A TRIBUTE TO MY BELOVED SON MOHAMED AHMED HASSAN ARWO
"Who, when afflicted with calamity say: "Truly To Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return."" [The Qur'an; Chapter 2 (Al Baqarah - The Cow) : Verse 156]
Our destiny is prearranged. I would like to share with you my poignant experience of an episode of our life that waits us all. For five days I learned more about life journey than my entire life, the death of my son Mohammed and the process I went through till we put him in his last room on the world and first hereafter. It is a tribute to dear son and a lesson to us all.
Our destiny is prearranged. I would like to share with you my poignant experience of an episode of our life that waits us all. For five days I learned more about life journey than my entire life, the death of my son Mohammed and the process I went through till we put him in his last room on the world and first hereafter. It is a tribute to dear son and a lesson to us all.
Death respects no age, no gender, and no strength. We saw daily young dying, old surviving, strong dying and weak surviving. We witness fragile patients that survive on comma for decades. All these testimony and yet deep in our mind we think it is the old that dies. Every one of us will taste death at preset time by no one else but by our creator. That time can be sooner or later by the will of Allah.
I buried my beloved son MOHAMED yesterday, a young man at the best epoch of human life, man with entrepreneurial talent always thinking of building empires without neglecting his duty towards Allah and to us. He needed my input which I grossly failed. I regret utmost and it will remain a painful reminder in my life .It was just before Ramadan when finally we agreed to put the foundation of that empire in Hargeysa, a business empire under his leadership and my guidance. We were so happy so optimistic so looking forward that I was counting days. Alas just after Hajj he hinted he has light health problem. He was so strong physically and spiritually. He hid all his pain without whispering to the ears of those close to him. None of us knew the seriousness of his case. He endured all that pain all alone to save us from worry. I knew him for he never let us know anything that can worry us. Allah will be kind to my son as he was kind to us. That is what Allah promised and his promise is done before it is said.
On Sunday afternoon, I spent an hour with his body in mortuary reading Quran and offering Du’a. Each time I touched his body and see his face it was as though he was telling me " father don't worry I am in better hands, hands of Angels of heaven." Alhamdulilaa”
Our destiny is in Allah’s hands. I was not busy, not sick, not occupied, and no financial problem, yet I couldn’t move towards my beloved son, my only son. I regret very much and ask myself why and why yet I know I cannot take a step without Allah’s willing. It is hard to excuse myself from this gross irresponsibility. Astaqfurulla, Allah forgive me, I know my destiny is in your hands.
I was so unlucky that I arrived a day late to see him alive but Allah gave me a way to communicate with him. I sensed he was listening and I promised to him to uphold his dreams Insha Allah. I promised to him more, that I will not share with you but ask you to help me by offering prayer so Allah help me make it a reality.
Monday Duhur prayer I went with group of elders to pray in a Pakistani mosque in Grangetown where my home is located. After prayer I was surprised to hear the imam calling us to pray for the deceased. “Let us offer Du’as to the deceased young man Mohamed Ahmed Hassan Arwo" tears come to my eyes. He offered the best of Du’as and no one moved" then after Sunna prayer all came towards me giving me a hug and offering condolences. I was touched with their kindness and solidarity.
Tuesday morning and the washing ritual. The washing cermony was done in Aljalalia Mosque, in Grangetown, Cardiff. I washed him with my hands with the help of my close family and under the direction of Sheekh Omar, and Salama Funeral Services. I was delighted to be there to see his youthful body never changed glowing with freshness. Thank Allah he was so clean, so neat, so stunning, no trace of anything but shining body with nice smell. It was as though he was bathed before us. Deep in my heart I thanked Allah for this is a sign of Ehlu Jannah. The body of the deceased shows signs of hell or heaven. My son’s body was that of whom Allah promised for better life in Heaven.
After washing session finished I looked at him, not scaring but rather with exhilarating gesture I realized how his body is gleaming and how he grew a full dark beautiful beard. It looked trimmed and recently combed. A beard he never had but last days of his life. The nice smell of his body was sensational. I hold his right hand and every part was as alive, bending, not stiff but nearly moving. . I entangled my fingers with him and offered a special Du’a.
