Before We Truly Go Home

As the sun dips toward the horizon on a Friday afternoon, the sounds of life continue, yet the heart feels a pull toward introspection, a return to self, an awareness of mortality, and ultimately, a return to God.

Each week brings Friday, but no one is guaranteed to see the next. This awareness makes the Friday afternoon a poignant time to pause, reflect on blessings, and consider what has been prepared for the meeting with God.

This reflection leads to a story about Imam Ibn al-Jauzi, a renowned scholar whose life was filled with knowledge, preaching, education, and writing. Through his teachings, thousands found guidance, many repented, and hundreds of works became a legacy of knowledge. Yet, what resonates most is not his achievements, but a poignant statement attributed to him.

He is said to have told his students, "If you enter paradise and do not find me with you, then ask about me. Say: 'Our Lord, your servant so-and-so used to remind us of You.'" He wept upon saying this. Imam Ibn al-Jauzi, a man of immense learning and a preacher who guided many back to God, wept, fearing his own end.

If such a scholar harbored such fears, the reflection turns inward: What about us? We, who are full of sins and negligence? We, whose prayers often lack focus? We, who read the Quran but do not always feel its message? We, who seek forgiveness but cling to old sins? We, who are quick to judge others but slow to weep for our own faults? We, who grieve when humans do not appreciate us, but rarely grieve when our hearts drift further from God? We, who desire to be known as good people, yet only God knows our true selves in private? We, who may speak much of religion, but perhaps do not converse with God in silence as much as we speak about faith? We, who advise others, but perhaps do not engage in as much heartfelt prayer?

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If you enter paradise and do not find me with you, then ask about me. Say: 'Our Lord, your servant so-and-so used to remind us of You.'