Waleed:
“Sidi Omar H sat with his roomate, Fahad, and talked about Waleed:
I was just with brother Waleed and brother Fahad, Waleed’s room mate on Sunday. We talked for almost an hour. Waleed was a very funny brother and extremely nice.”
Mujahideen Ryder
April 18, 2007 at 2:31 PM
Facebook Group tribute to Waleed Shaalan
Shadi Sadi
April 18, 2007 at 2:39 PM
May Allah help & guide you through these difficult times. May Allah grant him forgiveness and bless his soul. Ameen
My condolences to his families and friends and to all the victims of this tradegy.
Shadi Sadi
NC State Alumni
Sister in Deen
April 18, 2007 at 2:49 PM
May Allah raise his rank in the akhirra and give his wife and family sabr InshaAllah.
May Allah forgive him, and shower those he left behind with His endless mercy. Ameen.
Much dua’as…
Ayman
April 18, 2007 at 2:57 PM
Remember these du’aas for the funeral prayer if you attend:
http://www.makedua.com/display_dua.php?sectionid=51
And this du’aa for his family if you are to meet them:
http://www.makedua.com/display_dua.php?sectionid=53
Source: Fortress of the Muslim
Muslim Bro
April 18, 2007 at 3:28 PM
Inna Lillahi Wainna Ilahi Rajioun.
May Allah forgive his mistakes and grant him a place in Jannah. May Allah provide patience to his family in this time of need and strengthen their emaan.
veiled_muslimah
April 18, 2007 at 3:31 PM
Innil lilahi wa inna ilahi rajioun
Subhanallah this is so sad.
Hassan
April 18, 2007 at 3:44 PM
Inna lillahi wa inna ilahi rajion. May Allah grant him jannah, and may Allah protect his family.
Was his wife and child in US with him, or back home in egypt? Its really really tragic.
Amad
April 18, 2007 at 3:57 PM
Hassan, believe Br. Waleed’s family is back ‘home’ in Egypt.
This is the difficulty that many foreign students or people who have family ‘back home’ have to face: the potential of dying without relatives around and the potential of close relatives dying without getting back in time even for the janazah…. may Allah protect all of us in a similar situation from a similar calamity.
muslim from toronto
April 18, 2007 at 5:19 PM
innalialhi wainailayhi rajiun. May allah(swt) give strength to his family members and friends.
Hassan (USA)
April 18, 2007 at 5:53 PM
Inna lilahee wa inna ilayhee rajiyoon. May Allah (swt) have mercy on our dear brother Waleed’s soul. May He forgive his sins and enter him into Paradise. May Allah (swt) ease the burden and grief of his family and friends.
We must remember that our main duty in this life is to worship Allah (swt) and He alone, for only Allah knows when it is our time. Everything we own and everyone we know stays behind but our deeds and actions go with us.
Assalamu alaikum.
Bint Somaliyyah
April 18, 2007 at 6:27 PM
Inna lilahee wa inna ilahi rajiyyoon.
Ameen to all the duaa’s
muslima from rockford,il.
April 18, 2007 at 6:30 PM
Inalillahi wa inna ilayhee rajioon
May Allah Grant him Pradise and Give his Family Sabr. I did not know him, but as a Muslim my heart breaks for his family. Allah has a reason for everything as he is the all knowing. My prayers also go out to all the other victims family and friends. May God grant them patience and peace. Jakakallah
Omar
April 18, 2007 at 6:57 PM
Please everyone tell everyone you know just to read fatiha and ask Allah to forgive him his sins, save him from ‘azab al-qabr, and enter him into jannah without account. Can you imagine when we die — how would you feel if others did not make du’a for you?
Please pass this on to all the masajid you know so that they can make du’a for him on Friday. May Allah have mercy on his soul and help him in the grave.
All praises be to Allah for everything. As a friend told me “Our emotions are saddened, and our limbs hasten to act–but our heart is absolutely content.”