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| Mohamed with me and my daughter in Jubail,Saudi Arabia |
Immediately family females members, led by his mother and sister came in. It was really a testing time. Thank Allah our worry never materialized. I never saw and never heard a pack of women under this circumstances as strong as they were, withholding all their feelings and clearly stating Du’a one after another, no cry at all, no chest beating, no hair tearing, just offering Du’as. His mother Amal a strong Muslim with mountains of Iman and courage of lion, told him what he has to say at the grave, when Angels question him about his beliefs and asked Allah to forgive him for all that he has done for her and for me. She recited Quran and Du’as. It was the Du’as of his Aunt Hayat Omar Arteh, that touched my heart " Alhamdulilaa you are beautiful you are clean you are so sweet, you are Ehlu Janno, all signs are here Thank Allah” she continuously said without hesitation.
Then came the real test, the most touching. My daughter Najat kissed him and whispered into his ears “My brother you were all to me. You were my brother, my protector my guardian, you always advise me. I ask Allah to forgive you and to reward you Jannatul Fardaws for all the good deeds you have done and your love to us. You died young but accomplished great, Allah loves you” The courage of my daughter is beyond belief. I was shaking not with fear but with admiration. Thank Allah who gave me such strong family, thank Allah for giving me Amal as wife and Najat as a daughter.
Then they kissed him and concluded with Du'as that we men couldn't offer. We were standing motionlessly, holding open hands towards heaven repeating Amen after them and in whispering voice.
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| Mohamed with his son Ahmed |
We moved towards Al-Nur mosque for prayer. In front of the mosque I was met by my people of Cardiff. They are my people for they all love us as family. They are not just family but really good family, sharing with us the hard and the soft .My fellow Somalis and good number of other Muslims lined up to hug me and to offer condolences one by one. Masjidu-Nur of Butetown was crammed downstairs and upstairs. Women were given a special area where they were literally compressed like sardines in a box. After Duhur prayer Sh. Mohammed led Jinaza prayer. Tears filled my eyes but my heart was so cool and my mind told me my son is in the hands of his creator and he will be in better life than his short life here. I offered the Du’a wih parental tone and in my special words, as the rest of the congregation did. Then again I was attacked with love and solidarity, they offered condolences tears in their eyes and some cannot hold their sorry and openly cried.
We took the last episode of Mohamed's life, a trip to the Ely Cemetery. The ground was covered with my fellow Somalis and my fellow Muslims. Thank Allah for the number of attendants. Cars filled all open spaces and people covered all the grass area. They came from all over the world . From Holland, from Canada , from Saudi Arabia, from all UK of course large number came from our next door cities, Bristol and Newport. Many of them cried openly. I learned nothing is better than true friendship when I saw my son’s friends crying openly. I learned men cry not of fear but of love and sorry.
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| Mohammed with his grandfather Omer Arteh and his late grandmother Shukri Jirde. |
The grave itself is located at a corner and under a tree. A location anyone with choice would have chosen. Allah has chosen for my son MOHAMMED.
May Allah bless his soul and make his grave a room from heaven. May Allah bestow his mercy and reward him Jannatul Fardaws for his loyalty to Allah and to his parents. I pray Allah to forgive me for all I haven't done for him. He gave me all his love while I did gave him a little of mine. Making his parents happy and satisfied was his utmost priority. It is painful to see ones child die before him but I am happy for all good deeds he have done in his short life. He never used his hand and tongue to harm any creature . To him they were tools to support, help and praise everyone. His heart was so huge he never found difficulty to entertain entire humanity with love and joy. I am proud to have Mohamed as my son. He departed us physically but he rests in my heart and mind for ever. He gave his entire life to serve us, never feel tired to execute our endless demands. He was a tower of help, mountain of support and river of love. Allah took my son for better life Insha Allah. His loyalty to Allah and to us will be rewarded with Allah's love.
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| Ahmed Arwo with his grandsoin Ahmed |
Mohamed left in this world a son, named after me, Ahmed and a lovely wife who changed his life during this short period they were together. She made him happy, forward looking for better life. I noticed all these changes from the day they get married. My daughter-in-law Fathiya Sh Ibrahim I pray Allah to compensate your loss with better future and happy life in this world and forgiveness and Jannatul Fardaws hereafter.
Please do offer Du'a for him and for us.
My Daughter' s tribute
http://samotalis.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/in-memory-of-my-dear-brother-mohamed.html
My tribute in Somali:
2- http://samotalis.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/xus-iyo-xusuusta-inankeyga-maxamed_18.html
Please do offer Du'a for him and for us.
