God Gives, and
God Takes Away
Old age serves as a reminder to make man conscious of the reality that man is only the receiver. Everything that he possesses is a gift from God.
Gifted with unusual capabilities, Professor Mujeeb (1902-1985) was ranked among the top intellectuals among Indian Muslims. Having received his education in Europe, he was equally well-versed in English, German and French, besides Urdu. One of his numerous accomplishments was reciting great stretches of Shakespeare by heart. He had held the post of Vice-Chancellor in Jamia Millia Islamia for a record period of 25 years, from 1948 to 1973.
However, fate was against him. In December 1972, he had to undergo a brain operation. It was a success because it saved his life, but he lost his exceptional memory. He was a master of five languages and could not retain even the alphabet—not even that of Urdu. A man of cheerful disposition, who when he had found some-one in a dejected mood, would say, “Smile please, and look ahead,” was now himself reduced almost to a vegetable state.
He spent the rest of his life in this terrible state of near insanity in his Okhla, New Delhi residence. Finally, on 20th January 1985, he breathed his last at 82.
Addressing man in the Quran, it is said:
“God created you; then He shall cause you to die: and some shall have their lives prolonged to abject old age, ceasing to know anything after once having had knowledge. God is all knowing and powerful.” (16:70)
Old age following youth serves as a reminder to make man conscious of his reality. It is to make man learn that he does not own anything, and that everything in his possession is a gift from God. He can give or take away as He pleases. If man’s knowledge or power were innate, they could never be removed. However, finding and losing indicates that man is only a recipient: nothing belongs to him.
We frequently come across such incidents. However, we seldom take heed. Neither do the ‘old’ people who undergo them learn any lesson from them nor do the ‘young’ ones who witness them.
