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A Shelter Lifted: In Memoriam Mother's Passing



A Mother’s Passing: An Irreplaceable Loss

When a mother’s hand rests upon one’s head, every worry fades away.
Her love is not merely an emotion; it is a shield of protection that guards us through every hardship.

The passing of one’s mother is an immeasurable loss that leaves behind a void no passage of time can ever fill. A mother’s departure from the ephemeral world to eternity deprives her children of her unconditional love, silent prayers, and lifelong blessings—leaving a wound that remains tender throughout life. When both parents are gone, it feels as though the shelter overhead has collapsed, leaving the offspring exposed at the very stage when parental presence is needed most.

While death is an inescapable reality ordained by the Almighty—“Indeed, we belong to Allah, and to Him we shall return”—the loss of a mother carries a uniquely profound anguish that words can scarcely convey. Every moment of life draws us closer to this inevitable end, yet the pain of maternal loss remains deeply tormenting despite our awareness of Divine decree.

My beloved mother, aged around ninety, passed away on 31st January, 2021, at about 10:00 PM in Islamabad after a prolonged illness. Her presence for nearly three decades after my father’s demise in 1994 served as a source of strength and solace for our family, helping us endure life’s trials with patience and faith. Despite being bedridden for several years, her existence continued to radiate reassurance until her final days.

Heartbroken by her departure, I humbly request friends and well-wishers to pray for her departed soul. May Allah Almighty bless her with eternal peace and grant her the highest place in Jannat. Ameen.


A Poetic English Rendering of Wali Nagri’s Urdu Poem

In Memoriam Mother's Passing

This poem I have written—
Each line of it was my childhood set free,
Every letter, every word,
A smile that once belonged to me.

She was my home, my open courtyard wide,
Where I played with joy, with nothing to hide.
There was peace in that courtyard, no shadow of fear,
Yet my mother’s voice would still ring clear:

“My child! My child! Where have you gone?
Come closer to me—do not wander on.”
She never let me slip from her sight,
Rocked me gently through day and night.

Her lullabies carried prayers so deep,
And in those prayers, blessings would sleep—
Blessings so vast they lit my fate,
Made destiny’s stars shine bright and great.

Her lap—by God—was heaven to me,
A living paradise, warm and free.
I know not why, like Adam, I was sent away,
Yet love’s kiss still shines on my brow today.

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