Islam

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PRAY BEFORE YOU ARE PRAYED UPON!

Today we are still given the opportunity to stand before Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala and perform salah. However, there will come a day when we will no longer be able to do it. At that time, it will be other people who will stand to pray over us (Janazah prayer).

Salah is not a small matter. Don't waste this obligation until death comes and the opportunity to do good deeds has ended.

Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala says about the regret of the inhabitants of Hellfire:

"What put you into Saqar (Hellfire)?"

They will answer, "We were not of those who used to pray."
(QS. Al-Muddaththir : 42-43)[74]

This verse is a warning for us not to underestimate salah. While we are still alive and given the opportunity, let us guard our salah and perform it in the best way.

"Pray before you are prayed upon" is not a hadith of the Prophet Shallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, but it is a piece of advice that reminds us not to wait until death to realize the importance of salah. Because one day, we will no longer pray. We will be the ones who are prayed upon.

Allahu Ta'ala a'lam bishawab.

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May Allah make this week lighter for anyone carrying something silently.

May He ease what feels heavy, open doors we cannot see yet, and give us sabr while we wait for what is written for us.

Ameen. 🤲🏽

Human emotions are Unique.
The Peak of Happiness is Crying and Tears.
The Peak of Sadness is Laughter.
The Peak of Anger is Silence.

“AFTER ONE YEAR, I WILL COME BACK AND PICK UP A HAFIZ…”

Those were the words of Hajiya Zainab Aliyu Muhammad when she brought her 13-year-old son, Ismail Muhammad, to my office on 20th September 2025.

She entrusted him to our boarding Qur’an memorisation programme and told me:

“Malam, correct him, discipline him if necessary. I don’t mind what it takes. My lifelong wish is that after one year, I will come back and pick up a Hafiz.”

From that day, Ismail began his journey.

But his mother also became a mother to our boarding students.

Almost every Thursday she would call:

“Malam, the children are fasting. Please let me send their Iftar.”

Not only for Ismail.

For everyone.

Even when she travelled, the food would still come. Her son belonged to her, but somehow, all the students of the Qur’an became her children.

Then came 1st May 2026.

I received a call that Hajiya was critically ill and on oxygen.

I immediately took Ismail to the hospital.

There, struggling with illness, she held her son's hand.

She wasn't talking about his certificates.

She wasn't talking about wealth.

She wasn't talking about what he would inherit.

She simply said:

“Ismail, all I want is for you to become a Hafiz of the Qur’an.”

Then she looked at me:

“Malam, this is my Wasiyyah to you. Please make sure this child becomes a Hafiz.”

That was the last time I saw her.

On 17th May 2026, Hajiya Zainab returned to Allah.

Innā lillāhi wa innā ilayhi rājiʿūn.

She had promised:

“After one year, I will come back and pick up a Hafiz.”

But she never came back.

And now…

Today is 12th September.

Shehu Giwa Exclusive Academy is celebrating Ismail Muhammad as a MEMORISER OF THE GLORIOUS QUR’AN.

The little boy she brought to my office…

is now the Hafiz she prayed for.

But Mama will not be sitting among the audience.

She will not hear her son's name being announced.

She will not embrace him after the Walīmah.

Her seat will be empty.

Yet, her dream lives.

The Qur’an she desperately wanted in her son's heart is now there.

Perhaps every time Ismail opens his mouth and recites:

Alif… Lām… Mīm…

rewards begin travelling to a mother resting in her grave.

Dear parents, we invest millions preparing our children for a world they will eventually leave.

What are we investing in the life they will never leave?

Give your children the Qur’an, give them Islamic knowledge, sacrifice for their Ākhirah.

And when you hear this story, please don't only shed a tear.

Give Hajiya something more valuable: your Du‘ā.

May Allah forgive Hajiya Zainab Aliyu Muhammad, illuminate her grave and make every letter of the Qur’an recited by Ismail a continuing reward for her.

May Allah reunite them in Jannatul Firdaus, where there is no sickness, no oxygen, no separation…

and no goodbye.

Āmīn.

Ibrahim Shehu Giwa,
Director of Schools,
Shehu Giwa Academy.

Salam alaikum warahmatullah, I miss something for sure

Tuesday Reflections 💛

If you want more Barakah in your day, start it with the remembrance of Allah.

Be it morning Adhkars, praying two rakahs of Duha before you leave for work, or reciting a portion of the Quran. Do it with humility. Do it with respect.

Thank Allah for waking you up with eyes that can see the time in the corner of your room, ears that hear the alarm clock drilling into them, and a body that's been rejuvenated through sleep and now carries you through the day.

Thank Allah for all of it.

For the food you ate this morning.
For the water you sipped throughout the day, thats now hydrating your organs and enabling you to function.
For the breath in your lungs.
For the ability to move, think, speak, work, feel, and experience another beautiful day.

Thank Allah for all the things you can think of and all the things you cannot.

And dont he afraid to ask Him for more goodness.

Be it rizq.
Be it opportunities.
Be it improved wellbeing.
Ask for more guidance.
Closeness to Him.
And more Barakah in what you already have.

And perhpas thats the code of life....

A heart that feels content with their Rabb.
A soul that feels held by their Rabb.
A servant who can appreciate their Rabb even when things feel uncertain because they know Allah is their strongest handhold.

Maybe contentment isn’t having certainty about the future. Maybe it’s simply knowing Who holds tomorrow and trusting him to pave the way.

So start your day with Allah.

Tie your camel.

Ask Allah to support you every step of the way and then leave the outcome to Him.

Perhaps Allah’s help arrives as an opportunity, or maybe its a test.

Perhaps it's a closed door and we only realise later that it was infact His mercy.

Put your trust in Him. Make the effort. And watch how He carries you through what you once thought you’d never overcome.

Watch Him make your life beautiful. Because Allah is beautiful, and He loves beauty.

Before posting, hating, judging and insulting someone online think about it: will Allah swt be pleased with my words?
Does this reflect how a believer should speak and behave?
If you weren’t muslim and came on this app: would you honestly think it will make people want to follow the deen or even learn about it when they read how people speak?
No.
So be mindfull, work on yourself, relfect on your mindset and your behaviour and if you want to advice someone do that in private or in a respectfull manner.
Being a muslim should also be seen in our behaviour, not only the amounts of time that you pray, give zakaat etc.

ALHAMDULILLAH... IT'S A NRW DAY