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Death: The Inevitable Reality

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Death is inevitable and cannot be delayed or deferred and as Allāh Glory be to Him said, meaning

Every soul will taste death – _Surah Aali `Imran 3:185_ 1

we know there is no escape from it. We will die and will leave everything behind except for what will go with us (our book of deeds).

At this point we should remember what Prophet ﷺ said regarding wise man

The one who remembers death the most and is best in preparing for it. Those are the wisest. – Ibn Majah 2

May people don’t want to even think about death. As soon as thought comes to their mind, they try and busy themselves with worldly matters and stop thinking about it. But this doesn’t change the reality, when angel of death comes, he will not ask you. Now it’s up to you which amongst the following you want to be (as mentioned in Qur’an)

Good Muslim

Indeed, those who have said, “Our Lord is Allāh ” and then remained on a right course – the angels will descend upon them, [saying], “Do not fear and do not grieve but receive good tidings of Paradise, which you were promised.

We [angels] were your allies in worldly life and [are so] in the Hereafter. And you will have therein whatever your souls desire, and you will have therein whatever you request [or wish] – Surah Fussilat 41:30-31 3

Disbeliever

Until, when death comes to one of them (those who join partners with Allāh), he says: “My Lord! Send me back, So that I may do good in that which I have left behind!”

No! It is but a word that he speaks, and behind them is Barzakh (a barrier) until the Day when they will be resurrected. – Surah al-Mu’minoon 23:99-100  4

When we read these verses we should never think we cannot be one of them. For surely, Allāh Glory be to Him is talking about human beings and we are human beings. We can be the ones mentioned in both the sets of verses. Do you not know the story of barsisa, the pious man who was devoted worshipper and died in state of kufr? But, we have strong hope in Allāh Glory be to Him and in His Mercy, for Allāh’s Mercy prevails His wrath as mentioned in ḥadīth

Verily, Allāh when He created the creation, He wrote with His Hand concerning Himself, that: ‘My mercy prevails over My wrath.’ – at-Tirmidhi 5

I would like to end this post by command of Allāh Glory be to Him and warning

And spend [in the way of Allāh] from what We have provided you before death approaches one of you and he says, “My Lord, if only You would delay me for a brief term so I would give charity and be among the righteous.”

But never will Allāh delay a soul when its time has come. And Allāh is Acquainted with what you do. – Surah al-Munafiqun 63:10-11 6

In the end, just read this following ḥadīth

The dead person ends up in his grave, then the righteous man is made to sit up in his grave with no fear or panic. Then it is said to him: ‘What religion did you follow?’ He said: ‘I was in Islam.’ It is said to him: ‘Who is this man?’ He says: ‘Muḥammad the Messenger of Allāh (ﷺ). He brought us clear signs from Allāh and we believed him.’ It is said to him: ‘Have you seen Allāh?’ He says: ‘No one is able to see Allāh.’ Then a window to Hell is opened for him, and he sees it, parts of it destroying others. Then it is said to him: ‘Look at what Allāh has saved you from.’ Then a window to Paradise is opened to him, and he looks at its beauty and what is in it. It is said to him: ‘This is your place.’ And it is said to him: ‘You had certain faith and you died in that state, and in that state you will be resurrected if Allāh wills.’ And the evil man is made to sit up in his grave with fear and panic. It is said to him: ‘What religion did you follow?’ He says: ‘I do not know.’ It is said to him: ‘Who is this man?’ He says: ‘I heard the people saying something and I said it too.’ Then a window to Paradise is opened to him, and he looks at its beauty and what is in it. It is said to him: ‘Look at what Allāh has diverted away from you.’ Then a window to Hell is opened for him, and he sees it, parts of it destroying others, and it is said to him: ‘This is your place. You were doubtful; in this state you died and in this state you will be resurrected, if Allāh wills. – Ibn Majah 7

May Allāh Glory be to Him grant us ability to prepare for death before it approaches us.

  1. ^   Surah Aali `Imran 3:185
  2. ^   Sunan Ibn Majah Vol. 5, Book 37, Ḥadīth 4259 – Classed as Hasan (Darussalam)
  3. ^   Surah Fussilat 41:30-31
  4. ^   Surah al-Mu’minoon 23:99-100
  5. ^   Jami` at-Tirmidhi Vol. 6, Book 45 Number 3543 – Classed as Saheeh (Darussalam)
  6. ^   Surah al-Munafiqun 63:10-11
  7. ^   Sunan Ibn Majah Vol. 5, Book 37, Ḥadīth 4268 – Classed as Saheeh (Darussalam)