What follows is remembered simply — not as praise she would ever have wanted for herself, but as the human memory that explains why this Trust bears her name.
Marhooma Zaheda Begum sought no recognition, and would have turned all attention away from herself and toward the Ahlul Bayt (AS). And so we remember her the way she lived — gently, and in their shade.
She gave her days to keeping alive the love and remembrance of the Ahlul Bayt (AS) — gathering others in grief for Imam Husayn (AS), and in joy for the celebration of the Ahlul Bayt (AS).
With her own hands she tended the spaces where their memory was honoured — keeping them clean, dignified, and cared for.
She kept the lamps of remembrance alight through the year — and seventy-two of them in the days of deepest grief.
She prepared floral tributes herself, and guarded the sanctity of the gatherings with quiet devotion.
She spent from her own modest means on the service of the Majalis, giving what little she had for the sake of Allah.
And through every hardship, she raised five children in patience — never letting the remembrance of Imam Husayn (AS) fade from her home.
True greatness is found not in wealth or fame, but in sincere service.
These are the memories of a family — not claims, but a life. They explain, better than any words of ours could, why the Trust keeps the Ahlul Bayt (AS) at its centre, and why every act of service we offer is done in that same spirit: sincerely, humbly, and for the sake of Allah alone.
إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْبَرُّ الرَّحِيمُ
“Indeed, He is the Most Kind, the Most Merciful.”
Hers was a small life lived in the pattern of a much larger one. Charity in the household of the Prophet (SAW) was never a surplus given away — it was the food off their own plates, given for no thanks at all.
Imam Ali (AS) and Lady Fatima al-Zahra (SA) fasted for three days, and on each evening gave away the only food they had — to a poor man, then an orphan, then a captive — breaking their own fast on water. Surah Al-Insan was revealed concerning them.
إِنَّمَا نُطْعِمُكُمْ لِوَجْهِ اللَّهِ لَا نُرِيدُ مِنكُمْ جَزَاءً وَلَا شُكُورًا
“We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish from you neither reward nor thanks.”
While bowing in prayer, Imam Ali (AS) gave his ring to a beggar who had come to the masjid and found no one to answer him — charity offered in the very posture of worship, without breaking from it.
إِنَّمَا وَلِيُّكُمُ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَهُمْ رَاكِعُونَ
“Your guardian is none but Allah, His Messenger, and those who believe — who establish prayer and give charity while bowing.”
Imam Hasan (AS) was known as the Generous One of the Prophetic Household. More than once in his life he gave away the whole of his wealth, and was never known to turn away anyone who asked of him.