Life and along with its accessories is taken for granted, especially time.
Allah alone is beyond the ticking of time, none can challenge His use of it, but
man must render an account of its use, misuse and abuse. Procrastination is the
principal thief of time. But man loves to leave till tomorrow what he can do
today, with the assumption that there will always be a tomorrow.
From among our family, neighbours, friends and fellow believers we are
encouraged to expend our resources, talents and opportunities in the service of
the needy among them. Our reward will be multiplied. (Qur’an 30 verse 39)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also urged us to seek the welfare of our
neighbours, friend and relatives in case a calamity may have befallen them.
Sometime ago, there was a friend whom I had not seen or heard from in a
while. I sent her e-mails but she didn’t reply to them. Even when she was meant
to be here in London, she still did not reply my e-mails. One day, I got a mail
from her saying that she was ill. She had a terminal illness and she had been
receiving treatment in the United States. We kept in regular contact from then
on. Then, she sent me an e-mail noting that she was back in Nigeria and that I
should please call her that she needed to talk. I took it for granted that since
she was back home she was fine and that all was well with her and I kept on
postponing the call day after day until I received an e-mail from a friend
titled "THE NEWS". When I saw the title, I thought it was one of his usual
jokes. I was shocked to read that my dear friend and sister in Islam had died.
And I’m yet to call her! I broke down and wept! I wept not only because she had
passed on but also because I had procrastinated. I should have called when she
requested me to call her! I had no sound excuse for not calling. It is even an
Islamic obligation. Yet I failed, now it's too late.
I pray that Allah forgive and overlook her shortcomings and grant her
Paradise. And to the members of her family and friends may Allah grant them the
courage to bear the loss and the wisdom to accept it as His will. And to all
Muslim brothers and sisters please do not take things for granted. Whenever you
have the opportunity to do anything please do not leave it till later because
you may never be able to do it, like I will never know what she had wanted to
talk to me about. I also seek Allah’s forgiveness for my sins and shortcomings.