Salamun alaykum,
Teen with terminal cancer completes No.1 item on his bucket list:
Among the items that made news headlines this week on Wednesday 23rd April was the story of Stephen Sutton, a 19 year old youth, who has raised more than a million dollars for charity. Having gained five A star GCSES, four As and two distinctions, Stephen was heading for a career in medicine as an oncologist where, ironically, he would be fighting the very disease that threatens to claim him.
Stephen had been diagnosed with bowel cancer at the age of 15. Two years later, he was told that it would be terminal. Last November he was classed ‘incurable’. What would have one done in such a situation?
What did Stephen do?
In light of the circumstances he decided to be more pragmatic with his time. Refusing to buckle under the weight of bitterness, Stephen drew up a list of personal ‘goals’ – 46 things he wants to achieve while he still can. He calls it his ‘bucket list’, just as in ‘kick the bucket’. The tasks in the ‘bucket list’ ranged from learning to juggle, Skydive, write a book, crowd surfing in a rubber dinghy, to hug an animal that is bigger than him and more. But the no. 1 item on his list was always to raise £10,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust.
Earlier this week his health deteriorated greatly. Updating his Facebook, he posted a picture of him giving a final thumbs up and a short letter. His story of final farewell inspired thousands and thousands of people who contributed more than a million pounds. Stephen who had raised funds in excess of his goal had achieved his final wish. Thus the above news headlines.
During these trying moments my heart reaches out to Stephen and his family. I am sending out my prayers for comfort, patience and strength.
To kick the bucket:
This is a common English expression that is used to mean ‘end of life’ or ‘to die’. Undoubtedly all living beings will need to pass this stage as testified in the Noble Qur’an at Sura al Ankabut 29:57:
“Every soul must taste of death, then to us you shall be brought back.”
Journey of life:
The only question that begs an answer is when will the bucket be kicked? Has anyone ever managed to find the response to this question and thus be completely prepared for the end?
As he got along his journey of life Stephen drew up a list of personal ‘goals’ he aspired to achieve. Likewise you and I too have in mind various personal aims which one would like to fulfill in this lifetime.
Over and above this list of personal aspirations or ones ‘bucket list’, as muslims, our attention is drawn in the Noble Qur’an to the purpose of our creation:
“And I have not created the jinn and men except that they should serve Me.” Sura Ad-Dhaariyat 51:56.
What is your bucket list?
Is the service to Allah SWT the top on your ‘bucket list’?
In your efforts towards accomplishing this bucket list are you consciously working towards earning the Pleasure of Allah SWT?
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah
Fazle Abbas Datoo
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat