Tender is the cloth
On Abu Diya, martyrdom, and hope.
Tender was the white cloth that engulfed me whilst I drew my first breath…and tender shall be the white cloth that will engulf me after I draw my last breath and gone to meet my Lord.
Over the past year the thought of death has been constant on my mind. How could it not?, with all the atrocities that’s been happening in—
Gaza. A place where the best of the best this world has to offer are killed by the hour. A place where mothers weep for their living children as though they were dead. A place where a child leaves this cruel world the same day he enters it. A place that has truly revealed how hideous humanity is, whilst simultaneously showing how resilient a people can be.
Gaza…the land of the martyrs.
The deaths and suffering has reach the point where we’ve become numb to it. It’s happening so frequently that the casualties have become mere number to the world as we all play spectator.
Personally, It got to a point where I became hopeless and shamelessly accepted that they are all doomed to the tyranny of the oppressor. For I’d prayed, and still pray for them as often as I pray my daily Salawat, yet to no avail. Yet thousand of children are getting orphaned, yet thousands of families don’t have a home to shelter in as the winter get harsh.
But oddly enough it took the death of a righteous man, Abu Diya, to restore my hope. Because sometimes—Allah knows best—it takes the death of a righteous soul, a righteous servant of His, for him to unleash His punishment on the oppressors and cause their downfall. History is a proof of this, and Allah (SWT) has said in the Glorious Qur’an:
“Unquestionably, the curse of Allah is upon the oppressors.” - [Surah Hud-11:18]
“And do not think that Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He only delays them for a Day when eyes will stare [in horror].” - [Surah Ibrahim 14:42]
This comforts me, and should comfort you too, along side the knowledge that eventually the unjust will face justice either in this life, or the hereafter, or in both.
May Allah grant all the oppressed people around the world freedom, peace and justice.
And as for the perpetrators; May the eye of the Oppressor never sleep.
Indeed tender was the cloth that engulfed the righteous man—Khaled Nabhan (Abu Diya)—as he was put to rest, and so was the bright smile on his face that transcended his death.
May Allah grant him the highest level in Jannah. Ameen.
What an exemplary man he was!
Beautifully written as always, Masha'Allah! I think for far too long the Muslim ummah has been complacent about oppression and making a change for better. But perhaps this genocide is a wake up call to the ummah to take actions to make a change. No one is martyred except that Allah had a purpose for it. The ayahs you mentioned truly do bring peace and comfort. May we better ourselves and contribute to bettering the ummah and breaking free from the oppressors.
Ameen ameen ameen. May he join the ranks of the prophets and companions. If ayone were to join their ranks, it would be him.
I was wondering who Abu Diya was. I didn't know that was Amo Khaled's kunyah.
I wanted to write something about him as well. Not to jump on a trend, but to be from those who bear witness to his legacy. We are the witnesses of God on this earth after all.