Light of Dearborn Community Passes Away as Thousands Attend Her Burial

by Noor H. Salem

When a book can be written about the incredible service of a person, you don’t doubt they have left behind a great legacy. On December 18th, the Dearborn, MI community grieved at the loss of a beloved teacher, mentor, and role model, Iman Jasim (Um Omar), at the age of 58. Masjid Dix had thousands of people for her janazah prayer, with many parking four and five blocks away, on December 19th. What left many crying was a reminder Iman shared on Facebook less than 24 hours before passing away. She stated, “I learned today that a deceased person does not only receive sincere duaa from family and children but also from brothers and sisters and the rest of the Muslim community; ya Allah don’t deprive us of the duaa of our brothers and sisters in faith.”

A short while back, Abdallah Jasim, Iman’s son, recorded a video surprising her with the hope of taking her Umrah, on December 18th, 2019. She requested in that video that he takes the money for her ticket/expenses and donate it to the orphans. “The money will be spent on this trip can be used to help the orphans live comfortably for a year”, was her response. Allahu Akbar. Little did she know that on the very day she would have departed for this trip, Allah SWT had a better trip planned for her. Today Abdallah writes, “I will live my life for orphans just like you did Mama.”

She touched the lives of every individual who crossed her path and made sure the person standing before her felt the most beloved to her. Her warm hugs, the beautiful and heartwarming duaa she would say when you say salam to her, and her love of putting a smile on the faces of orphans in numerous countries reflect on who she is. She founded a Quran school, Ihsan, while living in Ohio, and today the school continues to run incredible programs.

Back in 2012, Iman Jasim published her first book, A Cup of Mint Tea, the first of a series of stories covering reminders that enlighten every reader, young and old. Today, there are six volumes in both English and Arabic. Upon selling her books, she would donate the proceeds to orphans in need around the world. She also started making other creative products, such as Eid Mubarak cards, candles, key chains, and more, all in hopes of giving back to the needy. She was a mother to the orphans and a reason for the smile on the faces of many.

However, Iman went beyond selling books to raise money for the orphans; she traveled to many countries to serve people with her own two hands. This is a quality of servitude many lost today. Her sincerity reflects in her actions, and the praise and memories thousands have to say about her reflect her beautiful soul.

While we can go on about the work Iman Jasim did in various countries, raising money for orphans and the needy with many organizations including Islamic Relief USA, Rahma Relief, and more, the people around her each had the most beautiful thing to share about her. Mentioned below are a few of a myriad of people who loved Iman Jasim from their heart, and are devastated at this great loss.

Shaykh Omar Suleiman, Shaykh Yaser Birjas, Dr. Farhan Abdulazeez, and many others had much to share about her, as their posts went viral across several social media platforms. Shaykh Yaser Birjas said regarded the Umrah trip she did not take with her son, “Tonight I pray to Allah to make her among those who do her Umrah in Jannah and visit AlBayt AlMa’moor and make her Tawaf with the Angels and the Exalted companions.”

“The most thing I loved about Um Omar was the way she would greet people. She would hug you tight and make dua for you from all her heart. Everyone walked away feeling like they were her favorite person,” said Tasnim Salem, a family friend and student of over 30 years.
Dr. Mohannad Hakeem, another family friend, teacher, and leader in the southeast Michigan community states, “I ask Allah to keep this beautiful smile on her face until the of resurrection and to make all these charities her companion in her grave. And to enlighten her way and journey in the afterlife as she brought the light to our kids and community and families with the Quran she taught.”

Our dear brother Ali Altimimy shares a wonderful reminder as the community mourns at the loss of Iman Jasim, “To her family and friends, grieve. But with time learn to embrace and appreciate life again. Find hope and renewed purpose. Wish to live long and do good. And leave a legacy behind just as she has left.”

