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Death

By Abdul Malik Al-Qasim

Translated by Jalal Abualrub

Taken from the Author’s book, “Silent Moments: The Description of Before and After Death Aspects”, copyright and published by the Darussalam Publishers and Distributors, Riyadh, 1999.  Alhamdullillah, Brother Abdul Malik Mujahid, the Darussalam General Manager, has given the Wisdom Enrichment Foundation (WEFOUND)  permission to include this book and other selected Darussalam publications in the Islamic CD-ROMs designed for the WISDOM International Islamic Learning Program. We pray to Allah the Almighty to reward Brother Abdul Malik supreme success for supporting the WEFOUND International Islamic project. To purchase this book and other Islamic books according to the Qur’an and the Sunnah, go to the Links page and click on “Dar-us-salam Publications”. 

             Death is a frightening, horrifying fact that faces all living things, none can resist it, even those who gather around the dying person.  Death is a repeated occurrence that strikes in all instances and throughout the ages, and it strikes the young and the old, the rich and the poor, the strong and the weak and the healthy and the ill.  Allah, the Exalted, said,

“Say (to them): “Verily, the death from which you flee will surely meet you, then you will be sent back to (Allâh), the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen, and He will tell you what you used to do.”[1]

            The end of life is the same for all, for they all die, “Everyone shall taste death.”[2]  However, the destination after death is not the same, “A party will be in Paradise (those who believed in Allâh and followed what Allâh’s Messenger  brought them) and a party in the blazing Fire (Hell) (those who disbelieved in Allâh and followed not what Allâh’s Messenger brought them).”[3]Allah has created life and death for a great purpose and a supreme wisdom, just as He said,

“Who has created death and life that He may test you which of you is best in deed. And He is the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving.”[4]

            Allah described the agonies of death in four Ayat – verses in the Qur’an:

            First, His True Statement, “And the stupor of death will come in truth.”[5]

            Second, His True Statement, “And if you could but see when the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrongdoers) are in the agonies of death.”[6]

            Third, Allah’s True Statement, “Then why do you not (intervene) when (the soul of a dying person) reaches the throat?”[7]

            Fourth, Allah’s True Statement, “Nay, when (the soul) reaches to the collarbone (i.e. up to the throat in its exit).” [8]

            Because of the enormity of what will certainly come to pass and occur to us, the Messenger of Allah said,  “If you but knew what I know, you would laugh little and cry a lot.”[9]

            Certainly, there is a lesson and a wisdom to be drawn from death, in addition to, a reminder and a warning, and sufficient it is as a warner.  The Prophet said,  “Death is sufficient as a reminder.”[10]

There are many Ayat and Hadiths on the subject of death, which, indeed, is the harrowing incident, the hardest occurrence, the glass that is full of the bitters and the un-tasty drink.  Death is the occurrence that ends the lusts and severs the comforts, and the bringer of all hated things.  Death takes apart your sides, separates between your limbs and dissipates your organs.  Therefore, it is the tremendous incident and the momentous occasion, and its day is surely the hard day to come.[11] 

            However, we tend to forget death, or pretend to forget it.  We dislike remembering and meeting it, even though it shall certainly come to pass and there is no way to avoid or avert it.  How strange it is that a wise person witnesses how death takes possession of his generation and neighbors, yet, he still lives comfortably, even though he rapidly grows older.  How strange it is that a person sees snakes approaching him, yet, he is not terrified.  Does not the old realize that death is slowly creeping onto his limbs?  Does not he realize that he is gradually losing his strength and becoming overcome by all types of weaknesses?  Has not he seen the black turning white and the shortcomings increasing by the passage of each day?[12]

            Shortcomings will keep increasing in magnitude until one passes over the bridge of death, which he must and will pass over, crossing to the Hereafter.  Ibn Mas'ud once said, “The believer will not attain comfort until he meets Allah.”[13]

            The meeting with Allah will not occur but after tasting the agonies and hardships of death, which we strive hard to forget!  Surely, the hearts of those who are indulging in this life, dedicated to its deceitful delights and loving its comforts will ignore remembering death, and will hate and run away from being reminded of it.  They are those whom Allah described,

“Say (to them): “Verily, the death from which you flee will surely meet you, then you will be sent back to (Allâh), the All‑Knower of the unseen and the seen, and He will tell you what you used to do.”[14]

