What it likes to work with the dead? Not just a corpse!

Benito Juarez (1806-1872). President of Mexico. The corpse of president exposed in the main hall of the palace. Engraving.

The first question that arrives in our minds is, who works with the dead?

A mortician. Yes.

A mortician beautifies and restores dead bodies but it’s not that simple. Undertakers works in funeral homes, embalming bodies for visits and funeral ceremonies. As glamorous as the word Mortician sounds, there isn’t much glamour involved in this job.

The aim of embalming bodies is to guarantee the family of the dead, that their loved ones will be represented to them in life-like condition and make their experience of meeting them pleasant. They do everything to make the dead look alive, starting with cosmetic restoration to their clothing, they take care of every tiny detail of the deceased, so that they can comfort the grieving family faithfully.

The life of a mortician is not so easy, it comes with many challenges and labels. Most people find embalming creepy because they believe that human bodies are meant to decompose after death and that preserving the body is unnecessary and wrong. But to morticians and people who like to meet their decease in a more life-like appearance, it is an honorable service.

The ancient Egyptians were the first who introduced the concept of funeral embalmers/directors, as they use to clean the insides of the body with alcohol and spices. Covering the body with salt for 70 days, preparing the dead for the hereafter.

A suitable name was suggested for the undertakers in 1895. The “Embalmers” in a funeral business trade magazine called “The Embalmers Monthly” that gave a decent portrayal of the people working as undertakers in the funeral industry.

At the time of the civil war, embalming was made mandatory for everyone, out of military necessity until embalming was only performed in medical schools, to preserve the corpse solely for research purposes.

When Abraham Lincoln’s 11 year old son Willie died to typhoid fever, his body got embalmed as per the president’s decision. After three years of his son’s death, when Lincoln was assassinated, his body also got embalmed by the doctor, who embalmed willie and reburied his son alongside his grave in the family cemetery in Springfield, Illinois. He got embalmed for his funeral procession (13 days).

Lincoln’s life-like death really surprised the mourners, that many came near to his body and touched his face. Before his death, Americans hadn’t seen an embalmed body before, and his death gained national attention. Lincoln’s death profoundly influenced the people and changed their perspective about funerals and death.

Compared to the United States, very few countries in the world embalm their deceased as it is an expensive method and is considered bizarre.

As Buddhists believe in reincarnation, so they prefer cremating bodies instead of embalming them, but today in Japan almost everyone is cremated. That is the reason why, Japan is running out of cemeteries, making it difficult for Muslims to bury their dead. The cremation rate of Japan is 99.85% last verified in 2008, while South Korea’s cremation rate calculated in 2022 is 92.1%. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam forbids cremation and considers it unclean practice.

Most people still dislike embalmers and find their profession creepy and cold, but the fact that this profession is rapidly expanding is undeniable. The increase in the mortuary schools shows that people are interested in studying embalming and want to continue it professionally.

While a lot of others believe that morticians are passionate, humble and necessary for the society as they make families comfortable in their sorrowful time. To many people it’s an interesting career as it serves the needs of countless communities. With the rising numbers of morticians in the world, the stigma associated with the funeral processes has started to fade away.

Whatever they say about dead bodies that they can’t hurt us, it’s still not an easy job. Life-like deaths, anatomical art, and mortality fascinate every curious soul.

The Lost Stranger

• 

I find it very amazing that no matter, where ever you are in life, you always end up learning something different from that place or situation. I am someone who is very confused, with whatever that is happening around me, and I am always questioning why it’s happening at first place. I don’t even know why I am writing this, but I am doing it anyway.

If there is anything that keeps me going in life and gives me a little motivation to carry on, then it’s definitely writing and painting. I believe, these two are my best friends till I die. I think, I can express myself better when I paint or write, rather than speaking words.

My life taught me something this year, I call it the grief year of my survival time in this world. The year, I lost a precious and loving friend and father, Mr Muhammad Latif Tanveer.

The death of my father taught me, that life is nothing but a mere lie to people. Find your purpose, before it’s too late, and always stay ready for the unfortunate. It taught me, that everything that I keep is nothing.

Keeping is what makes us selfish and stubborn. In order to live a peaceful and guilt free life, you have to become a giver, even at the cost of losing yourself. Whatever I am today, it is because of his endless efforts, struggles and sacrifices.

I owe my father, my life. We as children, never really understand our parents. We will always have our differences, we will always argue on something, we will always be careless when it comes to taking care of parents. Understanding your parents, will always be difficult, and if you are a reader of present or future, you will relate to it.

We all have our regrets, and they become double their size, when guilts comes in. Guilt is the most painful and gut-wrenching emotion, after loss. But labelling it bad, is undoubtedly unfair to its existence. It truly benefits us most of the times. It changes our practices, features and our nature. However life consists of mixed emotions and feelings.

