Imagine that Today is Your Last Day

Imagine that Today is Your Last Day

How would you act if you knew that today was the last day of your life?

By

Zohra Sarwari

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2010 by Zohra Sarwari

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Published by

Zohra Sarwari at Smashwords

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Dedication

'(Our Lord! Accept this from us; You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing).'

(The Qur’aan: Chapter 2, Verse 127)

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Terminology

1."ALLAAH" is the Arabic name for ‘THE ONE SUPREME UNIVERSAL GOD’.

2."SWT is an abbreviation of the Arabic words Subhaanahu wa Ta'aalaa that mean Glory Be To Him."

3.Al-Qur’aan: The Book of Allaah. A divine guidance for mankind. The FINAL TESTAMENT.

4.Muslim is one who has submitted to the Will of ALLAAH.

5.Allaahu-Akbar means ‘Allaah is the Greatest’.

6.Assalaamu ‘alaykum means 'Peace be on you.' This is a greeting for Muslims. The response to this greeting is 'Wa ‘alaykum assalaam,’ which means ‘And Peace be upon you.

7.Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, a duty one must perform during one's life-time if one has the financial resources for it. It must be performed during certain specified dates of Dhul—Hijjah (the twelfth month in the Islamic calendar).

8.PBUH means Peace be upon him.

9.PBUT means Peace be upon them.

10.Alhamdulillaah means ‘Praise is for God!’

11.JazaakAllaahu khayran means ‘May Allaah rewards you with good.’

12.5 Daily Prayers: 1. Fajr (pre-dawn): This prayer starts off the day with the remembrance of Allaah (SWT); it is performed before sunrise. 2. Dhuhr (noon): After the day's work has begun, one breaks shortly after noon to again remember Allaah (SWT) and seek His guidance. 3. 'Asr (afternoon): In the late afternoon, people are usually busy wrapping up the day's work, getting kids home from school, etc. It is an important time to take a few minutes to remember Allaah (SWT) and the greater meaning of our lives. 4. Maghrib (sunset): Just after the sun goes down, Muslims remember Allaah (SWT) again as the day begins to come to a close. 5. 'Isha (evening): Before retiring for the night, Muslims again take time to remember Allaah’s (SWT) Presence, Guidance, Mercy, and Forgiveness.

13.Adhaan is the call to prayer

14.Du’aa is supplication in Islam.

15.Astaghfirullaah means ‘I seek forgiveness of Allaah.’

16.Insha’Allaah means ‘if Allaah wills’.

17.Shahaadah means I bear witness that there is no deity (none truly to be worshipped) but, Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allaah.

18.Jamaa‘ah means congregation.

19.Janaazah means the funeral of a Muslim.

20.Masjid means mosque.

21.Halaqah literally means a ring or a circle. When used in Islamic terms it relates to ‘circles of knowledge.’

22.Imam means guide.

23.Aayah means a verse in Qura’an.

24.Ahadith is the plural of hadith. Hadith means the actions and sayings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), reported by his companions and collected by scholars who came after them in books.

25.Jannah means Paradise.

26.Ihraam is the state of purity required of Muslim pilgrims before conducting the pilgrimage in Makkah.

27.Qiblah means the direction of the prayer, which is towards the Ka’bah in Makkah. Muslims all around the world are required to turn in this direction when praying.

28.Rukoo is to make a bow during pray.

29.Sujood is prostration to God that is usually performed during prayer.

30.Musallaa is the area designated for prayer.

31.Masha’Allaah means "It is what Allaah willed.’

32.Halaal means anything that is permissible under Islamic law.

33.Tahajjud is a voluntary prayer read in the last part of the night. It is also known as ‘qiyaam.’

34.Subhaan’Allaah means Glory to Allaah.

35.Takbeer is the saying of ‘Allaahu Akbar.’

36.Sunnah means the deeds, sayings and approvals of Muhammad (PBUH).

37.Sahaabah means Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

38.Deen means Religion.

39.Dunya means the world.

40.(RA) stands for Radiya ‘Llaahu ‘anhu, which means May Allaah be pleased with him.

41.Surah means a chapter in Qur’aan.

42.Aakhirah means 'The Hereafter' or the life of the next world

43.Hijaab refers to the women’s dress code.

44.Muslimah is the word used for a Muslim woman.

45.Al-Barzakh is the realm after death in Islam.

46.Zakaah means 'purification' and 'growth'. It is the compulsory charity.

47.Hijrah means emigration.

48.Tasleem salutation of peace.

49.Wudhu means ablution.