            Therefore, wherever you go, then death will meet you, and no matter how far you stray away from it, it will call you, “O soul! Prepare for death and seek your safe passage, for surely, the wise person is he who is prepared. You have become sure that no living soul shall live forever and that certainly, there is no averting death.”[15]

Dear Brother and Sister

            It is a wonder that you should be happy, even though you are being deceived, and indulge in heedless play, while unaware of what is being kept in wait for you.  You are being deceived by your health and forget the nearness of illness.  You also delight at your well-being while unaware of the closeness of pain.  Certainly, the death of others has only made apparent the immanence of your death, and the graves of others have made apparent your own grave even before death approaches you.  You have been busy in fulfilling your lusts instead of remembering your demise, “As if you have not heard the news of those who perished before, nor seen what time does to those who are still alive.”[16]

            We hear the news of death, but forget, and see tears of grief falling down, but none among us feels fright, except those on whom Allah has bestowed His Mercy. 

            There were those who were not busied by this life nor deceived by long hopes, and they prepared for this occasion -death- by abandoning sins and collecting righteous deeds.  Al-Qa’qaa’ ibn 'Hakeem said, “I have been preparing for death for the past thirty years. Therefore, when it comes, I would not hasten or delay doing anything.”[17]

            We hate it that someone talks about death, so much so that many of us get angry if death is mentioned.  Some gives the excuse for this attitude that there is no need to annoy people and spoil their gatherings by mentioning the lessons drawn from death.

            Al-Hasan al-Basri was asked, “O abu Sa’id! What should we do? We sit with people who make us afraid (from death) that makes our hearts fly away.”  He said, “By Allah! If you associate with someone who makes you afraid, so that you earn safety, is better than associating with someone who makes you feel safe, for in this case, un-safety might touch you.”[18]

            If you do not remember that day and prepare for it, it will surprise you tomorrow while you are busy in your affairs.  Therefore, take a lesson from those who prepared for it and died in that state.

            Al-Hasan said, “Those who were before you used to often consider the nearness of death. One of them would often take water for purity, fulfill the call of nature and perform Ablution, fearing that Allah’s Command (death) might come to him while he is not in a state of purity.”[19]

            Also, Ar-Rabi' ibn Bizzah said, “I am amazed at the creations, they are unaware about a truthful matter that they see with their eyes and to which truth their hearts testify. Yet, here they are busy from remembering it, engaging in playful heedlessness.”  He added, “By Allah! This heedlessness is a mercy from Allah and a bounty that He bestowed on creation. Otherwise, the believers among them would be losing their minds, their hearts would fly away, crushed with fear, and they would not enjoy life, if they constantly remembered death.”[20]

            By Allah, even the Angle of Death who is entrusted with the job of capturing the souls upon death, will die.  Allah the Exalted said, “Whatsoever is on it (the earth) will perish. And the Face of your Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) full of Majesty and Honor will remain forever.”[21]  Yet, where are the remembrance and the taking of lessons from that day, similar to the way our righteous Salaf remembered death and drew lessons from contemplating their destination?

            Al-'Hakeem ibn Nu’h said to some of his brethren, “Malik ibn Dinar was reclining one night, from the beginning of the night to its end, without praying a Sujud or a Rak’ah during that night. We were with him at sea at the time. In the morning I said to him, ‘O Malik! Your night was long! You neither prayed, nor invoked Allah.’ He cried and said, ‘If the creation but knows what they will meet tomorrow, they will never find comfort in living. By Allah! When I contemplated the horror and darkness of the night, I remembered the stand (before Allah) and the horror of that incident. On that Day, everyone will be concerned about his own self, no father shall avail for his son nor offspring shall avail for his father.’ He became very anxious for a time, and then calmed down. Those who were with us in the ship admonished me saying, ‘You know that he cannot bear being reminded[22], so why did you remind him?’ Ever after that, I did not remind him but occasionally.’”[23]

            No believer feels fear today, but will be safe tomorrow on account of his drawing lessons and performing righteous, good deeds during his life.  We are living a life in which Allah bestows on us His Favors day and night, but we are wasting our life in other than what we were created for.  This is why when death comes all of a sudden, some will beg of Allah,  “My Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer)! Send me back.”[24]

            But, why should you go back and return?,  “So that I may do good in that which I have left behind!”[25]

            That Day has not come yet.  Therefore, why do you not perform good deeds while able to do so and while healthy, since the Angel of Death has not come to you yet?

