*By Robin Imran Mahmud* I am currently interning at a hospital in my community.
My role is to help the nurses look after their patients’ needs. My tasks include changing beds, feeding patients, discharging patients, and helping nurses clean the bodies of patients who are in the last stages of their lives. One day as I was checking on patients to see if there were any in need, I met Beverly – a 70+ cancer patient. I quickly discovered that Beverly had an extremely grumpy personality. She complained about the hospital – something patients rarely do at this particular hospital – and snapped at me when I offered to help her. When I went to the nurse’s station, I noticed a few people talking about how moody and grumpy Beverly was and I joined in as well. We were all frustrated by how difficult she was. As my shift progressed, I was asked to help feed Beverly. As I attempted to do so, Beverly maintained her harsh and grumpy tone, making it exceedingly difficult for me to feed her. I also noticed that she did not remember things easily; she repeatedly asked me about my name and the foods she was eating. I found out later that on top of her cancer, she has dementia, which is an illness that affects one’s memory. However as things turned out, I happened to stop by her room a few more times towards the end of my shift, which dramatically changed my perception of her. Randomly, seeing that her TV was still on, I asked her if she liked *I Love Lucy*, a TV show that would air in an hour. It was amazing how she changed. Her angry facial expression burst into a smile and she replied back excitedly that she loved that show. I took a seat at her bedside and talked with newfound energy and enthusiasm. *I Love Lucy* was one of my favorite childhood shows, and I told her all about my favorite episodes. She listened attentively and talked about her favorite shows. We then delved into her past, her favorite times, including her marriage story. She told me about her childhood, her Catholic high school days, the story of how her husband proposed to her, how they broke up, and how they got back together. I asked her what made her marriage so successful, and she replied that it was successful because of two reasons: sincere love and tender loving care. She then pointed towards the sky, and attributed all the blessings she had in her life and everything to God. She had the hikma, the wisdom, as a sick cancer patient staying at a place she absolutely abhorred, to give Allah *subhanahu wa ta`ala *(exalted is He) the credit for her life’s successes. I was thoroughly moved. We enjoyed the conversation, even though she would pause every so often to ask my name. Finally, as my shift came to a close and I stood up to say goodbye, she requested that I take down her address and come over someday for lunch or dinner. I did so, looking forward to such a day. As I drove back home, I reflected upon my encounter with Beverly. Within a few hours, her attitude towards me had changed so much. The charge nurse had also passed by the room and peeked in; she had looked shocked as she saw me conversing with Beverly, and afterwards complimented me with some words that no human being ever said to me. *Subhan’Allah* (Glory to God), a few lessons were reinforced. First, we should never make rash judgments after negative first impressions. Instead, we should give others second chances and make excuses for them. Beverly was grumpy, seemingly filled with hatred and animosity, but inside she was a loving, nice person battling cancer. She was simply alone and needed someone to talk to, someone who would listen to her and connect with her. Imam Mohammed ibn Faqih of the Islamic Institute of Orange County emphasizes to his congregation the importance of forgiving others, and once shared a beautiful statement in a lecture attributed to Umar ibn al-Khattab: “I indeed know who is the most generous of people and the most tolerant. The most generous is he who shares with who deprives him; the most tolerant of people is who pardons those who wrong him.” Second, we need to be thankful to Allah (swt) for our minds, health, and intellect. Truly, “And if you should count the favors of Allah, you could not enumerate them.” (Qur’an 16: <http://www.quran.com/16/18>1<http://www.quran.com/16/18> 8 <http://www.quran.com/16/18>). After conversing and spending time with Beverly, I realized how precious our minds are. Having a sound and healthy mind is truly a blessing, and we may at any time succumb to disease or injury that may take this away. Our classical Muslim scholars sometimes used to wear a tassel on their headgear that resembles modern day graduation caps to remind them that Allah (swt) can seize their knowledge at any time. We must also also keep in mind that as we age, we become more susceptible to memory-related illnesses like dementia, which affects an estimated four to five million people in the United States. Allah (swt) is in full control, but as servants of Allah (swt), we need to do our best to protect ourselves and our minds from things that harm it. Thus, we must eat healthy, exercise, and try our best to reduce stress and anxiety. Finally, we should reflect on another verse from the Qur’an: “And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], “uff,” and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, “My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.” ”(Qur’an 17:23- <http://www.quran.com/17/23-24>2<http://www.quran.com/17/23-24> 4 <http://www.quran.com/17/23-24>) It is reported in Sahih Bukhari, that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him) said that the greatest of sins is ascribing partners to Allah (swt) and being undutiful to parents. This statement applies not only in adolescence, but throughout our entire lives. Islam commands us to take care of our parents just like they took care of us. They would be patient and answer all of our silly questions, time after time. If our parents and elders later develop a memory issue like Beverly, we need to be patient and understanding. We need to be there for them and comfort them as they were there for us. Even though Beverly was not my parent, she was a respected elder and someone else’s parent, grandparent, aunt, and relative. She connected with me so much, and all I had to do was take a moment to sit down, and listen attentively. One day we might be in Bevelry’s shoes, and all we would desire from this dunya (world) is the comfort of our family. Her dementia is a reminder of the cycle of life, and reinforces the role of one’s children when one reaches that age. As I headed for the door, Beverly had one more question. This time, I could sense a touch of familiarity as she asked me what my name was. I answered once again with a smile, for a final time – but I smiled with all my heart, as if it were the first time I had been asked, and replied, “My name is Robin.” She repeated the name one more time to herself softly, and said goodbye. -- Dr Benil Hafeeq K.P Consultant Nephrologist MIMS and IQRAA Hospital Calicut * * *"The good deed and the evil deed are not equal. Repel (the evil) with that which is better, then behold, the one between whom he and you there was enmity (will become) as though he were a close friend." [Surah Fussilat: 34] * -- Nor can Goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (evil) with what is better; then the enmity between him and you will become as if it were your friend and intimate! Visit: sultan.org Subscribe: [email protected] Post to group: [email protected]
