Note: I wrote this today on the passing of a dear friend and Sister. It was a personal message for all that knew her, but I was asked to share this message here as a reminder that could be shared with the wider community, Insha’Allah. She leaves behind her family, including her three young children. I have not included her name here to respect her family and their privacy. I implore you to make du’a for her as you read this, Insha’Allah. She was one of those very special people that has left a lasting impact on the lives of everyone she touched, Alhamdulillah.

Asalamu’alaikum wa Rehmatulahi wa Barakatahu,

We were separated from our Sister today. She was laid to rest in the shade of a group of tall pine trees as the snow gently fell to earth. It was a blessed ode to a beautiful Daughter, Wife, Mother, and Sister.

The outpouring of love and all the praise for her calm and pleasant demeanor would have definitely surprised her, probably amused her. She was not one to collect compliments, she was generous in giving them and making others feel extraordinary. She loved deeply and felt everything passionately. May Allah SWT reward her immensely for the unforgettable love and happiness she bestowed on us all, Ameen.

Our Sister was a believer in reminders. She loved to speak about Allah SWT, His Messenger SAW, and the Hereafter. She was one of those people that would be drawn to conversations about the Divine and she was always in search of meaning and fulfillment. An excellent trait for a Believer to have, Alhamdulillah. May Allah SWT forgive her for her shortcomings and accept it from her, Ameen.

As I heard the Adhan for Maghreb, I was inspired by her memories to write this reminder more for myself than anyone else. This hollowness in my chest is something I want to remember and cherish, so that I do not forget how it felt to witness the Janazah of our friend and the tears of her family and loved ones.

The suddenness of her passing has us all biting our fingers, because we loved her, but also because it reminds us that time slips right through them and there is nothing we can do to grasp it, Subhan’Allah.

And Allah SWT says in His Book:

“When their specified time arrives, they cannot delay it for a single hour nor can they bring it forward.” (The Noble Qur’an 16:61)

While our Sister has returned to Allah SWT, we are left to ponder over our own departure and meeting Him. Death does not stop when the time has come. It will take our intentions, our plans, our dreams, our desires and smash them to pieces, Subhan’Allah.

While we sit and wait for our eyes to dim before we pick up Allah’s Book to finally act upon it, wait for our hair to turn gray before we cover it, wait on our limbs to stiffen before we sincerely bow to Him, wait for our hearing to fade before we begin to actively listen to the learned men and women of this Ummah, wait for our voices to crack before we speak of Allah and His Messenger SAW, wait for our breath to shorten before we inhale and exhale His Dhikr, death hunts us at every moment without a care for who we leave behind, our wealth, our aspirations, or our unfinished business.

We are reminded of this reality again and again in the Noble Qur’an by Allah’s Mercy:
“O you who believe! Do not let your wealth or children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. Whoever does that is lost. Give from what We have provided for you before death comes to one of you and he says, ‘O Lord, if only you would give me a little more time so that I can give sadaqa and be one of the righteous.’ Allah will not give anyone more time, once their time has come. Allah is aware of everything you do.” (The Noble Qur’an 63:9-11)

There is no tomorrow, Sisters. What will it take? We have to stop putting it off, even if it is remedying the slightest indiscretion in our eyes. We beg Allah SWT to guide us every single day, in every single Salah, and in all His Mercy and Compassion He answers that Du’a, but we busy ourselves in the ways of this world to the point where we miss His Signs and His Call again and again. Allahu Akbar.

The Call today was loud, Sisters. Loud enough to propel us towards bettering ourselves as Believers and preparing ourselves for the day when our loved ones will weep over us. I know we all heard it. None of us missed it. Not today. In the shaking of our bodies as we held each other over our sorrow, we felt it down to our marrow. Let this day be the day, Sisters, that we stop avoiding and begin finally submitting to Allah SWT wholeheartedly as He Deserves and seeking His Pleasure in all that we do. May Allah SWT guide us and make it easy for us, Ameen.

Abu Huraira RA reported that the Messenger of Allah SAW said:
“Remember frequently the thing that cuts off pleasures (i.e. death).” (at-Tirmidhi)

Our Sister remembered Allah SWT often and reminded others of Him often. She was an avid advocate for the community and our unity. It would be a fitting legacy and an ongoing charity for her that she inspire us to evolve in our Faith and as a community, Insha’Allah.

May Allah SWT forgive our Sister, grant her a high order in Jannah, make her grave wide and full of light, may He shower His Mercy and Grace on her loved ones and her children, may He give them guidance, sabr, and strength, may He make her children righteous and an ongoing Sadaqah for her, and may He reunite us all in Jannah where there is no pain, no sadness, no separation, only eternal bliss and peace, Ameen.