Our beautiful Mustafa Ali Sadiq passed away on Friday 20th June 2014 at the tender age of 10 years. His loss has been felt by not only his family, but by his teachers, his class mates and the wider community.

Mustafa was diagnosed with a diffuse brainstem tumour in September 2013 a few weeks after starting year 5. He had been healthy up until early September and his symptoms came on very suddenly, within five days. This horrific illness is the rarest, most aggressive form of childhood cancer. It has no known cure; surgery is not possible as the brainstem controls all bodily functions including breathing. The doctors informed his parents that he would survive for a few weeks or months. Alhamdulillah Mustafa lived for over nine months after diagnosis. During this time he slowly lost his mobility and control over his facial muscles. This meant that eventually he could not move his limbs, sit up, speak or swallow; he also suffered from severe headaches and vomiting. Throughout his illness Mustafa’s mind was not affected, so he was always aware of what was happening to his body.

However, Mustafa’s Shakhsiyah was elevated by his illness, he responded to his illness by remembering the tests of Prophet Ayub alayhi salam. Mustafa never asked ‘why is this happening to me?’ He never complained about what he could no longer do, or the pain he was in. Instead he focused on having shukr for what he could do and motivated himself to do it. He knew that everything is dependent on Allah and Allah tests those He loves. It was humbling to see Mustafa’s unwavering iman as he continued to complete his salah throughout his illness, without needing to be reminded. Even in his last few days, when he was unable to move, he continued to offer his salah using only his eyes. Alhamdulliah.

“Mustafa’s strength, courage and sense of humour shone through despite all he faced. He was quite simply an inspiration.” Jules, Mustafa’s Home Hospice Nurse, Alexander Devine Charity

“From being an ordinary boy who was playful, loved reading and football, enjoying every moment of his life; to being tested with something that could break the resolve of even the strongest Muslim; Mustafa’s level of endurance was admirable. I will always remember him as a role model because every time I am sad or in pain, I will remember Mustafa and what he went through. I will remind myself of his dignity, his patience and his beautiful memories” Ustadha Huma, Class teacher

“Mustafa was a lively boy. Although he was cheeky he would always include everyone in everything he did. He was always making people laugh in all kinds of ways. Mustafa’s adaab showed great responsibility and fairness. Whenever we had a problem, his answers were always fair. Mustafa was friends with everyone in the school because he showed kindness to everyone.” Aqsa, classmate

Mustafa’s life was very much entwined with the development of Shakhsiyah schools. He spent much of his time in school and loved the school so very much. His loss has been a tragedy for our entire school community and children, teachers and parents will miss him very much. Children, teachers and parents have expressed a wish to remember Mustafa in the school, to honour the beautiful shakhsiyah he demonstrated during his illness. His sabr, shukr, courage and tawakul are a credit to his tarbiyah in Shakhsiyah School. Mustafa’s family would like to respond to this desire by setting up a scholarship in his name. We feel that gaining the reward of sadaqah jaariyah through facilitating another child’s tarbiyah is the best way of remembering him.

The scholarship will be available to those children whose parents have demonstrated commitment to Shakhsiyah Schools and Shakhsiyah educational principles over the years and who perhaps face financial hardship in accessing the education that Shakhsiyah Schools provide. It is our hope, inshaAllah that like Mustafa, children who are awarded the scholarship will benefit from the unique tarbiyah that Shakhsiyah schools provide and that they too will embody the shakhsiyah Islamiyah that Mustafa demonstrated, in their lives. Our niyyah is that as adults they will have the shakhsiyah to serve the Muslim and wider communities. We invite you to join us in establishing this scholarship fund by making a donation or setting up a regular standing order. A regular standing order will enable the continuous funding of the scholarship for years to come.

JazakAllah khairun to all those who have made du’a for Mustafa and supported our family throughout this difficult time, your du’at and support are much appreciated. We pray that Allah grants Mustafa Jannat al-Firdous and he is of the saabiqoon inshaAllah. We pray that he is a precursor and forerunner for us and take comfort in the belief that our beloved son is being cared for by Prophet Ibrahim alayhi salaam until we can be reunited with him inshaAllah.

Wasalam alaykum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh

Uthman Sadiq and Farah Ahmed

Parents of Mustafa Ali Sadiq