Early on the 25th of July, 2021, we all received the news of the death of Brother Taofeek Oniwiridi. It was such a devastating news for us all, despite not knowing him.
About some hours later, I received the news of AbdurRahman’s death too. AbdurRahman was my friend’s youngest sibling. He fell off the motorcycle on his way to school one day, and it all started!
We had made efforts to seek funds for his treatment as he landed in Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, and needed alot of money.
My friend, who also doubled up as my Ustaadhah had fallen into labour upon seeing his deteriorated state one day. However, efforts were ongoing to make him well when he died.
That morning when I received the news of his death, I was very shattered.
Tears were let out involuntarily and I did not make efforts to caution it. I was very inconsolable while I talked to my friend on phone. She, the sister of the deceased was the one consoling me!
She told me to stop the tears and rather we all make efforts towards his burial. AbdurRahman was an orphan, leaving this huge responsibility on the shoulders of his oldest sibling, my friend.
I found it hard to think but later remembered that I have a friend, Bash, in Osogbo.
I called Bash, explained the situation to her and requested that she informed her husband. She told me her husband was a bit ill but will tell me nevertheless. She truly did. Her husband sprung into action by also informing some of his friends.
My husband also called some friends he knew in Osogbo. They all hastened to the call.
The goal is mutual. To give a Muslim the deserving last respect. An obligation upon Muslims.
It was such a stressful day. AbdurRahman’s corpse had to first be cleared in the hospital, with many processes.
His shrouding, and janazah followed. My friend, Ummu Khadeejah, and her husband decided that he should be buried in the cemetery in Ikirun, their place of residence, as we had no information about the cemeteries in Osogbo.
All the brothers followed the convoy and went to Ikirun. He was lowered into the grave late in the evening.
And everyone dispersed.
Ever since this incident, I have been really thinking about the events of the day. The true Islamic brotherhood at funerals.
Sometimes, we don’t even know or care to know who the deceased is, we all just want to pay the last respect and obligation upon us. And fortunately, we not only do the deceased good, we do ourselves some good too!
Hmmm… Brotherhood at Funerals.
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ مَنْ اتَّبَعَ جَنَازَةَ مُسْلِمٍ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا وَكَانَ مَعَهُ حَتَّى يُصَلَّى عَلَيْهَا وَيَفْرُغَ مِنْ دَفْنِهَا فَإِنَّه يَرْجِعُ مِنْ الْأَجْرِ بِقِيرَاطَيْنِ كُلُّ قِيرَاطٍ مِثْلُ أُحُدٍ وَمَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيْهَا ثُمَّ رَجَعَ قَبْلَ أَنْ تُدْفَنَ فَإِنَّهُ يَرْجِعُ بِقِيرَاطٍ
Abu Hurayrah reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever follows the funeral of Muslim, in faith and seeking reward, and he remains with it until the prayer is offered and the burial ceremony is finished, then he will return with two great rewards. Each reward is like the size of mount Uhud. Whoever offers the funeral prayer and returns before the burial, then he will return with one great reward.”
Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 47, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 945
Raabi’ah Oyepeju Oyetunji writes from Lagos, Nigeria.
