Open-Heart surgery: Divine Grace, Medical Miracle, and Prayers Gave me a New Life

After drifting back into semi-consciousness, the first words I heard were a whisper: “Is he dead?” At that moment, a verse from the Qur’an echoed in my heart: “Indeed, you cannot make the dead hear” (27:80). That was my assurance—I was alive. Having brushed so closely with death, I instinctively recited the declaration of faith, whispered verses of the Qur’an, and offered thanks for this fragile gift of life. I prayed for my family, my friends, and the doctors whose hands were working to keep my heart beating. Then, I slipped once more into unconsciousness.

This cycle repeated seven times—moments of clarity followed by a plunge into deep sleep. Each time, I was reminded that life is nothing but a series of breaths granted by the Creator, each one a mercy.

I had entered Kaiser Hospital on January 9, 2023, for an angiogram and to manage edema. By January 18, the doctors concluded that open-heart surgery was inevitable. Concerned, I sought the counsel of cardiologist friends. All of them urged me to proceed. The surgery was scheduled for January 23, but my failing kidneys caused hesitation. Yet, the nephrologist, Dr. Talha Imam, reassured me with his firm conviction: my body could endure the ordeal.

Finally, on January 26, I was wheeled into the operating room. Just before the stretcher carried me away, I asked my eldest son, Suhail, and my wife to recite Surah Hashr and the declaration of faith with me. Their voices steadied my heart.

Inside the operating room, I looked around and saw something extraordinary. Surrounding me was a team of healers—Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Zoroastrians, atheists—all gathered for one purpose: to save the life of a Muslim. In that sacred moment, my last conscious thought before surrendering to anesthesia was a prayer:

“O my Lord, let the world resemble this room—where people of every race, every faith, and every conviction come together, not to divide, but to heal.”

The surgery was long and arduous, but what sustained me was the dedication I witnessed. At Kaiser, Fontana, the doctors, nurses, and staff exemplify compassion. Their commitment instills confidence, and their care reflects a higher calling. I met not a single nurse who seemed weary of their duty. Each one radiated patience, kindness, and purpose.

This experience reminded me that medicine is not merely a profession; it is among the noblest callings in human history. In it, people fulfill the divine will by serving humanity. As a community, we must not only honor our doctors but also encourage our youth to pursue nursing and allied fields, for these paths are gateways to service, sacrifice, and healing.

What carried me through this trial was faith—faith in God, in the unseen, in the power of prayer, and in the hands of those striving to heal me. Today, I stand grateful—grateful to my Creator for granting me life again, thankful to my doctors and nurses for their tireless service, and grateful to my family and friends for their unwavering love.

From the depths of my heart—thank you all.