I was in the car with my mum and my brother while we were out for shopping.
Suddenly, an explosion took place. Our car was trapped in the parking lot, and I knew that was the end. I read the Kalimah and Ayatul Kursi, and I had this overwhelming feeling that I was going to die.
But I didn’t die, Alhamdulillah. I survived the bomb blast.
If I had died that day, I don’t think that I would have been eligible for Jannah, but Alhamdulillah, Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) gave me a chance. In the same way, we all get chances in our lives before death to walk on the Straight Path, but it is upon us to contemplate upon these chances so that we can come out of our comas and live a life serving The One.
We are taught a statement in Surah Baqarah, Ayah 156:
“Indeed we belong to Allah , and indeed to Him we will return.”
If we reflect upon it, we will realize how much gravity it holds and how important it is for one to contemplate upon it almost on a regular basis. It is true, indeed, that this life is transient, and the real life begins when we die. But are we prepared for our death? Death is a fullstop to life. What we prepare in this Dunya will pay dividends in the Aakhirah, provided we strive in Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala)’s cause. So it’s like us preparing for a degree that takes a lifetime but has no chances of resets.
Yahya ibn Mu’adh al-Razi said:
“Glad tidings to the one who leaves the Dunya before it leaves him, prepares for his grave before he enters it, and pleases his Lord before he meets Him.”
Similar to my own encounter, a bomb blast took place near my aunt’s house in Lahore. The explosion was huge that all the windows and mirrors shattered, the doors came off, and the walls cracked. My aunt said that it was like Qiyamat for them. Not only that but people living in places outside Lahore could also hear that. You can imagine the gravity of the explosion. Now, this isn’t anything new in our area, but it begs the question once more, “Have we prepared for our deaths?”
Let’s examine ourselves and see if we’re really working on our chances for the ultimate reward; Paradise, a place where there are no sorrows, no grief, no worries, no pain, no sickness, no illness, no bloodshed, no bomb blasts…a place that we dream of night and day. That’s something that all of us have to ask ourselves, especially since the ticket to Jannah is contingent upon our good deeds in this life.
“And whoever desires the Hereafter and strives for it as he ought to strive and he is a believer; (as for) these, their striving shall surely be accepted.” – Surah Israa’, Ayah 19
May Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) accept our striving and place us in Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen…
25 Comments
Wow, this was a very powerful story. Bomb blasts almost never take place where I live, but I can imagine how it must be for the families living in Pakistan. May Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) make it easy for the Muslims worldwide.
jazakallah br. Arif. Ameen to your dua.
We always have options, and alhamdulilah, the best way is to learn from trials and the like, because they make us stronger. SubhanAllah
I’ve been thinking about the destroyer of pleasures a lot lately due to events that have occurred in my life. Also taking a tafseer class regarding the same subject matter has awakened an urgency in me that I am thankful for and that I pray continues to be of urgency and top priority in my mind, ameen.
I also really love the quote you included from Yahya ibn Mu’adh al-Razi.
Excellent and beautifully written reminder. JazakAllah so much for it.
yes Zayni ur so right, jazakAllah dear sis <3
the quote is from Dania's IGIC pictorials, here you go, check them out inshaAllah: http://withmydreams.wordpress.com/i-got-it-covered-pictorials/
much love,
Maryam
Being in a life-death situation is really scary but it really does help to wake you up to reality. Alhamdulillah you and your family’s okay.
yes Alhamdulilah it does :)
jazakAllah dear Sadiya
much love,
Maryam
Thank you for the article-it made me think. I also like the quote by Yahya ibn Mu’adh al-Razi. Did the blast happen in America or in Pakistan (the one you were in)?
JazakAllah dear Shiney :)
it happened in Lahore, Pakistan.
Shiney i got the quote from a friend, here are some more, do check them out inshaAllah :http://withmydreams.wordpress.com/i-got-it-covered-pictorials/
take care
Maryam
I've been thinking about the destroyer of pleasures a lot lately due to events that have occurred in my life. Also taking a tafseer class regarding the same subject matter has awakened an urgency in me that I am thankful for and that I pray continues to be of urgency and top priority in my mind, ameen.I also really love the quote you included from Yahya ibn Mu'adh al-Razi.Excellent and beautifully written reminder. JazakAllah so much for it.
Being in a life-death situation is really scary but it really does help to wake you up to reality. Alhamdulillah you and your family's okay.
Jazkallahu Khair for the reminder. It actually is pretty shocking to hear a story like this from a firsthand source. I’ve never had to experience something as frightening as a bomb blast…but subhanAllah, may Allah really aid the Muslims all around the world.
May taqwa enter our hearts, being a source of hope for Jannah, fear of Allah’s power and punishment, and true internal consciousness of our Lord at all times.
jazakAllah br. Jawaad,
Ameen to your beautiful dua.
Thank you for the article-it made me think. I also like the quote by Yahya ibn Mu'adh al-Razi. Did the blast happen in America or in Pakistan (the one you were in)?
Jazkallahu Khair for the reminder. It actually is pretty shocking to hear a story like this from a firsthand source. I've never had to experience something as frightening as a bomb blast…but subhanAllah, may Allah really aid the Muslims all around the world.
May taqwa enter our hearts, being a source of hope for Jannah, fear of Allah's power and punishment, and true internal consciousness of our Lord at all times.
jazakallah br. Arif. Ameen to your dua.
We always have options, and alhamdulilah, the best way is to learn from trials and the like, because they make us stronger. SubhanAllah
yes Zayni ur so right, jazakAllah dear sis <3
the quote is from Dania's IGIC pictorials, here you go, check them out inshaAllah: http://withmydreams.wordpress.com/i-got-it-cove…
much love,
Maryam
yes Alhamdulilah it does :)
jazakAllah dear Sadiya
much love,
Maryam
jazakAllah br. Jawaad,
Ameen to your beautiful dua.
i was in school when the blast in lahore took place it was awful it was a disaster
i was in school when this bomb blast took place and her aunt is my mother
Btw, I actually forgot to mention this, but I found the statement, “Death is a fullstop to life” not only interesting because of its meaning, but because a full stop is what we call a period in American English. I know this is probably not at all the most important point in terms of this essay, but I thought it was worth noting as it shows the diversity of the writers on this site Masha’Allah :)
Wow, this was a very powerful story. Bomb blasts almost never take place where I live, but I can imagine how it must be for the families living in Pakistan. May Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) make it easy for the Muslims worldwide.
JazakAllah dear Shiney :) it happened in Lahore, Pakistan. Shiney i got the quote from a friend, here are some more, do check them out inshaAllah :http://withmydreams.wordpress.com/i-got-it-covered-pictorials/ take care Maryam
Such a powerful memoir..JAzakallu Khair for sharing this story…May Allah help us all.
I can somewhat relate to this story as I was almost in a car accident about two years ago and if Allah had not kept me safe and given me one more chance at life, I feel as though I would have been in alot of trouble. A very poignant and much needed reminder. JazakAllah Khair dear sister.