-Alpha Amadu Jalloh
If I live only today, then let me speak like a man standing at the edge of his final sunset.
Let me speak with the honesty of one who understands that tomorrow is not a right, but a mercy. Let me speak with the urgency of one who knows that too many people plan for years they may never live to see, build empires they may never inhabit, and postpone goodness for a tomorrow that may never come.
For Allah has already warned us: “Kullu nafsin dha’iqatul mawt”
Every soul shall taste death.
Not some souls.
Not poor souls.
Not old souls.
Every soul.
So if I live only today, my friend, then hear me carefully.
You do not have to drink the whole sea to know that the water is salty.
A single betrayal should teach you enough. One knife in the back is not an accident. It is revelation. It is character unveiled. If someone betrays you once, they have shown you what they are capable of. If they betray you twice, then perhaps the lesson was not for them but for you.
Stop calling repeated foolishness patience.
Stop calling denial loyalty.
Stop calling self destruction love.
Some people enter your life not to stay, but to teach you discernment.
If I live only today, I will tell you this: do unto others what you would want done unto you.
Before you wound another soul, imagine the same wound carved into your own chest. Before you humiliate another person, ask whether your own pride could survive such shame. Before you betray trust, ask whether you could endure betrayal.
Allah says: “Inna Allaha ya’muru bil ‘adli wal ihsan”
Indeed, Allah commands justice and excellence.
Yet look at the world.
People beg for mercy while giving none.
They demand understanding while showing none.
They scream for justice while practicing injustice.
Never become such a person.
If I live only today, I will remind you never to judge a book by its cover.
The world has become intoxicated by appearances. Men trust polished shoes over honest hearts. They admire expensive clothing more than clean character. They honour eloquence while ignoring integrity.
But life has taught us repeatedly that beautiful faces can hide ugly intentions, and humble appearances can conceal magnificent souls.
The one you mock today may be the one Allah raises tomorrow.
The one you dismiss may become the one you desperately need.
Judge less by sight. Understand more by substance.
If I live only today, I will beg you never to forget the favours of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala.
How ungrateful mankind has become.
We cry over what we lack while standing surrounded by blessings others beg for in prayer. We complain of discomfort while others sleep hungry. We curse hardship while still breathing the air Allah gifted us freely.
Allah says: “Wa in ta’uddu ni‘matallahi la tuhsooha”
If you were to count the favours of Allah, you could not enumerate them.
Could you count your blessings?
Can you number the silent mercies protecting you daily?
Can you calculate the disasters Allah diverted from your path?
Can you tally the tears He spared you from crying?
Never become so familiar with blessings that you forget they were once prayers whispered in desperation.
If I live only today, I will remind you that life is like a piano.
What you get out of it depends entirely on how you play it.
The same pain that destroys one man can build another. The same betrayal that makes one person bitter can make another wiser. The same storm that uproots one tree strengthens another.
Allah says: “Fa inna ma‘al usri yusra. Inna ma‘al usri yusra”
Indeed, with hardship comes ease. Indeed, with hardship comes ease.
Not after hardship.
With hardship.
Meaning buried inside your pain is mercy. Hidden inside your suffering is purpose. Wrapped inside your storm is growth.
Do not curse every difficulty. Some struggles arrive to build the person your comfort never could.
If I live only today, I will tell you do not waste your life trying to become perfect.
Perfection belongs to Allah alone.
Too many people destroy themselves trying to appear flawless. They hide their pain, suppress their truth, and wear masks so long they forget their real face. In trying to look perfect, they become dishonest. In trying to seem righteous, they become judgmental. In trying to appear strong, they become emotionally dead.
Strive for excellence, yes.
Seek discipline, yes.
Pursue honour, yes.
But never worship perfection.
The man obsessed with appearing flawless often becomes blind to the flaws consuming him.
If I live only today, I will tell you never let the winds of society carry you.
Stand for something.
Too many people have no roots. They sway with every trend, every opinion, every crowd, every fashionable lie. They fear standing alone more than they fear standing wrong.
Allah warns: “Wa la taqfu ma laysa laka bihi ‘ilm”
Do not follow that of which you have no knowledge.
Think independently.
Stand firmly.
Let truth anchor you.
A man with no principles is a leaf at the mercy of every storm.
If I live only today, I will warn you never to underestimate anyone.
Arrogance has buried more men than poverty ever has.
People think wealth makes them superior. Education makes them wiser. Titles make them untouchable. Status makes them permanent.
But Allah says: “Innahu la yuhibbul mustakbireen”
Indeed, He does not love the arrogant.
Never laugh at the struggling man.
Never mock the quiet woman.
Never dismiss the weak.
Never belittle the unknown.
The one overlooked today may tower above you tomorrow.
If I live only today, I will remind you that though the fingers are not equal, they belong to the same hand.
Each has a role.
Each has a function.
Each matters.
No one is truly self sufficient.
The rich need workers.
Leaders need followers.
Parents need children.
The healthy need doctors.
The mighty need the humble more than they admit.
So stay humble.
No matter how high you rise, you will always need another human being somewhere along your journey.
And if I live only today, hear this truth most carefully.
Beware.
Beware.
Beware.
No matter how long the night remains, dawn must break.
No pain is permanent.
No oppression is eternal.
No suffering lasts forever.
If you are wounded today, hold on.
If you are grieving today, hold on.
If you are being tested today, hold on.
Darkness has never once defeated the morning.
Yet while you wait for dawn, remember this.
No matter how tall you stand, you can never see tomorrow.
Tomorrow belongs to Allah alone.
How tragic it is that men delay repentance. Delay kindness. Delay forgiveness. Delay love. Delay obedience. Delay truth.
Then death comes while they are still saying, “I will do it tomorrow.”
Tomorrow has buried many dreamers.
So if I live only today, then let me leave you with this.
Love those worthy of your love while they can still hear it.
Seek forgiveness while your pride can still bend.
Repent while your tongue can still move.
Pray while your limbs can still bow.
Speak truth while your voice still carries.
Stand for justice while your back remains straight.
For one day your name will be spoken for the final time.
One day your bed will remain untouched.
One day your chair will sit empty.
One day your body will be washed by others.
One day your grave will close above you.
One day the world will continue without you.
And when that day comes:
Your wealth will not follow you.
Your status will not follow you.
Your titles will not follow you.
Your pride will not follow you.
Only your deeds.
Only your deeds.
Only your deeds.
So if I live only today, my friend, this is what I leave behind:
Trust carefully.
Love sincerely.
Walk humbly.
Stand firmly.
Worship faithfully.
Live gratefully.
And never forget:
You may plan for tomorrow.
But tomorrow was never promised.
