Sunday, January 21, 2024, marks the 3rd anniversary of the death of my beloved mum, Alwaeza Maleksultan Merchant, who passed away at the age of 89, shortly after contracting COVID-19. The brief tribute that was penned in her memory after her death, elicited hundreds of responses from around the world, honouring her life of service to the Jamat, its institutions and the Imam-of-the-Time. She was extremely popular among her students in Lourenço Marques (now Maputo), Mozambique, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and London, England.
My mother was also a wonderful speaker, and the waezs (sermons) that she delivered were very well received by Ismaili congregations around the world. Hundreds of students she taught — many of whom went on to become, and still are, leaders in the Ismaili community — have always expressed their immense respect and gratitude for her shining example of hard work and inspiring teaching.
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On January 20, when I went to convey my condolences to Shirin Harji on the sudden demise of her son, Rahim, who passed away a day earlier (January 19) at the age of 41, she and her sister-in-law, Shamim, told me about the impact of my mum as their teacher in Dar es Salaam in the 1960s.
They said that whenever the Ginan (Hymn) Satgur Avea Kain Apane Duwar is recited in the Jamatkhana they always think of “Mrs. Merchant” — as she was fondly called — because she entrenched the Ginan firmly in their hearts. Shirin, I may note, recites beautiful Ginans. Of course, I am in deep shock over Rahim’s death, whose father Salim — my beloved friend of 60 years — passed away six months ago on July 13, 2023. Please read my tribute to Salim. Thus, I was deeply touched when Shirin and Shamim spoke about my late mum.
On this day as her entire family of children, grandchildren, daughters-in-law, two surving sisters, as well as her nieces and nephews and indeed friends remember her, Simerg is pleased to refer readers to a beautiful article Varas Ismail Gangji: The Turning Point that she penned for the special series I Wish I’d Been There.
Upon my mum’s retirement from professional duties, her students in London presented her with a rich 40 page tribute of photographs and textual material that reflected their appreciation and affection for her. I present a couple of images from the volume as well as a photograph of my parents with my daughter Nurin shortlty after her birth.
On this day of remembrance of my mum, as well as a day on which I have been deeply affected by the untimely death of Rahim Harji, I pray for the souls of my parents, Rahim and Salim Harji, and all the deceased members of the Ismaili community. May their souls rest in eternal peace. Ameen.
During times of bereavement, Muslims seek and find inspiration and strength from the following Qur’anic verse:
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un
“Surely we belong to God and to Him we return” — Holy Qur’an, 2:156.
Date posted: January 20, 2024.
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Simerg - Insights from Around the World 
Blessed souls! Both dedicated their lives to the upliftment of many souls.
May the departed soul rest in eternal peace.
Gone, but not forgotten. She was my best teacher in school. May her soul continue to rest in eternal peace and may you find the courage to move on without your mum’s presence in your life.
I was fortunate to know her. Both Mr and Mrs Mrchant, were very dedicated to serving the Jamat with their vast Religious Knowledge.
RIP aunty Ameen. You were truly a wonderful woman and a fantastic teacher xx
We had attended her weekly lectures in The Prince Aly Khan colony, Karachi, Pakistan. She loved sharing & imparting knowledge. ❤️ RIP 🙏
Dear Malik,
Thank you for sharing your mum’s memories and particularly the ethical change in Varas Ismail Gangi based on the specific ginan’s two verses as related by her.
May your mum and dad rest in eternal peace. Ameen.
Ya Ali Madad, Malik, I was deeply touched by your post regarding your mother’s passing. I join you in prayer for the eternal peace of her and all of the ruhani members of the jamat. I am deeply grateful to Mawla for giving us all moms and dads and other amazing family members and other innumerable blessings of His. Best wishes to you.
RIP Ameen.
May her soul rest in eternal peace (Aameen).
May her soul rest in eternal peace. Ameen.
May her beautiful soul rest in eternal peace. Amen.
Allah bless her soul to rest in eternal peace. Ameen.
She was a very good and loved teacher during my school years. I pray that her soul rests in eternal peace. Amen.
Dear Malik,
Parents passing can never be forgotten. They leave a big gap in children’s lives. Remembering them and their contribution in the community at large is very good treatment for us whom they left behind.
We pray for their soul to be at peace.
Dr Mohamed F Manji
Dear Malik,
Thank you for sharing. Our prayers for your parent’s soul to rest in eternal peace. Ameen.
Ya Ali Madad: May Mowla rest the marhum’s (deceased) soul in peace. Ameen.
Beautiful memories. My mum was also at that function. May your beautiful mum’s soul continue to rest in eternal peace. Ameen.
We pray that her soul may rest in eternal peace. Ameen
I recollect the loving tribute and touching articles about your mum after she passed away. May Mawa rest her soul in eternal peace. Ameen.
I remember listening waezes from your mum and dad. Their service to the jamats everywhere, was exemplary. May their souls rest in eternal peace. Ameen
A lovely tribute to your mum, Mrs Merchant, as I fondly remember her. Thank you also for remembering my brother Salim Harji and the wonderful tribute of his seva, and his son Rahim Harji, who passed away after a brief illness. Forever in my heart.. 🙏
Thank you Abdulmalik for sharing beautiful memories of your mum. I met her at Sara’s place, where missionary Sultan explained meanings from various ginans. My mom and I talked to her a few days before she passed away. How we miss our parents and think of them often. May they all rest in eternal peace. Ameen
I must admit that I was totally in awe to go through your posting this evening after many chores and a long day out that I felt quite refreshed and energized despite being tired. In fact early in the morning – as per my daily routine of reminiscing – I went through the death and funeral listing of the past deaths published on the.ismaili Canada and came across the information of your late beloved mother Alwaeza Raisaheba Malek Merchant. Due to covid pandemic her funeral and samar/ziyarat ceremonies were held on Thursday, February 4, 2021 – two weeks after her passing away on Sunday, January 2021 and funeral ceremonies were limited to immediate families only.
Malik, I made a note to call or write to you on 4th February 2024 but now our family join you and on behalf of all your readers we sincerely pray that the souls of your late parents and the souls of all members of the Ismaili Community who have passed away rest in eternal peace. Ameen.
Our prayers also for good health, opportunities and circumstances to continue with the timely posts on your blogs. Ameen.
Kamrudin A. Rashid,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
January 20, 2024.