The Fisherman Experience in Maldives

Maldives has the most exotic and beautiful sunny beaches and islands in the world. It is indeed beautiful when you get to hear the soothing sound of the waves touching your feet and the warmth of the daylight calms your soul. Maldives is most admired and famous equatorial stopping land in the world.

Maldives is considered the fishiest places around the globe, because of the vast variety of marine life under water. The second greatest industry in Maldives is fishing after tourism. People there, love fishing and it’s their favorite hobby.  Almost everybody in Maldives loves fishing, young or old. Fishing is the essential source of income for people living in Maldives.

 

The perfect crystal clear water and perfect amount of bright sunny light makes it easier for people to catch their right fishes. Tuna fishing is not only common but there is vast majority of tuna fish present in the seas. They export tuna fish to most countries in the world. However, net fishing is not allowed to practice in Maldives.  Recently, climate change has made fishing difficult for the locals and tourists. There are two seasons, in Maldives that will allow you to catch fishes in large amounts, it depends when you plan to go for fishing. The best time to catch fishes is from November to March. As the island is mostly sunny and warm. You will catch vast variety of fishes, which include sailfish, wahoo, tuna, GT, marlin and a plenty of more. There are many types of fishing in Maldives such as, reef, shore, pole and line, bait, jigging, pelagic, big game, night, leisure and fly fishing. The most common among these are big game, night, shore, bait, pole and line fishing. Fisher’s in Maldives live near the sea. Fishers spend most of their time in the sea. They go deep into the sea, to catch fishes but this makes it hard for them to take care of their boats. Generally fishers lead a very poor life but not in Maldives.

Most fishers in Maldives are quite happy and they live a peaceful life. They wake up early in the morning, and ready their boat with the other crew members. Almost every fish the fishers caught is by pole and line. The fishers return to their islands in the late afternoon. The people living in the island, welcome the weary fishers from their journey, and are excited to see the caught fishes. Then the whole process of cleaning the fishes takes place. Then they prepare their food and eat under the moon light and go to bed early.

Fisher’s life in Maldives is usually very simple and sweet. Sometimes because of bad weather conditions, the fisherman have to stay on the same island, they went for fishing. While staying on the island, they receive immense amount of affection and care from the residents. They become friends for life.

HAZRAT SULAIMAN AND THE ANTS

Ants are a very interesting creature created by Allah. There exist more than 12,000 species in the world. They mostly stay grounded, so they are able to hear, when they hear something that vibrates their feet, on the ground. All the animals and humans that Allah has created, serve a purpose in this world. We know that all animals can communicate in their own languages, with other animals. But we do know what they talk about? Has anybody has ever heard an insect talk to them? Well yes, one such a person has heard animals talking and have talked to them as well.

This person was our Prophet Hazrat Sulaiman A.S. He was the youngest son of Hazrat Dawood A.S. He was born in Jerusalem. His mother was Saba. Allah bestowed Hazrat Sulaiman A.S. with many great talents. From his childhood he was a bright kid. He was given a special ability, that he could talk to animals and birds and understand them. He also could command the wind. He was able to communicate in their languages.  After his father’s death Hazrat Dawood A.S. He became the king. Hazrat Sulaiman A.S then asked Allah for a kingdom and Allah accepted his prayer, and gave him his own kingdom. In the period of Hazrat Sulaiman A.S, there lived a very helpful ant. The ant would hard work for her people. She would put herself behind, and prioritize her community first.

One such day, when Hazrat Sulaiman A.S and his army which included all the different existing groups at that time, all the men, jinn’s, birds and animals were going through a valley, they were heading to Ashkelon. While they were passing through this valley, the head of the ants saw them moving closer to their colony, she warned all the ants, to go inside their houses, if we will not go, we might will get crushed by Hazrat Sulaiman A.S’s army. So she said to the ants;

 “O ye ants, get into your habitations, lest Solomon and his hosts crush you (under foot) without knowing it.  (Al Qur’an 27:18)

When Hazrat Sulaiman A.S heard this, he was quite astonished, that even the tiniest creature in this valley, knows that I am their Prophet. He couldn’t resist but he smiled at them and commanded his army to take a pause and wait until all the ants go back to their homes and said;

“My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favour which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to do righteousness of which You approve. And admit me by Your mercy into [the ranks of] Your righteous servants.” (Al Qur’an 27:19)

 

He then, prayed to Allah and thanked Him for saving the ant lives. Then the army changed its route and avoided that valley. From this we understand that to Allah every creature’s life matters. We always have to be kind with the ants. No matter what, we can’t do injustice with anybody. We all are responsible for our actions, so we should keep this in mind, that if we will be kind and will good with others, we will get the same love, kindness and respect that once we gave to them.

