Working with Cageprisoners Faraj’s name came up, but being outside of what I had been assigned and the fact that I act only on a need-to-know basis I had not delved into his story but the furore when he was finally released – by Allaah and not the British government – from his control order brought his prominence, especially with his work with Hhugs, to my eyes.
Then on Saturday 7th August 2010 I was in the Cage offices just turned up to clean up for the ‘Witness to Guantanamo’ filming when the intercom went and Faraj was at the other end. He came in and with his characteristic warmth and acceptance launched into conversation. I hadn’t expected him and it was Allaah’s will that I was there when he came as it was raining and he had ridden from afar without rain covers on his motorcycle.
He told me not to tell anyone but I think it would be okay here: he had received a text message through his brother asking him to translate for another former Guantanamo Bay detainee and left work and money on short notice to make his way urgently to get to the office in the rain.
The other former Guantanamo Bay detainee did not turn up however he remained for around five hours waiting in the office just in case he came and not to let down Peter Honigsberg and Co.
He was passionate about his children, scrolling through the photos his son took of himself when he was playing with his phone to find some others to show me. He told us about his son learning how to download Apps from the Apps shop on his phone, exclaiming, “I’m not going to show him nothing!” He also showed me the Deen Riders website and the gallery of photos including his Iraqi friend that he said was ‘crazy’ but an excellent rider and also Youtube videos of Japanese police and how they handled their bikes and he also showed me Youtube videos of crashes which he said reminded him that if he did not fear his bike when he got on it that was when he should give up riding.
Such is Faraj Hassan for me. I knew him only a few hours but he left a lasting mark. I had intended to call him to ask him if he would teach me Qur’an recital as he had mentioned he had learnt through a respected chain. We had many more conversations which would be voluminous if I were to write them here.
In conclusion:
Bukhari and Muslim reported from Abu Qatadah that once, when the Prophet passed by a funeral, he said: “He is (now) in peace secure from others and others are in peace secure from him.” The people asked: “O Allah's Messenger! Who is in peace and from whom are others in peace?” He said: “A believing servant (of Allah) is relieved from afflictions of this world upon his death, while upon the death of a wicked person, other people, land, trees, and animals are rid of his evil.” (Fiqh-Us-Sunnah).
This world, a world painted as Terrorist v. Oppressors in the media, for Faraj was one of undeserved hate by the oppressors against him. Inshaa Allaah (Allaah Willing) he is amongst those secure from others now.
May Allaah grant him and his family better than that which He has taken away from them and may Allaah grant them all the highest station in Paradise, the true home, the Hereafter. Ameen.
...Wa laa ‘uzakkee ‘alallaahi ‘ahadan wallaahu haseebuhu (And I do not purify (sanctify) anyone over Allah [doing so] and Allaah is his Assessor).
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