Tribute to My Late Father: Alhaji Abubakar Mujeli
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most
Merciful.
All praise is due to Allah, who created death and life as a test to see which
of us is best in deeds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet
Muhammad (SAW), his household, companions, and all who follow them until the
Day of Judgement.
One of the most certain realities of life is death.
We may avoid speaking about it, but no soul can escape it. Every person’s time
has already been fixed by Allah (SWT), and when that appointed moment comes, it
cannot be delayed or hastened.
The Prophet (SAW) reminded us of two constant reminders of
death:
- The
Qur’an – which speaks to us about the Day we shall return to our Lord.
- Death
itself – which does not speak, but its occurrence speaks volumes.
On Wednesday, 8th October 2014 (14th Dhul Hajj, 1435 AH),
death visited my beloved father, Alhaji Abubakar Mujeli, who until his
passing was Director of Internal Audit, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
His Life
My father was a man of few words, but many lessons. No one
is perfect, yet his gentleness, humility, and sincerity overshadowed whatever
small flaws he had. Those who knew him remember him as a true gentleman, calm,
kind, and generous.
To Me
To me, he was more than a father. He was my best friend, my
role model, my guide. I will never forget the sacrifices he made so that I could be happy, or the unconditional love he gave without ever asking for
anything in return.
The pain of losing him is indescribable. There are still
days I want to pick up the phone to seek his counsel, laugh with him in the living room, or share with him the milestones of life he always looked forward to.
It hurts that he could not witness the HANAFI he long prepared for. It hurts
that I still need him and he is no longer here.
But I will always cherish our final moment together. After
nearly twelve hours of no movement, he lifted his hand to hold mine. That
gesture spoke louder than words: he was entrusting me with the responsibility
to continue where he stopped. His last words were the kalimatush-shahadah, what a beautiful end. I pray I never fail the trust he placed in me.
To His Family
He was a simple man who found joy in family life. His
presence made home feel whole, his love made us strong. In his final days, we
laughed, ate together, and listened to his words not knowing they were the
last lessons he would give. We loved him dearly, but Allah loves him more.
To His Relatives
Despite his status, he never distanced himself from
relatives. He carried everyone along, counseled them, and resolved disputes
with fairness. A day before his passing, he called many of them to wish them
well, a final act of love and connection.
To His Friends
He was open-hearted and never discriminated between rich or
poor, old or new friends. He advised them, reminded them not to hold grudges,
and always wished them well. A day before his death, he spoke with many of
his closest friends. His friendship was a blessing to all who knew him.
At the Office
As a professional, he was respected by colleagues, admired
by his superiors, and cherished by his juniors. The words of praise and prayers
we continue to receive from his workplace remain overwhelming, a testament to
the impact he made in his career.
Closing Prayer
Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure. You are
loved beyond words and missed beyond measure.
May Allah (SWT) forgive your shortcomings, illuminate your
grave, and grant you the highest place in Al-Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen.
We miss you, Baba. Always.
— Hanafi Mujeli, Eldest Son