The Greatest Military Commander of History

Since our childhoods, we all have heard many amazing and extraordinary stories about war fighters, but how many of us have heard tales about the exceptional warrior of Islamic history, Khalid-Bin-Waleed. He never in his life, lost any battle. Later on, he accepted Islam and fought for the Muslims. The Battle of Mu’tah, that was fought between the Romans and Muslims, was so acute and extreme that during that battle, nine of his swords were broke, which helped him gain the title of Saif ullah, which means, “The Sword of Allah”. He took part in more then fifty military campaigns.

Khalid-Bin-Waleed is still considered one of the most successful and determined war commander in the history. He was born in Makkah and belonged to Quraysh tribe, and he was well known for his wealth and his family’s charitable works. At that time, this tribe was considered capable and dynamic, the Qurasysh use to control Makkah. His father was known for his fine personality, that no one could match in Makkah. His father was the owner of many gardens in Taif. Khalid-Bin-Waleed stayed as a non-believer for 19 years after the Prophet Muhammad (p.u.p.h) was declared the last prophet of Islam. Khalid-Bin-Waleed attacked the muslims from behind, which made Prophet Muhammad (p.u.p.h) lost his four teeth, in the battle of Uhud. On that very moment, the prophet prayed, that how Allah will give this nation guidance, who doesn’t even respect their prophet, so further in Surah Al Imran, Allah commands the prophet that, you have no right on him, if Allah wants to give him guidance, He surely will. After signing the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, he accepted Islam and became a true believer of Allah and His Prophet. He became the protector of Muslim Umma and a loved sahaba and companion of the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh). Khalid-Bin-Waleed was at front with Prophet Muhammed (pbuh), heading towards Makkah, with an army of 10,000 muslim soldiers, to purge all the false idols that Pagans had filled Makkah with and use to worship them. After the demise of the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh), Khalid-Bin-Waleed recovered many provinces, those who went astray and needed guidance from Allah. Abū Bakr sent him to capture Iraq, and there he secure Al-Hirah, which is now called Kufa. We can say this, without doubts that the whole Arab got united, because of the great efforts of Khalid-Bin-Waleed. He successfully defeated the Persian forces. Furthermore, he won the Battle of Yarmouk against the Byzantine army and put an end to their rule in Syria. Khalid-Bin-Waleed started his campaign in Syria, then Umar R.A removed Khalid-Bin-Waleed from his command, but he was still the leader of Muslim Umma. Hazrat Umar R.A then further clarified himself, as why he replaced him because then people would obey him instead of Allah and that is against the beliefs of Islam. As Khalid-Bin-Waleed became popular among the people and they started to rely on him, so the reason why Umar R.A removed him was to ensure people that there is none but Allah that we all have to rely on, Him.

This didn’t change him, he did his duties as the Caliphate. He continued to serve the Muslims and the rise of Islam started to begin in middle eastern countries. He is among the top most 20 popular military personnel’s of the world and ranks at number 20 out of 1,194. His leadership lessons are taught in US, middle eastern countries and in many different parts of the world.

Khalid-Bin-Waleed was the greatest leader, that Islam have and so far no commander has ever existed in the Islamic History like him. He died in Homs, Syria, in 642 at the age of 53. After his death, the whole Medina was in tears. Then Umar R.A ordered the people that do not weep for the one, who has gone to janaat (paradise).

In 2013, Assad’s army destroyed Khalid-Bin-Waleed tomb that is in Syria. The continuous heavy shelling affected the tomb and the mosque very badly. It is to be said, that the mausoleum is completely destroyed. May the ones who did this, meet their end soon. As everyone has to pay for their sins, if not in the world then hereafter.

One of Khalid-Bin-Waleed”s most famous saying, that Muslims firmly believe, is;

"When Allah decides a matter, it is done." -- Khalid ibn al-Walid

To my bestfriend, lucy whom I lost.

To lucy, my bestfriend,

5th, January, 2018 when she came into this world. I adopted her, it was the best day of my life. I was jumping here and there, that finally now i have a friend with whom i will  be able to share my countless secrets and things. Lucy was a great company, hands down. The first day: she was very nervous and didn’t know where to pee so she peed on our sofa. We use to give her food through syringe or dropper, considering that she was so little she couldn’t eat by herself. She was extremely beautiful, when she was little. Her fur was pure white and she had crystal blue eyes, we use to call them blue buttons. She became my best friend, during the days i use to feed her by hands, while i was feeding her she use to hold my hands with her soft small paws, like a baby. We were such great friends, that we use to eat, sleep, dance and workout together. At night, when i use to do my homework, she would come silently and sit next to me and then she would watch me doing my stuff. She loved to see and observe her surroundings, knowing her curious nature. She loved playing with papers and sheets. The minute she would see something like paper, she would start scratching it, and will not rest until the paper turns into a volcano of small pieces of paper. Her favorite go to place, was kitchen, where the food is. She wasn’t a friendly cat. She was always so mysterious, curious and loving with her family. She didn’t like to meet or see any cat, or anyone other then her family. So, everybody got to follow her rules.