            Allah made death the destiny of all slaves, the end of everyone and the destination that this life of pride is headed to.  He has divided His slaves into two parties, an obedient and a sinner, and made their final destination two types, the dwelling of delight and the dwelling of torment.  None shall avert death or be safe from it, “Whatsoever is on it (the earth) will perish.”[26]

            Allah did not make a distinction between the young and the old, and the rich and the poor.  All of this is the measure of the All-Knower, Most-Kind, “And no aged man is granted a length of life nor is a part cut off from his life (or another man’s life), but is in a Book (Al‑Lauh Al‑Mahfûz). Surely, that is easy for Allâh.”[27]  Therefore, the wise one is he who accuses himself of shortcomings and works for the time after death, he who rushes to work righteousness before the chance to work passes and ends.  Surely, the Muslim is he who surrenders to Predestination and Preordainment, and the believer is he who assures his gaining a reward by being patient in the face of afflictions and harm that might befall him[28].

            One of our predecessors said, “I am amazed at he who knows that death is certain, yet he laughs. I am amazed at he who knows that the Fire is true, yet he rejoices. I am amazed at he who witnesses how life changes the condition of its people, yet he feels safe. I am amazed at he who knows that Predestination is true, yet he tires himself[29].”[30]

            We see the door to death wide open and the number of graves increase.  This is death, every day it touches us somehow and warns us every moment.  Did we ask ourselves about our next life, knowing that, “Death is a door through which all must pass, I wonder what type of dwelling this door is leading to? If you work in Allah’s Pleasure, then your dwelling will be the Garden of Eternity, but if you fall into shortcomings, then it will be the Fire.”[31]

            If you remember and your heart becomes afraid, then your heart will be headed towards righteousness and success, just as ad-Daqqaq asserted, “He who often remembers death will be endowed with three qualities: repenting soon afterwards, having a contented heart and being active performing acts of worship. He who forgets death will earn, as way of recompense, three characteristics: delaying repentance, discontent with sufficient provisions and being lazy performing the acts of worship.”

            We only remember death when it strikes and its affliction comes, and if we are reminded that someone has died, we might remember death then, as if it is the path of that person alone.  Therefore, we grieve for losing the dead, but do not realize what will befall us tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.

            However, those who think about the repercussions of life will become aware, and those who are certain that the path is long, will prepare for the journey.

Dear Reader

            It is a right on he whose demise will be by death, whose bed will be sand and who will have worms as companions, Munkir and Nakir[32] as associates, the grave as residence, the belly of the earth as dwelling, the Day of Resurrection as the appointed meeting time and Paradise or Hell as destination, to only think about death and remember it often.  He ought to prepare for death, indulge in its affairs, long for its coming and seek its path.  He ought to consider himself among the dead and see himself among the residents of the graves.  Certainly, all that shall come to pass is near, while what will not come is far away.  Moreover, preparing for a thing is only made easy by the heart often remembering it, and this only occurs by listening to ways and means that remind of it and contemplating about whatever alerts us to its imminence.[33] 

            This, beloved brother and sister, is the advice that Ya'hya ibn Mu’ath gave us, “Do not be one whose (evil) legacy is announced on the day he dies and whose (evil) deeds are exposed by the scale on the Day of Gathering.”[34]

            It is because of these fears and constant reminders that when death was mentioned to Muhammad ibn An-Nadhr, his body would shake for a while, until he calmed down afterwards. 

 “O Son of Adam! Your mother gave birth to you while you were crying, while those around you were laughing in joy. Work for a day, the day you die, might that you will be laughing in joy then, while they will be crying for you.”[35]

            Cry for yourself, before you are cried for.  Compel yourself to perform acts of obedience, before you are carried on people’s necks.  Hold yourself accountable, before you are held accountable.  They are only a few moments during which you hold yourself accountable, but are far better than days that are lost and for which you will be recompensed.

            Abdullah ibn Shamit said, “I heard my father saying, ‘O you who is deceived by his long period of health, have you not heard of a person who died without illness? O you who is deceived by his long hope, have you not seen he who was taken away suddenly? Are you being deceived by good health? Does having long hopes make you feel safe? Is it the Angel of Death whom you are challenging?

