Rest in Peace Sabiha Bibi & All the departed family members from my generation

As I wandered through the Grocery store aisles, my mobile phone started to ring with an urgency that I could not ignore

It was my cousin Sakkuma

Bhaiyya “Sabiha Bhabi is no more” she said

This was a bolt from the blue with no prior knowledge of her being ill. We now found out she succumbed to a breathing difficulty

Sabiha Muhammad was a highly accomplished and kind hearted person and widow of my dear cousin Kamaluddin Mohammed who had passed away suddenly during the COVID pandemic in 2020

During the time when Sabiha was working on her Post-Graduate studies (1983/84 I think) at the University of Buffalo, Kamaluddin had written to me to ask me to keep in touch with his wife (those were the days when we would exchange letters as calling on the phone was quite expensive & social media non existent)

I used to speak with Sabiha regularly during her stay in Buffalo as she pursued her studies

After completing her studies Sabiha returned to India and went on to become a highly regarded Professor of English Literature at the reputed Osmania University in Hyderabad

A highly intellectual & caring person that she was at heart Sabiha decided to give up her professorship in order to take care of two old age women (1) her mother-in-law and (2) her Khala who were both confined to their bed & wheelchair

This sacrifice alone has earned her a place in all our hearts as well as a place in Jannat

May Allah bless and give her the highest place in heaven batufail e Masoomeen AS

As I reflected on Sabiha’s sudden demise, my mind naturally began to think of the many family members of my generation we have lost collectively over the years. The list below are names of all our dear ones who have left us both from the material & paternal sides of my family. Please remind me if I have inadvertently left any others

1. Masood Bhai
2. Maqsood Bhai
3. Abida Apa
4. Sikander Bhai
5. Sajjad Bhai
6. Sultana Apa
7. Malhai (Raza Bhai)
8. Farrukh Bhai
9. Aleem Bhai
10. Kamaluddin Mohammed
11. Razia Apa
12. Meraj & Askari (Mazhar Chachas daughter and husband)
13. Nighat Bhabi
14. Naqi Bhai
15. Iqbal Bhai
16. Afsar Bhai
17. Zaheda Bhabi
18. Naaz
19. Tauqeer Apa
20. Surraya Apa
21. Naveed (Nasreen’s husband)
22. Nazer Bhai & Muneer Apa

Over the next few days and months I will try and recount my special relationships with those with whom I was particularly close

Your comments and suggestions will be highly appreciated

Iltemas e Dua

Annu