HalfDate Blog

Bismillah

Imam Shuaib (may Allah have mercy on him, passed away a few years ago) was an imam in Los Angeles area. He passed away a few years ago from an illness and many Muslims attended his Janaza.

The sad thing many of us don’t know his hardship and the condition of his family after his passing.

We urge you to read this post completely and forward it to other Muslims, because the Prophet (peace and prayer be upon him) used to make sure that the needs of widows and orphans are met.

Below is an account from a sister who visited the family recently.

Assalam Aleikum,

I just talked to Shuaib’s wife. After one year of his death, the wife
and the seven kids (aged from 5 to 17) are now facing the eviction
from their rented house. Alhamdulilah, the wife found a two-bedroom
apartment but couldn’t afford the rent. In the mean time, they are
forced to leave the currently rented house by June 22nd.

The family actually went into poverty (almost) while Shuaib was still alive. He was forced to sell his books in sharply discounted price just to collect enough money to pay the rent and utility. After he left, the family was once living in the darkness because they couldn’t pay the electricity.

The wife, unfortunately, doesn’t read or write English. Because of this, some people take advantage of her. It’s a great shame since they are Muslims. This is also why we cannot let people send checks directly to her. I’m not sure if she could handle that.

The wife found herself jobs two times during this year, one as a nanny
(maid + baby sitter) and the other in a gas station. Both of them
ended unexpectedly. If you know anyone who needs a nanny, please let
me know.

Can we help them to raise $4000 in this short period of time? I talked
to the director of Masjid Salam where Shuaib was the former director
before he passed away. The current director (Shuaib’s brother)
promised to help raising as much as possible. Let’s do our best, insha
Allah, to help the family to walk out of the sadness. They need help
to establish the first step.

Please do not reveal that the wife of Shuaib is asking for help.
Here’s the breakdown of the needed $4000:

Rent: $1200 per month — needs to pay the first and the last months
upon moving in, which totals in $2400.
Application fee: $300
Electricity for the first month: $100.
Foods for the first month: $500.
Moving expenses: $900.

In the mean time, we still try to see if it’s possible to waive that
$300 application fee which is unreasonable since she doesn’t have any
credit to be checked in the first place.

Let me know soon, insha Allah!

By the way, where is the place that she can go and sign up for a job?

The family actually went into poverty (almost) while Shuaib was still
alive. He was forced to sell his books in sharply discounted price
just to collect enough money to pay the rent and utility. After he
left, the family was once living in the darkness because they couldn’t
pay the electricity.

The wife, unfortunately, doesn’t read or write English. Because of
this, some people take advantage of her. It’s a great shame since they
are Muslims. This is also why we cannot let people send checks
directly to her. I’m not sure if she could handle that.

To help, finish the current drive first. So, we can ask lenders to extend the current loan for this sister.

Click here to help: http://halfdate.com/2010/06/05/sharing-the-burden-sharing-the-fruits/