First Name:
Marhuma Nargis (known to many as Nargis Dhanji)
Location:
London, UK
Hijiri Date of Death:
21 Ramadhan 1435
Hijiri Date of Burial:
22 Ramadhan 1435
Last Name:
Asgerali Kassamali
Date of death:
20/07/2014
Date of Burial:
21/07/2014
Announcement Body:
We regret to inform you of the sad demise of Marhuma Nargis Asgerali Kassamali who passed away in London, UK on Sunday,20 July 2014, 21 Ramadhan 1435. The Marhuma will be buried there on Monday, 21 July 2014, 22 Ramadhan 1435. Mumineen are requested to remember the Marhuma in their prayers.
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Obituary for Marhuma Nargis bai Kassamali by Yasin Rahim
Submitted by Anonymous on
Some people are remembered by the wealth they have left behind, others by the charitable work they have undertaken. However, many are remembered by the relationships they have maintained. Marhuma Nargis bai is one of those who in her life maintained many relationships of love and the scores of people who came to pay her respect on that Sunday and the Monday at her funeral is a testament of what she left behind. Many people from all walks of life and from various cities and towns came as friends and as a community to mourn this lady.
I know only one facet of that contribution: her generosity of spirit of cooking. My first interaction with Nargis bai was when we asked her to cook at my brother’s wedding and since that time some 23 years ago, she became a friend of the family and the Wessex Jamaat. No event of the Jamaat where food was served was complete unless Marhuma Nargis bai made the food. If it was biryani, then it had to be done in a special way, the Wessex way. She and Asgher bhai would ensure the food served was in a timely manner, despite the distances from London and the vagaries of the M25. The bookings be it for Ashura or Eid were made way in advance and Mahe Ramadhan was organized in a meticulous way so that she did not miss on the amaals. These she did with us most of the time when she brought the food.
Yet, the relationship with every member of our community was that special relationship that only people gifted with that inner peace can bring in others the joy of being. And that’s what Nargis bai did.
When she shared her recipes with members of the community, she did it with love and the sharing of joy. She always then would ask, “how did it go…” “how did the dhokras come out…”
One incident that left an indelible mark on my soul was when my wife asked her how to prepare meat curry for 150 people. My wife asked her do I first fry the onions or put the onion raw. Marhuma in an ever smiling face said: “first do wudhu.” That has left an impression on me and whenever I am able to help in the cooking, those words “first do wudhu” are remembered always. The spiritual connection she brought in her cooking is perhaps what made people travel miles and take time off work to come and pay their respects to this lady who has touched many hearts (and stomachs).
May her soul be elevated to that station where she is welcomed to join the table of love and friendship of the Ahlulbayt AS. Ameen