– Farheen Shah, Goa
[Here’s a real-life incident that happened with me and my family!]
On the tranquil evening of October 17th, around 9 p.m., our family embarked on a lengthy six-hour journey, nearing our destination merely an hour away. With my husband at the wheel, myself in the front passenger seat, unbelted, and our two-year-old and three-year-old nestled in the lap of our house helper, Deepa, we set off, accustomed to traversing long distances by road. However, that particular night bore an uncanny atmosphere; the highway appeared eerier, darker, and more ominous than usual. Despite this, a sense of serenity enveloped my being, as I found solace in my connection with the Divine, the winds whispering through my hijab as I recited praises to Allah.
As my father-in-law, traveling just ahead of us, reached out to inquire about our whereabouts, we exchanged brief words before tucking the phone away near the gear shift. In a heart-stopping moment, my husband lost control of the vehicle near a diversion, failing to spot the concrete dividers. With a deafening screech, our car careened off the road, overturning violently. In the chaos, I found myself ejected from the front window alongside my three-year-old daughter, who had moments earlier ventured forward. We landed on the pavement, miraculously unscathed, as the vehicle, with my husband, our child, and Deepa still inside, somersaulted twice before coming to a rest.
A brief lapse of consciousness enveloped me, akin to a profound slumber ordained by a higher power. When I awoke mere seconds later, my child remained cradled safely in my arms, devoid of any visible injuries. With shards of glass littering the ground, I sprinted towards the overturned car, the most harrowing dash of my life, consumed by thoughts of the fate that awaited my loved ones. Yet, a resolute optimism, instilled by divine guidance, propelled me forward.
Surveying the wreckage, I witnessed a scene that defied comprehension. Despite the mangled metal and shattered windows, my helper’s cries of pain pierced the night, while our two-year-old daughter, remarkably unscathed, lay placidly amidst the chaos. Meanwhile, my husband, ensnared by his seatbelt, struggled to breathe, his panic palpable.
Amidst the peril, a profound sense of unity emerged as strangers rushed to our aid, disregarding barriers of religion or creed. Hindus and Christians alike offered assistance, providing water, footwear, and sustenance for our children. In the darkest hours of the night, calamity forged bonds of compassion and solidarity.
Transported to the hospital, my husband and Deepa received urgent medical attention for their complaints of chest pain. Grateful for their survival, I reflected on the fundamental truth of our shared humanity, transcending superficial divisions of caste and creed. Amidst the wreckage, Allah’s love shone brightly, guiding us through adversity and illuminating the path to gratitude and introspection.
Returning home at midnight, embraced by the tearful embrace of our eldest daughter, we offered prostrate thanks to the Almighty for sparing us from a fate too grim to contemplate. Though lamenting the loss of our vehicle, our hearts overflowed with gratitude, recognizing the insignificance of material possessions in the eyes of the Divine.
As another day dawns, I am reminded of the prayers offered in the sacred nights of the previous year of Ramadan, their fervor shielding us from impending tribulations. Indeed, the power of charity and supplication served as a shield against calamity, as prophesied by the teachings of our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
In the aftermath of this ordeal, we stand united, transformed by the crucible of adversity. Through trials and tribulations, Allah shapes us into better versions of ourselves, guiding us along the path of righteousness. With hearts brimming with gratitude, we embark on the journey from “Here” to Hereafter, mindful of the divine decree that ultimately beckons us all.
“And We test you with the good and the evil as trials, and to Us you will be returned.” (Quran 21:35)