            Certainly, when the Angel of Death comes, he will not be prevented from you on account of your wealth, or the number of your gatherings.  Do you not know that the hour of death brings tremendous hardships and grief, in addition to, sorrow for succumbing to shortcomings?’ He would then say, ‘May Allah grant His Mercy to a slave who works for (the time) after death.’”

            One of the unique moments occurs when a dying person becomes alert all of a sudden, for at that moment, he becomes so alert, worried and eager for his past life.  He would wish he is left alive, so that he could acquire what he lost and repent sincerely, in such strong emotions that compare to his certainty that death is overcoming him at the moment, to the extent of almost killing himself with grief.

            What we witness in graves carries the biggest reminder and lesson, for he who carries a dead corpse today will tomorrow be carried, and he who returns from the graveyard to his house will be carried away from his house to the graveyard tomorrow.  Then, he will be left alone, tied to his actions, which will earn him good for good and evil for evil.  Yet, how few are those who draw a lesson from all this and become energetic with regards to performing righteous actions and deeds.

            Thabit Al-Banani once said, “Tuba (a tree in Paradise) for he who remembers the hour of death, and verily, if a slave remembers death often, then the effect of this remembrance will appear in his actions.”[36]

            Those who are certain that death is coming tomorrow will fill their days in the obedience of Allah, the Exalted and Most-Honored.  Day after day, they will stay this righteous course until certainty -death- comes to them, just as Allah said,

“And worship your Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) until there comes unto you the certainty (i.e. death).”[37]

            Anas said, “The Prophet (SAW) drew several lines and said, ‘This is man and this is his life-term. While he is like this, the nearest line strikes him.’”[38]

            Mentioning death, even if it brings grief to your days and dissipates your dreams, will make you realize and remember an unequivocal fact.

            Those who have short hopes and realize death before their eyes will work for the Hereafter and use every moment of life in the obedience of Allah.  They will grieve for the time they spent without performing righteous deeds that bring them closer to Allah.  And on account of the good deeds they performed, they rejoice for the transfer to the Hereafter. 

            Khalid ibn Ma’iddan said, “I do not prefer that any creation on land or in sea averts death from me with itself. Further, had death been a goal to reach, none will beat me to it on account of his physical strength.”[39]

            This good mannerism occurs when one has certain qualities: eagerness for a Paradise, its width is the width of heavens and earth, anticipation for the meeting with Allah, the Exalted and Ever-High, and joy for what one has brought forth of righteous, good deeds, all the while awaiting Allah’s rewards for the good deeds, after gaining His Mercy.

            Even though the believers are eager to meet Allah, the Exalted and Ever-High, and rejoice for what He has prepared for those who have faith in His Oneness, yet, as al-Hasan stated, “The soul of the son of Adam will depart this life with three sorrows: for not having his fill, for not reaching what he hoped for and for not preparing well for what he is going to face.”[40]

            The grave is the second dwelling place after this life.  How will that dwelling be if we ignored taking care of its building and brought down its pillars, especially since all what separates us from death, is for someone to declare, “So and so has died”?  How many a loved one and a friend do we carry every day to the grave?  Does death only knock on their doors and disturbs only their sleep, but not us?

            Al-Hasan said, “I have never seen a certainty closer to being doubted than people vs. death. [They are certain it will strike them,] yet, they ignore its immanence. I have never seen truth that is closer to falsehood than that demonstrated by their statement, ‘We seek Paradise,’ yet, they ignore seeking its path.’”[41]

            Contemplate about this critical path, difficult road, un-sturdy bridge and uneasy hurdle on which the feet cannot remain firm.  Wishful thinking cannot surmount this hurdle and only those whom Allah makes their feet firm with the firm statement[42] can remain on it, on a Day when all other feet will slip.”[43]

            Ammar ibn Yasir said, “Death is enough as a reminder, certainty is enough as wealth and performing acts of worship is sufficient as a job.”[44]

            Therefore, he who remembers death and fears losing time, the acts of worship will keep him busy in preparation for a sudden knock that will bring grief after delight and will not distinguish between a prince and a commoner, or an old man and a toddler.  They are all the same in this regard, for whomever’s time has come, then he is the companion of death, and those whose end has approached, then they are death’s target.

