Life | Yemen
A Female Dervish Who Left The World At 23 Years Old In Yemen
A person of great service to others
Writing this is not easy because I tried to bury my experiences in Yemen far from my memories. Life in service like a Dervish is not easy. But the bond we built will last forever.
Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with heart and soul there is no such thing as separation — Rumi
This is a real story about a selfless female dervish who passed away in Yemen at her age 23.
Dreams
A day before she passed away, I dreamt of her peaceful face. Although dreams are night play, I reacted to those dreams. It felt real when I woke up. I was in a different realm once I slept.
In the dream, Rifqa was going home. I saw her looking so pleasant and happy. I knew she wanted to say goodbye to travel home. It wasn’t something most of us expected. Rifqa traveled back to another home instead — to be with God.
The Long Distance Call
I woke up to a long-distance call from a Yemeni neighbor who often came to the school for days we had praise and worship. It was the 5-hours difference between Yemen and Singapore.
“Aye, Norlisa. Were you still around when Rifqa came here?” asked Alya.
Rifqa came when I was still in Yemen. We had a lot of good times together.
“She passed away,” said Alya after I told her how closed we were in Yemen.
From God, we came, and to God, we will return. — Noble Qur’an
She was healthy 2-months before I left Yemen. She laughed heartily and took life light-heartedly. She wanted to get married upon returning to her homeland. She was a very down-to-earth person. She made do with whatever she had.
Her age? 23 years old. Her grave is in Yemen near to her beloved saint, Habib Ahmed Al Habsyi.
Before her passing on
She traveled from Hautah to Tarim with a few others who were about to return to their respective country. It was a summer course held by the famous scholar Habib Umar.
During the 40-days, she spent time with recitations, memorizations & meditations. She was a quiet girl who only spoke with a few people. She was never without the tasbih beads or what is like the rosary beads. Other than those, she served by washing the dishes, serving meals, spring cleaning and so on.
After 40-days in Tarim, she returned to Hautah. She fell sick, but the doctors could not find any root causes. Her family and friends awaited to unite again. It was near the time for her to take a flight home.
She said to them, “I am going home. I am going home.”
On the last Friday of her life, the school visited the mausoleum of the saints nearby. She sat next to the grave of her favorite saint. And she cried:
“Oh, my beloved saint, I am here with you. My heart is with you.”
It was an expression she did not want to be far from the saint. She was unwilling to leave Yemen. It was a day or two later, she left this world and went home to her Lord. She got buried near the saint.
There is a hadeeth saying: You are with whom you loved.
Remember that you will unite with those you love in the hereafter. There has never been a separation.
Her usual daily routine
Right after morning prayers, she headed straight to the kitchen. She prepared breakfast for everyone.
She prepared lunch too. It settled by 1100am. Then, she swept and mopped the corridor from the first to the 3rd floor. She swept the carpet in the prayer hall using the broom. She prepared dinner early, as Asians did not mind reheating food even after 2 hours long.
She sat in night seminars and one-to-one lessons on days we had no praise and worship. During praise and worship, she led the songs and played musical instruments. She also led the role plays despite not being the full time student.
She was selfless.
Her funeral procession
Another Yemeni sent me a short video clip of her coffin carried by the men. I had no permission for the video to be uploaded as it belonged to someone else.
There was a crowd of men on the streets that no one had ever seen.
That day Rifqa passed away, people were in awe of the 23 years old sister.
She came to render her services as a female dervish or mentor. Her loyalty, respect, and honor towards the saints and scholars were extraordinary.
Her words of wisdom
1- Having faith
Daily, we took turns to preach good news according to faith, spirituality, and religion. She got up and left us with an interesting reminder.
He who has faith is safe from harm by other people, and other people are also safe from harm by him — Rifqa
2- Life purposes
One evening she asked me about my life plans. I told her how I felt thoughtless about plans. Each time I planned with all the resources I had, my life directions went different. We planned, but there is a Greater Planner.
The others who lived with us had wonderful plans. Either they continue their studies upon return or start to teach in the schools their father built as founders.
As for me, even the arrangement into Yemen was not through people I knew or by my plans. The scholar always asked me to reflect on it as he said, “I want you to think about how you came back to Yemen. You are in the watchful eyes of God, isn’t it?”
For a moment I wished His plans are the same as mine. Perfect fit.
“Isn’t that wonderful? Rather than you know what will be next, let God surprise you more. God’s plan for you is more interesting, is not it?” she asked.
That was a deep level of faith. Do I need to take any more surprises?
“Remember when we are weak, God is strong!” she said
May the Lord’s Mercy be upon my late Indonesian sister.
If you read this far, I thank you.
This is the 4th article about my experiences in Yemen. Similar to the life of a Dervish, Rifqa was selfless and gave great services to others.
Here is a beautiful piece written by a Trudi Bishop who made the ending worth thinking about.
