إِنَّا لِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُون

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un

We come from Allah, and surely unto Him we are all returning. Qur’an 2:156

Early this morning, Usama Canon returned to Allah. I had the great honor of watching Usama grow personally, professionally and spiritually, and to watch him grow the Ta’leef Collective. Usama nurtured a dawah and outreach class that met weekly in a tent in Hayward, California, until it became a sophisticated, innovative organization possessing a global impact.

Usama was able to reach members of his generation in ways someone like myself never could. His effectiveness was rooted in his ability to join between traditional Islam and various facets of the modern world. By so doing he helped many struggling souls find anchorage in the deep waters of classical Islamic teachings.

As anyone reading these lines knows all too well, Usama was assailed by the ravages of ALS during the latter years of his life. Before being overwhelmed by sadness, reflect on the words of our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah upon him), “Nothing afflicts a believer, neither worry, or grief, or sadness; even the pricking of a thorn, except that Allah expiates his sins (Muslim).” Knowing this, we should be confident that Usama left this world as pure as he was the day he entered it from the womb of his mother.

Hence, Allah has taken care of any mistakes Usama may have made. It is up to us to make sure that those living on after him know of his good deeds, the lives he has touched and transformed, as well as the blueprint he has written to help guide our efforts to save our youth. Farewell to a friend, student and teacher, one whose true rank no one knows except Allah.

May Allah grant his family patience during this difficult time.

Sept. 7, 2021 https://bit.ly/3zV26qC