Taken from “Enjoy your life” by Dr. Muhammad Abd’ Al Rahman Al Arifi
I remember that sometimes ago I went to Madina and met Khalid. He said," What do you say if we visit Dr. Abdullah?"
I said," Why? What’s the news?"
He replied,“For condolences.”
“For condolences?” I remarked, in surprise.
He said," Yes. His eldest son went to a wedding party with the entire family in a nearby city, whilst he remained behind in Madina due to his commitments at the university. On the way back they were involved in a terrible road accident in which they died - all eleven of them.
The doctor was a righteous man beyond 50 years of age, but nevertheless, a human being with feelings and emotions. He had a heart in his chest, and two weeping eyes, and of course, a soul that can become happy and sad.
When we heard the terrible news, he prayed over them and buried them with his own hands, all eleven of them.
He began to wonder about his house in bewilderment. He would pass by toys that lay there untouched for days, because Khulud and Sarah who would play with them had died.
He would pass by Yasir’s bicycle which hadn’t moved for days since the one who used to ride it had died.
He would enter his eldest daughter’s room to see her wedding suitcases arranged and her clothes lying on her bed. She died when she was in the middle of arranging her wedding clothes.
Glory be to the ONE who gave him patience and made him strong!
Guests would come to his house, but amazingly you would think that he was the one giving condolences and say**," To Allah (Swt) we belong and to Him we return. It belongs to Allah, whatever He takes or gives. Everything has an appointed time with Allah (swt) "**