Death

The times we now live in are uncertain. We have all witnessed losses of loved ones and witnessed huge losses worldwide, through war, disasters etc. We are uncertain when our time will up in this world, therefore we need to prepare for the inevitable - death.

Regardless of your age, status, health or piety, death will come to you and is drawing nearer every day, every hour, every minute and every second. But only Allah knows when your life in this world will come to an end.

Allah created all this [the Heaven and the earth, everything in it, on it and between it] in order to test His creations. "[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed and He the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving." [Qur'an: Surah al-Mulk (Dominion) 67, verse 2]. He is ever-Forgiving to those who turn to Him with sincerity repentance and seek His Mercy and Forgiveness, after disobeying Him by performing a sin or bad deed, (That goes against that which Allah SWT has taught us). Although Allah is the all-Mighty, the Most-Powerful, He Pardons, excuses and forgives those who seek His Mercy and sincerely vow never to commit the act again.

"O you who have believed, fear Allah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow - and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is well Acquainted with what you do."

[Qur'an: Surah Al-Hashr (The Gathering) 59, verse 18]

People may ask how do we prepare for death? And to ask yourself is, are you ready to meet the All-Mighty?

"Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so - for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward."

[Qur'an: Surah al-Ahzab (The Combined Forces) 33, verse 35]

Let us consider this example: Two people have a ticket to a destination they have never been before. The first person takes his time learning the language and doing his research on cultural and practices etc, relating to the destination. He prepares himself by getting the necessary vaccines, the correct currency, accommodation and making sure he has all the things required for this trip. He arrives without any surprises. He is content and safe because he prepared himself.

Whilst the second persons mind is preoccupied with other things to consider this trip right away, thinking that he will have time later to do it. Living in the moment, he rushes from place to place without giving much thought, careless in his preparations. He packs very last minute and rushes off with just the essentials. When he arrives, he is scared, anxious and confused. He came unprepared, which resulted in a dreadful outcome, because the things he packed were of no use to him.

Now it is obvious that we are not packing for a holiday; but we are preparing for something far more important, overwhelming and ever lasting. This life is nothing but a test, full of trials in order to test our Iman [faith], to test which of us, when we are in need of something we rely only upon Allah, are thankful only to Allah, and are humble, hopeful and thankful in the outcome that Allah has decreed for us. 

We were created to worship Allah, it was our promise which we made (even before we were brought into existence on earth). Fulfilling this promise is in fact the way to Jannah [Paradise], its our one way ticket to success in this world and the next, if we are fully reliant upon Allah for everything, aware of His Presence everywhere and call upon Him for anything and everything; showing gratitude to Him for all you are, all you have and all that there is, [in difficult times and good times]. Some tests we endure are to either benefit us in this world, if we pass them by relying and remembering Allah, we may get a reward in this world or the next and if we fail the test by neglecting Allah, our Salah (prayers) etc, then we may get punished in this life or the next. 

The Prophet SAW said, 'No calamity befalls a Muslim but that Allah expiates some of his sins because of it, even if it were the prick of a thorn.'

[al-Bukhari & Muslim Hadith]

Some tests can also come in the form of protection from something far worse occurring, even if we dont have the knowledge to realise it at the time.

"Perhaps you dislike a thing and Allah makes therein much good."

[Qur'an: Surah al-Nisa (The Women) 4, verse 19]

[Consider the story of Prophet Musa and al-Khidr, peace be upon them both. The story can be found in the Qur'an, surat al-Kahf 18, verses 60-82. Which makes us realise that having faith in Allah should make us accept His rulings without any questions and not to be impatient, seeking immediate answers to all occurrences because we don't have the knowledge to comprehend Allah's ways or the reasons why Allah allows certain things to happen.]

Tests can come in the form as a way to strengthen your iman (faith). The Prophet (saw) said, “the people who face the most difficult tests are the Prophets, then the righteous, then those following them in degree. A person is tried according to his religion. So if there is firmness in his religion, then the trial is increased, and if there is a weakness, then it is lightened. Verily a trial remains with a servant until he walks the earth having no sin left upon him.” (Bukhari) Tests expose our faults and weaknesses to ourselves, and with this awareness we are able to focus on rectifying them.

"Every Soul shall 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 the enjoyment of delusion.”

[3:185]