INDEED 'ANA BIKIN DUNIYA AKE NA KIYAMA!'

May His peace, mercy and blessings be upon you. May we be among those receiving the blessings of this festive season. Eid mubarak to you and your family. Amen.

In hausa language there is a proverb 'ana bikin duniya ake na kiyama', literally it means 'as you are doing worldy celebrations don't forget the afterlife (as death does not wait till you finish with the celebrations of life). On arfah day, on the blessed eid day and yesterday i have heard people die. People that have prepared for Eid. People that fought their husbands for money to make eid dishes, fought there tailors on their new clothes so they are ready just in time for Eid, made plans to visit so and so because it has been a while and Eid period is for visiting friends and family. Those same people had plans but Allah had a different plan. My sister last three had plans like this but she was among those that left the world completely on yaumul Arfah. 

This got me thinking why so much stress and pressure during this times when you or your loved ones might not even live to witness it (if i am to die my entire family's Eid will suck no doubt about that). I made up my mind as i am getting ready for the Eid celebration the same energy i put into getting my clothes properly sewn and food ready for the Eid day that same energy will be put into making sure my fard prayers are on time and on point. That same energy will go into my seeking His forgiveness. That same energy(if not more) will go into asking him for Jannatul Firdaus( my goods deeds will not get me there but His mercy will). That same energy will go into helping people who need it with whatever I think I can. I am going to do as much good as i can with whatever I have(no matter how little) whenever I can. Lets all strive for this. Death is the only transport system that follows your soul wherever it is(office, toilet, market, at a place of worship, at a hotel with a prostitute, while stealing, while lying, while dancing, while sleeping, while sick, while healthy) to take it back to its Lord. Let it not come while we are not ready. lets have a change of attitude. 

Have you lost a loved one during this season? Share with us lets pray for them. Did your tailor disappoint you? Lets hear the story. Did the Eid come with blessings? Lets share the joy with you. did it come with trial? Lets share that too. Did your Eid plans align with what Allah planned for you? Lets help you be grateful to Arrahman.
May our loved ones all be in Jannatul Firdaus. And us too when we eventually die. 

Lots of love, Mariya.