Wood Pigeon
Esteemed Member
- Messages
- 156
- Reaction score
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- Gender
- Male
- Religion
- Islam
When Grief Feels Heavy
Today I learned that a former news director at a radio network where I had once worked, and U.S. Army chaplain in Vietnam, has died after battling brain cancer. He was a good and fair man, someone who stood by me when I needed support. I wish his passing had been gentle and peaceful—falling asleep in his favorite chair, perhaps—but his final illness was difficult to witness from afar.
Death does not always come in the way we would choose. Yet the Qur’an teaches us that every soul will return to Allah:
“Every soul will taste death, and you will only receive your full reward on
the Day of Resurrection.”
Qur’an 3:185
When loss leaves us gloomy, Islam does not ask us to pretend that we are not hurting. It teaches us to turn toward Allah while we hurt:
“Indeed, we belong to Allah, and
indeed to Him we will return.”
Qur’an 2:156
These words are not a denial of sorrow. They are a direction for the heart. We belong to Allah in our happiness and in our grief; and when we feel unable to carry the sadness, He remains near.
“Surely in the remembrance of Allah
do hearts find comfort.”
Qur’an 13:28
Today, I will remember this man’s kindness and fairness, ask Allah to reward every good he did, and entrust what I cannot understand to the One who understands all things. May Allah comfort those who mourn, strengthen the sick, and guide every grieving heart back to hope.
Reflection: What kindness shown to you can you preserve by showing that same kindness to someone else today?
Dua: O Allah, bring comfort to every grieving heart, forgive our dead, grant healing to the ill, and give us patience, faith, and hope when sorrow feels overwhelming. Ameen.
As-Salaamu Alaykum!
Wood Pigeon
Today I learned that a former news director at a radio network where I had once worked, and U.S. Army chaplain in Vietnam, has died after battling brain cancer. He was a good and fair man, someone who stood by me when I needed support. I wish his passing had been gentle and peaceful—falling asleep in his favorite chair, perhaps—but his final illness was difficult to witness from afar.
Death does not always come in the way we would choose. Yet the Qur’an teaches us that every soul will return to Allah:
“Every soul will taste death, and you will only receive your full reward on
the Day of Resurrection.”
Qur’an 3:185
When loss leaves us gloomy, Islam does not ask us to pretend that we are not hurting. It teaches us to turn toward Allah while we hurt:
“Indeed, we belong to Allah, and
indeed to Him we will return.”
Qur’an 2:156
These words are not a denial of sorrow. They are a direction for the heart. We belong to Allah in our happiness and in our grief; and when we feel unable to carry the sadness, He remains near.
“Surely in the remembrance of Allah
do hearts find comfort.”
Qur’an 13:28
Today, I will remember this man’s kindness and fairness, ask Allah to reward every good he did, and entrust what I cannot understand to the One who understands all things. May Allah comfort those who mourn, strengthen the sick, and guide every grieving heart back to hope.
Reflection: What kindness shown to you can you preserve by showing that same kindness to someone else today?
Dua: O Allah, bring comfort to every grieving heart, forgive our dead, grant healing to the ill, and give us patience, faith, and hope when sorrow feels overwhelming. Ameen.
As-Salaamu Alaykum!
Wood Pigeon