Not sure of the etiquette on this board, but I'd like all Muslims to pray for my father in law please.

[LostAndNeverFound]

He passed away on Saturday, a sudden heart attack.

His family are heartbroken and not coping well. They've all travelled to Pakistan to bury him.

I'd like to talk about him a little if that's ok.

He was an amazing, kind man who put everyone else first. He doted on his grandchildren, he was looking at photos of my DD's on his phone as he had the heart attack. So they were the last faces he ever saw.

I always said to my mum I felt sorry him, he struggled with various disabilities, but he just got on with it even though he was in pain (not heart related, that was out of the blue).

We would visit him and my inlaws 3/4 times a week, so we were very close, my youngest DD in particular adored him (my eldest DD is from a previous relationship).

He welcomed me and my DD into his family with open arms (once my husband told him about us) and once DD2 came along he treated both my girls exactly the same. He forgave his son for having a haram relationship with me, and was overjoyed when we got married.

I know he thought a lot of me, he was always telling me that I did a good job with the girls, even though he did always feed them whatever they wanted straight before mealtimes!

He was a man with a strong faith, and I truly believe he is now in a better place.

He was surrounded by his family and friends when he passed away (he was kept on life support until we agreed to turn the machines off) and he looked so peaceful.

I'm not sure what the point of this post is, I think I just needed somewhere to write this down.

Inna lillahi Wa inna ilaihi Rajioon.

[ChippingInNeedsSleepAndCoffee]

I'm not muslim and I don't 'do' religion, but I just wanted to say that he sounds like a lovely lovely man and I'm sorry he's gone - I'll be thinking of you all x

[EduCated]

I'm not Muslim or religious either, but he sounds like a wonderful man and a lovely GF xx

[LostAndNeverFound]

Thank you, that's kind of you.

Sorry I hope my post didn't come across as excluding non Muslims.

[LostAndNeverFound]

Thank you both x

[WaynettaSlobsLover]

What a beautiful kind man he sounds. This has brought a tear to my eye. May Allah give him Jannah, forgive him everything, make his barzakh spacious and full of light, give him peace, and reward him for everything ameen. Sis, everyone makes mistakes in life, may Allah bless you and your husband and your beautiful kids inshallah ameen. Keep praying for your father in law and always remind the kids to do it. You have my sincere condolences xxxxxxx

[WaynettaSlobsLover]

If you need to pm me to talk about it, please do xxx

[LostAndNeverFound]

Ameen.

Thank you waynetta, that means a lot. xxx

I've had to be the strong one whilst all this was going on and now they're all in Pakistan I'm able to grieve for him myself. He will be missed greatly by every one. My DD2 keeps asking where her baba jee is (she calls him 'dad' in urdu because she picked it up when she started talking and it just stuck). She's only two. So much reminds her of him, I had some nuts and raisins yesterday, 'baba jee gives me those'. She saw a pomegranate in tesco, 'can you ask baba jee to buy me one, I don't like the ones you buy'.

This is going to be tough, inshallah time will heal.

It doesn't help I'm having separate issues with my husband (won't go into it here, I want this to be about my father in law).

Thank you again.

[ethelb]

Im not muslim (but i am christian) and he sounds like a wonderful man. I am so so sorry.

[LostAndNeverFound]

He was ethel, I couldn't have asked for a better father in law (or mother in law - they're both lovely).

[WaynettaSlobsLover]

Lots of love to our Christian bros and sis's on here cxx Sis it must be absolutely exhausting and physically draining subhanallah. With dd just keep talking to her about baba jee, remind her of Jannah and how we all belong to Allah and how we will all return to Him. With hubs, give things time and if he is venting at you, as awful as it is, stand strong with it. I've had my fair share of marital difficulties. If you need to talk in confidence just pm me like I said. Your problems are just as significant as everything else xxx

[Delayingtactic]

Oh Lost he sounds wonderful. I am so very sorry for your loss. I am Catholic (but believe we all believe in the same God but in different ways) - would you mind me saying a prayer?

Please don't worry if the answer is 'no, thanks' - I appreciate we all take comfort from God in different ways.

[LostAndNeverFound]

I would also like to add I'm 27 weeks pregnant and distraught by the fact he'll never meet his grandson.

