Appreciate Every Moment And Make The Most Of The Time You Have With Your Loved Ones

My rock, my mentor, my role model, my chest of wisdom, my comfort, my purpose of being at awe and amazement. My reason for seeing the good in the world, with resilience, steadfastness and patience, my dear beloved Umma, may Allah be pleased with her, returned to her Rabb.

She was diagnosed with cancer in her digestive tract, which was too advance when it was detected and therefore inoperable. She was released for palliative care, with maximum 6 months left.

‎ الحمد لله. appreciate every moment and make the most of the time you have with your loved ones.

As someone who is in the process of trying to reconnect with my Rabb, observing how each member of my family was dealing with the traumatic news of the limited time we had with this amazing lady. She has been the most pinnacle part of our unity and family unit, it was heart breaking to see their grief and helplessness and despair.

Allah Ar-Rahman was so merciful in giving us this extra time to prepare ourselves and our children for her parting. Allah can take us in our sleep, while we are sinning, while in the act of doing the most blessed of deeds etc… Allah loved this lady so much that during Covid she was not taken ill with it, she had a cancer that was in her digestive system so that she can leave this world cleansed and purified. Allah loved her so much that He surrounded her with all her children who did their utmost best to make her last days comfortable and stress free.

I observed family members struggling to come to terms with Umma’s time in this dunya coming to an end. To see their heartbreak and grief affect them in different ways, I found myself putting up a brave face and holding myself together so that I can be a support to those who needed it.

Alhumdulillah I found solace in the remembrance of Allah by continuing my studies of the Quran and regularly reading it in every spare moment I had.

I made the most of every moment I spent with Umma. The one thing I will always appreciate is the last week I spent lying next to her and comforting her through the remembrance of Allah. Reciting Quran to her, keeping watch over her as she slept like a baby in my arms. I appreciated this simple act that she performed for everyone of us siblings and here I was doing the same for her.

As I had my family to take care of, lived out of town, therefore, was a traveller, I looked forward to the drive back and forth. I filled my journey crying my heart out to Allah and making dua for my mother and my family members for strength, peace, unity and patience.

Alhumdulillah learning about death and the afterlife from the viewpoint of Islam through Yaqeen institute gave me so much comfort and an opportunity to let go of the one who was on loan to us; she had loved-ones waiting for her in her permanent place of residence.

Taking care of a loved-one when they are sick is an honour, especially when we are aware their life is coming to an end. Lowering the wings of mercy not just on them, but all those around is vital for coping with this very difficult and testing time. Keeping our tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah and also reminding each other the rights of our Rabb is such a means of receiving Allah’s Rahma. The last few ayahs of Surah Al-Fajar, were so pivotal in me keeping positive and being hopeful to Allah, as these were also part of the last conversation with Umma when she was responsive; I imagined Allah saying these ayahs to her when her time comes.

Tahajjud prayer and Surah Ad-Duha and Al-Inshirah, helped me find guidance and peace, knowing others were depending on me to be strong. But also, appreciating what the Prophet SAW went through with his beloved family members.

Around 10 years ago a work colleague lost her spouse to cancer. He was a very healthy man who ate healthy and exercised regularly. When he was diagnosed with cancer, she grew her own organic food and only fed him from what she grew. He went through numerous operations to remove the disease from his body and the more they cut out of him, the more it spread and weakened him. Although they did everything they could to prolong and extend his life, he could not have visitors regularly due to his condition and eventually passed away in hospital.

Umma passed away in the morning in her own bed, at home, surrounded by her daughters at her most peaceful state. I feel very humbled and grateful for the honour of being there for her. Alhumdulillah.

Cancer did not take Umma, Allah took back the one who was his in the first place and on loan, this life is a journey. Just like those before us, our journey will come to an end because our permanent place of abode is waiting for us. When we prepare for it, we have nothing to fear of this world because we are already living for the next everlasting one. The question is what have we prepared for it? And is it enough?

One thing I was fearful of was, “who will I turn to when I’m at my lowest?” just hearing Umma’s voice was enough to make my pain and difficulties float away like butterflies. Now, just making dua for her everyday with appreciation is just as effective. سبحان الله.

Eemaan fills the heart and mind with so much peace and clarity. Knowing that Allah’s decree for us is out of His Rahma, provides strength to overcome the trials he sets in our path as a means of preparing us for what is to come ahead. Mind blowing!

‎سبحان الله,

‎الحمد لله

‎لا اله الا الله

‎الله أكبر