Janaza of a 21 year old

[Ibn_Anas]

Today i witnessed the janaza of a young 21 year old brother. The brother was a fit and healthy 21 year old well known and extremely loved amongst his family and friends. I hear he went on a trip to Sweden to visit a sheikh and some sort of Islamic camp. Whilst there, him and three other brothers went for a swim in a deep lake. 1 brother couldn’t swim much, and the other two brothers had gone ahead, when this brother had an incident. It was Allah's will that the brother drowned despite all the efforts of his friends, he made his journey back to his creator. May Allah swt accept him from amongst the shaheed, and enter him into al-firdous.

Normally i would be talking about how it is hard for his family, which im sure it is, but alhumdulillah they seem strong on this deen and are doing ok.
What i really want to mention is how amazing this brothers janaza was. The salat was attended by over 1000 brothers. It was the biggest single janaza i had seen in the UK. At the cemetery there were also a lot of brothers present, all struggling to shoulder the body, all struggling to fill the grave. And what was amazing was the number of practicing brothers of all ages that were present. It seemed like everyone was aware of the funeral/burial rituals in islam, unlike many Muslims who look for a "molvee" to tell them what to do to their loved ones. It truly felt like the ummah had lost one of its sons.

It made me think, when we die (inshallah it will be shahadah) who will be at our janaza? Anyone? Or will we just rot on the side of a road? Family, who are just waiting to divide our wealth? Friends, who feel they have to be there out of obligation?

Do we really keep the correct company? Are we quick to break islamic ties with our brothers and sisters? Do we create enough love in the hearts of other muslims so that they shed a tear after we go? Today i learnt a very important lesson from the very short life and death of our brother. May Allah swt enable me act on it. ameen

[abudurrah]

jazakallah khair for the riminder

[aburasheed]

Inna lillah wa inna ilahi raji'oon. Makes you realize how short life is 21 years of age so young, and how unexpected death is.

[Umm Ahmed]

JazakAllaahu Khayran for sharing this , may Allaah grant him jannah ameen.

[Um Abdullah M.]

may our ending be a good one
nas'alullaha husna al khatimah.

and may Allah have mercy on our brother and grant him al Jannah

[AbuOmar]

May Allah accept him as a Shaheed. ameen

[William Wurkmun Fosterr]

Happy are Those Who die in Allah's Hand. Happier Are Those Who Live in Allah's Hand.

[Ibn_Anas]

Obitury

It is with great sadness that we report the death of Mehfouz Pathan Khan who passed away on Saturday 11 August at the age of 21.

A Life of Islam (By Adil and Hasib)

Despite his young age, Mehfouz had been an active member of the community for many years, and in particular the work and initiatives of the Noor Ul Islam youth group. It is detestable to praise people in their presence lest they become vain and self-conceited, however, it is desirable to praise those who show goodness, especially after their death, for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Remember the good deeds of your deceased people.” Thus we have put together this short piece to remember some good deeds that Mehfouz left behind for himself, so that his life and death be an inspiration for those who knew him and those that did not.

Mehfouz moved into the Leyton area at the age of ?. He brought with him a rarity for somebody of that age; a habit of attending the Masjid for prayers. His leaving his house was neither because he was forced by his parents nor as an excuse to detour for more sinister purposes, as is found in many youngsters. Rather, his leaving and walking towards the Masjid was solely for the prayer, and how fortunate it was for us that our house was en route. Soon it became part of his routine to knock at our door at prayer times. Looking back now that the prayer has also become an integral part of our lives we cannot thank him enough for the constant reminders. That was his nature, not only doing good deeds for his self but taking every opportunity to call others to Islam as well.

To match his constancy in prayer was a character to strive for. Very rarely, if ever, would he be seen in a grumpy state, devoid of a smile. So much so, that he would amaze those who played sports with him. When all those around him, caught in the passion and fever, would lose their heads, he would not lose his cool nor allow his temper and tongue to get the better of him. He was, in every right, an ambassador; not only carrying his Deen in his clothing and appearance, but more importantly, carrying it in his conduct.

Just a week before his death, we gathered to delegate tasks for a forthcoming summer fete. One by one, each task was announced and reluctantly volunteered for: “Publicity”, “security”, “finance”, and so on, until we came to “cleaning”. No sooner than it was announced, and faster than some could chuckle in pride, did Mehfouz’s hand go up. Later, when asked why he chose that task, he smiled, and rubbing his hands like a hungry person at the sight of a meal he characteristically said, “Bro! That is where the reward is.” In his humility was his honour.

At an age when most people travel to fulfil their desires; like shopping, loafing and partying, Mehfouz set off for Sweden to tread in the path of Allah, to be in the company of scholars and spend time in the remembrance of Allah. It was on this trip that he passed away. We leave it to those who were with him to describe the days and good signs leading up to his death.

A Journey for Knowledge – (By Toqeer and Ali)

The last moments of a person characterises their death, a life wasted in pursuit of a diminishing pleasure will most likely be ended in the same way. Let us take you through the last moments of the life of Mehfuz and you can judge how this unique individual spent his life. We set out on the path of Allah to Sweden and Norway on a Wednesday morning hoping to return on a Monday night. From the start he was an asset for every group leader (appointing a group leader is a Sunnah when travelling in a group of three or more), always listening and obeying every command given, never thinking twice.

One of the ironical aspects of the journey was Mehfuz’s decision to bring a series of lectures on The Hereafter from the library of Cd’s he had at home so we could listen to it throughout our long journey by car (6 hours +). Every time a Hadith or section was missed, he would say “Rewind that bit….what did he say” or “I didn’t understand that bit…rewind it”, a testimony to his eagerness to understand the religion and not just a mere pass time for the journey. Moreover, I enquired as to the dreams everyone had during that night and I remember Mehfuz mentioning that he met the shaykh that was delivering The Hereafter series. A further testimony to the attention he was paying to the lectures.

