When Robin Williams was found dead in an apparent suicide on August 11, one of the first sensations that rushed through my mind was immense guilt. One of the most clearly talented actors and signature comedians of the last 30 years had killed himself, and I did not give him da'wah. Call it dumb but I feel that Robin Williams had a right on us, he entertained us through his comedies, family films, dramas, animation and blockbuster pieces. He made us laugh and cry; he taught us various sensibilities. He deserved that we do something for him, he deserved an invitation from us to worship Allah.
Those who die without believing in Allah are going to a place where they will be tormented forever in chambers of hell where the fire does not subside and they will be separated from Allah and His love for all eternity without any chance or return. Many Muslims find it difficult to come to terms with the fact that Allah could allow His creation to go to hell fire, in clear terms Allah says,
Death is an inevitable phenomenon. Daily, hundreds of thousands of people die due to geo-ecomonic conflicts and political skirmishes without Allah in their lives. The truth is that they may be going to hell. Da'wah work must, therefore, be given top priority by Muslims and Masajid generally. Imagine the teeming celebrity population of Hollywood, a number of actors, musicians and athletes worldwide who died battling substance abuse or depression and those who are still alive without Allah. Their life should not be in vain. We must not allow Ibless to populate hell. Hence, the need for Muslims to engage in da'wah work all over the world. We must leave the TV and other screens to save ourselves and others' souls from hell.
Those who die without believing in Allah are going to a place where they will be tormented forever in chambers of hell where the fire does not subside and they will be separated from Allah and His love for all eternity without any chance or return. Many Muslims find it difficult to come to terms with the fact that Allah could allow His creation to go to hell fire, in clear terms Allah says,
"Indeed, those who disbelieve and die while they are disbelievers - never would the [whole] capacity of the earth in gold be accepted from one of them if he would [seek to] ransom himself with it. For those there will be a painful punishment, and they will have no helpers." [Qur'an 3:91]
Death is an inevitable phenomenon. Daily, hundreds of thousands of people die due to geo-ecomonic conflicts and political skirmishes without Allah in their lives. The truth is that they may be going to hell. Da'wah work must, therefore, be given top priority by Muslims and Masajid generally. Imagine the teeming celebrity population of Hollywood, a number of actors, musicians and athletes worldwide who died battling substance abuse or depression and those who are still alive without Allah. Their life should not be in vain. We must not allow Ibless to populate hell. Hence, the need for Muslims to engage in da'wah work all over the world. We must leave the TV and other screens to save ourselves and others' souls from hell.
Another feeling that overwhelms me in the aftermath of Robin William's death is immense sadness. 1 person commits suicide every 16.2 minutes in the US. I wish I could say that the people who commit suicide are free or that they are in a better place. There is no freedom and benefit in obliterating oneself and leaving loved ones in shackles of grief. I think we need to remove stigma from depression. Life is not perfect and it will never be perfect. There is no need to hide our weaknesses. Every person experiences wariness, envy, fear or anger. If wealthy, talented famous people have taught us anything when they murder themselves is that happiness is not found under piles of money, luxuries, love or reputation. This means we must accept to live within imperfections.
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