Nazeer, his wife Nazeema and son Nyzar are a small family. Nazeer worked in a private company and son Nyzer had completed his GCE A/Ls and was searching for a job overseas. Both, mother and son practised the religion and involved themselves in all religious activities.
But, the father was not so, and attended only the Friday prayers.
Nazeema had an ambition to perform ‘Haj’ one day, and would often talk about it. But of what use when they didn’t have the means for it.
One day, when Nyzer was resting in the verandah, Nazeema went to him and said, “I do not know when I would get the chance to perform Haj”. Nazeer, who had often heard these words said, “your intention is good. Yet, you have to wait till the opportunity comes.’
Nazeema agreed, and said, “But, when those who visited the holy place, talk about the beauty of the mosque, the piety of the devotees, the recital of the Holy Quran, the divinity of the environment, etc. I feel as if I have to go there at the earliest”.
The husband regretfully said, “Please bear this in mind. I am the sole breadwinner in the family. You know how I manage to run it, including the expense for Nyzer’s education. But I will try to send you either from my gratuity when I retire, or if we can send our son to a Middle East country for employment.”
The son, listening to this conversation, assured his mother, “Mummy, do not worry, you need not wait till daddy retires. My friend’s father knows a foreign job agency and he said he would arrange a job for me within the next few weeks”.
The mother, pleased to hear this, said, “My dear son, those words of yours alone are enough for me. I hope Allah will help you to get the job. Your father is a sick man and he depends on his job for our survival. He encourages me to perform ‘Haj’ even though he does not pray to Allah or perform the other religious observances.
As assured, Nyzer got a job in Abu Dhabi and left his parents with the hope that all financial difficulties would come to an end in a few years’ time. The son being a talented boy rose to a good position in his company as the staff was also fond of him.
The promotion gave him a bigger salary and after sometime he sent the necessary funds to his mother to perform ‘Haj’. The parents were overjoyed by the kind deeds of their son. The mother attended to all the pre arrangements for ‘Haj’ and finally booked the plane ticket. The departure was just two days before the incident of the crane crash that occurred at the Mecca mosque which killed over 100 and injured over 200.
Nazeer was shaken to hear of the incident. He said, “How fortunate you are. Had you gone, you too may have been killed in the crash. Now I am scared of sending you. Cancel the ticket, you can think of it after a few years.”
But unshaken, Nazeema advised him, “Are you crazy to postpone it for a future time. If Allah wants to take my life He will still take it anytime, anywhere.”
Nazeer replied, “May be, but listen to what I say. That does not mean we must ‘force’ death on us. The rain and the strong wind could suddenly continue. Suppose, another crane crashed and you are amidst it, then what would happen?”
Nazeema, asking him not to be a fool, added, “Do not imagine death in such a way. Only Allah knows when and where to get the life. Don’t you remember how your pious brother died? He was praying in a mosque when he collapsed. May be Allah did that because He needed his life at that particular moment. May be there was a place for such a pious man in heaven at that particular moment”.
Nazeer had nothing to say to that. Those few words made Nazeer realise the fact of life and faith in Allah. He said, “Actually my fear was that if something happens to you there I will not be able to see even your body, within a couple of hours everything will be over. Please forgive me for my foolishness.”
“Ask your forgiveness from Allah, He will definitely forgive you. Trust in Allah, and everything will be good”. Nazeer was mute.
“My son will be eagerly awaiting my ‘Dua’ for him, asking Allah’s blessings in the holy mosque. Therefore, I shall go as per the arrangements”. She concluded.
The following day when Nazeema was going to a shop, crossing the main road she met with an accident and succumbed to her injuries, on the spot.
Nazeer then realized the words of his wife who said ‘only Allah knows when and where to get the life’. The Almighty and All-knowing Allah gave the chance to the husband to see her face and at the same time the full merit of performing ‘Haj’ was bestowed on Nazeema as her intention was very clear to somehow perform Haj. Since that day Nazeer too started to live a pious life.
Birth occurs in one way but death could come in different ways. May Allah protect all human beings from all risks. Let His kindness and mercy be to all mankind.