THE DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yawm Al-Khamis. 15th day of Jumaadal Aakhir, 1445AH (Thursday, 28th December, 2023). HOW DO WE HANDLE IT WHEN WE LOSE SOMEONE?. BismilLah. 

We know that death is a certainty, but in reality, we tend to harbour illusions that we will live forever. We feel as if those around us will not be taken from us, and we form deep attachments that make it difficult for us to cope or even comprehend when someone is not there anymore.

In understanding death, we have to first understand life. The nature of this world is that everything in it is temporary. Monuments crumble, civilizations perish, and people come and go. Health alternates illness. The old make way for the new, and the cycle of life continues.

People are placed in our lives for a reason, but we lull ourselves into the false sense of security that they will be around indefinitely. This is why we can't cope with the loss. We feel as if the death of a parent, a relative or a loved one is against the natural order of things, almost a betrayal, when in fact, the opposite is true – death is the only certainty in life.

We also approach life with an inherent sense of ownership. We feel as if people belong to us – our parents, children, spouses, wealth,  or friends and many of us rely on them to be there for us forever; even more than we rely on our Creator Astaqfurallah.

In truth, we enter this world owning nothing, and we leave taking nothing. We do not even own our bodies – our souls occupy them as trustees or as custodians, and our physical flesh is the temporary vessel for hosting our souls in the journey of life. Our permanent life is in the hereafter. Meantime, everything that crosses our paths and everything that is placed in our hearts and hands were put there as a trust from ALLAH.

People are placed in our lives for different periods of time and at different points in our lives, as a trust and for a reason and wisdom that only ALLAH knows. We have to accept these relationships for what they are – something transitory. The situation will change: we will leave them, or they will leave us. We can not claim a permanent stake in any relationship.

In fact, one of the things already ordained for us before we were even born is when we will die. It is written for everyone and beyond our control to prevent or delay: from the cancer patient to the person who suddenly slipped on the pavement, death is an imminent appointment, not a random accident. Let's not allow Satan to deceive us into thinking we will live forever. Let's prepare for our permanent home though through obedience to the Creator, especially our five daily Salaat, zakaat, fasting in Ramadan, Hajj etc. May ALLAH keep guiding us all and protect us from any satanic influences. Aameen.