Salafiya
April 18, 2007 at 7:13 PM
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un
subhanAllaah….
may Allaah grant him the highest of abodes in Jannah and reunite him with his family and other loved ones there. Ameen.
inexplicabletimelessness
April 18, 2007 at 7:41 PM
As salaamu alaikum:
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’oon. Horrible news. :(
Please also remember our sister in Islam Reema Samaha in your du’as as she was also killed in the Virginia Tech massacre:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18143312/page/3/
FYI, Reema was a Lebanese Christian. May Allah give her family patience during these hard times -Amad
Zainab Afroz
April 18, 2007 at 8:14 PM
Inalillahi wa inna ilayhee rajioon
May Allah azza wa jal forgive him of his sins, the major ones along with the minor ones. May He (swt) enter him into jannah-tul-firdows without any hisaab. May he (swt) shed light in his grave and make it a resting abode for him. May He (swt), grant his family tremendous amount of Sabr and allow them to accept the Qadr of Allah. May He (swt) put this brother under His shade on the day of Haq and the day of Justice.
Ameen.
Mohamed Hamrawy
April 18, 2007 at 9:18 PM
“إنا لله و إنا إليه راجعون”
أسأل الله تعالى أن يسكنك فسيح جناته و أن ينزل الصبر والسكينة على قلوب أهلك و أحبتك و لهم خالص العزاء “إن لله ما أخذ ، و له ما أعطى ، و كل شيئ عنده بأجل مسمى فاصبروا واحتسبوا”
Bint Amina
April 18, 2007 at 10:02 PM
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’oon.
May Allah ta’ala have mercy upon the Muslims and forgive their sins. May Allah ta’ala save us from such trials. Allahumma Aameen.
And Allah ta’ala has said what means:
أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوا أَن يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ
Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We believe,” and will not be tested. (Al-‘Ankabut 29:2)
Such fitnah is a wake up call for us all to turn back to Allah ‘azza wa jal, because alhamdulillah we were not of the deceased and have been given time, the question is – how will we use it?
O Allah make us of those who make your deen and remembrance the foremost priority in our lives. Aameen.
A sister
April 18, 2007 at 10:21 PM
Assalamu alaikum
inna lillahi wa inna illahi raji’un
May Allah forgive you, have mercy upon you and rank you with the mukrameen. ameen
We are all praying for you, oh brother. May Allah help your family in these hard times and allow them to come closer to Allah.
your sister in faith
Bint Adam
April 18, 2007 at 10:36 PM
Inna lillaahi wa innaa ilayhi raji’oon.
May Allah enter br. Waleed into jannat ul firdaws, and may he be reunited with his family one day, Ameen thumma Ameen.
This is truly a reminder from the most High. May we live our lives in a way most pleasing to Allah ta’ala.
inexplicabletimelessness
April 18, 2007 at 10:53 PM
“FYI, Reema was a Lebanese Christian. May Allah give her family patience during these hard times -Amad”
JazakAllah khair for letting us know.
May Allah grant br. Waleed and his family jannah, ameen.
Sister Basmah
April 18, 2007 at 11:26 PM
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji3oon.
May Allah grant our brother Waleed a palace in the center of Jannat ul Firdows and make this time easy on his family and grow his son into a righteous man like Rasullulah sal Allahu ‘alayhi wasallam.
Ameen to all of the du’aas.
Siusaidh Campbell
April 18, 2007 at 11:30 PM
I am so sorry for the loss of this fine young man, husband, and father.
Condolences to all who knew him.
May love and healthly minds overcome the sickness of hate.
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tahsinthree
April 19, 2007 at 1:01 AM
Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’oon
May Allah forgive his sins and admit him with the righteous and may Allah give his family and friends sabr to bear this loss
Salma
April 19, 2007 at 1:05 AM
Inna Lilahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Rajoun,
May Allah elivate Waleed Shaalan and forgive his sins. Inshaallah we pray that his family is given the patience and support they need right now and that his son grows to be a healthy light for Islam. May he and his loved ones be reunited in Jannah, inshaallah.
Ziyad From Seattle
April 19, 2007 at 1:35 AM
My family and I are extending our condolences to all the victims families. As Muslims, please pray for all victim. Just a reminder, 10% of the victims are Arabs.
Reema, Ross and Waleed. May Allah forgive them and give their families and love ones the sobr.
Inna Lilahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Rajoun
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behindacurtain
April 19, 2007 at 3:46 AM
inna lillaahi wa innaa ilayhi raaji’oon
O Allah, Forgive him and have Mercy on him, Grant him Jannah and Protect him from the punishment of the grave. Ameen.