Father Tel: 07535447230 (UK)
Somaliland 00252 63424 2077
Mother Amal Tel: 02920344085 (UK)
Somaliland 00252 63424 2077
Mother Amal Tel: 02920344085 (UK)
Ahmed Hassan Arwo
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| Mohamed Ahmed Arwo with Abdiwahab Ismail Raja, me and uncle Abdihakim, |
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| Mohamed in white thob with uncles and first cousins |
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| Mohamed behind in black suit with uncles and first cousins |
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From a friend
Salamu Alaykum adeer. I read your article on Somaliland Sun today. Adeer sabr and eman. To Allah we belong and to him we will return. I have a two small children, the loss of child is big test from Allah swt. I was moved deeply reading your article and remembering my own children and remembering Allah swt.
Allah says in the Quran he will test people in this life with their wealth, health and children etc. May Allah swt make this time easy for you and your family and give your son jannatul firdous. Ameen
Allah says in the Quran he will test people in this life with their wealth, health and children etc. May Allah swt make this time easy for you and your family and give your son jannatul firdous. Ameen
From Sahra Noor
Salaam ahmed... Walaal I have read all your messages about your beloved son mohamed. ..may Allah rest his soul at the highest rank in janah. .amiin
Walaahi I was touched .moved and so emotionally upset with all u written about him... Walaal ahmed do not doubt yourself I am so sure you were a wonderful caring and full of good advise and a great role model father to your beloved son mohamed . I feel u n amal ur pain tears and despair and not a minute has gone without thinking of ur pain Allah ha ka siiyo samir and mean Walaa
10 comments:
My Dearest Uncle,
Abti, may Allah take our beloved Mohamed to Jena Fardousa, may Allah accept your prayers for him and widen his grave. Ameen!!
You have a way of touching and moving me profoundly with your words and more so during this difficult time that Allah took Mohamed from all of us, particularly from you, Amal, Fathiya, and Najat.
While we know and accept that one day sooner or later we are all going to die and be with Allah Subhan Wa Taala, yet we also know how painful it is to loose a loved one. Having said that, I can not for the life of me imagine how the four of you feel specially you and Amal. So my Dua and prayers are with you. May Allah give you the strength to carry on, just like the way Ayeeyo Ugaaso carried on after she buried so many of her children, as many of the them passed on before she did.
My sweet and loving uncle I can't stop weeping, praying and thinking about the four of you. In addition I greif for all us whose lives have been touched by Mohamed. Your description of Mohamed's personality, values, love, aspirations, ambitions, and understanding is spot on, as his father, you knew him more than any other.
My love and Dua are with you during this very difficult time.
Lots of love
Your niece Sabah Armiyeh
Dearest Brother Ahmed-Deeq,
While the loss of a loved one is never easy, it is most certainly the hardest when they are taken from us too soon. The loss of your son who has left us at such a youthful age is definitely in the hard losses category for which there is so painful a reminder of what might have been. Reading this tribute brings tears to our eyes , even thought is hard to imagine the pain you and family going through, you have painted a picture that have touch our hearts. Our prayers and condolences are with You ,Amal ,Najad, His little Boy and the family. May Allah give sabr to the family. May Allah SWT accord him the highest place in Jannat-ur-firdaus. Aameen.
May Allah Subhan Wa-Taala reward Mohammed for his good deeds, forgive him for the shorcomings and accord him the highest place in Jannat ul firdaus.
To my Dearest Uncle Ahmed
May Allah take our beloved Mohammed Jannat Al ferdoos
It's a big shocking to me to loose my best friend in fact my brother who I care about him he was a loving son and a loving father we shared laughter and he was there for me when I needed someone to talk to he meant a lot to me he was there with me when I lost my daughter and named my first Son After him
When he came to Saudi especially Dhahran I was happy that my brother and my sister in law came to my house and Liban Hussain and we were catching up the old days
Everyday I think about him and I miss him a part of me is gone but I know he is in a better place and his legacy lives with his Son Ahmed and I wish to return one favour back to Mohammed my brother.
Adeer Mohammed still with us he will be in our heart you didn't loose a son we are your son's
So I wrote this to my brother Mohammed
They say in time it gets easier
I believe this isn't true
Because even after all this time
I still don't have a clue
I was not ready to say goodbye
Your disease just over took
So on this day we remember you
I take a second look
Our friendship is forever
Until death, did we part
Although your away physically
You're always in my heart.
Regards Your Son
Anwar Jirdeh Farah
I recall the hadith of Prophet Mohammed peace be upon him. ‘It is Allah’s that takes and it is He that gives, and He prescribes a certain destiny for every matter.’
