The mother of Islamic singer Rukayat Gawat-Oyefeso has expressed her respect and responded to comments from an individual who claimed the singer was not in heaven.
During a memorial ceremony held in Rukayat’s honor and shared on social media late Monday, her mother spoke of the deep sorrow and shock she still feels over her daughter’s untimely passing.
She admitted that she never could have imagined losing Rukayat, not even in the next 50 years, but has come to accept it as God’s will. She prayed that her daughter’s good deeds during her lifetime would grant her peace in the afterlife.
Speaking to the audience, including many of Rukayat’s colleagues, she urged them to be patient as she shared some words. She also prayed that such a tragedy would not befall them again.
She went on to describe Rukayat’s generous and kind-hearted nature recalling how hard she worked during the last Hajj, emphasising that no matter how upset she might have been she always remained respectful and compassionate towards others.
However, she also mentioned an unnamed colleague who had made hurtful remarks about Rukayat before her passing.
Expressing her dismay, Rukayat’s mother recalled warning the individual stating, “We do not speak ill of those close to us.”
The day after the incident, Rukayat called her mother in tears, sharing the hurtful things her friend had said to her.
Her mother adviced her to continue doing good without expecting anything in return, as people often say negative things about others.
In addition to this, Rukayat’s mother addressed a separate incident where someone had gone on social media after her daughter’s death, spreading falsehoods that Rukayat hadn’t died in faith and thus wouldn’t make it to heaven.
The grieving mother rebuked this claim, calling the individual wicked and heartless for making such statements while the family was still in mourning. She added that such a person has no fear of God and that her daughter is not condemned.
Rukayat Gawat-Oyefeso passed away on September 24.
The news of her death was first shared by Ilorin-based cleric, Alfa Aribidesi At-Tawdeeh, who expressed his condolences on Facebook.
Rukayat is survived by her husband, Alhaji Shakiru Oyefeso.