Perspectives - Dialogue Discovery Development

إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ‎

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved brother Irfan Haseeb Alli. He was a kind and devoted soul, cherished by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife Rukhsana Khan (Children’s book author), his son , three daughters and several grandchildren.

Br. Irfan was a pioneer of Islamic work in Canada, particularly with his engagement at a leadership level at the Islamic Foundation of Toronto at Rhodes avenue and then at 441 Nugget Avenue. He is the author of several books on Islamic parenting and other topics.

The Janaza prayer will be held tomorrow, Saturday, November 1st, at the Islamic Society of Markham Masjid, immediately after Zuhr prayers (Iqaamah is at 1:45 PM).

The Masjid is located at 2900 Denison St, Markham, ON L3S 4J8. May Allah (SWT) grant him Jannat-ul-Firdaus and bring comfort to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.

(Irfan Alli pictured below in May 2025 at IIT Business Expo’s Publishing Workshop.

Why do individuals continue self-destructive behaviours? Self-destructive behaviours are on a continuum & may be habit forming or deliberate. Self-destructive behaviours often serve as coping mechanisms for intense emotional pain, trauma, or underlying mental health conditions, even though they worsen the problem. These behaviors can become addictive, providing temporary relief from negative feelings like anxiety, shame, or low self-esteem, creating a difficult cycle to break. Factors like a lack of healthy coping skills, abuse, neglect in childhood, experiences of social isolation, and a general absence of healthy relationships also contribute to the perpetuation of these harmful patterns.
The salah, if given true measurements, creates a barrier against evil, fostering self-awareness, moral guidance, & accountability to Allah swt. This prayerful connection with Allah swt strengthens a person’s resistance to self-destructive behaviours & helps them stay away from indecent or sinful behavior.  
ان الصلوة تنهى عن الفحشاء والمنكر … (29)
“Indeed, prayer prevents from shameful & indecent acts.”