I’d like to thank each and every one of you on behalf of the family as we gather for the janazah of young Humza Ali Hussain. Humza was a beloved son, grandson, nephew and brother and much loved by his friends. May Allah(SWT) forgive him and elevate his station among those who are guided. May Allah(SWT) make his grave a garden from the gardens of Paradise, make easy His reckoning and reunite him with his family in Jannah.

No parent expects to bury their child. The Prophet (SAW) personally buried 6 of his 7 children and the last of them, Ibrahim was only 16 months old and he was dying. The Prophet(SAW) entered the room and taking the child from his mother, he kissed him and started to smell him. When Ibrahim breathed his last, the Prophet(SAW) started to cry. Abdur-Rahman ibn ‘awf is surprised and says “You too, yaa Rasoolullah?” when he knows that he (SAW) has seen Jannah and the children playing around Ibrahim(AS). The Prophet(SAW) replied:
Indeed, the eyes shed tears
and the heart grieves
and we are saddened by your departure.
but, we will not say except that which is pleasing to Allah(SWT).

What is that which pleases Allah(SWT) in this moment of grief?

Imam Tirmidhi narrates on the loss of a child of one of the companions, they were reminded that the Messenger of Allaah (SAW) said: “When a person’s child dies, Allaah says to His angels, ‘You have taken the child of My slave.’ They say, ‘Yes.’

Allaah says, ‘You have taken the coolness of his eye.’ They say, ‘Yes.’

Allaah says, ‘What did My slave say?’ They say, ‘He praised you and said “Innaa lillaahi wa inna ilayhi raaji’oon (Verily to Allaah we belong and unto Him is our return).’

Allaah says, ‘Build for My slave a house in Paradise and call it the house of praise.’”

The House of praise is not achieved by crying less or feeling less sadness. Rather, it is reserved for the one who, despite their intense pain, praises Allah and remembers we will all meet Him(SWT).

Read your own biography, now

When you came into this world it was with an azaan in your ear but there was no salaah performed after that salaah. When we leave this world, the janazah salaah is prayed with no azaan. The Azaan you hear at your birth is actually for the Salaah performed at your death. That’s how short life is.

Everyone of us is writing our lifestory and its not the one we share on social media. It’s deeper than that – the things we do in privacy, the feelings of our hearts. The things we missed out that we should have done. The impact we have on others around us – our families, our neighbours, our community. How much we connected to Allah(SWT) before we met Him – were we more connected with everyone and everything around us and forgot the One who gives us everyone and everything?

Today is the time for action without accounting and tomorrow, our day before Allah(SWT) is accounting and no action will be accepted

For Humza, his book has been closed and we will be asked that you prayed over your brother and said He is returning to His Lord, but how have you prepared for your return? Umar(RA) would say “Take account of yourself before you’re taken account of. Weigh yourself before you are weighed and prepare for the judgement of your life” Nothing will be hidden and we will have no friend or protector on that Day to back us up.

And don’t think that any one of us is just a silent observer. Everyone of us is a witness and has a part to play. Don’t take joy in the drama of things you could have made a positive difference in.

Death is the ultimate equaliser – it humbles everyone

There is no difference in your shroud or mine. And although we may think at times that we are better than others or more deserving than others, this is a fallacy. And we show that by flashing our clothes, our food, our cars, our company across social media. You are one family, even if you live in a different post code

Our life is ultimately one statement – Laa ilaaha illAllah – nothing is worth my attention more than Allah(SWT). Not my friends. Not my status. Not my pride.

And it was this that when Shaytan was asked to submit to the command of Allah(SWT) and put his head on the ground before Adam(AS), that he refused and said “I am better than him.”

Abu Huraira reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “By the One in whose hand is my soul, you will not enter Paradise until you submit to Allah and you will not submit until you love one another. Spread peace and you will love one another. Beware of hatred, for it is the razor. I do not say that it shaves hair, but rather it shaves away the religion.” [al-Adab al-Mufrad 260]

The heaviest thing on the scales is good character

Ibn al-Mubarak(rh) was asked to “Summarize good character for us in a single sentence.” He said, “Leave aside anger.” And Imam Ahmad, (rh),added, “Good character is to patiently endure what comes from people.” [Jāmi’ al-‘Ulūm wal-Ḥikam] Abu Darda asked, “O Messenger of Allah, tell me about a deed that will admit me into Paradise.” The Messenger of Allah, (SAW), said, “Do not be angry and you will enter Paradise.” Laa taghdhab wa lakal Jannah [al-Muʻjam al-Awsaṭ 2411]

Good character is control

Emotions like anger. Anger may seem like a source of energy, but it’s blind. Holding anger is a poison. It eats you from inside. We think that hating is a weapon that attacks the person who harmed us. But hatred is a curved blade. When you cut the other person you cut yourself. He who angers you conquers you.

Tongue.“Don’t allow your tongue to utter the fault of another person, because you are covered in faults and everyone else has tongues too. Don’t allow your eyes to fall on the faults of others. Turn away your eyes and say to your eyes, ‘oh eyes, other people have eyes too.” ― Imam ash-Shafi

Body. Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The strong are not the best wrestlers. Verily, the strong are only those who control themselves when they are angry.” [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 6114, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2609].

Mind Taking offence is optional. You decide who matters to you – don’t be controlled by others. No matter how badly someone makes you feel, never drop down to their level.

Social media. Don’t let it be a distraction or an obsession. Turn off those notifications and be selective in your responses. Stop worrying about missing out – give attention to the people in your life, parents, children, neighbours. And importantly, remember this is not a real world – its what people you want to see about them or a situation. If you spend more time on a screen scrolling than in real  conversation, you may be missing out on real living.

Ego. The Ego is your self-image – a social mask which thrives on approval. It wants control, and it is sustained by power, because it lives in fear.