The One Who Drowns is a Martyr
Sudan is experiencing one of the most devastating rainy seasons to date. The overflowing of the Nile River is a disastrous consequence of climate change, severely damaging over 100,00 homes, displacing over 500,000 people and killing over 100.
Ranya Sharif, Al-Aqli neighborhood located in the town of Kalakla in Khartoum State (2020)
Photography: Ranya Sharif
Copy: Omnia Saed
It is said by the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) that the one who drowns is a martyr.* The victims of this tragic flood are alive with their Lord, provided for (Quran 3:169). Those who die in the way of God, as martyrs, are known to be “in the bodies of green birds flying in the Garden as they will. They align upon lamps hanging from the Throne…”**
We honor our martyrs by praying for their souls, by guarding their lands, and by supporting the loved ones left behind. To that end, we are issuing a call to action for those with the opportunity and means to support the tenuous re-building process of our communities. As winter steadily approaches, it is of the utmost importance to support building destroyed sewage infrastructure currently contaminating water supply and potentially exacerbating the spread of diseases such as Malaria and Cholera. We re-build with strength and resolve for the lives, homes and land lost and for those lives, homes and lands we hope to recreate.
Trusted links to donate and learn more about the current situation:
Pictured above and below is the Al-Aqli neighborhood located in the town of Kalakla in Khartoum State by Ranya Sharif. Sadly, Al-Aqli is just one of many areas affected by recent flooding. As seen in the images, the local cemetery in Kalakla has been flooded, destroying the graves of loved ones. Despite these overwhelmingly catastrophic events, the people of Wad Al-Aqli remain resilient as life continues.
*“The martyrs are five: the one who dies of a stomach illness, the one who dies of the plague, the one who drowns, the one who is crushed, and the one who dies [fighting] in the path of Allah.” [Bukhari, Muslim].
**We asked 'Abdullah about the Qur'anic verse:" Think not of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead. Nay, they are alive, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord.." (iii. 169). He said: We asked the meaning of the verse (from the Holy Prophet) who said: The souls of the martyrs live in the bodies of green birds who have their nests in chandeliers hung from the throne of the Almighty. They eat the fruits of Paradise from wherever they like and then nestle in these chandeliers. Once their Lord cast a glance at them and said: Do ye want anything? They said: What more shall we desire? We eat the fruit of Paradise from wherever we like. Their Lord asked them the same question thrice. When they saw that they will continue to be asked and not left (without answering the question). they said: O Lord, we wish that Thou mayest return our souls to our bodies so that we may be slain in Thy way once again. When He (Allah) saw that they had no need, they were left (to their joy in heaven). [Sahih Muslim 1887]