Raashid Ul Nabi Khan
My father-in-law, Noor Din Ahangar, fought the dreadful disease for almost two years. My association with him was from my childhood days. He was also friend of my father. His life was full of struggle while he was fighting the dreaded disease. He was gentle, generous and affectionate. He was angelic in nature with a smiling face always, he was outspoken and backbone for his family. After my Nikkah, whenever I visited him, I felt his pain. He was going through an abnoxious pain due to the disease. In that state of mind, he still used to make Duas for both of us ( me and my wife) We got married on July 14, 2019. He was there to receive me and was around all of us but he was in tremendous pain. Every time, my wife shares his memories with our family. My wife got use to waking up in middle of night in the memory of her father. It really was a spell of struggle for both of us and our families. sometimes we both used to get in the middle of the night to think about how Allah tests all His creation in different formats. My father-in-law (daddy) despite the dreaded pain for almost two years, would never miss an opportunity to give right suggestion and advice to the entire family. He was a real fighter and a spirited man. The days of struggle started for our family when we came to know that he is suffering from the deadly disease in his esophagus. The medical reports also suggested that surgery is not an option, only chemotherapies and other drugs which are used for the treatment of cancer can save him. Personally I know that these chemotherapies only prolong the life of cancer patient and those chemotherapies which he used to receive at SKIMS, hospital in Srinagar only deformed and de-shaped the body structure of the daddy as I could notice hair fall and weakness in his entire body. After sometime we coped with the fact that cancer at stage four is still incurable. His disease not only drained us mentally but also economically as well, as the treatment costs lakhs of rupees. During one of the many nights we spent at SKIMS, hospital for his treatment, I remember that he used to take care of me while he himself needed all the care. Whenever, I made him to eat anything during his treatment days I always thought to myself that it was test from Almighty Allah. I met him last two days before his death. He made a lot of duas for me and said “Do take care of my daughter. Always give her respect” On November 11, 2019, I got a phone call from brother wahid (one of the cousins of my wife) while I was at my home. He told me to come to their place as we have became orphans. I wept like a child only thinking that our daddy will never leave us in such a manner. Death is ultimate reality as this Islamic Nasheed gives us more idea about death. This Islamic Nasheed popularly known as “last breath” sung by famous Nasheed artist brother Ahmed Bukhatir and i quote this Islamic Nasheed here
A spell of struggle, a tribute to my beloved Daddy (father-in-law).
“From those around I hear a Cry,
Oh God! Oh God!
My eyes are blind!
From those around I hear a Cry,
A muffled sob, a Hopeless sigh,
I hear their footsteps leaving slow,
And then I know my soul must Fly!
A chilly wind begins to blow,
Within my soul, from Head to Toe,
And then, Last Breath escapes my lips,
It’s Time to leave. And I must Go!
So, it is True (But it’s too Late)
They said: Each soul has it’s Given Date,
When it must leave it’s body’s core,
And meet with it’s Eternal Fate.
Oh mark the words that I do say,
Who knows? Tomorrow could be your Day,
At last, it comes to Heaven or Hell
Decide which now, Do NOT delay!
Come on my brothers let’s pray
Decide which now, Do NOT delay!
Oh God! Oh God! I cannot see!
My eyes are Blind! Am I still Me
Or has my soul been led astray,
And forced to pay a Priceless Fee
Alas to Dust we all return,
Some shall rejoice, while others burn,
If only I knew that before
The line grew short, and came my Turn!
And now, as beneath the sod
They lay me (with my record flawed),
They cry, not knowing I cry worse,
For, they go home, I face my God!
Oh mark the words that I do say,
Who knows, Tomorrow could be your Day,
At last, it comes to Heaven or Hell
Decide which now, Do NOT delay!
Come on my brothers let’s pray
Decide which now, do not delay!!”
Dear daddy your death has left a huge gap that cannot be filled and your absence has left us with a sadness which is sure to remain unabated forever. All i can ever do now is to keep you alive in my prayers. May Allah grant you highest place in Jannah ameen Suma ameen.
(Raashid Ul Nabi Khan is Law graduate also holds Masters in political science along with B.Ed. Presently the author teaches at Iqbal Memorial Educational Institute, Drussu Pulwama, [email protected])