Arriving back to Sweden from Norway we went straight to the Islamic camp organised by Molana Muslim and Mehfuz was instantly liked by all members of the camp as his radiant smile attracted many. We prayed Esha in congregation and went straight to sleep as our tiredness could not be an excuse for missing Fajr. Saturday was the day that was to be his last in this world, it was the day in which he prayed both Fajr and Zhur in congregation and it was the day he also read Surah Yaseen after Fajr despite the tiredness and slumber he was feeling. After passing by Saturday morning beneficially and by sitting in gatherings of knowledge, we headed down to the lake which was close to our dorms and continue this productive day with a cooling swim. It was at this time the angel of death took his soul. He had drowned in the lake after a short while swimming. Deaths such as these are a mercy from Allah and are considered a form of Martydom. People are hand picked to take this honour and it should not make us sad at his death but rather hope to have a similar one or better.

In times of travel, a persons true characteristics surface and it can be honestly said that Mehfuz was of a brilliant character and only good can be said of him. May Allah accept him as a Marytr in his Path.

A Death of Iman

People are Allah’s witnesses on earth. It is said that the tongues of people are the pens of truth. As part of a longer Hadith, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “There is not a Muslim who dies and the dwellers of four neighbouring houses testify that they know nothing about him but goodness but Allah says, ‘I have accepted what you know about him and forgiven what you do not know.’” So how is it then when we see in excess of a thousand people go out of their way to join Mehfouz’s funeral prayer, many taking time off from work and all remembering nothing but goodness from him. It is testament to where he is headed, insha-Allah.

Looking back at his life and final moments we draw much hope, and from the sudden nature of his death we take lesson. We implore Allah earnestly to unite us all in the gardens of Paradise.

[abu imaan an-nepalee]

inna lilayhi wa inna ilayhi raji'oun

May ALLAH Ta'ala bless the brother and His Family with al-Firdous! and make his family have sabrun jameel in this hard time of relection and need! Ameen!

[umm emman]

inna lilayhi wa inna ilayhi raji'oun

ammen to the dua.. 21 subhan allah.
jazakAllahu khair 4 the reminder. makes me realise of all the preparation i must do... may allah guide us and make his believers amongst the dwellers of jannah inshaAllah.. ameen

[William Wurkmun Fosterr]

Let Us Prepare For Life.

[William Wurkmun Fosterr]

It is my understanding that Islam posits a General Resurrection, like christianity and conservative judaism. I Am All of Those (!) I Believe that Resurrection is Superior to reincarnation because it places the Proper Value on Our Lives--Today. Our Bodies Are As Holy As Our Souls. ...And We Will Rise, Each One of Us, to a Heaven On This Earth and In This Universe. That is My Belief. No one will be excluded. Allaah's Love and Mercy Is Infinite, Infinitely Greater than man's finite ability to sin. I Expect To See Each of You In This Heaven. I Love Each of You As A Sister or Brother. Everything Gets Better Every Day In Every Way...And Some Day We Will Embrace Each Other In Love instead of quibbling, fighting, and killing and destroying. We will Each Be Constructive And Loving, And Loveable. These Thoughts Are I. ...And I Am not the only One. (!) So I Joyfully Expect To Meet This Wonderful Brother, About Whom So Many Glorious Things Are Said, After His Resurrection. May We All Live Through To See IT!!!! Ameen

[Yasir]

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’oon... May Allah have mercy upon him.Raashid ibn Hubaysh narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) entered upon ‘Ubaadah ibn al-Saamit when he was sick and said, “Do you know who is a shaheed (martyr) in my ummah?” The people remained silent, then ‘Ubaadah said, “Help me to sit up.” They helped him to sit up, then he said, “O Messenger of Allaah, (is it) the patient one who seeks reward from Allaah for his patience?” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “Then the martyrs among my ummah would be very few. Being killed for the sake of Allaah is martyrdom, the plague is martyrdom, drowning is martyrdom, stomach disease is martyrdom, and if a woman dies during the post-partum period, her child will drag her to Paradise by his umbilical cord.” The umbilical cord is that which is cut by the midwife when the child is born. (al-Musnad, 3/489).

[Ibn_Anas]

Jazakallah kahir,

was looking for that hadith.

[William Wurkmun Fosterr]

"Dum Spiro Spero.": "While I Breathe I Hope."

[William Wurkmun Fosterr]

It is my understanding that Islam posits a General Resurrection, like christianity and conservative judaism. I Am All of Those (!) I Believe that Resurrection is Superior to reincarnation because it places the Proper Value on Our Lives--Today. Our Bodies Are As Holy As Our Souls. ...And We Will Rise, Each One of Us, to a Heaven On This Earth and In This Universe. That is My Belief. No one will be excluded. Allaah's Love and Mercy Is Infinite, Infinitely Greater than man's finite ability to sin. I Expect To See Each of You In This Heaven. I Love Each of You As A Sister or Brother. Everything Gets Better Every Day In Every Way...And Some Day We Will Embrace Each Other In Love instead of quibbling, fighting, and killing and destroying. We will Each Be Constructive And Loving, And Loveable. These Thoughts Are I. ...And I Am not the only One. (!) So I Joyfully Expect To Meet This Wonderful Brother, About Whom So Many Glorious Things Are Said, After His Resurrection. May We All Live Through To See IT!!!! Ameen...And Get On With Solving our other problems...like Providing Food, Shelter, Clothing, and Communications for Everyone without exception...and Preserving Our Planet, etc. (!)