            Therefore, how long should our unawareness, that we spend its night in sleep and its days in moving about, how long should it continue?  Ibrahim ibn Adham said, “Our hearts were covered with three seals, and verily, the slave will not reach certainty [in Faith] until these seals are removed: delight in what is there, sorrow for what has been lost and rejoice by receiving praise. When you are delighted with what you have, you are a tightwad. If you grieve for what has been lost, then you are an outraged person, and such a person will taste the torment. If you rejoice when you are praised, then you are proud, and the proud will have their actions annulled.”[45]

            Furthermore, remembering death plants the seed of sincerity in the believer, with the good actions representing its fruit.  This is especially important considering the fact that the days pass quickly and the stages of life end fast.  Surely, he who makes this fact a reminder, will roll up his sleeves and revert to energetic activity, using his means of transportation -the righteous deeds- to transfer him to a Paradise as wide as the heavens and earth.

            Silah ibn Ashyam once said, “Let death be your slogan, for this way, you will not care if you reached the morning while wealthy or having difficulty in this life.”

            Moreover, those who remember death will neither be overwhelmed by the afflictions of this life, nor feel eagerness for life’s wealth, gold, furniture or beds.  This is because this type knows that what Allah has is far better and more lasting, and this knowledge encourages them to be energetic and to have a strong resolve.  Life to this type does not make a difference, except the part of it that is spent in practicing good deeds that conform to the Sunnah of the Prophet, all the while avoiding showing off and seeking fame -with their good actions-.  Why would anyone show off and boast when there is an imminent destination -death- that awaits his coming?

            Al-‘Harith ibn Idris said, “I said to Dawood At-Taii, ‘Advise me’, and he said, ‘Know that soldiers of death are in wait for you.’”[46]

            Ever since one departs his mother’s womb, the Angel of Death keeps in wait for him for a time when his life comes to an end, so that he can capture his soul.  This is why ‘Aun ibn Abdullah said, “He who counts tomorrow in his life-term will not have considered death its due consideration. Verily, how many persons start a day, but do not finish it, and how many persons hope for tomorrow, but do not live to reach it? If you contemplate about the end of life and its unpredictability, you will hate long hopes and the deceiving role they have.”[47]

            Having long hopes is a reason behind laziness and weak resolves, prompting many to delay repentance until tomorrow, but they die before tomorrow comes.  Also, there are many of us who often proclaim that after this, they will repent.  However, death comes to them, before repentance occurs.

            Abu ad-Dardaa said, “He who remembers death often, then his delight becomes less and his enviousness (of others) diminishes.”[48]

            This is because he who remembers the end and places its imminence before his eyes, will have no cause to rejoice or envy others, for he reminds himself of the horrors of death which will separate him from this earthly life.  In this state, such persons will be like those described as, “I am a man who has stretched forth his neck with a sword held above it awaiting the order to cut it off.”[49]

            We know this sword, for we witness it every day coming down on a loved one, a relative or a friend, thus, severing their ties with this life and taking them away from their loved ones and companions.  Allah has given us respite with regards to our life-term, but only to an appointed time that will never come early or late for even an instant.

            Therefore, Dear Brother and Sister, you have been traveling since the moment you were brought into this life, “and you do not know as you ensue on any mission in which part of the earth your demise will be.”  Have you prepared for your final destination and got ready for the journey thereafter?  By Allah, death is an imminent, tremendous incident and an awful matter, for which Umar ibn Abdul Aziz said, “Whoever considers the nearness of death in his heart, will see what he has and owns as being abundant.”[50]

            Preparing for such a journey, in which you will be alone without money, status, position, loved ones or friends, alone in your grave where even the closest and dearest ones to you will not provide company in your aloneness, is excellently fulfilled by performing righteous, good actions.

            Bilal ibn Sa’d used to say when he advised people, “O people of eternity and everlasting existence! You were not created to perish, you were created to remain forever. You will only be transferred from one dwelling (this life) to another (the Hereafter).”[51]

            This transformation carries pain and hardships that only Allah has knowledge of.  Anas ibn Malik said, “Ever since Allah created him, son of Adam did not taste a hardship more severe to him than death.”[52]

            It is because of these hardships that we seek flight in every direction and path -away from death-.  However, it is death; whichever valley you reside in, either you will go to it or it will come to you.

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