Death – the ultimate!

So I just finished reading a book titled, “Tears of the yearners for the meeting with God.” It was not my copy. I borrowed it from a dear sister. The book was….No! this is not a review of the book. I just thought to share some of my reflections from the book. 

From the day we are born, the only thing that is certain is death. No one can say with certainty whether we will be rich or poor, doctors or cleaners,  sick or healthy, successful or we will fail or even when we will die. How often do we think about death?

كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ ۗ وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۖ فَمَنْ زُحْزِحَ عَنِ النَّارِ وَأُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ ۗ وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُورِ

Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except for the enjoyment of delusion? [Surat Aal-E-Imran 185]

We make plans for work, business, family, vacations, staycations and retirement but we somehow forget to plan for when we meet our Lord, a feat which can only be achieved after death. So, It is not too morbid to think about death. It will make us more aware…more accountable for our time, our actions and our lives. Allah mentions a lot in the Qur’an that this world is fleeting, but we make it our goal and primary focus or we let it distract us from our forever.

The Prophet (SAW) said, Be in this world as a stranger. [Buhari]

One of the predecessors saw the Prophet (SAW) in his dream and said to him, “Give me counsel.” He said to him, “Whoever’s two days are the same is defrauded. Whoever’s today is worse than his yesterday is damned. Whoever has not pursued an increase in his work is in decrease. And whoever is in decrease, death is better for him.”

This is a call to compete with yourself. Not with others to see who has more likes or followers or wealth. Our thoughts should be more in the line of, “What can I do better today than yesterday? How much more can I give to charity today? What did I do yesterday that I should not do today or ever? How can I do more dhikr?”

Death is a point of regret for anyone. A believer will regret because he would not be able to fast some more, or give more charity or do more good or pray some more. A sinner will regret because he is out of time.

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

تَبَارَكَ الَّذِي بِيَدِهِ الْمُلْكُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْغَفُورُ

Blessed is He in whose hand is dominion, and He is over all things competent – [He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed –  and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving. [Surat Al-Mulk 1-2]

Life is a gift. One we should use solely for the preparation of our hereafter.

يَا أَيُّهَا الْإِنْسَانُ إِنَّكَ كَادِحٌ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ كَدْحًا فَمُلَاقِيهِ

O mankind, indeed you are labouring toward your Lord with [great] exertion and will meet it.

[Surat Al-Inshiqaq 6]

May Allah make us among those are pleased with their striving on the day of Judgement. Amin.

Until Next time,

Nana