Death of a Mujahid

It's been 3 weeks since the final resting of Ahmad Ammar Ahmad Azam in Istanbul, Turkey. And yet, thousands of people still digging the story behind this young man. Dubbed as 'Delayed Martyr' by his friends, this young lad travelled from Malaysia to Istanbul in his hope and effort to delve deeper, finding the ultimate knowledge about Islam historic events to bring back the glory of Islam. 

I was torn apart and sobbing deeply after watching the video which was made in tribute to him by Grup Penjejak Tamadun Dunia (GPTD) about a week ago. I pondered to what has been made to my life as a Muslim. What are my contribution to Islam? Is there any? At least any contribution to my family, my friends, my colleagues? Is there any? Null. Nill. Zero and blank. I am 14 years older than him. And he, he walked so farther away, achieved so many things and contributed so many, so much to the community and the people around him. And yet in death, his good-doings still muttered by the living, his spirit seems to be everywhere right now. I found this particular blog, www.wasukalu.com , granting a permission for translation of his memior for Ahmad Ammar. With this, with my humble English, I would like to translate his memoir for this great young man, in the hope that it can be read and understand by those people who might stumble on my blog and English is their primary language. 

Start of the Memoir by www.wasukalu.com :

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Ammar - a Malaysian Islamic fighter, a popular in Turkey dubbed as the 'Delayed Martyr'

This is the story of Ahmad Ammar bin Ahmad Azam.

Ahmad Ammar - dubbed by his close friends as the "Delayed Martyr”. 

Ahmad Ammar Ahmad Azam laid to his rest at the age of 20. He died due to an accident in Istanbul Turkey. His passing was mourned by friends and families, also thousands of Muslims, but remember, he was just went to see his God, Allah Al Khaliq, Al Baadii. He was a second year History major in Marmara University, Goztepe campus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marmara_University). He was sponsored by the Turkey State Scholarship programme. His passion to explore and delve deeper into the history of Ottoman and pursue his dream to upholding Islam and serve the Ummah were also the dreams of his parents. 

Ahmad Ammar was born in the family of conscious knowledge, worship, preaching and appreciate sacrifice. His father is a pious man, Tuan Haji Ahmad Azam Abdul Rahman, former ABIM president is not a stranger to the missionaries and the Islamic movement in Malaysia. He was the fourth in the family and the only son to Tuan Haji Ahmad Azam Abdul Rahman and his wife, Puan Nur Azlina Aziz.

For teenagers as young as Ammar, listening to Quran as ear candy might be the last thing to do. But not for this young mujahid, he is rumored to leave the house only after spending quite some time reading the holy Quran. 

At that tender age, he has been involved in various humanitarian missions in several countries in the world. His mission to Syria was the most heartbreaking and touching experience told by his close friends. He made it known that his heart left in Syria. Despite the explosion after explosion erupted at the surrounding area of the hospital where he spent his nights in Syria, he was never deterred, only to find he was even determined than ever to continue to help Syria. An event as told by his friend was so moving about Ammar having a wash very early in the morning and icy cold weather, when asked why, he says, he dreamt he met his angels as a gift from Allah. MashaAllah, Allah the AlMighty, the Great. And since that day, his close companions dubbed him as the "Delayed Martyr". But no, Allah did not take him there. Allah still need him for Ummah, he made a safe return to Istanbul after the mission. Subhan'Allah, Glory be to Allah, should Ammar died as syahid in Syria, most probably, no one will know him as he will be buried is Syria, in chaos and all. Allah knows better to whom this young lad should be surrounded with...

His Untimely Death

Allahu Akbar! How lucky is the parent, to get to see, the son they intended for Ummah, the last journey of their boy with a good ending. 

Crowds of people thronged the Abu Ayyub al-Ansari Mosque in Istanbul for his funeral. Ammar was buried near the great companions of the Prophet (pbuh), Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, who fought to liberate Constantinople before. His friend wrote, 'Ammar is a "Muhajir" (people who migrate) and a guest to Sayyidina Abu Ayyub al-Ansari.

