Operation Death

Today I would like to share a poem with you in loving memory of my sister Tahera Cassim who passed away on the 21st July 2008. She was truly an obedient servant to her Creator.
This poem is also in memory of Mohamed Choonara, my cousin, who passed away on the 14th July 2009.

This is the tale of an average man who acts contrary to Allah's Plan.

Twas early in the morning at four,
When death knocked upon a bedroom door.
'Who is there?' the sleeping one cried.
'I'm Isreal, let me inside.'

At once, the man began to shiver,
As one sweating in deadly fever.
He shouted to his sleeping wife,
'Don't let him take away my life!'

'Please go away, O Angel of Death!
Leave me alone. I'm not ready yet.
My family on me depend.
Give me a chance, O please per pend!'

The Angel knocked again and again,
'Friend!' I'll take your life without a pain,
Tis your soul that Allah requires,
I come not of my own desire.'

Bewildered, the man began to cry,
'O Angel, I'm so afraid to die,
I'll give you gold, and be your slave,
Don't send me to the unlit grave.'

'Let me in, O Friend! the Angel said,
'Open the door, get up from your bed.
If you do not allow me in
I will walk through it, like a Jinn.'

The man held up a gun in his right hand
Ready to defy the Angel's stand.
'I'll point the gun towards your head.
You dare come in, I'll shoot you dead.'

By now the Angel was already in the room,
Saying 'O Friend! Prepare for your doom,
Foolish man, Angels never die,
Put down your gun and do not sigh.

'Why are you afraid, Tell me, O man,
To die according to Allah's plan?
Come, smile at me, do not be grim.
Be happy to return to Him.'

'O Angel, I bow my head in shame.
I had no time to take Allah's name.
From morn till dusk, I made my wealth,
Not even caring for my health.'

'Allah's commands I never obeyed,
Nor five times a day, I ever prayed.
A Ramadan came and a Ramadan went,
But no time had I to repent.'

'The hajj was already Fardh on me,
But I would not part with the money,
All charities I did ignore,
Taking usury, more and more.

'Sometimes I sipped my favorite wine,
With flirting women I sat to dine,
O Angel! I appeal to you,
Spare my life for a year or two.'

'The laws of the Quran I will obey,
I'll begin to Salaat this very day.
My fast and Haj I will complete,
And keep away away form self-conceit.'

'I'll refrain from usury,
And give all my wealth to charity,
Wine and wenches I will detest.
Allah's Oneness I will attest.'

'We Angels do what Allah demands.
We cannot go against His commands.
Death is ordained for everyone,
Father, mother, daughter and son.'

'I'm afraid, this moment is your last.
Now be reminded more of your past.
I do understand your fears,
But it is now too late for tears.'

You lived in this world, two score or more
Never did you your people adore.
Your parents you did not obey,
Hungry beggars you turned away.

You ignored the Muezzin's Azaan,
Nor did you read The Holy Quraan
Breaking promises all your life,
Backbiting friends and causing strife.

From hoarded goods, great profits you made.
And your poor workers you underpaid.
Houses and cards were your leisure,
money-making was your pleasure.

Paradise for you? I cannot tell
Undoubtedly you will dwell in hell,
There's no time for you to repent,
I'll take your soul, for which I am sent.

With a cry the man jumped out of bed,
And suddenly, he fell down dead.

O Reader, take a moral form here.
Never know your end may be near.
Change your living and make amends,
For Heaven on your deeds depends.

ANONYMOUS