As we have hopefully been reminded of and alerted to since the catastrophic earthquakes almost two weeks ago, any day could be your last.

The reality is, your last greeting of hello or goodbye with your spouse, a family member or dear friend could very well have been the final opportunity to express your love, care and appreciation to them.

When our souls could be taken in the night or a calamity could strike us throughout the day, we would forever live in regret if we left in a bad state or in a manner of heedless disregarding should our lives or theirs come to an end.

Make sure your loved ones know how much you love them and appreciate their presence every single time you see them.

Because when it comes down to the ultimate reality of life, it’s all just a moment from ending, all of the time. We don’t know when death or calamity or sickness will overtake us.

We take good times and good people for granted, when they are absolute gifts from Allah SWT that He wants not to squander, but to treasure and value.

We have such limited time with our spouses, our children, family, friends and especially our parents. And time is running out.

So be with them in love and make sure they know they are loved, for it is one of the greatest gifts you could give to a human being. To let them know, ‘I love you. I appreciate you. I cherish you. I pray for you. And I wish only the very best for you in dunya and akhirah.’

It’s not that hard, but it does take a conscious choice and effort not to allow distraction, busyness and ingratitude to take over your life and rob you of the most sacred gifts from Allah SWT – human connection.

Greet well, hug a little longer, hold hands more often and say ‘I love you’ every day.

The Prophet SAW said: “A good word is a charitable act.”