She had fully realized the extent of her illness. She even had accepted that death was near. About a week prior to her death, Asma was at the hospital. She was in her bed as my mother sat beside her on the small couch. Asma turned to my mother and said, “Get my kafn (shroud) ready.”

My mother was confused and scared as to why Asma had said that. She asked Asma what she meant by her comment. Asma remained quiet and did not say a word. Less than a week later, she passed away.

Al-istiqamah: You had quite a unique relationship with her, considering your age difference?

Omar: She was a great friend. Whether it was someone much older than her, her age or younger than her, people always seemed to be able to confide in her. No matter what it was, I knew I could go to Asma. She not only was a sister to me, but also a best friend.

I remember one day she asked me, “When I die, will you cry for me?” I looked at her face and she was smiling. I know why she had asked me that. I always used to tease Asma and tell her I’m a strong, macho man who doesn’t cry. Asma would laugh at me whenever I would say that. Then there were some things that she said that completely boggled my mind and broke my heart. One day as I was sitting with her, she started talking about my marriage. To keep her mind off her pain and to cheer her up, I asked if she would dance at my wedding. Asma replied, “No.” I was a bit taken back and asked her why not. Asma replied, “Because I won’t make it till then. I won’t be here.” Subhaan’Allah…

It has been over three years since she passed away. To this day she has been on our minds every part of the day and night. She was a part of our everyday lives. Now that she is gone, we feel so empty. It isn’t the same without her nor will it ever be. There is a permanent scar on our hearts that will forever be there.

Al-istiqamah: Could you describe Asma’s character a bit for our readers? It seems to be that she had a very strong Islamic character MashaaAllah, despite her tender years.

Omar: Faith in Allah — One thing she never let go was her faith in Allah Subhanawata’la. Whatever pain she was going through or whatever depressing news the doctors would tell us, Asma would always tell us it’s from Allah. We seemed to be more worried than she ever was. She fully knew what was going on with her and where she may end up. Yet, she still remained firm upon her deen. She never let Allah out of her mind.

Whenever she would be in excruciating pain and be in tears, she would put her hands up in the air and beg Allah for His Mercy and Forgiveness. She would scream at the top of her lungs to Allah saying that she didn't do anything and to please forgive her. She’d turn to none but Allah Subhanawata’la.

Every time she would go in for a surgery or any procedure that required sedation or putting her to sleep, after we would kiss and hug her, she would close her eyes and say, “La Illaha Illallahu Muhammadur RasoolAllah” over and over until she was asleep. She would do this on her own without any of us telling her to say it.

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