Antar Jannah
Antar Jannah | Image captured at Zaytuna College (Berkeley, CA)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
Tahirah J. Taalib-Din: Antar was a good man and a kind husband to me. He was the best among men. As Prophet Mohammed (prayers and peace be upon him) says, "the best among you are those who are kind to their wives." Antar was many things to many people: a father, a leader, imam, coach, mentor, husband, friend, best selling author and businessman. Antar was fearless and bold. I've never met anyone like him and I probably will never. Antar loved Allah, he loved this religion [Al-Islam] and he loved his brotherhood. One of Antar's greatest contributions to humanity were many. I will read from my upcoming book, “Bean Soup for the Spirit,” from the special tribute to Antar section. It was from his dear friend Brother Enrique Rasheed, and I quote:
"Antar was a go getter. He was an ideal man, always had an idea he was working on. When Imam Waritheen Mohammed became the imam of the masjid, there in Oakland, Antar and I became close to him. Antar was chosen by Imam Mohammed as his assistant, bodyguard, and driver. Imam Mohammed said of Antar, "I have never found someone who is not afraid of anything. He has the Spirit of Malcolm." The Imam also chose Antar to be the C.R.A.I.D. (committee for the removal of all images that attempt to portray the divine] chairman. In his role as a C.R.A.I.D. chairman, Antar convinced Imam Mohammed to send him around the country to solicit support for the C.R.A.I.D. message. He called me and asked me to help him with some Qur'anic verses to memorize. I helped him with his pronunciation of the verses of Surah [Chapter] Al Waqiah [The Event], Ayat [verses] 7-11. These would become his signature verses to build his speeches around. "And ye shall be sorted into three classes. Then there will be the companions of the right hand, what will be the companions of the right hand and the companions of the left hand? What will be the companion of the left hand? And those who are foremost in faith will be foremost in the hereafter. Those will be nearest to God."
And I end the quote from Imam Enrique Rasheed,
"This was the life that Antar lived. He was foremost in faith. Those who encountered Antar could not but be inspired and uplifted by his optimism, his positive mental attitude, and his zest for life.”
I'll share with you one of my fondest memories of my husband, Antar, which summed up his spirit and will. During the years that Antar was ill I was working on a workshop, and I needed help with the final conclusion of my workshop, and my husband was sick in bed and he was aware of the stress I was under to complete my workshop and in his illness and his weakness he got out of bed, went to the library, pulled out the dictionary, and he sat at the dining room table, and he helped me to complete my closing for my workshop. And I was completely in awe of his strength and his will to want to serve and to be of help. I pray that all of the good that Antar has done in this life benefits him in the grave, and I pray that his prayer is answered that he is among those who are foremost in faith, nearest to Allah in the next life, Ameen.
I'm Tahirah J. Taalib-Din, I am the widow of Antar Jannah.
Tahirah J. Taalib-Din is the Founder and CEO of Hearts Connecting. After the death of her husband (in 2020), sister Tahirah saw the need for Hearts Connecting, which is a virtual funeral and memorials experience made easy. The service connects family and friends in honoring the life of their loved ones virtually from the comfort of their homes. Additionally, Hearts Connecting founded Muslim Women and Women of Faith Widow Support Group in March of 2021. It is an emotionally safe space for women to grieve and heal while growing through life after losing their husbands. You can support this cause here.
