Reflection on Death and Certainty
Let us take a moment to reflect.
﴿وَمَا جَعَلْنَا لِبَشَرٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ الْخُلْدَ ۖ أَفَإِن مِّتَّ فَهُمُ الْخَالِدُونَ﴾
[الأنبياء: 34]
21:34 "We did not grant to any human before you eternity. So if you die, would they then live forever?"
Death is a certainty from which no one is exempt. If you think you possess the finest character, remember those who were better than you — they too have returned to their Lord. And if you see yourself as excelling in worship, reflect on those who dedicated their entire lives to the service of Allah's religion; yet they also departed this world.
ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Hold yourselves accountable before you are held accountable."
Are we truly preparing for that Day? Our primary purpose in this world is to worship Allah; every other achievement or pursuit is secondary. Enough of the deception, enough of the heedlessness, enough of the stubbornness toward the religion of Allah.
Today marks a solemn and historic moment as one of our beloved mothers returned to her Lord. She was among the kindest mothers I have ever known. She was the mother of my dear friend, yet she also became like a mother to my son, Mahbub. I vividly remember when she entrusted him to me. Though it was difficult for her—being her last born—she placed him in my care. He lived with me for about five to six years, completed his Thanawiy studies in our Madrasah, and is now studying at a university outside Nigeria.
Dear Mahbub,
I know this moment is not easy, but rest assured that your mother passed away with honor and goodness. Although you are far from home, know that all matters regarding her funeral were handled with care and strictly in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. What she now needs from you is your sincere supplications, your steadfastness upon the path of Allah, and your commitment to being a righteous servant of Allah. Be a true ambassador of Islam. Strive until you become one of its scholars and callers—guiding people to the path of Allah.
Prayer for the Deceased:
O Allah, forgive Your servant, the mother of Mahbub.
Grant her eternal rest and admit her into the highest levels of Paradise.
Be with her children, her husband, and her mother.
O Allah, we beseech You through Your most beautiful names and exalted attributes, and we ask You by what Your Prophet ﷺ taught us—that whoever dies on the day or night of Jumuʿah is forgiven and granted Paradise.
O Allah, grant her that honor and envelop her in Your mercy.