A precious and beloved daughter, sister, friend, aunt and Believer. That is the essence of Sister Qahharah Muhammad, who in her brief life touched and impacted many through her generosity, compassion and willingness to help those in need.
The sanctuary of Witherspoon Presbyterian Church was filled to capacity with long lines of mourners outside wanting to pay their respects at the Jan. 13 janazah (Islamic funeral service) of Sister Qahharah, the daughter of Student Minister Nuri Muhammad and wife Terri Muhammad of Mosque No. 74 in Indianapolis. Sister Qahharah departed this life and returned to Allah on Jan. 3. She was 22 years old.
Allah (God) is the Author of Life and Death, explained Student Minister Jeffrey Muhammad, delivering remarks on behalf of Student Minister Ishmael Muhammad, National Assistant to the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. “This is indeed a heavy burden that you carry but know that Allah says in the Qur’an, that He does not lay on any soul, a burden beyond his scope, and that nothing happens except by His permission,” shared Student Min. Jeffrey Muhammad, referencing the book of Islamic scriptures.
“So, when we suffer the loss of life under these tragic circumstances, we have no one to turn and seek answers from except Allah,” he added. Min. Farrakhan explains that misfortunes, pain and suffering will come into the lives of Believers and when they do, we should give all glory and praise to Allah (God) despite the hardships and trials, he continued.
“To each and every one gathered today, especially to young folk, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan said that there are three tests that prove the worthiness of life. And these three tests prove our capacity and ability to overcome any circumstance or situation that comes into our life for this life is designed by the Creator to struggle and to succeed,” said Student Minister Jeffrey Muhammad. Those are the tests of: overwhelming odds, gravity and the hostile environment. There is always light in the darkness, hope in despair and when you are by yourself, call on God by whatever name you know Him, he added.
Quoting directly from Student Min. Ishmael Muhammad, Brother Jeffrey Muhammad said Sister Qahharah loved Islam. “She loved the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. She loved the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, her mother, her father, her family. She was sensitive to the pain and hurt of others. She was generous. She was kind.
She was tender hearted, very loving. She shared the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad with many of you that knew her. She knew the value of what she was taught and shared it with others. She touched many lives; she helped those that struggled with depression.” She also left a gift to the world, her first book released in 2021, “How to Heal & Hustle.”
“That was the beauty of the heart of Sister Qahharah. Yes, we’re pained. Yes, we’re saddened. But we thank Allah for this precious, precious gift. We thank Allah through this life that has helped to make others better. We thank Allah that in her life and in her death, we have lessons to learn and that she will be remembered, honored and memorialized by continuing her effort to help others overcome the struggle of depression,” shared Student Minister Jeffrey Muhammad.
Her sister Haneefah, with whom she shared a close and special bond, read aloud the obituary, further sharing the accomplishments and good deeds of Sister Qahharah, who was homeschooled, attended Muhammad University of Islam and graduated from Pike High School in 2017.
Sister Qahharah’s legacy lives on through her loving parents Nuri and Terri Muhammad; sister Haneefah; brother Ishmael; grandparents, great-grandparents, a host of family, friends and the entire Nation of Islam.
It is the desire of Min. Farrakhan that young people in particular view the message delivered at the janazah service of Sister Qahharah. The replay is available in its entirety at media.noi.org.