The day before my father in law went on holiday (he had the heart attack abroad so we had to fly out to him immediately) my husband asked his opinions on a few names, and one in particular he liked, so it was decided that will now be our sons name. Even though my husband didn't consult me before asking him, this name is now so special and I wouldn't want him called anything else.

[clopper]

I'm not religious at all, but I posted this on another thread the other day. This verse reminds me of my own father, I don't know who wrote it, but it sounds like it could equally apply to your father in law. Sorry for your loss.


Not, how did he die, but how did he live?
Not, what did he gain, but what did he give?
These are the units to measure the worth
Of a man as a man, regardless of his birth.
Nor what was his church, nor what was his creed?
But had he befriended those really in need?
Was he ever ready, with words of good cheer,
To bring back a smile, to banish a tear?
Not what did the sketch in the newspaper say,
But how many were sorry when he passed away?

[WaynettaSlobsLover]

Really lovely to see people of all beliefs on this thread xxx

[LostAndNeverFound]

All prayers are welcome delayingtactic, I feel silly now for asking for Muslim prayers only.

Thanks again waynetta, that's what I've been telling her, he's with Allah swt and he's in a safe place. She then looks up to the sky and says 'what, all the way up there' and I can't help but smile through watering eyes. Husband isn't venting at me, he's doing the opposite and is so grateful for the way in which I've supported his family. They're all really worried about me, left on my own for 40 days with two DD's and 6 months pregnant!

[ChippingInNeedsSleepAndCoffee]

It's lovely that your DS's name is special to both of you and not something that is going to cause an arguement.

[RandallPinkFloyd]

I don't know what I believe with regards to religion but I refuse to believe that this is all there is and I truly believe he is at peace.

He sounds like a wonderful man, I'm so sorry for your loss x

[PacificDogwood]

May he rest in peace, LostandNeverFound.

You are describing a lovely man and I can only imagine the loss you all must feel. My heartfelt condolences to your DH. I hope his family can find some comfort in saying their fairwells and that you can find the strength to be there for your DDs. No doubt they will miss their granddad.

There is nothing to stop you from talking about him when your DS arrives - my DSs all 'know' my FiL even though he passed away before they were born. We have photos of him around the house, we speak about him often and tell them wee stories about him. Like yours, he was the nicest man and very welcoming FiL and I am often sorry I did not get to know him better.

[LostAndNeverFound]

Clopper I'm now a blubbering mess, that was lovely, thank you.

Crescentmoon - Walaikum asalaam. I'm glad you've found me. I've been lurking on mumsnet for years (literally) and I'm always in awe when I read your posts. You have so much knowledge. I only reverted this time last year but I have learnt so much these last few days, not only about our religion but about the kindness of others. Reading with the intention of my father in law is very touching.

And yes, thank to all of you with different faiths and to those of you with no faith, I really am very touched by it all.

[Delayingtactic]

Look after yourself. It sounds like you are a very loving family and can draw together at this time. At least he has peace and can rest easy. Your DC sounds absolutely lovely - I think sometimes they know just the right way to make us a smile.

[WaynettaSlobsLover]

No matter what faith we are or not, it's all about being decent, kind and moral human beings isn't it. Lost, if you need to cry then you cry and let it out. Do you know how compassionate and kind Allah is to the point that He is more merciful and loving towards us than a mother is to her child. Keep learning about islam and keep reading Quran because it is a source of healing. Like Allah says, with hardship comes ease, verily with hardship comes ease cxxxxxx

[LostAndNeverFound]

Chipping - I have posted on the relationships board, for another reason as I needed support in dealing with the issues I'm having with my husband. I'm trying to separate the two now, I don't want my father in laws passing to be tainted with my husbands actions.

Crescent - I always read those threads and if I was a regular poster would feel the same, but I'm glad that we can all come together when it comes to things like this now and I'm so pleased that I haven't made anyone feel uncomfortable with my original 'Muslims only' request. Praying is praying, and I can't get over how kind you all are.

[RubyrooUK]

Lostandfound, I'm also not Muslim. I'm Jewish by birth and I'm pretty atheist in practice.

But I will be thinking warm thoughts about your FIL. I think he sounds like a wonderful person who got the best out of life and was loved very much in return.

Your post was so lovely about his relationship with his granddaughters. You read so many sad stories on here about people who don't like/love their families or in laws. And your FIL put love above everything and welcomed you and your DD into his family.

Hope you are bearing up ok. Very sorry for your loss.