Mujahideen Ryder
April 19, 2007 at 8:47 AM
Hey Amad, Waleed was 32 years old not 30.
Amad
April 19, 2007 at 9:15 AM
Ok MR, done… I think I wrote in his 30s and then somehow it became 30…
SubhanAllah, almost as old as I am!
Pingback: Remembering a brother at VA Tech « Light of Islam
Medinah
April 19, 2007 at 10:21 AM
Assalamu alaikum,
Inna ialaihi wa inna illaihi Rajioon.
May Allah grant him the highest place in Jannah, Ameen!!
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Ahmed Adel
April 19, 2007 at 8:46 PM
إنا لله و إنا إليه راجعون
الى الله يا اخى
الحقنا الله بك فى الشهداء
صبرنا الله واصبر اهلك
إنا لله و إنا إليه راجعون اللهم اجرنا فى مصيبتنا واخلفنا خيرامنها
Amir
April 19, 2007 at 11:50 PM
On the subject of guns, this post makes some excellent points. There have been cases in the recent past where armed citizens have stopped mass murder of the sort that took place in VT.
khawla hurayrah
April 20, 2007 at 10:48 AM
Innalillahi wainna ilaihiraajiun
May Allah have mercy on him and raise him in rank, Ameen.
I just want to mention that May Allah reward all for making du’aa and sending Takziah but also not to forget to reflect and remember death. Life is fleeting away every second. What have we done for the hour? Have we checked our own self and our own family? Have we remembered to keep the ties of kinship while they are still alive? Have we helped our friends and family today? and if we hurt them, have we tried to make amend and ask for forgiveness, for we don’t know when we part in the early morning, we may not see them again during the night.
May Allah forgive us, our brothers and sisters in Islam. Ameen
Organic Muslimah
April 20, 2007 at 12:08 PM
A poem for Waleed
http://organicmuslimah.blogspot.com/2007/04/vt-lost-baba-waleed.html
(1)
Baba left me,
he promised to come back
with toys,
with hope;
baba,
I don’t know why you left me;
why Baba?
You promised we were coming this May,
you loved Mama, right?
Baba,
Baba
Where are you?
Ina lilah we ina ilyhe Rajoon
Today I am one years old.
i pray for your jannah
(2)
i see him,
wearing black;
don’t shoot;
i
want
to
live.
(3)
tragedy,
dismay,
fear.
I hope the American public doesn’t blame every Korean;
it’s an
isolated
incident.
please pray for every victim, families, and our future.
I wrote this for Waleed…
Amir
April 20, 2007 at 12:35 PM
True. I or another MM blogger can create a seperate post for that insha’Allah as I do think it is an important discussion in light of these recent events. The anti-gun people argue that tighter gun laws would have prevented the tragedy, and the pro-gun people argue that the tragedy was caused by the university’s no weapons policy.
See this post started by Br. Amir towards that end. -muslimmatters
muslima from rockford,il.
April 20, 2007 at 1:15 PM
This was suppose to be a site for a Muslim Brother who died and for us to give our condolences, not to have “DEBATES” on gun laws!! What is wrong with you people!! Have some respect for the dead. I am sure this can be discussed at another time and at another place! UNBELIEVABLE!! May Allah Protect Us All! Ameen
Comments moved off… thanks for the reminder. -muslimmatters
Marwa Elkelani
April 20, 2007 at 2:16 PM
As a fellow Egyptian and Muslim, I would like to express me and my family’s deepest condolences to the family and friends of Brother Waleed. Inalilahi wena Elayhi Rajeoon! May Allah have mercy on him, forgive his sins, and enter him into His hightest heavens insha’Allah. The best gift we can all give him now is to read for him Surat Al-Fatha for him and send him our dua’as…and may Allah accept it from us insha’Allah….
Amad
April 20, 2007 at 2:52 PM
We will start another entry to talk about gun rights inshallah. Once that is ready, we’ll move the gun discussion comments over there.
Let’s all take a deep breath and focus on Br. Waleed now.
See this post started by Br. Amir towards that end. -muslimmatters
Nazia
April 20, 2007 at 3:03 PM
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’oon.
