covid – My Little Breathing Space – I write for the few, not the many. The few that are left out!

The Empty Chair…

Another day, news of yet another death,

Once again, we hear of someone who has just drawn their final breath.

For those of us left behind, it seems so surreal,

Struggling to cope with the immense loss we feel.

And although it may seem like at times the darkness is too much,

As we long to see our loved ones again, just a glimpse or a touch.

A hug from a parent, a smile from the Mrs, the voice of a husband offering to do the dishes,

The words of wisdom of a grandma that you’d wish you’d wrote down,

Or the sound of laughter of a child who is no longer around.

None of these people can ever be brought back,

And yet for each of them to live on you don’t need a memorial plaque.

Live each day to the fullest, do good and make them proud,

Show people around you, you love them, don’t wait till they’re in a shroud!

And send them gifts each day for that’s all that the departed now from us need,

Intend to share the reward every time you do a good deed.

They say time is a healer but I don’t know if that’s true,

All I can promise you is that Allah will get you through!

Written by @thetalentedteacher_

1 Jumada al-Awwal 1442

The Death of ‘Inna Lillah wa Inna Ilayhi Rajioon’ With the Birth and Rise of Smartphones.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

We are living in very sad times, on a daily basis, we are hearing about the death of loved ones. Sometimes you may know the person and sometimes you may not.

In Islam, we are always told to have empathy and put ourselves in someone else’s shoes. With the rise of Social Media, many Muslims have lost empathy and dignity. Happiness is shared with emojis which are half-hearted and meaningless. Sadness and grief are shared with a quick emoji but the person could be smiling on the other side.

In short, Social Media has made us fake, plastic, and artificial. Nothing is heartfelt. And what breaks my heart is someone’s grandmother passes away and someone’s father passes away, the message is forwarded to groups, but the reply is:
I L W I R
WHAT.IS.THAT?
You think the opposite person received sympathy with your ILWIR. No dua, no words of comfort, and half-hearted replies. Nowadays, people have gone one step ahead with GIFs.

Learn to be compassionate and merciful, it’s NEVER about the time and minutes, you need a drop of mercy in your heart (and there’s always predictive text which makes it easier).

Ismail ibn Nazir Satia (one who is in dire need of Allah’s mercy, forgiveness and pleasure)