Adeel Malik
The tragic news of the PIA flight crashing in Havellian, Pakistan with all 47 people on board dieing has shocked us all.
The trauma level increased further when it was confirmed that Junaid Jamshed, aged 52-year-old, was amongst the dead along with his wife. Yes, the deaths of all on board the plane were distressing, but when someone who have left a huge impact on the masses – voted as one of the 500 most influential Muslims in 2014 – then his mention and remembrance becomes that much greater.
Here are four of the many lessons we can all learn from Junaid Jamshed’s life and the manner of his death.
1) Worldly Fame ≠ True Success
Majority of us have a past that to an extent we are not so proud of since we had lived life according to our desires and the worldly norms.
Those who know about Junaid Jamshed will know all too well about his early life, his youth. No need to mention it here since it’s his past and Alhumdulilah he left that path. But what we should note is the worldly fame didn’t give Junaid and many other celebrities like him the very thing that we all are seeking = success and peace of the heart. Allah says:
“…And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.”
[Qur’ān 57:20]
Tasting huge worldly fame didn’t give Junaid Jamshed contentment of the heart and one shouldn’t be surprised by this as such stories from the entertainment industry continues to come forth where they leave the darkness of deluded enjoyment and enter the light of Islam.
2) Have good pious companions = benefit you even after death
Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) had accurately proclaimed that:
“A man is upon the religion of his best friend, so let one of you look at whom he befriends.”
[Sunan Abu Dawud 4833]
Once Junaid decided to follow the path pleasing to Allah, we got to see his companions he associated with changed to those with the similar vision.
And the result is that now those very friends of His who are striving for the pleasure of Allah are remembering him with good words and sincere prayers for his soul. Here is Yasir Qadhi doing just that:
https://www.facebook.com/yasir.qadhi/posts/10154403777593300:0
3) The last part of life = The best in Allah’s obedience
We are constantly reminded time and time again the importance of returning to he servitude of Allah before death comes to us. Junaid Jamshed did just that in the latter part of his life.
After leaving his worldly lifestyle, he strived to do acts which would please Allah. He sought knowledge, implemented it and called others to it. He remained firm on this path till death came to him.
Isn’t this something we should all aspire to do and be like if we aren’t already doing so? Yes, one may point out disagreements with Junaid Jamshed’s on certain aspects, but it’s like with anyone – there will always be some sort of disagreements. At the time of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), a Bedouin made a Dua, which the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) approved, of which the last part was as follows:
“…Make the last part of my life the best, make the best of my deeds the last and make my best day be the one in which I meet You.”
[At-Tabaraani]
4) You die as you lived your last part
For the best part of his last 14 years, he spent in bringing the message of Islam to people at various corners of the world. His main audience was no doubt Muslims themselves, specifically Urdu speakers and he would travel for days to share his knowledge with others.
It was quite befitting that Allah decreed for Junaid Jamshed to taste death whilst he was on yet another such trip. Junaid tweeted this just days before leaving for his plane journey:
Heaven on Earth Chitral.
With my friends in the Path of Allah . Snowpacked Tirchmir right behind us pic.twitter.com/ZajcWEKlrG— Junaid Jamshed (@JunaidJamshedPK) December 4, 2016
Aren’t these lessons for us all to reflect upon regarding how we are living our lives and know it’s never too late to turn to Allah? Take that sincere step towards seeking the guidance of Allah and know He will truly guide you. Never ever despair in His mercy for He is the Most Compasisonate, the Most Forgiving.
We ask Allah to have mercy upon Junaid Jamshed and every single person who died in this plane crash along with every single Muslim who is living the life of the grave.
We beg to Allah alone to enable us to lead a life of piety and make our ends in His obedience.