May Allah grant our brother Waleed the highest level of Jannah, and protect and preserve his family. May this event be a means of expiation and forgiveness for them as well.
This morning I was watching the personal stories of all the victims, their parents’ and friends’ reflections…it’s just so sad really and I started to cry. Allah has put mercy and compassion in our hearts towards all people, and so I make du’aa that the victims who survived this tragedy use this event as a means to return to their Lord, rabbil ‘alameen.
Shaneze
April 24, 2007 at 3:24 AM
Assalamualaikum Wr Wb,
As a foreign student in Cairo, I share the pain with you all, the pain is harsh to bear and the saddness to hard to imagine. I can’t imagine losing one of my flatmates in such a dreadful tragedy.Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’oon. As sad as it is it we should say Alhamdulillah. (Qadr Allah) Allah has the best plan and knows Best . Insha Allah we can use this ghastly event as a reminder to renew our relationship with Allah and soften our hearts for tolerance and patient. All we will take when we die is our good deeds. My flatmates and I were thinking of going to pay a visit to the family, although we have no idea where his hometown is, Insha Allah we will inquire and find a way to get there. Does anyone have any contact, mobile, landline or even a close intersection where he lived, we would greatly appreciate it if you can provide it to us. Insha Allah we will try our best to visit the family as it is also a sunnah. May Allah (swt) shower His blessing on all of you, give you strengths and courage and May he guide us all to the right path. ( Ameen)
Jazak Allahu khair
Assalamualaikum Wr Wb
Olu
April 24, 2007 at 1:52 PM
My heart and prayers go to Waleeds family and friends .I am not a muslim and i never met waleed but i am also a foreign student in the Us.I feel for all that lost a loved one in the VTech tragedy but for some reason waleeds story has been in my heart all of last week .Maybe also because i can relate to been far away from home and have such an unfortunate thing happen .Please how do i give towards this cause? .Again my condolesnces to his friends and family .
AnonyMouse
April 24, 2007 at 5:52 PM
Olu: At the very top of the post, there is a link to where you can donate to the memorial fund for brother Waleed’s family…
AmatulWadood
April 24, 2007 at 7:10 PM
bismillah
may our love for him be a sign of Allah’s Love for him! ameen
O Allah, have mercy on him and on his family, pour upon them patience and unite them in goodness in jannatul firdaws. ameen
(La huwla wa la quwwata ila billah, how will we be remembered after we die, fellow muslims?)
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Rana Hasan
April 24, 2007 at 11:41 PM
inna lillaahi wa innaa ilayhi raaji’oon
Its a tragedy felt by every person who listens to it. May Allah give him peace and patience to his family.
Allah knows the best. Ameen.
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sister
April 25, 2007 at 4:11 PM
Assalaam-u-Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Rabakatuhu
inna lillaahi wa innaa ilayhi raaji’oon
may Allah (swt) bless him anf grat him peace and and grant his soul to paradise
may Allah (swt) give sabr to his family
peace and blessings be upon him ameen
wasalaam
Haqq
April 25, 2007 at 4:21 PM
No worries, Be Happy – For your Beloved Brother Waleed is a Shaheed. Straight to Janaah!
inna lillaahi wa innaa ilayhi raaji’oon
Khadigah
April 25, 2007 at 10:32 PM
A salamu alaikum (Peace and Blessing upon you all). I am truly inspired by Brother Waleed’s act of Jihad. May Allah (swt) bless Waleed’s family and grant him Paradise. Insha Allah the rest of us Muslims will strive to have even an ounce of the character and courage that Brother Waleed has (May God have mercy on his soul).
Dawud
April 26, 2007 at 5:06 AM
Salaam aleykum, ya ukhti.
Our condolences go out to you and your family at this time, while the muslim community in Virginia knew of your husbands’ kindness and generosity, many of us sadly heard of him only after his passing. We sadly can only pray Allah has mercy on his soul, and eases the burden in your hearts.
As a shaheed, we can trust his faith and service to his fellow students and humanity in his last moments showed the courage and trust in Allah that mark true humanity.
The muslim community in Egypt may have lost a brother and husband, but Allah’s shaheeds are “with Allah, receiving their sustenance directly from him.”
