Take it As Your Last
Archived under My Writings .
It was a Wednesday, the 28th September 2005 to be exact, that I chose to spend the day with my family. We joked, we laughed, we talked - it was all smiles in the family home. Then there was a phone call.
My mother's sweet voice chatted away casually in our native language to whoever it was who called, then suddenly there was an exclamation of "AH!" Our ears propped up to try to catch what all the fuss was about. My mother slipped away into the kitchen.
She returned to break the news.
"Do you know fulaan's* dad? They say he passed away this morning!" My mother exclaimed.
"Inna lillaahi wa inna ilayhi raaji'oon! How did he die?" I asked anxiously.
"He passed away in his sleep. They say he just didn't wake up this morning." My mother replied in a hoarse voice.
I was dumbfounded. Words could not describe the chilling feeling which encompassed my entire being. 'He's gone', I reminded myself. 'He's actually gone'. I struggled to come to terms with the abruptness of his death - he wasn't sick, he wasn't killed, he didn't drown - he just didn't wake up that morning. Just didn't wake up.
I turned to my mother and sister and reminded them, "Do you see? Every night we go to bed thinking that we'll wake up the next morning. Every night we go to bed thinking everything's fine; as though we are untouchable. He went to sleep thinking that he'll wake up this morning, but he didn't."
I went on to say to my mother, "See, when I say that I don't want to do this or that, it's for a reason. Today I'm here, tomorrow I'm gone. What then?"
My mother simply stared at me, astonished.
Every year, we think we'll see the next Ramadhaan. Every year we put things off for the following year, as though we have some kinda certificate telling us our date of departure from this resting station. We are nothing but fools.
This brother, Abu Fulaan, he was probably preparing for this Ramadhaan. He probably had plans - he may have had plans from last Ramadhaan. But to no avail. He didn't get to see this blessed month.
So I ask you, will you see next Ramadhaan? We say "inshaa`Allaah", for verily it is only by Allaah's Will that we shall meet this blessed month again. But what if this is to be your last? Are you to let it pass by as you may have done in previous years? Or, are you going to strive hard this year, sincerely seeking the Pleasure of Allaah, so that He may have mercy upon you?
It's your choice.
The Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said regarding the salaah:
"When you stand up to pray, perform your prayer as if it were your last, do not say anything you will have to make an excuse for tomorrow, and resolve to give up all hopes of what men posses."
What then about this Ramadhaan? Take it as your last.
* I have chosen to keep the family anonymous for their privacy.
Your Thoughts
Wa 'alaikumus-salaam wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh.
BaarakAllaahu feeki ukhtee.
I pray that you are doing well inshaa`Allaah. Drop me an email to let me know.
Leave a Thought
Commenting Guidelines
1. Make sure it's relevant to the original entry (or a previous comment).
2. Please do not post links to sites unless they are approved of in my links section (you can contact me if you are unsure).
3. Please be courteous and respectful of other comments that are made.
4. All comments are subject to editing by the site owner if the above guidelines are not followed.
As Salaamu`alaikum wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuh, Ukhti...
Subhaan Allaah! My husband and I were just talking about this the other day. Jazaak illaahu khair for such an imperative reminder. Verily, this dunyaa is finite.
Have a blessed Ramadhan.