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Accepting Death

Chapter 2

The Power Of Prayer

Chapter 3

Asking For Forgiveness

Chapter 4

Time With Family And Friends

Chapter 5

My Story Of Change

Chapter 6

Make Every Moment Count

Chapter 7

Making Today A Better Day

Chapter 8

Understanding Yourself

Bonus Chapter

A Story to Remember

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Chapter 1: Accepting Death

Winning is not a sometime thing; it's an all the time thing. You don't win once in a while; you don't do things right once in a while; you do them right all the time. Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.

-Vince Lombardi

"Wow! Zeba said, I can’t believe how fast things are going. I feel that it has been weeks, and yet it has been months since we sold our talking interactive computer to Microsoft." Wali and their parents smiled.

Grandma looked up and said, It feels like such a big load has been taken off our shoulders alhamdulillaah! Yet now we have the burden of ensuring we spend this money the correct way, for the sake of Allaah (SWT). Everyone was looking at Grandma, and definitely felt the burden of the money. Yet, they had high hopes for what they wanted to accomplish. Wali and Zeba knew that this was a big test and they knew what they needed to do.

Their mother was looking at her husband and said quietly, I am worried about these kids. What if they misuse the money, or spend it inappropriately? How will they answer for it on the Day of Judgment? How will we answer for it?

Her husband listened attentively to every word she had said. His heart sank as he looked down and said, This is all from Allaah (SWT), and insha’Allaah He will guide them to do what’s right. Everything is from Allaah (SWT), and He has guided them this far, and has showered them with good manners, and given them this opportunity. Insha’Allaah, I have full tawwakal (confidence) in Allaah (SWT) that He will guide them, and us. Remember, our kids don’t do anything without asking us first. As he said those last words, he smiled, yet, only Allaah (SWT) knew what he felt in his heart . . .

Two weeks had gone by, and Zeba and Wali’s finals were finally over. Wali knew that it was time to set up what they had discussed. He arranged to meet up with Zeba in the morning after Fajr prayer. Zeba, I want to start off by going to the bank with dad, and opening up an account to put our money in. I want you to work with the attorney that Uncle Zakariya recommended to us. He is awaiting our phone call to set up the corporation and non-profits that we plan on working on, insha’Allaah. I also want you to get a list of all the non-profits that we want to donate to. Next, I want you to find out exactly when Hajj falls this year. I believe it will be in 3 months, since Ramadhaan is around the corner. Zeba was writing everything he was saying. She was so excited.

Zeba looked up; smiled and said, Wali, all this feels like a dream come true. SubhaanAllaah, I still can’t believe it!

Wali smiled back, and said, Alhamdulillaah. They each went their separate ways to begin their to-do lists.

As Zeba was making her phone call, her mother came in; Zeba, I want to talk to you about something.

Zeba hung up the phone as it just began dialing out. Yes, Mom, is something bothering you? You seemed kind of quiet this morning.

Her mom looked at her with tears in her eyes and said, Your cousin Rashad has been in a terrible car accident as he was going to school this morning. He is in hospital right now. The doctors don’t think he will survive. By now she was sobbing, and Zeba was crying too. She hugged her mother, and was baffled by the news. She didn’t know what to think or how to react; she was crying because her mother was crying. All she could think of was how two weeks ago all of them were together, talking about their plans and their life ahead of them. Zeba and Wali spoke about death with their parents and grandparents often, but it was still hard to digest that it can happen to someone young. Zeba, are you okay?

Zeba looked up and said Yes, Mom. When will we go to see Rashad and Uncle Zakariya’s family? I want to be there to help out with anything I can.

Her mom smiled through her tears; she wanted the same thing, I spoke to your dad, and as soon as they return, we will all head out to Carmel. I need you to help me right now to prepare some food for everyone to take over there. I also need you to help pack some clothes for the next few days for Grandma, and yourself. We will stay there until we know what happens insh’Allaah

Zeba, trying to keep her tears inside rushed to her room and grabbed a few long dresses and scarves to match. She tried to put them away neatly in her suitcase. Tears started rolling down her face. She kept telling herself that everything will be okay insha’Allaah: I can’t think of the worst-case scenario when it hasn’t even happened. I have to get a hold of myself, she murmured to herself. She then began reciting some verses from the Qur’aan; that always calmed her down. She was at peace as she recited them and contemplated on their meaning. Soon after, she was knocking on Grandma’s door, and Grandma was just picking up Grandfather’s clothes. Bebe jaan (Grandma dearest), I am here to help get your suitcase together.

…Her grandma looked at her sadly and said, "So I guess