birth name:
Marvin Castle
born:
July 18, 1953
---
chosen name:
Maajid Faheem 'Ali
died:
February 27, 2016
If ever there was a man who knew how to pack that dash with life, that man was Maajid.
The dash?
Perhaps you don't know the reference?
Well, here it is, a poem, written by Linda Ellis, in 1996.
***** ***** ***** ***** *****
The Dash
by Linda Ellis, copyright 1996
I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on the tombstone
from the beginning…to the end.
He noted that first came the date of birth
and spoke the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time
that they spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved them
know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own,
the cars…the house…the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.
So, think about this long and hard.
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
to consider what’s true and real
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect
and more often wear a smile,
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read,
with your life’s actions to rehash…
would you be proud of the things they say
about how you spent YOUR dash?
Copyright 1996 Linda Ellis
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
***** ***** ***** ***** *****
Today was the Celebration of the life of Imam Maajid Faheem 'Ali.
The social hall was packed with politicians, family, friends, reverends, rabbis, ministers, priests, social workers, former classmates, neighbors.
People of all ages had come to bring tales of his life's intersection with their lives.
People of all races had come to share the love and understanding he had brought to their lives.
People of all religions had come to share the love of God he had in common with them.
His beautiful wife, Sakinah, walked through the room before the testimonials began. They would have had their 38th wedding anniversary in March, had he lived another two weeks.
Sakinah was sure to speak with everyone there, to thank them for their presence, to make a personal connection.
When she came to me, she asked me my name and who I was affiliated with. I responded and told her that I went to Asbury Memorial. Justthatfast, she recalled sitting with me at the dining table at that tri-faith service, TWO YEARS AGO. We gave each other a big hug, me with tears in my eyes.
I cried off and on as the politicians past and present, his religious colleagues, and his old-time friends came up and spoke.
I had not known that he attended Savannah State College and had graduated with honors and a degree in Political Science.
I had not known that it was while going to college that he had converted to Al-Islam at the age of 21.
I had not known that he had changed his name when only 22 years old.
"Maajid" refers to "glorious" or "noble glory" in Arabic.
[I love that it's pronounced to rhyme with "majic".]
"Faheem" means "intelligent, judicious" in Arabic.
" 'Ali" refers to one who comes from "the high exalted one" in Arabic.
From that moment on, he lived his life in accordance with being a man of faith. At the young age of only 23, he was elected as Imam to serve the local mosque, Masjid Jihad, Inc. He continued to hold that position until his death, almost forty years later.
During part of that time, I remember him on the public access television channel, trying to educate Savannahians about the Muslim faith. He always wanted to share its message of love and peace and honesty.
I wish I had paid more attention to the show.
I wish others had paid more attention to the show.
Perhaps more people would have lived as he had, talking the talk and walking the walk, straightforward and true to the end.
The celebration of his life was to only run from 5 to 7 pm. Instead, it continued on until 9 PM and could have gone on even longer. But his family needed a break after four hours of emotional moments.
In closing, Maajid's five-year-old granddaughter sang part of "Man in the Mirror". That had been one of his favorite songs.
Then, another favorite, "Soldier of Love", was sung by his nine-year-old granddaughter.
What a beautiful way to close the night of love.
And what a nice thought to provide all who came with a practical and caring memento: a hot beverage for comfort.
Sheldon, and his mom, would have approved.
Then I went home to comfort food from my mom -
tuna chowder -
and...
something comforting to watch...
and there it was, on a limited run..
"Mirror, Mirror", for free, On Demand on my tv...
i thank You, God.
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