Subhan'Allah, Glory be to Allah, this is not a coincidence. Look at how beautiful the way Allah blessed his “tawafuk” upon Ammar. Looking back at the history of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) migration from Makkah to Madinah, the Prophet (pbuh) is a guest in the house of Sayyidina Abu Ayyub al-Ansari. 

It is not a coincidence that the camel ridden by the Prophet (pbuh) chosen the house of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari. It is by the guidence from Allah. And this is a symbolic to Ahmad Ammar that he immigrated to find knowledge from Malaysia to Istanbul.It is fated and arranged by Allah that Sayyidina Abu Ayyub al-Ansari was selected to honor the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) into his home, and so too with Amad Ammar to be the guest of Sayyidina Abu Ayyub al-Ansari in Eyup interment, Istanbul. This is Ahmad Ammar's gift from Allah the Al-Mighty,  and this fate has certainly made his grieving parents the most grateful parents.

The promise of Allah is very clear, as in Sura al-Nisa', verse 100 :

Sahih International

And whoever emigrates for the cause of Allah will find on the earth many [alternative] locations and abundance. And whoever leaves his home as an emigrant to Allah and His Messenger and then death overtakes him - his reward has already become incumbent upon Allah . And Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful.

Subhan'Allah, praise be to Allah. On the morning of the incident, Ammar went out to visit new students from the South East Asia with his passion for sharing knowledge and discussion on Rasail Nur by Imam Bediuzzaman Said Nursi. 

According to Ammar's father, his last entry which was found in his back pack read as ""There should be the pleasure of Allah in your practise. Had Allah pleased when the whole world turns away from you, then it does not matter. If He had received the vain and all the creatures refuse then it does not give any effect already ... Because it was supposed to just pleased Allah alone and be the main purpose in this missionary service. ", and as noted by his father, Ammar managed to cross the road but lost his balance and fell on the road and got hit by an ambulance. 

He passed away and went to be with Allah at the tender age of 20. He was a second year History major in Marmara University, Istanbul. He longed for martyrdom. Apparently, Ahmad Ammar may already met his angels until he no longer want to turn aside and went straight in pursuit of his dreams of upholding Islam and educate and care for the well-being of Ummah. 

He continues to serve tirelessly to preach and work diligently until the date of his demise and that is when his assignments in this mortal world end. Alhamdulillah, praise be to Allah because with His love and guidance that Islam continues to shine with the presence of youth like Ammar. Tabarakallah, al-Fatihah. 

Video Kisah Kehidupan Ahmad Ammar Ahmad Azam

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Also, readers who would like to know more about this great young man might be interested to poke their facebook at Şehıdımız Ahmad Ammar.

As for me, there are questions, good ones that has been playing in my mind since the day Ahmad Ammar becomes a legend. Specifically Turkey. Why he chose Turkey, a secular country to study History? Ahmad Ammar, you make me wonder, how thick a book have I covered to make such judgement. Judgement is only for Allah to make and not His servant. Ahmad Ammar, you make me want to strive more in life. Not every child is born to be a hero, a fighter like you. Not every child is given the strength to fight like you. Not every child is lucky to be chosen by Allah to be a Mujahid like you. And not every parent is lucky to be bless a son like you, not every one can be lucky to have a brother, a great friend like you. And nobody can be you, there will not be the same Ahmad Ammar BUT we can follow your good deeds, we can try and improve ourselves to be as good as you or even better. Lets just hope that your phenomena will last until The Day of Judgement for the Ummah. Lets just hope that Malaysia will continue whatever they wrote, how they felt, how they has been inspired by you and make worth of their tears pouring down while reading your story and turn in as jihad for Islam. And be happy that Allah prolonged your life for you to make it back to Istanbul and not as Syahid in Syria. Because of Istanbul, you were known to the world and because of that, I know you. Thank you Allah.