🏵️🏵️🏵️ Dear John,

I appreciate your heartfelt reflection on the legacies of your grandfather and the lessons we can learn from them. Your writing is a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of preserving our cultural heritage.

As an Islamic perspective, I would like to offer some insights that may help alleviate the fear and uncertainty that often accompany the passing of our loved ones. The Quran states, "And We shall not punish until We have sent a messenger to give warning" (Quran 17:15). This verse highlights the importance of guidance and the role of messengers in bringing people closer to their Lord.

In Islam, we believe that death is not the end, but rather a transition to a new stage of life. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "The believer's soul is blessed wherever it is" (Bukhari). This hadith emphasizes the idea that our souls are not tied to our physical bodies, and that our spiritual journey continues even after physical death.

Furthermore, Islam teaches us that our ultimate goal is not to accumulate wealth, knowledge, or power, but rather to worship and please Allah alone. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "The best of mankind are those who are most fearful of Allah" (Tirmidhi). This hadith highlights the importance of fearing Allah and being mindful of His presence in all aspects of our lives.

I understand your perspective on the significance of legacy and the impact it has on our sense of identity. I believe that Islam provides a more comprehensive understanding of what it means to live a meaningful life and what lies beyond this mortal coil.

May Allah bless you for your openness to explore different perspectives and your desire to learn from others. I invite you to explore Islam as it is the final message from God to humanity, Islam is the culmination of all previous revelations, including the revelations given to prophets such as Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and others.

Have you ever stopped and asked yourself, What if, on the Day of Judgment, I realized that I was too lost by life's distractions, media, people, and responsibilities, and didn't take the time to read or embrace Islam as the final message?

I encourage you to read an online copy of the Quran to see what is the purpose of Life, God's nature, and different perspective than what we raised upon: https://quran.ksu.edu.sa/index.php?l=en#aya=1_1&m=hafs&qaree=husary&trans=en_sh

May you find peace and guidance on your spiritual journey.

🏵️🏵️🏵️

Mohamed, Ph.D