I was terribly sorry to read, in this tribute, about the passing of your beloved son {Mohammed}. May Almighty Allah in his mercy grant him rest, and may his grave be a part of Jannatul Firdausa and an abode of light? Insha Allah he will pass successfully in all the stages of the life hereinafter.
Also I would like to submit my heartfelt condolence, Dua and blessings to you and to your family. Let's remind ourselves that everything has a fixed term in this world, so we must be patient and content with Allah. I hope that you can find solace in the truth of faith in this difficult time. "Surely we belong to Allah and to Him shall we return."
انا لله وانا اليه راجعون
Peace be upon you all
Hassan Omer Horri
INAA LIL LAAH WA INAA ILEYHI RAAJICUUN
Abti Samir Iyo Iimaan. Geridu waa Xaq oo dhamaaneen wey ina sugeysaa. Alxamdu Lillaah Iimaan adag ayuu Ilaahay kugo maneystey. Marxuumkana Ilaahay Janadii Fardoosa haga waraabiyo dhamaanteena Ilaahay dambigeena iyo kii waalidiinteena iyo umada islaamkoo dhan ha inaga saamaxo.
Habaryateyna waxaan leeyahay habaryar Samir iyo Iimaan.
Yusuf Haji-Ismail Jirdeh
INAA LIL LAAH WA INAA ILEYHI RAAJICUUN
Abti Samir Iyo Iimaan. Geridu waa Xaq oo dhamaaneen wey ina sugeysaa. Alxamdu Lillaah Iimaan adag ayuu Ilaahay kugo maneystey. Marxuumkana Ilaahay Janadii Fardoosa haga waraabiyo dhamaanteena Ilaahay dambigeena iyo kii waalidiinteena iyo umada islaamkoo dhan ha inaga saamaxo.
Habaryateyna waxaan leeyahay habaryar Samir iyo Iimaan.
Yusuf Haji-Ismail Jirdeh
From Noura Ibrahim cousin of Mohamed and sister of his wife. A really moving farewell. They are strong believers, rare in this era. Noura was there to say her special farewell to Mohamed after washing ritual and now she offers her support in her way to her sister. Here she is :
Dear sister,
Mohamed was loved by everyone because he was incredible cousin that could not be replaced as you said but we could learn from the way he lived his life. His quality could not be described in words. He had a positive attitude and was a man who never complained of difficult situations and most importantly never troubled anyone in fact he always assisted and supported others. Mohamed always said alhamdulilah to every situation even when he was unwell. He always thought of others because he was a protector and never wanted his family and loved ones to worry. He was a role model and he will be always remembered for the good deeds he did for his family, friends and others. Be proud because your beloved husband loved you so much, he was a amazing husband, amazing father, amazing causin and amazing human being that anyone could wish for. Most importantly Mohamed was 'Baari' to his mum and dad. He has left a positive impact to all of us particularly you walaal. Just know that his memory would always be with us. May Allah Grant him Jennatal faruudsa amiin. Xxx
0 # Yusuf D Ali 2014-11-15 12:55
To Allah we belong and to him we must return. My sincere condolences to Mr. Ahmed Hassan Arwo to his family and friends. May Allah grant his son a garden in Paradise and forgive all his sins and the sins of all Muslims.
Thanks to Ahmed Hassan Arwo for sharing this moving story with us and may Allah (SWT) replace the loss of Arwo family with comfort, forgiveness and more strength. Amiin ya Rab.
Amina Mahmoud 2014-11-16 10:01
Brother Ahmed Asalam Alaikum.
Your touching tribute to your beloved son was so powerful, and beauitful. Brother you don't know me personally, but I can't stop thinking about you and your beloved family during this difficult time.
When the Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W) own son died, he said the eyes shed tears and the theart is grieved, but we will not say anthing except which pleases Allah.
May Allah enhance your recompense and be generous in your calamity and forgive your beloved son. May Allah in his mercy grand him rest, may his grave be a part of Jannatul Firdaus. Amin ya Rabbul Alameen.
He was so blessed to have a father like you. Allah yarhamo.
From Sahra Noor
Salaam ahmed... Walaal I have read all your messages about your beloved son mohamed. ..may Allah rest his soul at the highest rank in janah. .amiin
Walaahi I was touched .moved and so emotionally upset with all u written about him... Walaal ahmed do not doubt yourself I am so sure you were a wonderful caring and full of good advise and a great role model father to your beloved son mohamed . I feel u n amal ur pain tears and despair and not a minute has gone without thinking of ur pain Allah ha ka siiyo samir and mean Walaa
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