Obituary - Abdulkader Tayob By Professor Abdulkader Tayob In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Moving on the Exalted Friend is always a momentous occasion. But when a martyr to truth and justice moves to her Exalted Friend, it calls for more than a moment of reflection and gratitude. Perchance, we may not be counted among those who cover up (kafara). Shamima, you have given us an opportunity to reflect on ourselves and our stations in this world. May the Exalted Friend grant you supreme satisfaction, forgiveness. May all your sins be forgiven, and transformed into righteous rewards. O Allah, Possessor of Peace, to whom all Peace returns, grant her the Abode of Peace. Grant strength and perseverance to her family, her husband, her children, and her many friends. Shamima reminds one of many things. As we read the Qur'an in this blessed month of Ramadan, it also provides us an opportunity to remember Rumi's insightful remarks about our cosmos. In reference to the names taught to primordial Adam about the true nature of things, Rumi told us that most of us often live in some form of deception. Death reveals the true nature of things, the names deeply imprinted onto our primordial selves. He added though, that some people, like Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) had penetrated to their nature before death. And thus, while Umar was his common name, his true name was the fighter of the devil. Even the devil took another road in order not to cross the path of Umar. Shamima, your everyday name was beautiful. But there are many of us who know that your true name was: Fighter for Justice Smiling Don't let grass grow under my feet. You have met the Exalted Friend Take Care Prof. Abdulkader Tayob Department of Religious Studies University of Cape Town