One Year.

Peace and blessings. Fatima here.

Today is momentous. To be honest, the weight of it is crushing. But honestly, not terribly different from every other day.

I was unable to write nor was I able to source something. So, instead of a post from a loved one, I’d like to share the following 3 things.

ONE

Here is where I’m gathering videos of Ibrahim’s speeches, talks, public appearances, interviews, etc.

Ibrahim Speaks

The boys and I love watching bits and pieces. Sometimes, we have him on in the background. I invite you to look through and watch and remember if you were present for and/or inspired any of these.

This is a snippet from the 2015 Living Future Institute Keynote that I found particularly special.

Of course, if you have any videos or photos of Ibrahim, please share them with me so that I can continue to build the archive.

TWO

Here is a prayer that I found in one of Ibrahim’s journals.

Our children are little. Ismael is turning 13, Yousuf just turned 11, and Mustafa is 8. It is inevitable that their memories will fade. It is very, very important to me that Ibrahim’s example be ever present in their lives now and forever, so that this part of the prayer can come true -

“And that my example inspires them to be better than me.”

sweet moments

I rely on all of you - family, friends, community - to always share about Ibrahim with our boys. Tell them how much they remind you of him. Tell them their mannerisms come from their Dad. Tell them how you know Ibrahim, when you met, something funny that happened when you were together. Show them pictures and writings - if you have them. One thing that people get wrong about grief is to avoid talking about the lost loved one. Actually, the only thing we ever want to talk about is Ibrahim, what he was like, what he would say right now, what we miss, what we wished for. We don’t really want to talk about anything else.

THREE

I’m blessed to be surrounded by family on this anniversary. I hope that we are able to continue to gather on all occasions, but especially this one. Ibrahim and I are lucky to have a beautiful home to host all our loved ones. For multi-day gatherings, I would keep him up late at night with me to clean and to prep for the next day. Sometimes he helped, sometimes he bothered me about my perfectionism.

Here is a video I found from a few years ago that made me laugh. I hope it makes you laugh too.

O Allah, forgive Ibrahim’s sins and enlarge his grave and fill it with light. Oh Allah, elevate his station among those who are guided and grant him entry into Janatul Firdous. Oh Allah, allow us to live lives that reunite us in a state of joy. Amin. #SayAmin.