It is yet another birthday, a pause not for noise but for remembrance. A moment to think of death, the grave, Barzakh, and what awaits beyond this fleeting breath.
Allah says, “Every soul shall taste death” (Qur’an 3:185), and He reminds us of life, death, and return when He says, “Then We revived you after your death, that you might be grateful” (Qur’an 2:55). No soul escapes this decree. No wall is high enough to delay it.
The Prophet (SAW) said, “Be in this world as though you were a stranger or a traveler” (Sahih al Bukhari 6416), and he urged us to remember often the destroyer of pleasures, death (Jami at Tirmidhi 2307, graded Hasan).
Each day of my life, I reflect on what comes after the last breath, the silence of the grave, the questioning, and the mercy I desperately need. These thoughts steady my steps and soften my heart.
Today, I am grateful for life, for lessons, and for time still granted. I ask Allah not merely for more years, but for better deeds, sincere repentance, and a heart prepared for the meeting that no one can escape.
Alhamdulillah for another year to remember, to realign, and to return.
The meaning of this proverb is that it's impossible to make it to the "top" without help from others. An African folktale narrates of how once upon a time, the tortoise had a shiny shell and was very fast. In fact, he loved to race around and show off his speed prowess. He learned that the birds were invited to a feast in heaven. So cunning as he was, he persuaded the birds to make him some wings so he could go up with them. The birds obliged and made him the wings. When they arrived in heaven they had to introduce themselves. The birds introduced themselves in their various names: parrot, eagle, pigeon, sparrow and so on. When it was the tortoise turn, he introduced himself as "All of you". The birds were surprised but didn't protest. The moment the king's servants brought food and said, "this is for all of you", the tortoise turned to the birds and said, you heard what the king's servants said. In case you didn't hear, they said the food is for "all of you" and that is me. Greedy tortoise sat and ate all the food. The birds were disappointed and decided to take back the wings they had made for him and return to earth. After eating the food, the tortoise, trusting in himself decided to jump from heaven to earth. In the process, he broke his back shell into pieces and hurt himself so badly causing him to walk slowly. Lesson? Be grateful.
