IF YOU TRULY WISH ME WELL — PERFORM NAMAZ

The Last Testament of Hadji Arslan Kazimoski Efendi

In the past, Labunista had its own hodjas (Islamic scholars), and in considerable numbers. Some served as imams in one of the two village mosques — the Upper and Lower Mosque, some taught religious education in the village school, and others served as imams in the mosques of neighboring villages. Among them were educated imams, as well as those who acquired their religious knowledge from older and more experienced hodjas.

Among the educated imams, Hadji Arslan Efendi held a special place. He served for a long time as an imam in the Lower Mosque. He received his education at a teacher-medrese school in Bitola and also served as the village registrar during his service.

He was characterized by calmness, insight, cheerfulness, and wisdom. He was valued and respected not only in Labunista but also in a wider area and served as imam for some time in other places.

What I especially want to note on this occasion are his words spoken before passing on to the Hereafter. I personally heard this story from one of his sons, who was a regular congregant at the time I served as imam in the same Lower Mosque where his father once served.

In deep old age, when illness had confined him to bed, Hadji Arslan Efendi addressed his sons:

"When I die, I do not want you to hold grand ceremonies around me, nor to recite Yasin and hatmi excessively. I want to leave you only one testament: if you truly wish me well after my death — regularly perform namaz."

His sons looked at him with surprise, and he explained:

"If you perform namaz regularly, every day you will recite the supplication:

'Rabbena-ghfir li wa li walidayya...'

'Our Lord, forgive me and my parents.'

Thus, every day you will remember me in your prayers. That will be more than enough for me."

His sons fully understood their father's last message and indeed remained among those who regularly performed namaz.

Within these simple words lies great parental and religious wisdom. Hadji Arslan Efendi did not underestimate the learning of the Quran, hatmas, or prayers for the deceased. On the contrary, he wanted to leave his children an even deeper message: not to remember their father only occasionally, but that their faith and namaz be constant, and prayers for parents be daily.

This is precisely what the words of Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) remind us: when a person dies, their deeds cease except in three cases: continuous charity, beneficial knowledge, and a pious child who prays for him.

Hadji Arslan Efendi actually did not only want his children to remember him after his death. He wanted to leave children behind who would remain in namaz, in faith, and in prayer.

Because true legacy is not measured only by what we leave our children in their hands, but also by what we leave in their hearts. Wealth can be spent, memory may fade, but faith, namaz, good character, and the prayers that continue after us — that is the legacy that lasts.

Because leaving something good to your children is one thing, and leaving good children behind is quite another.

✍️ Jakub Kazimoski

From the series "Wisdom of the Old Labunishta Residents"