She was not just my furry bestfriend but our family member. At night, she use to come and stand right in front of Abbu’s (Father) room and meow in a very sweet voice, saying to let me in, as i want to sleep on my table. We loved her a lot, more then anyone could imagine. Abbu use to treat her, like an innocent child.

Monotono, Brainbox!

The first time I held his hands into me, It felt like I am at the top of my life. The moment caught us, we were so much into each other that we didn’t see the rest around us. If I was given the opportunity to go back, I would like to relive that moment again and again. How he was wandering around and calculating everything on his own, how I the one who always gets confuse about starting things, but figures it out a little. All the light was on us, like the sun is welcoming all the love. we never get full. Each day, we stuff each other with love and hopes. that’s all we have got. I don’t always measure the patterns, and nothing can’t be measured even if i have got the right digits. All the fuel I have today, is a treasure to me. A treasure, I fear I might lose and will not get back ever. Fears and guilt have always been my constant friends, sometimes they save me from things and sometimes they just make things a bit complex. When I shut my eyes, then you know what i enjoy the most after sea, it’s the warmth. Now, I let myself flow in any direction cause, whatever the direction i am following, i will reach my destination anyway. I have a lot of things, in my tiny boat it’s no longer abandoned. I am content with the love. That’s all i have which is complete to me. I do not need any explanation, about anything, as the love itself translates all. Our love is like, mirror it is exactly what it, is from the outside, pure and sweet like caramel. I have been tired from a very long time almost about everything but of love especially, as it always grew in me but always in me. You cannot indulge yourself, in many things that you aren’t fond of, just for the sake of having them in life. We were caught the wrong definition of madness, it isn’t to do something that most people who do not do it. It is to love and love like there is no love like this that has ever existed in the world before. Love seems to be a place, that brings out the best in you. It is something that didn’t arrive to me, but i had it somewhere, i am not aware of. There was no need to catch this butterfly with a net, instead this butterfly told me that, you only catch things greatly when you set them free. To the love that made me crazy.

The Wind, Friend

This is what the wind said to me, trust and everything will go back to it’s place. To wait for the perfect day light, as it never discourages the romantic. From dawn till dusk, i sit by the window and wait for that only one passenger that i know. I write and then smile, remembering all the beautiful moments we spend together. When the passenger is near, i can smell the perfume of red roses in the air. As if all the dead flowers are dancing, and the sea is in it’s own loving mood. I have began to walk again, in the night, I think when it’s dark i see things more openly. The wind, again came to me, carrying grief in its arms with a bitter news, that passenger has changed his road of journey. It means, that the passenger wants to leave before meeting his friend. But the wind kept following him everywhere. I guess, it was difficult for wind to stop helping her friend. She knew, by following him, she will go nowhere but she did it anyway. In the mean while, I realized that wind will always do things for me, without me asking her to do it.

 

Belongings

there’s something that is missing since time, something that doesn’t have a name but it goes on. the heart is dry, and it speaks languages that brain doesn’t understand. thinking of, now who will walk with her in the nights. but despite of everything, she walks and walks to find her lost soul and searches for her belongings. she has forgotten how to sleep like a child. she escapes all the places of comfort and support. she use to think that if she will picture everything, those memories will stay with her. but the memories have turned into a bottle of grief and sadness. as the daily life and routine becomes exhausting, she returns back to her world made up of coffee houses and broken diaries. it’s both, when it comes it’s too much and when it goes it’s not enough. the unfamiliar rhythm pattern stays in her head. but she listens to love, like she listen to birds of her town. maybe she doesn’t know what she wants but she hears almost everything. maybe the word dead isn’t her favourite word and she doesn’t want to understand it too.

Safal, must.

in the middle feeling void and guilty, the sin comes first.
safal must forget the past times and follow the sky light

make a secret room for herself, where she can stay quiet and rest in oblivion.
create something and rose from the dead

love will change the colours of my city
walking through the valley of flowers and keeping the desires alive

slightly broken, tears streaming down my face and letting the emotions flow
and not picking any fancy words to write those dark whispers, in my diary

may she remind herself to sit and relax on the streets of her town once again, roam around with a coffee mug and bury the strangeness somewhere else

sometimes it’s hard for safal to allow her body to grow because she knows how it feels like to be a child who grew up in complete isolation

she now only cares about the world that she lives in and dies every night.