Innā li-llāhi wa-ʾinna ʾilayhi rājiʿūna

Verse 2:156 of the Quran meaning “Verily we belong to Allah (God), and verily to Him do we return.”

Umar Saleh Abdul-Basir, 41 years old. Born October 2, 1979 in Washington, DC at Howard University Hospital; deceased April 9, 2021 at University of Maryland Medical Center Baltimore. Umar was found unresponsive with a fractured spine at a bus stop in Baltimore City on March 22, remaining on life support until his untimely passing.

Umar was one of my most favorite people in the world. He was handsome, intelligent, articulate, witty, charming, and funny. He will forever hold that place in my heart. Along with his attributes, he was challenged in ways that were not obvious to the casual observer. Despite being diagnosed at an early age with disabling mental and emotional conditions, he fought the good fight to accomplish things that are often taken for granted. A diagnosis of severe dyslexia delayed his learning to read until the 4^th grade when a wonderful tutor at the Rose School in Washington, DC by the name of Mrs. Huber took him under her wing and opened up the world of reading to him. He was eternally grateful to her and often acknowledged and mentioned her fondly. He was also an accomplished athlete, who ran track in high school and was very skilled on the basketball court. Further, he successfully completed high school in 1998 at Tracy High School in Tracy, California, after a very troubling period of adolescence. Umar had a good heart and wanted so much to love and be loved by all. His personal struggles often filled the path to love with innumerous obstacles. Nevertheless, he was a beloved son, brother, father, uncle, nephew, cousin, and loyal friend, beyond measure, by those both near and far.

Umar was preceded in death by his father, Charles Willis, and his brothers Jawara and Muhammad. He is survived by his mother (Umi), Dr Muriel Baskerville (aka) Samira; his son, Isaiah Abdul-Basir and his daughter, Tajja Onley; his maternal siblings Asmaa, Najwa (Saleh Ahmed), Asiya (Haithem Abou Taka),  Daeemah, and Jomari; his lifelong best friend, Jerry McCarthy; maternal aunts, Zakiya Abdullah (Faye), Lisa and Erica Baskerville and a maternal uncle Andrew Baskerville (Andy); a favorite cousin Jibreel, numerous other cousins, nieces, and nephews; and a host of other family and dear friends, way too numerous to name in this brief synopsis of his life. You all held a very special place in his heart. You will always remain in mine for the outpouring of love and support imparted at this time of bereavement. Words cannot express my gratitude.

According to what is written in the Quran, “Every soul shall taste death, and only on the Day of Judgment will you be paid your full recompense.”

The Quran also urges mankind: “And die not except in a state of Islam, because “Truly, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam”.

“He (Allah) who created death and life, so that He may test you as to which of you is better in deeds. And He is the All-Mighty, the Most-Forgiving”.

“Certainly, they see it (resurrection) as distant, but We see it as near”.

Pray that Allah expand Umar’s grave, allow the trauma he endured, which led to his death, to be an expiation of his major and minor sins, forgive him and have mercy upon him, allow him to experience the sweet smell of Jannah (Paradise) until the Day of Resurrection, and on the Day of Judgement, grant him entrance into Jannah where we will be reunited in Eternal Life. Ameen.

I pray Allah’s (God’s) blessings upon you.

With my Warmest Regards,

Umi