“Um Omar I wish I had one more chance to tell you how much I loved you and what a profound effect you had on Adia and I. you empowered us to be the best versions of ourselves and instilled a love of community service in our hearts. You will never be forgotten ever. It’s not going to be the same at all. I am positive that you’re in a beautiful place. May Allah grant us the patience to live with this great loss,” said Maha Mustafa beautifully, hours after the news of Um Omar’s passing went viral.
“Iman Jasim (Um Omar) was one of the most loving, caring and genuine people I’ve ever known, and she will always be remembered for the profound impact she had on each person she has come across. She was a pillar to our community and to the orphans worldwide,” said Sondos Salem, her student and family friend for many years.

Imam Imran Salha, who had the honor of meeting Iman while serving as the Imam and local scholar at the Islamic Cultural Association shared one incident with Um Omar after he gave the Khutbah at the ICD covering “Leaving a Righteous Legacy.” She was sitting at her usual table selling her books, and as he said salam, she replied with tears in her eyes. Upon asking her what’s wrong, she responded, “I’m crying because I don’t know if my family and community will remember me in khair.” Imam Imran shares yesterday, “SubhanAllah ya Khalto UmOmar. May Allah raise your rank. You’re afraid you will not be remembered in khair and all we know of you is khair.”
Shaykh Suleiman Hani, a local teacher and AlMaghrib Institute Instructor says, “She has taught and benefited countless people for several decades, including her extraordinary children and grandchildren, and I count myself among them. Umm Omar was one of my first and most impactful teachers and continued to teach the community and to serve Allah’s creation until she returned to Him.”

A WhatsApp group that Iman Jasim was apart of, Muslim Sisters Outreach, was started by another community member, Maha Mustafa, years ago. With time it grew, as more sisters would support one another in helping others in the community in need of food, housing, or even stepping up to raise funds when a house of two families burnt down. Iman Jasim was a pillar in this group, sharing various projects and contributing to the conversations. For the past 24 hours, this group became sisters consoling one another with reminders that Imam

Jasim left behind an incredible legacy, and it is something to celebrate. They reminded each other with duaa of the Prophet (pbuh), and to make duaa for her and continue her legacy as much as possible. After the janazah one sister wrote, “Subhanallah we just left her janazah. I’ve never seen so many people attend like today! Who will take Om Omar’s role I was thinking the whole time,” one sister wrote with a tear emoji. Another incredible person in the community, Um Jibreel, responded, “we must repeat the dua of Um Salamah, oh Allah reward us in our affliction, and replace it with something better. She was advised by the Prophet (pbuh) to say this duaa after her husband passed away.”

Iman passed away at the age of 58, and leaves behind her husband, Raad, and six children, Omar, Shaymaa, Afraa, Doaa, Fedaa, and Abdullah. Iman also leaves behind 18 amazing nephews and nieces. Additionally, she leaves behind words of wisdom imprinted in the hearts of many, and a world shedding tears for her loss. Dr. Mohannad Hakeem will be dedicating the Friday Khutbah at the Islamic Center of Detroit to reflect on her great legacy. The topic is titled, “When an Umm (Arabic word for mother) becomes an Ummah (nation).”

While we all grieve and mourn, we believe the orphans will cry most at her loss. Oh, mother of the orphans, and mother of our community, we pray you are raised to the highest rank of Jannah. We pray you see the fruit of your years of dedication to serve others around you. We pray your smile lasts until the day of Judgment. The last Facebook post Iman Jasim shared was the launch of a project for winter blankets in Syria, with Rahma Relief. In honor of her legacy and dedication, Rahma Relief is continuing this project on her behalf.

Please contribute to her legacy and be a part of this incredible work. A launchgood campaign to continue her legacy also went viral, and within less than 24 hours of her passing, close to $100,000 has been raised. To support this cause visit the link here.

Noor H. Salem is an author, speaker, and Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, from Michigan. Noor works with clients in better understanding their bodies and healing with natural foods through her wellness practice, Holistic Noortrition. She presents various workshops, school lectures, group coaching classes, and community lectures on the topic of holistic health. Noor recently published her book, SUNNAH SUPERFOODS, a culmination of life-changing recipes and remedies, with a foreword by Dr. Waleed Basyouni. Her book consists of prophetic hadith, modern research, and delicious recipes, and is in the process of being translated into other languages.