Ahmad was a teenage boy at 16 years of age. He had two older brothers and one younger sister. His parents were ones of excellent religious character who tried their best to raise their children to the standards of Islam. It was religion first then education second. They hated when other Muslim friends or family asked their children about their education without first being asked about their religious duty to Allah being performed.
Sadly Ahmad attached himself to the so-called glitter of life. He would not pray while running off to the cinema with his friends while spending time hours and hours a day talking about girls. When his parents realised of what Ahmad was doing they sat him down one evening for a very important Islamic talk.
“Ahmad, my dear son. You know I love you from the bottom of my heart. I am your father who wants best for you all as you are all my children, my flesh and blood.” His father said to him in a saddened tone.
“I know.” Ahmad answered without emotion.
“Ahmad. By Allah, if you don’t like school you can come and work with me as long as you turn back to Allah.” His father said.
“Dad! It’s ok! I am 16! I have a long life ahead of me! I promise I will be good in the future!”
“My child. Did you control the timing of your own birth? Did you decide your own bodily features?” His father asked.
“No!” Ahmad answered.
“Then can He who brought you to this Earth without your consent at that exact time, take your soul at an exact time without your consent?” His father answered.
“Yes. But dad I know, I feel in my heart I will not die now!”
“My Son, before your birth you did not know that you will be born and on what time, therefore you do not know when you will be taken back to Him and at what time.” His dad again answered.
“I love Allah and that is enough for Him to forgive me!” Ahmad answered.
His mother began to cry and joined in the discussion.
“By beloved son, can a parent be satisfied with a disobedient son though the son declares their love for them?” His mother asked.
“No!” Ahmad answered.
“Then the One who created the whole Universe, the supreme, the irresistible cannot be content with His slave upon creation who disobeys Him despite such a slave saying that he loves his Lord.” His mother answered.
“You show your love for Allah by obeying Him and his messenger (salla Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).” His mother continued.
“Mother! Why is life like this? Why must I do this and do that! I don’t want to live my life in boredom trying to avoid almost everything!” Ahmad yelled out.
“Ahmad! She is your mother! Show respect! Not only that, but show respect to your creator who gave you life and gave you a wonderful mother who loves you! There are ways to have fun in Islam!” His father said sternly.
“How is Allah merciful when He sends people to Hell?” Ahmad yelled.
“Are you still alive?” His father asked.
“Yes!” Ahmad answered rudely.
“Then is that not an example of Allah’s Mercy keeping you alive after you insulting The Most Gracious?” His father replied.
Ahmad was lost for words. He got up and stormed up to his room.
“You are all so boring! Why can’t we be like other religions who say enjoy life to the max? I am ashamed to be who I am!” Ahmad yelled as he stormed up to his room.
Poor Ahmad, little did he know that the final count down of the last 10 days of his life had just begun…
* * *
Ahmad lay in his bed fast asleep. The time approached Salatul-Thuhur. Suddenly Ahmad woke up from the sudden shaking of his blankets.
“Ahmad! Wake up!” His father called as he shook him awake.
“For God Sake! Why? It’s only 1:00pm in the afternoon!” Ahmad called out as he stretched around to stare at his alarm clock.
“It’s only 1:00pm?! Are you insane? Almost the whole population is out of bed, and you are acting as it is 6:00am!” His father answered in a shocked tone.
“Why are you waking me up?” Ahmad moaned.
“Because you are coming to the Mosque with me today for prayer. I want you to experience just one Prayer in your life!” His father sternly called.
Ahmad moaned as he struggled to sit up.
“Now, I will be up in two minutes with a cup of cold water to throw over you if you are not out of bed!” His father said as he left Ahmad’s room.
Ahmad stormed off to the bathroom to prepare himself in a fit of rage.
20 minutes later Ahmad and his father were off walking towards the Mosque.
“Ahmad, I cannot believe you are so angry with the thought of standing before Allah!” His father said as they walked together.
“I could be at home playing my computer; instead I am tiring myself out by having to stand for 10 hours in boring prayer!” Ahmad moaned.
“Are you crazy? No Prayer lasts that long, not even half of that time! Now pull yourself together because the way you are storming down this road seems to me you are suffering from constipation!”
“Dad! Those people must have heard! Yet again you embarrass me!” Ahmad yelled.
“Embarrass you? The way you are composing yourself on this street is humiliating me, your father…Right here we are, now behave yourself for once!”
Ahmad and his father entered the Masjid. His father carefully observed Ahmad as he performed Read the rest of this entry »
