A Sad Occasion

I am the youngest in a family of six children. My eldest brother. Ali, was almost twenty-three when tragedy struck suddenly to deprive our family of a filial son and loving brother.

I came home from school that day, cheerful because I had won the top prize in a school mathematics competition. When I reached home, I knew immediately that something was wrong. Many of my relatives were at my house and the looks on their faces showed sadness.

I quickly rushed into the house and met my sister, Salmah, who blurted out to me that Ali was dead. “He was knocked down by a car while crossing the road to his office,” she said, “and was killed on the spot.” I felt as if someone had pulled the carpet from under my feet, and for a second I felt dizzy. Then the realization of the loss set in and I was overcome with sorrow.

I could hear my mother and sisters wailing loudly inside the room. I knew that Ali’s body lay there but I could not bring myself to go in. I moved towards the wall and turned my back towards it. Then, I slumped down to the floor and bowed y head low between my upright knees.

I felt someone touch my shoulder and looked up to see my father standing over me. His eyes were red and the skin around his eyes looked puffy. He told me that it was time for the funeral.

Ali’s body was washed according to Islamic custom and prayers were held. Then, we went to the Muslim cemetery at St James Park for the burial. After, the burial and further supplication for the dead, it finally dawned on me that I would never ever see my brother again in the flesh. I offered a silent prayer for my brother and beseeched God Almighty to provide ell for my brother in the Hereafter.