Death scenes have been haunting me recently, beginning from the sudden death of my late grandpa on going to 2 deadly traffic accidents I had to pass through on my way to work, both of which I had the first class view of the bloody lifeless bodies, the later of which I got the privilege of driving through a pool of dark liquid that I am hoping not to be blood.

I never thought I’ll have those scenes persistently playing in my head, the honks of the cars behind me, the screams of those who gathered by to watch, that doctor that stopped her car and asked people to “move the body until the ambulance comes”, the white head cover that turned red. That is not to mention the ongoing saga of my grandfather’s bereavement; I miserably fail to understand the Muslim teachings when it comes to death, not only do close family members get witness a ritual of “Ghusul” where the dead body is being washed with water and other sanctified potions by an undertaker –sorry, couldn’t find a better suiting word- but those who attend the ceremony carry the cloth covered body to the graveyard walking and still sit to watch the burial.

I really was not moved when I first heard about his death; I guess I was in more of a shock like phase where the whole thing didn’t sink in, but watching the body being lowered into a hole in the ground and then covered by sand and dirt isn’t something you want to sit down to witness.

And as if that was not enough, a mullah comes in sits down beside the grave and mumbles strange stuff as if he is talking to the dead person, apparently those who are dead are very well alive and get to hear, see and remember everything. It is also said that it’s a good deed to visit the graveyards often, for they do remind us (Muslims) of death (our definite fate).

The simple fact of the matter is that, for me, there are worse things that could happen to me than dying. And as much as I do love life, my family, my friends and all the wonderful blessings I enjoy on a daily basis, I sometimes wonder why would people cling so hard on a life like ours..

They say that the best is yet to come,
I say I hope we are there to witness it..