On February 10, 2015, Deah Barakat (23 years old), his wife Yusor Abu-Salha (21), and her sister Razan Abu-Salha (19) were murdered in a hate crime by their neighbor. It happened in Deah and Yusor’s home in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Although their lives were cut short by hatred, their legacies thrive till today. Affectionately and accurately known as “Our Three Winners”, Deah, Yusor, and Razan’s exemplary lives have inspired kindness and commitment to service around the world.
I see Our Three Winners as role models for any Muslim, young and old. Their lives carry reminders to help us live in light too. So let’s begin with Razan Abu-Salha’s exemplary life of positivity.
Like Razan, Express Yourself
I like buildings and other stuff.
Razan Abu-Salha (via Twitter @realmoneyrazan)
(6) Lamp made in design class
Razan was individualistic. She was a fitted cap-collector, avid reader, photographer, and long-distance runner. She read and wrote all the time. Her father, Mohammad Abu Salha, said about Razan’s love for books: “She loved novels and fantasy tales that had deep meaning. She framed a drawing of herself that she left of us- me and her mom, Amira- and underneath she scripted ‘Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love to breathe’, quoted from the famous To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.”
Like Razan, Be Optimistic
If He has taken from you that which you could never have imagined losing, He will give you that which you could never have imagined owning.
Razan Abu-Salha (via Twitter)
A few months before Razan passed away, she embedded her message of hope in a YouTube video titled “Optimism is a Lost Sunnah”. Its script describes a positive perspective on our Muslim ummat by literally reversing the negative perspective. Razan used her gift of writing to show that we control the lens with which we see the world. Read the script below and see how easy it is to ‘flip’ the lens and be optimistic:
Pessimistic view: “… backbiting and vain talk will be the norm. No longer can it be said that my peers and I love the Prophet (SAWS). My generation is apathetic and lethargic, it would be absurd to believe that there is hope.”
Optimistic view: “There is hope. It would be absurd to believe that my generation is apathetic and lethargic. My peers and I love the Prophet (SAWS). No longer can it be said that backbiting and vain talk will be the norm …”
Be True to Islam
A Muslim should always assume the best in others. ALWAYS. Benefit of the doubt. No matter what.
Razan Abu-Salha (via Twitter)
Razan proudly wore the headscarf. She attended Quran classes and encouraged the remembrance of Allah SWT, especially in times of need; “Pray about it as much as you think about it” (via Twitter). She confidently stated her love for the Messenger Muhammad (pbuh) and believed that Muslims are indeed a single brotherhood.
Moreover, she was careful about her principles. In response to the less than ideal ways in which people reacted to comedian and actress Joan Rivers’ death, a few days after she said Palestinians deserved the violence they endured, Razan retweeted: “Palestinian cause isn’t about you or Joan Rivers. No need to curse her. ‘Whoever believes in Allah & the Last Day speaks good or is quiet.‘”
Love Your Family and Friends
My dad is the coolest dad because he buys me food and takes selfies with me and doesn’t complain when I change the channel to animal planet.
Razan Abu-Salha (via Twitter)
Razan was caring and kind. Her brother Yousef said that Razan didn’t need a reason to hang out with family. He said, “… I needed to get a haircut and buy some stuff from Target. I asked Razan if she wanted to come with me and she was really excited to do so which makes me cherish her so much. She just loved spending time with me and I loved spending time with her.”
Moreover, close friends said in a Huffpost article, “When we would go shopping, Razan would occasionally see something that reminded her of someone and she’d buy it for them without thinking twice. One time, she found this mug that she knew her dad would love. So she bought it, wrote a cute note on a napkin, and placed them both on the kitchen counter for her dad to see when he got home from work that day. It wasn’t his birthday, or Father’s day, or anything special. It was simply a small gesture of kindness, one that meant the world to her father.”
Like Razan, Love to Help
We should all send out a prayer for those around the world who don’t have shelter in this kind of weather. We are infinitely blessed.
Razan Abu-Salha (via Twitter)
(via Twitter @realmoneyrazan)
Before her passing, Razan painted portraits of peace in order to raise funds for medical and humanitarian relief for children in the Middle East. As part of her high school’s Muslim Students’ Association, she suggested that they donate the proceeds from their bake sale to the children’s hospital. Moreover, as editor-in-chief of her high school newspaper, she focused on content that related to and helped the student body.
Furthermore, Razan dedicated time to giving meals to the homeless in downtown Raleigh. She, Yusor, and Deah spent hours cooking meals to distribute to the homeless. More so, Razan gave each meal usually with a motivational message such as “Don’t be sad, life is good.” Sometimes, she would give meals with flowers. She even helped her friend Monica convert to Islam!
Her efforts to help her community and people beyond it show her dedication to helping people regardless of how much she could help with. Indeed, a little bit goes a long way, in this life and the next.
Key Takeaways
Live in such a way that if someone spoke badly of you, no one would believe it.
Razan Abu-Salha (via Twitter @realmoneyrazan)
Razan’s luminous life of positivity is an example for us all. Our time here is limited so we must work as much good as we can. Love your family, laugh with your friends, and help those in need; live by the Quran and carry the light of Islam. Remember to take care of yourself and be yourself. As Razan proved it, that’s the best person you can be- you!
But they who believe and do righteous deeds- those are the Companions of Paradise; they will abide therein eternally.
Surah Al-Baqarah verse 82
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