Dear Khaulah,
Finally, I am able to resume writing letters to you again after such a long delay. A day after you were born, I wrote a letter to you saying how grateful we were to have you, how special a gift you were to us and that you will always be a special being to Mom and Dad. There are so much things that I want to tell you - about how your name was chosen, about all the happy, sad, funny and various moments we had with you, about life, about Allah and His beloved Messenger, about Islam, about... everything. But for today, let me tell you about what a special day yesterday was.
I was sleeping beside you when your Mom woke me up in the middle of the night and said that an aunt to you (her friend) already passed away. Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi roji'uun. You see, I don't know her personally. Just that recently we were told of her illness and like others, constantly made du'as for her.
A couple of weeks ago, we passed some supplements to her younger brother with hope that she will get better. Then a few days later, upon hearing from her younger brother how the supplements helped to reduce her pain, we were really touched and grateful. I cried. But sometimes later we heard that she got admitted to hospital again and last night, she passed away... Then suddenly our world talks about her and suddenly, her parents house was full with people to pray for her jenazah and to send her to her final resting place.
You see, Khaulah, the passing of a youth who strives to make herself and others a better Muslim is not common here. Not yet, at least. The last time something like this happened was during the Helicopter crash some years ago. Furthermore, not only such youths are very few in numbers, the hearts of those who walks on this long path have long became one by the sameness of purpose and the du'as we recite days and night. So that's why... eventhough many don't know her, her lost is heartfelt to so many people. Especially this time. She died at young age, leaving only good things to talk about, and her inspirational writings, just when everyone is struggling, too. They way that Allah made her death as a spark to rekindle the fire within us, she must be very special.
I've never told this to anyone before, but a few minutes after you were born, you stopped crying and your body turned purplish. I can sense panic from the nurse (who was an attachment student), who kept on moving your arms and gave you oxygen but you didn't move a bit. I was frightened, and cold sweat trickled on my forehead. Noticing my expression, your mom gave me a firm look and said, "Its okay." A few moments later you began to cry again, your body became red again, and I smiled again too. That moment made me realise the true depth of the quote "When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a way that when you die the world cries and you rejoice."
A death like her's, a death that made the world weep, a death while being firm in the path of Allah, and a death that changed and enliven other hearts, is what all of us longed for. And Khaulah dear, this death is also the reason why I have the will to write again, in sya Allah.
Finally, I really hope that I can lead our family to the same direction until we reach our final destination - our true home, a place where we can see Allah and Rasulullah everyday! So please be supportive to me like your mom always do, okay?
May Allah forgives her and grants her the highest place in Jannah. And may we too be firm in this path of Anbiya for the rest of our lives. Aameen!
Love,
Dad.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “When Allah wills good for His slave, He sweetens him.” He was asked, “What is this sweetening?” He said, “Allah guides him to do righteous deeds before he dies, then He takes (his soul) whilst he is in that state.” [Narrated by Ahmad, 17330]
