Muslims have a prayer they say when they hear of a death: inna lillahi, wa inna ilahi rajiun -- To Him we belong and to Him we return. Each and every one of us is a gift from God to our families and friends, a trust from God given into our keeping but for a short while. No one, and nothing, is truly ours; all is loaned to us for a time, and then must return to the Merciful womb of the Divine.
We all hope that that loan will be longer rather than shorter, but when our loved ones are called back many of us find solace in the knowledge that they have returned to the One in whose hand their soul has always resided.
Many of us also find comfort in some of the prayers from the Qur'an:
2:286 Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error!
Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden like that which Thou didst lay upon those before us!
Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear!
Blot out our sins.
Grant us forgiveness.
Have Mercy on us.
Thou art our Protector.
Shelter us from those who would cover Truth.
11:123 To God belongs all things unseen, of the heavens and the earth, and to Him does every matter return. So worship Him. Put your Trust in Him. He is not unmindful of aught that you do.
7:126 Our Lord! Pour out upon us patience and constancy, and take our souls unto thee as ones who are peace with you.
And the words of our Prophet:
"All Praise is due to you, oh Allah! You are the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth, and whatever is within them. Praise be to You! Yours is the domininion of the heavens and the earth, and whatever is within them. Praise be to You! You are the light of the heavens and the earth and whatever is within them. Praise be to You!
"You are the Truth! Your promise is true. The meeting with you is true. Your word is true. Heaven is true. Hell is true. Prophets are true. Muhammad, peace be upon him, is true. The Hour is true.
"Oh God! Unto you do I submit. In You do I believe. Upon You do I depend. Unto you do I turn. For you do I strive. Unto you do I seek judgement. So forgive me for what I have done and what I will do, for what I have concealed and what I have declared, and for that of which You are more knowledgeable than I.
"You are the expediter and You are the deferrer. There is no God but You. There is no strength and no power except with God."
My prayers are with those whose lives ended so soon, with their families, their friends, the professors, their fellow students, for all who have been touched by the tragedy of this week.
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