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m badr EL-deen
April 26, 2007 at 4:10 PM
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
(و لا تحسبن الذين قتلوافي سبيل الله اموانا بل احياء عند ربهم يرزقون)
اخى الذى لم تلده امى صورتك لا تفارق خيالي لكنه قدر الله و لا اقول الا كما قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم :
(( القلب يحزن و العين تدمع وانا لفراقك يا ابراهيم لمحزونون))
و انا لفراقك يا وليد لمحزونون
و انا لفراقك يا وليد لمحزونون
و انا لفراقك يا وليد لمحزونون
و انا لفراقك يا وليد لمحزونون
و انا لفراقك يا وليد لمحزونون
Sohail Rizki
April 26, 2007 at 9:23 PM
May Allah forgive his sins and give him place in Jannah. Ameen.
Ayisha Arshad
April 26, 2007 at 10:42 PM
May Allah help Brother Waleed’s family through this difficult time and grant him a place in Jannah. Ameen
Saif Altalib
April 27, 2007 at 6:06 AM
Allah Akbar. Allah Akbar. Allah Akbar.
Doa Rahman
April 27, 2007 at 6:34 AM
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajiun.
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah’s Apostle said, “If Allah wants to do good to somebody, He afflicts him with trials” (Sahih Bukhari)
Narrated ‘Ata bin Abi Rabah:
Ibn ‘Abbas said to me, “Shall I show you a woman of the people of Paradise?” I said, “Yes.” He said, “This black lady came to the Prophet and said, ‘I get attacks of epilepsy and my body becomes uncovered; please invoke Allah for me.’ The Prophet said (to her), ‘If you wish, be patient and you will have (enter) Paradise; and if you wish, I will invoke Allah to cure you.’ She said, ‘I will remain patient,’ and added, ‘but I become uncovered, so please invoke Allah for me that I may not become uncovered.’ So he invoked Allah for her.”
(Sahih Bukhari)
Volume 8, Book 76, Number 432:
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “Allah says, ‘I have nothing to give but Paradise as a reward to my believer slave, who, if I cause his dear friend (or relative) to die, remains patient (and hopes for Allah’s Reward).” (Sahih Bukhari)
May Allah swt give your son the highest level of jannah, Ameen. And may He grant you, your family and your friends all immense sabr..and may you all enter jannah because of this sabr insha Allah. Know that Allah swt only tests those whom He loves the most (i.e. the prophets, etc.), so take it as a blessing, and be strong insha Allah.
Alhamdulillah ‘ala kulli haal.
You’re in all of our prayers. Assalaamualaikum warehmatullah
Organic Muslimah
April 27, 2007 at 5:45 PM
A disabled brother I work with spent an hour writing this little note for the family
**
Asslmu Alakkum
may Allah grant you the patience during this test and bless him with his mercy
may Allah grant him jannah
we are muslims so we should accept everything Allah brings
finally may Allah reward you
YOU BROTHER,
MOSTAFA
Aneesah
April 27, 2007 at 7:16 PM
salams
Our condolences go out to your family.. May Allah grant Br.Waleed paradise insha’Allah, and may He, the Almighty, shower your family with the patience and blessings to stay strong through difficult times. Always remember that Allah tests those whom he loves and also that good and bad both come from Allah (SWT) so keep faith in Allah and He will reward you for your sacrifices, ameen.
May Allah grant you all the highest levels of jannatul firdaus, may He reward you with His immense blessings in both worlds. ameen.
youre in our duaas always, wasalamu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh
your sister,
Aneesah
Saadia
April 29, 2007 at 10:20 PM
Assalam mualaikum. May Allah grant your family the patience and strength to heal from this enormous tragedy. You are in most sincerest prayers, and my heart really goes out to you.
Br. Waleed made the outmost sacrifice to help another human being. You should be very proud of the son you raised. May Allah accept Br. Waleed into heaven without any hisab.
Assad
June 4, 2007 at 5:17 PM
Every time I read about this highest act of bravery and valour I honestly shed tears. To see his photos from MSA makes me cry. How many of us could have done what Waleed Shaalan did? Please do not let his memory be forgotten and let people see how a true Muslim can act. Some sort of tribute must be made for him. My thoughts go to his wife and young child, may Allah give them strength and reserve Waleed a place in Janat inshallah.
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