Dear Khala (Aunt)! The day of June 12, 2025, will always remain unforgettable for me — but as a sad and painful memory. It was afternoon, and the weather was intensely hot. Suddenly, news spread like lightning across social media that a plane flying from Ahmedabad to London had crashed onto a hostel where medical students resided, just moments after takeoff. There were a total of 242 passengers on board this flight, out of whom only one survived, while everyone else lost their lives. Many people inside the hostel also fell victim to this tragedy. My heart was already in shock after watching various videos of this accident, when this painful news also reached me that my aunt was also on board that crashed plane. She was traveling to London to visit her daughter. Upon hearing this news, my hair stood on end, and all sorts of thoughts started rushing in. Deep in my heart, I prayed that Allah would save my aunt, but Allah's decree had already been implemented. Khala had left this transitory world and departed for the eternal world, achieving martyrdom. Shifting from the worries of this world to attain the comfort of the Hereafter... "Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un" (Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return). Khala was younger than my mother. Mother shared a deep bond with her, and both loved each other dearly. Before leaving for London, Khala had requested a certain food item from Mother, which is usually prepared during the rainy season. Mother happily prepared and sent that item. Since her journey to London was fixed, she had said, "Keep that item in the fridge, I will eat it after I return." But who knew that the day of return would never come, and her desire to eat her favorite dish would remain unfulfilled. On Thursday, when she departed for London, that very day Mother sent her favorite food item to be delivered to her house. On one hand, her favorite thing was about to reach her home, and on the other hand, she was boarding the ride of death. Mother tearfully shared that she was quite happy about going to London. Naturally, who wouldn't be happy to meet their daughter! Surely, she was going with many desires and hopes, but this is the reality of this world—that not all desires are fulfilled here; this world suddenly deceives us. Such accidents leave a great lesson for the people of the world. The biggest lesson in this is that there is no reliability in this life; no one knows when and where it will end. Allah has explained this in different ways in the Qur'an. At one place Allah says: "Wherever you may be, death will overtake you, even if you should be within towers of lofty construction." [An-Nisa: 78]. Similarly, the divine command is: "And no soul perceives what it will earn tomorrow, and no soul perceives in what land it will die. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted." [Luqman: 34]. No person knows in which land their death will occur. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware. Allah has also said: "Indeed, the term of Allah, when it comes, will not be delayed, if you only knew." [Nuh: 4] That is, when the time of a person's death arrives, it cannot be averted, neither a moment earlier nor a moment later... Even after such tragedies, if a person does not change their life and does not forget mutual hatreds, but continues to live the same life of mutual enmity, then there can be no one more deprived than him. Man breaks ties with his loved ones for the sake of the petty goods of this world. Years pass by, and brothers do not speak to brothers, brothers and sisters do not talk, and those who shared the same bosom become enemies of one another. But when such accidents occur, man begins to regret, feels ashamed of his past life, and thinks, "I wish I had maintained a good relationship with the one who has departed." But at that time, regretting is of no use... Before such a state befalls any of us, cleanse your hearts right now! Forgive your loved ones! If you have displeased your parents, seek forgiveness! If your relationship with your brother, sister, or any other relative is broken, mend it. If you have to bow down for this, then bow down. By Allah! This bowing down of yours will raise you high... The command of the Beloved Master (Peace be upon him) is: "Whoever humbles himself for Allah, Allah elevates him." After waiting for about four days, on Monday night at 2:30 AM, Khala Jaan came before us resting inside a coffin. When this coffin arrived, every eye was tearful. The Khala who always used to smile and laugh was silent today, making everyone weep... 😢 Khala left us, but she left behind a powerful message: "Life is mortal, it ends suddenly. Therefore, keep your hearts clean, cherish relationships, and be ready for death at all times!" May Allah Almighty forgive Khala, count her among the martyrs, grant beautiful patience (Sabr-e-Jameel) to us and especially to her husband, sons, and daughters, and grant us the ability to continuously perform Isaal-e-Thawab (send rewards) for her. Ameen. - Mubashir Kawi
