Dr. Yaqub was a gentle soul, a truly humble person, who saw me as an individual beyond any titles or affiliations. He believed in me and wanted me to aspire higher, and he was always there for me. Whenever I reached out to him, he always responded! Subhan Allah. Truly, even though we only communicated or met occasionally, his passing feels like a personal loss. May Allah grant him kulli maghfirah and place him in Jannatul Firdous. May He elevate his ranks and fill his grave with light and make it spacious, a microcosm of Jannah. And may He shower His barakah and rahmah on him and give his loved ones sabr and the tawfiq to carry on his legacy. Ameen, thumma ameen. 

For several years I’ve had not only the privilege, but the honor of seeing Dr. Yaqub Mirza often in his office while working as an employee of one of the companies that he owns.  We would engage in profound, insightful discussions every once in a while to share perspectives and learn from each other.  The last deep discussion I had with him a few weeks before his passing was talking about the role of Islam in society.  My personal upbringing of Islam emphasized rigid routines and rituals that focused primarily on personal practices.

But what I had thanked Dr. Mirza for in that conversation was that after being exposed to him and many other thought leaders in the Muslim community that he was a part of, in time I came to realize that Islam is much more expansive than that.  Having good manners.  Being compassionate to others no matter their background.  Actively participating in the world around us in a courtly way.  Engaging that world to ultimately make it a better place and turn away from insularity.

Dr. Mirza in his typical humble demeanor shrugged with a chuckle and said I was giving him too much credit.  But I reinforced the point and told him by being around him, he did in fact help change me as a person for the better and to adopt a much more comprehensive outlook on life and the world we live in.  He never looked down on anyone in spite of everything he was and that he had.  That was the type of person we remember and cherish him for.  Extremely pious.  Exceedingly modest.  Exceptionally gracious.  Extraordinarily righteous.

Not only was he a person who was great, but he was also good.  And in the true enlightened spirit of Islam, we celebrate both his memory of this world, and more meaningfully, also pray for his exultation and reward in the hereafter that he dedicated himself to achieve.  He may be gone from us, but he will never be forgotten.  Allahumma Ameen. 

Dr. Yaqub Mirza was essential to my work over the years, particularly in his willingness to support projects in educational curriculum development. From decades ago, I learned of the dedication of Dr. Mirza and his dedicated and creative wife Tanveer, and had the privilege of getting to know his children from a young age to professional success as adults. A few years ago, I was proud to include his book Five Pillars of Prosperity in a course I developed for Legacy International Online High School in Ethics, Economics, and Civics, in which the students presented chapters from the book and discussed application of these ideas as the core text in a personal finance module for Muslim youth. His foundation has supported teacher training, curriculum development, and so many other valuable projects--those in which I participated, and many others. May Allah shower him with Mercy and grant him plentiful reward for his long service to the Muslim community. May Allah grant patience to his wonderful family and may his memory live on among us as a role model of integrity, generosity and wisdom.

To my deepest regret, I had lost touch with Dr. Mirza over the past decade.  But I have never forgotten him because you cannot forget a nonpareil.  I viewed him— and Tanveer—as dear friends, and found in him a man of unequaled integrity and faith.  I bore witness to his selfless generosity, which included enormous contributions to his community.  I will miss him being in the world and pray he is in the peace his righteousness has earned.

As an attorney, I represented a number of companies in which Dr. Mirza was involved.  I remember him as a decent, honest, compassion and wise person.  I am saddened to learn of his passing.  Though we have not been in touch for a while, I know I have lost a friend.  My very best wishes to Tanveer, Dr. Yaqub's family and the wonderful community to which he introduced me.

Sandra Spalletta 

Troiano

Asalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu. 

One thing that came to mind as I thought about our dear uncles passing is that in the dozens of years I’ve known him I can count on my hand the number of times I’ve heard him speak. 

I’ve heard him give a wonderful public speech before so he was certainly very capable of doing so. However in an age when people highly value those  that talk a lot, or those who are the center of attention, he was a manifestation of the opposite. A man who quietly did more than many, with no need of any flash. Just do what has to be sincerely done, leaving it to Allah inshallah to provide the reward and recognition. The community and all society is in need of more such examples  

May Allah accept all his good deeds, forgive and sins and grant him Jannah without any accounting. May his family follow him and reunite with him there amongst the prophets, messengers, awliya and awliyat.  Ameen 

Salaam, May Allah grant him the highest Jannah and may He grant your family sabr and strength and grace and ease in these desperate moments of grief and loss. Amin. May his memories and legacy continue to shape his eternity and inspire generations to come. Amin. May you and the community (we) continue to build on the tracks his pioneered and may Allah bless the collective effort. Amin. 

May Allah give him maghfira and the highest place in jannat ul Firdows. May Allah reward him for all his hard work for the Muslim community. May Allah reward him for raising a great family that Alhamdulelah are carrying his legacy.