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A Teacher Whose Presence Changed Everything

In Tarim, many souls touched my heart in different ways, but none like Hababa Maryam.

The first time I sat in her Fiqh class, I immediately recognised the depth of her knowledge. She made a heavy subject often feel light, joyful, and full of meaning. Her humour came naturally, in the way true scholars possess, and she frequently shared moral lessons that lingered long after the class ended.

She once mentioned that just as a snake carries poison that can harm us, humans too are capable of killing it with their spit. A lesson I had never heard before. Every gem she shared somehow led back to Allah, as though her entire being was a reminder of Him.

Her Love for Teaching and Her Devotion to Students

Despite living a life filled with teaching day and night, she remained incredibly accessible. After class, she would give us extra time to ask questions, and even when silence fell, she would ask again: “Does anyone else have more questions?” Before concluding her class with a heartfelt prayer. Students felt safe, welcomed, and inspired to learn in her presence.

She founded Dar Al-Faqih, a centre dedicated to raising female scholars which is a testament to her sincerity and devotion. Though I only attended a few of her lessons, I felt like she’s been my teacher for years.

The News That Broke Our Hearts

She returned to her Lord yesterday on the blessed night of Jumuah on the 21st Jamadul Ukhra after the celebration of the birth of her mother, Fatima Az-Zahra Alayha Salaam. When messages poured through WhatsApp groups, I prayed they were false. But during the Thursday Mawlid, her uncle, Habib Omar bin Hafidh (the spiritual pole of our time) confirmed the news.

The grief of Ahlu Tarim spread instantly across continents. Sadness was felt in our own homes as well as in the streets and centres of knowledge. The streets of Tarim were bare and shops remained closed as if they needed their time to grieve as well.

The loss we encountered was not a minor loss but just as Ustadah Farhana said about her “A huge Mountain disappeared from the horizon”. How can this loss not be felt? How can it not be seen? How can it be compared to an ordinary one?

Soon after, groups began organising countless khatms for her soul. I signed up for Juz 16, choosing it because of Surah Taha, one of my favourites. Only when I began reading did I realise: it also contains Surah Maryam which is also her name. SubhanAllah! a sign I could not ignore.

Friday morning, 12th December 2025, was no ordinary Friday. The void left by Hababa Maryam was felt everywhere. Yet what comforted me was knowing that now, through Qur’an and dhikr and seeking knowledge, our connection to her may become even deeper.

Her funeral was attended by multitudes of people. A testament to how much she was loved.

Memories That Returned Like Gifts

Reading Ustadah Farhana’s memories of her brought back moments I had long forgotten. I realised I had seen her early in September when we arrived in Tarim sitting quietly in a corner during a funeral, avoiding attention despite being deeply loved by those around her.

Another memory surfaced: visiting her home in 2017 during her ‘iddah after her husband’s passing. Despite her grief, she taught us in her home, displaying strength, devotion, and a heart anchored firmly in Allah. These encounters humbled me, making me fall in love with her even more.

A Woman Who Defined What It Means to Walk the Path of Fatima Az-Zahra AS

She embodied the true role of a Muslim woman. Not hidden or diminished, but elevated, impactful, and deeply connected to Allah. In a world that pities Muslim women, thinking their lives are small, she stood as a GIANT!

Even though she lived only into her fifties or early sixties, she touched hearts across nations, travelled to teach, and lived entirely for Allah.

The awliya of Allah guide people even in death and this is exactly what she’s done. The sinner repents, the heedless awakens and the faithless gains faith.

She has shown us what it looks like to walk the path of Fatima Az-Zahra in these confusing times, and her impact will continue long after her return to Allah.

Forever Indebted, Forever Inspired

Sitting before her felt like sitting before a Mountain: firm, rooted, majestic, full of light. I am eternally grateful that Allah allowed me to learn from her, even briefly. I pray Allah widens her grave, fills it with light, and rewards her immensely through endless sadaqah jariyah. I pray those she left behind of her family and students are comforted by her good end and remain ever steadfast on this path.

I pray we meet her in Jannatul Firdaws with Fatima Zahra and the Belovedﷺ.

This is the last thing Hababa said to her students a day before she died:

“Whoever loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet them”.

– Hababa Maryam Al Mashhur

Until next time…

Peace be with you.