Remembering Aunt Hilda and her beautiful loan to Allah

Last week, I attended a funeral service of one of the matriarchs of my family, Ms Hilda Grant.  

My dear Aunt Hilda was 97 years old. God indeed gave her a long, and for the most part, healthy life.  

Aunt Hilda was a name that I always heard of as a child, she was somewhat mystical because she lived overseas and visits to her in New York were always delightful. 

She received us with such love and warmth. Aunt Hilda had a laugh that was so infectious that you always left her home with your belly hurting.  Aunt Hilda was a delightful lady indeed.  

I always knew Aunt Hilda to be a woman of faith and she lived her faith with loyalty, steadfastness and pious devotion. 

Pastor Grant Smith mentioned at her home-going service that she was a steward in the church, always helping where and whenever needed and in quiet dignity. 

She also did the unattractive but absolutely essential job of cleaning the church before and after every event. 

Giving

She was not stingy with her limited finances either. She knew that the church needed finances to be able to meet the bills and to offer assistance to its members, so she gave and gave.

How wise a woman was Aunt Hilda and therefore God granted her a long life and a proud legacy for her family to follow.

Two weeks ago I spoke of who would loan Allah a beautiful loan, and to me Aunt Hilda has loaned a beautiful loan to the Lord of all the Worlds, the Creator of the Universe, who neither begets nor is begotten and does not need us one bit; but in His mercy He gives us the opportunity to worship Him with devotedness and without hesitation; so when He asks us about a loan, know that the loan is for your benefit and not His. “Who is he that will loan to Allah a beautiful Loan? For (Allah) will increase it manifold and he will have (besides) an excellent reward (i.e. Paradise).” 

Woman of faith

Aunt Hilda was a woman of faith and her faith was unwavering. She did not mind one bit giving of her time, her money, her energy, to our Creator — she gave unselfishly a beautiful loan. 

Prophet of Allah (PBUH) said: “Protect (yourselves) from (Hell) Fire, by giving in charity even half a date”. Do not underestimate the importance and rewards of charity even if it is something insignificant.  

Beautiful loan

How many of us can say we have loaned our Lord a beautiful loan. 

How many of us run to clean the Masjid, to help pay the bills, we all know electricity is not free.

How many of us run to help or sponsor a needy member. How many of us run to visit the sick, to comfort the uncomfortable — how many of us loan Allah a beautiful loan.

Prophet of Allah (PBUH) said: “When a man dies, his deeds come to an end, except for three: A continuous charity, knowledge by which people derive benefit, pious son who prays for him.’’

 Continuous charity is charity that will continue to benefit people for a long time like hospitals, mosques, etc.  

Let us be like my beloved Aunt Hilda and be the worker, the unspoken champion, the obedient servant that does not hesitate to loan Allah a beautiful loan. Ameen. n