A major tragedy occurred this past week in the ADAMS community. A group of friends met up after classes and decided to enjoy the perfect spring weather by driving out to Great Falls park on the Potomac River. Tragically, one of the bros slipped into the strong currents of the Potomac and another went into help, only to be swept away himself. 20 and 24 years old respectively.

I did not know either personally, but my family is acquainted with one of theirs. We paid our respects at the grief-stricken parents' home the following day. Alhamdulillah, I have been relatively spared from experiencing such a tragedy in my immediate circles. I have yet to experience the pain that these fine young mens' parents are experiencing. I can only ask that Allah give them sabr knowing that their sons are Shaheeds, inshaAllah.

My friend and former colleague, Andrew, perished a couple of months ago while I was away in Pakistan. I didn't hear of it until I returned a couple weeks after his and his fiancee's ferry capsized in the Baltimore Harbor.

Three promising lives snatched from us in their prime.

These are all reminders that our time is written and there will come a time when we have to own up to the way we have lived. Thankfully, Allah spares us in our cozy homes out in America from such tragedy. But on the same token, are we in need of constant reminders that we all face an end in this dunya? There is no doubt that we pray humbly in the immediate aftermath of such tragedies but it always seems to wane away. When at the masjid, you always hear "Pray as if this is your last prayer." Let's live each minute as if its our last minute...with Allah's name sweetening the tips of our tongues.

May Allah grant our two brothers who perished in the Potomac a home in Jannah near the river Rajab. Ameen.