Zayn Malik's Cousin, Arshiya Malik, Dies Tragically After Battling Brain Tumor

Arshiya Malik, Zayn Malik's cousin, 5 years of age, passed away tragically on Tuesday, after battling with a brain tumor for more than 3 years. There has been an outpour of prayers for her family and acquaintances over the social media.

Arshiya's family first revealed that she has been diagnosed with a brain tumor back in 2014. Zayn Malik's aunt and uncle had urged people to play their little one since the MRI scan results that they had got back from the hospital was not optimistic.

"Doctors are saying theres nothing they can do, and have put her on life support machines now," Aaroosa Malik, Zayn Malik's cousin has written in a post at that time, The Sun reports. "Please keep her in your duas (prayers) always and the rest is up to Allah."

Even a death hoax involving Arshiya Malik surfaced at the time, reports Mirror. But regular updates from Zayn Malik's extended family members proved that Arshiya was alive and battling the disease as best as she could.

On Arshiya Malik's passing, her mother and Zayn Malik's aunt posted a beautiful picture of her daughter smiling and folding her hands in prayer, which she captioned, "An angel wrote in the book of life my baby's date of birth, then whispered as she closed the book.. 'Too beautiful for earth' R.I.P baby doll." Another picture of a playful Arshiya, dressed in pretty purple and white was posted by Zayn's younger sister Waliyha. "Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un. Rest is peace you beautiful princess, may Allah grant you the highest rank of Jannah," she wrote as a tribute.

CEO of The Brain Tumour Charity, Sarah Lindsell, also paid her condolences to the family of Zayn Malik's late cousin and emphasized the need for the government to put in more funds for cancer research so that such mishaps can be prevented in the future. Fans have come out in overwhelming numbers to pray for little Arshiya Malik.

"Rest In Peace, little angel #RIPArshiya", wrote a fan, while another posted the message, "sending all of my love and prayers to the Malik family at this time. Heaven has gained another beautiful angel. #RIPArshiya." Zayn Malik has yet to pay tribute to his deceased cousin.