Losing my brother

On October 31^st 2017 I got a call to say that my brother passed away. Innalilahi waina ilayhi rajiun. May Allah elevate his status in Jannatul Firdaus and grant my family sabrun Jameel. Losing my brother taught me a lot of things. He passed away at the age of 23 and it was a reminder that life is so so short. Tomorrow could be the day we return to our Lord. When we hear about the death of older people it is almost as if we expect it. My brother was only 23. Every single one of us will return to our Lord and be answerable for our deeds. May Allah make us from those that enter Jannatul Firdaus without reckoning. My brother passing away is a reminder to all those close to him, a reminder that tomorrow could be our day.

One and a half years prior to his passing, my brother became very ill. Prior to his illness he used to hibernate in the masjid for large periods of life. He was always telling me if I did something Islamically wrong. This led to me getting my back up and arguing with him for the most part. It is now that he is gone I understand that it was a gift of love. To love someone does not mean agreeing with everything they say and do. To truly love someone is to love for their akhirah; to correct gently when they sin. Too often we reject this gift of love.

My brother’s death also reminded me that we can lose our loved ones at any point. For this reason, we need to be careful of harsh words we speak. I remember a quote “…many a times one is covered in white lowered to the ground, the other regretting the last words ever said.” May Allah give us the ability to speak to loved ones with gentleness and kindness always.

I will miss you every single day

The memories will never go away

How when you were well

You never forgot to pray

How you analysed everything

And you were extremely bright

How you used to wind me up

And we always used to fight

I am very sorry if I let you down

I am very sorry if I caused you pain

Whatever happened

I love you all the same

This was the way it was meant to be

This was Allah’s decree