Indeed every soul shall taste death. It has been 40 days now since I lost my father, Muhammed Munir Isa. Dad stood for me through thick and thin since when I was born.
Even though I knew it was looming, I didn’t know it would come so soon. I was hoping I’d have more time to get acquainted with the idea of death and what it means for those of us left behind. Death is a part of life. And once it strikes someone you so dearly love, your existence will never be the same.
I lost my dad. But only in body, not in spirit. This is by far the most painful and heart-ripping and life-altering experience I’ve endured. But I do my best to remain grateful and comforted knowing how much my beloved dad positively affected the lives of others. He was the most sincerely altruistic person I have ever known with no attachment to material things, he would literally give you the clothes he was wearing. All you had to do was mention you liked something and he would immediately insist on giving it to you. All he ever wanted to do was make other people feel comfortable and make sure they were not feeling left out. My Dad left an impact on every person he met, even strangers (who didn’t stay strangers very long because he was just so friendly).
I know the pain of losing my Dad will perhaps never leave me. How can you get over a person who has been there since before you were even aware of yourself? His life, his influence, his energy are inextricably linked to mine and I now take comfort in that. I take comfort in knowing that my dad is no longer in pain. That suffering is no longer something he has to endure.
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My dad will forever be in my heart until the day it stops beating. I still recall when he was on his sick bed and said, “take care of your mum and siblings incase I’m no more mallam Khaleefa’’. I was in tears and told him you’ll win this battle insha Allah. I left him and went for Juma’at prayer. I came back and went inside the ICU, on getting inside I found him in a critical condition. Doctors came in and were on him for about two hours.
After seeing his condition we were referred to National Hospital Abuja. We left Minna to Abuja around 7pm. We were close to reaching Suleja when dad answered the call of his Creator at exactly 9:25pm in an ambulance which I was in with his younger brother (Abbah Isa).
Innalillahi wa’inna ilaihi raji’un, seeing your dad dying in front of you. Indeed death is painful, but Allah mentioned in the Holy Qur’an that every soul shall taste death. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Our hearts still ache in sadness, for what it meant to lose you; You were a father whose worth can never be told. There’s a place in our hearts no one can fill. We miss you and always will.
The loss of a father no matter how old you are changes your life forever, you never really get over the loss, you learn to live with the loss and he is never far from your thoughts. Life became empty ever since he left us.
But alhamdulillah we give Glory to Allah for our father was that perfect husband every woman would love to have beside her. He was always there for our mother, and they shared everything life could offer together. Alhamdulillah he died knowing he had the greatest support of his family and friends who meant so much to him.
Daddy, before his return to his Creator on November 11, 2022 meant different things to different people, but for me he meant two things: My whole world and my hero. On some of his worst days, he would call my mum or me into his room. He would share his problems or tell us to take care of ourselves when he’s no more.
After the accident, which led to his death he was concerned about my mother. He wanted to make sure my mum was well taken care of. He didn’t want her left with a big bill. He was a man who was bigger than life. His laugh would make you open up and feel comfortable. His smile warmed the hearts of those who saw it. My father was a great man. His ethics and genes live on in his children. I am proud to call Muhammed Munir Isa my father. I was blessed with his presence in my life. His legacy will live on in me and my siblings. I hope I do him proud. You’re my guardian angel, daddy. I miss you very much. God bless you, Dad, and rest in peace till we meet again.
There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of you, my heart just breaks; I miss you terribly. You are never out of my heart. You were the most important part of my entire life, and there is no one like you.
Your absence will always remind me that I have a very important task to accomplish ahead as your first son. We will never forget you, we will always remember you with pride, you will always be in our prayers. Allah ya gafarta ma daddy. Ameen
Muhammed wrote from Abuja
