May Allah have mercy on the souls of our departed and grant us the living, a good ending for indeed his words: "And the end is better for you than the beginning," are entirely TRUE.
Last Friday started out as a normal day that I expected to principally attend the Jum'ah (weekly congregational) prayers at midday. But soon after I had logged on to Twitter that morning did I see news of a death.
An acclaimed Nigerian journalist turned personal assistant of Governor of the northwestern Sokoto State. The death of Imam Imam, shook Nigeria's Twitter space. The shock, the pain, the tributes and recall of memories made for interesting reading and following.
His Twitter bio as at the time of writing this piece read: "Journalist, Image Manager, Former THISDAY Group politics Editor. Directeur des affaires publiques de la Tambuwal." His location read "Abuja, Kaduna, Sokoto," he died in an Abuja hospital.
Take another look at his bio as above reproduced, shift just one word to the beginning, well, that is his current state. Shift "former" to the beginning. He is now officially a former "Journalist, Image Manager, THISDAY Group politics Editor. Directeur des affaires publiques de la Tambuwal."
His wife tweeted the next day: "Today would have been our one year anniversary. Innallilahi wa inallilahi rajiun. Ya Allah Grant Imam jannatal firdausi miji na mai sona!!!!" Miji na mai sona = my husband who loves me.
He was buried same day at an Abuja cemetery after he was bathed, shrouded and prayed upon. Then came the flood of last chats he had with a myriad of people. May Allah have mercy on his soul and on that of all departed ones. Ameen.
To Jum'ah and a successive week of two prayers
So off I went to Jum'ah and the Imam's sermon for the day was refreshing. Being the last but one Friday till Ramadan, the sermon "opened fire" on the coming visitor.
Among other themes, the goodness of the month, its blessedness and sanctity and the role of Ramadan in our lives. Then the need to prepare to meet it and doing all it takes to reap the benefits thereof.
Sermon done, prayer said! Before the early leavers could start streaming down the stairs, a familiar voice is heard with a death announcement.
There with us in the mosque was the cadaver of a fellow brother. As usual, we were to say the funeral prayer for him and those who can, join the entourage heading to the cemetery.
In less than five minutes the prayer was done and our brother transported to the waiting ambulance. From the second floor, I joined others who looked from above how he was placed in the ambulance but also how scores cried at the sight.
These two - may Allah forgive them - most likely had plans for Ramadan, like you and I have. But to what end, Ramadan and all their extended plans for themselves and for others and that of others for them could just have ended.
May Allah have mercy on the souls of our departed and grant us the living, a good ending for indeed his words: "And the end is better for you than the beginning," are entirely TRUE. May HE grant the respective families patience and the reward of steadfastness in these trying times.
(L-R)Funeral session at Mosqueé Sunnah Congo Pointe Noire, the late Imam Imam
Last Friday started out as a normal day that I expected to principally attend the Jum'ah (weekly congregational) prayers at midday. But soon after I had logged on to Twitter that morning did I see news of a death.
An acclaimed Nigerian journalist turned personal assistant of Governor of the northwestern Sokoto State. The death of Imam Imam, shook Nigeria's Twitter space. The shock, the pain, the tributes and recall of memories made for interesting reading and following.
His Twitter bio as at the time of writing this piece read: "Journalist, Image Manager, Former THISDAY Group politics Editor. Directeur des affaires publiques de la Tambuwal." His location read "Abuja, Kaduna, Sokoto," he died in an Abuja hospital.
Take another look at his bio as above reproduced, shift just one word to the beginning, well, that is his current state. Shift "former" to the beginning. He is now officially a former "Journalist, Image Manager, THISDAY Group politics Editor. Directeur des affaires publiques de la Tambuwal."
His wife tweeted the next day: "Today would have been our one year anniversary. Innallilahi wa inallilahi rajiun. Ya Allah Grant Imam jannatal firdausi miji na mai sona!!!!" Miji na mai sona = my husband who loves me.
He was buried same day at an Abuja cemetery after he was bathed, shrouded and prayed upon. Then came the flood of last chats he had with a myriad of people. May Allah have mercy on his soul and on that of all departed ones. Ameen.
To Jum'ah and a successive week of two prayers
So off I went to Jum'ah and the Imam's sermon for the day was refreshing. Being the last but one Friday till Ramadan, the sermon "opened fire" on the coming visitor.
Among other themes, the goodness of the month, its blessedness and sanctity and the role of Ramadan in our lives. Then the need to prepare to meet it and doing all it takes to reap the benefits thereof.
Sermon done, prayer said! Before the early leavers could start streaming down the stairs, a familiar voice is heard with a death announcement.
There with us in the mosque was the cadaver of a fellow brother. As usual, we were to say the funeral prayer for him and those who can, join the entourage heading to the cemetery.
In less than five minutes the prayer was done and our brother transported to the waiting ambulance. From the second floor, I joined others who looked from above how he was placed in the ambulance but also how scores cried at the sight.
These two - may Allah forgive them - most likely had plans for Ramadan, like you and I have. But to what end, Ramadan and all their extended plans for themselves and for others and that of others for them could just have ended.
May Allah have mercy on the souls of our departed and grant us the living, a good ending for indeed his words: "And the end is better for you than the beginning," are entirely TRUE. May HE grant the respective families patience and the reward of steadfastness in these trying times.
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