Are you ready for your turn?

He was a student, probably in his early twenties. I didn't know his
name--I really didn't care. All I know is he was going for a lay-up
while playing basketball, lost hisbalance and fell on the ground--flat
on his back.
We thought he would shake it off and continue the game--so no one
really cared. To everyone'ssurprise, he never got up. At first a few
people on his team (later everyone) went up to him but he just
wouldn't reply.
CPR did no good. The ambulance personnel couldn't save him from dying.
The result at the ERwas no better. HE WAS DEAD!
As I came home tonight, I thought to myself, it could have been me
going up for that lay-up. It is very possible that I could be laying
in the coldcity morgue, right this minute, as I type this e-mail.
Am I ready to die? Did I communicate with Allah today? Did I perform
my daily prayers? Did I seek the pleasure of Allah?
Did I treat my parents andfamily with respect and love? Did I give any
at all in charity (sadaqa) today? How many times did I remember Allah
and recount His name?
The entire day I made time to go to school, check my e-mail, read the
news, chat with friends, watch TV, play basketball.......but did I
even once say"Astagfirullah"? Did I ask Allah to forgive the sins that
I've committed today? NO! Not once.
Did I say "Alhamdulillah" other than in my daily prayers? NO! Not once
myfriends. Would you like to know why? Because I wastoo caught up with
myselfand my daily activities.
Well, guess what. I could have lost my life during a lay-up in a
basketball game and what do I have with me? Not a thing. Nothing that
I did today do I get to bring with me to the grave. Nothing.
A few words that I could have uttered were the only things that I
could have brought with me. A few words that would've taken a few
seconds of concentration out of the 24 hrs. that was allotted to me.
A few cents in charity instead of cold drinks and candy bars could
have saved my soul. But I insisted to continue with my careless
attitude. Thank God it wasn't my turn to go, because I sure wasn't
ready.
Now I close my eyes and say Alhamdulillah. Now I look back and say
Astagfirullah. Now I have a different attitude. Now, I want to prepare
for my turn.
Did you perform your prayers today? Did you give in charity and love?
Did you ask for forgiveness yet? Do you care? I'm asking because
Idon't want to see you fall,knowing you aren't ready for your turn.
Are you ready for your turn?
May the Peace and Mercy of Allah be upon us all.