DEATH: An inevitable phenomenon

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:

1. The Qur’an – which speaks to us about the Day we shall return to our Lord.
2. 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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