The Syrian centenarian known as "Abu Subaa" passed away in Medina at the age of nearly 95. For four decades, he was recognized as a server of tea, coffee, and dates to visitors of the Prophet's Mosque free of charge as a continuous charity. Haj Ismail Al-Za'im, known as "Abu Subaa," was a familiar figure to the residents and visitors of Medina due to his humanitarian initiative of distributing tea, coffee, and dates to the guests of Allah at the Prophet's Mosque for free as a form of ongoing charity.
His death was natural, resulting from old age, and he was prayed over in the Prophet's Mosque. For the past forty years, Haj Ismail would sit on a plastic chair near the Prophet's Mosque and close to his home, placing in front of him a table loaded with sweets, dates, tea, and coffee.
According to Syrian media, Sheikh Ismail Al-Za'im, originally from the city of Hama, has been residing in Saudi Arabia for more than 50 years. During his time in Medina, he was known for his charitable work and for distributing tea, coffee, milk, and dates to pilgrims and visitors for free every day, tirelessly and without complaint.
The elderly Syrian had previously affirmed to Saudi media that everything he distributed for the past 40 years was entirely free for the sake of Allah, without receiving any financial compensation in return, embodying the saying of Allah: "We feed you only for the sake of Allah; we do not want from you any reward or thanks."
