By Shaikh Ahmad Kutty
There are two kinds of people who pass through this world. Some are alive in body but numb in spirit—they are “dead before death.” Others live so honestly that they never truly die; their goodness lives on in the hearts of people. Prophets belong to this second group, our most excellent examples. Rafia was not a prophet, but she carried many prophetic qualities: integrity, compassion, courage, and a relentless drive to turn hardship into service. For instance, her integrity was evident in every decision she made, her compassion was felt by all who knew her, her courage was unwavering in the face of adversity, and her service was a testament to her relentless drive.
I saw this up close. Rafia’s thirst for knowledge was unending. She asked thoughtful questions, pressed for clarity, and loved learning. She invited me to speak and later told me how the “rare gems” lifted her heart. She wrote one of the best reviews of my book, What and Why. The last time I saw her—just days before she returned to her Lord—her face was peaceful and full of faith. She asked my forgiveness; I told her she had not wronged me or anyone I knew, and I reminded her to hope in the vast mercy of Allah. She was and remains an inspiration.
Rafia Haniff-Cleofas was a mercy among us. As a child in Guyana, she contracted polio and later relied on a powered wheelchair. Many would see this as a barrier. Rafia made it a bridge. She refused to be defined by limits and instead chose to redefine what a community could achieve when guided by compassion and purpose. Her refusal to be limited by her circumstances is a powerful reminder that we can all overcome our challenges.
A Certified Human Resources Professional, she gave over 25 years to Canada’s disability rights movement. She helped found organizations that placed the voices of people with disabilities from marginalized communities at the center—ERDCO (Ethno-Racial People with Disabilities Coalition of Ontario) and CAM-D (Canadian Association of Muslims with Disabilities), among others. She co-founded DEEN Support Services and served in leadership and program roles, coordinating the Peer Support Network and helping shape initiatives that offered dignity, connection, and practical support. In her work with the City of Toronto on employment outreach, she opened doors and championed fairness wherever she could, significantly increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities and promoting a more inclusive society.
Her care reached far beyond Canada. Quietly and steadily, she organized relief efforts for Gaza, Uganda, and the Philippines, where she established the Madrasah Rafia Umm Ahmad. She also helped launch the first Global Conference on Disability and Islam, bringing scholars and community leaders together to advance inclusion and knowledge in this vital field.
Rafia’s pursuit of sacred learning matched her public advocacy. Facing real obstacles, she taught herself Arabic and the Qur’an—starting with cassette tapes—then joined classes and circles whenever she could, including during years in Saudi Arabia with her husband’s support. Later, she completed a BA in Islamic Studies, writing on jurisprudence related to Muslims with disabilities. Her dedication to sacred learning and her commitment to deepening her knowledge and faith are truly inspiring.
What set Rafia apart was not only what she did, but how she did it—calmly, kindly, without seeking praise. She listened first. She organized before she announced. She lifted others and gave them room to grow. Her leadership made more leaders. People found in her a mentor who insisted on dignity, a colleague who insisted on inclusion, and a sister who insisted on hope.
One of her dreams was to create a home for people with disabilities in Scarborough—rooted in care, competence, and community. This home would not just be a physical space, but a sanctuary of care and competence, where individuals with disabilities could thrive and be fully integrated into the community. Bringing this vision to life would be a fitting sadaqah jariyah (ongoing charity) and an authentic way to honor her: not only with words, but with work that heals.
“Innā lillāhi wa innā ilayhi rājiʿūn”—We belong to Allah and to Him we return.
Our hearts are heavy, yet filled with gratitude. Allah lent us a servant whose steady faith and gentle strength made our community kinder and braver. May the Most Merciful envelop Rafia Haniff-Cleofas in forgiveness, raise her to the highest ranks of Jannah, and reward her for every barrier she removed, every door she opened, and every soul she helped to stand tall.
To her husband, adopted children, sisters, and brothers: may Allah comfort you and fill your hearts with the peace she carried so beautifully. Know that she lived with grace and finished with trust in her Lord. To all of us who remain, let us honor her by continuing her work—turning hardship into service, knowledge into action, and faith into a canopy of dignity for the most vulnerable. In remembering Rafia, we remember what truly endures: a heart alive with God, and a life spent lifting others.
October 3, 2025