A subject that a lot of people stay away from, and try their best to avoid hearing the word, Death. Mentioning the word, it is truly an expression that should not fear any true Muslim. In fact, in Islam if you really think about it the meaning of life has the exact same meaning to the word death, they are not any different.
Many treat death as something doubtful, when it is truly something certain. We are all certain to death, all human beings Muslims and Non-Muslims believe in death. All Muslims should know and believe that "We
Belong to Allah and to Him we Shall Return", but then suddenly when they hear the word death they begin to fidget and get nervous and decide to change the subject. Why is that? Why does that happen?
It is He (Allah) Who gives life, and causes death, and to Him you (all) shall return.
( سورة يونس , Yunus, Chapter #10, Verse #56 )
This is apart of the human nature. Many of us have true loved ones that we are afraid to leave behind, or things that we really care about that we cannot let go of. When really, the true attachment should only be with Allah subhana wa taala. What all true Muslims should put in mind is that if you truly love someone then you should ask Allah to reunite you together in Jannah, and love them for the sake of Allah, not for the sake of dunya.
On the other hand, many refuse to admit that what they really fear from is the fact that they are not ready to leave the dunya and are not prepared for the akhera. How much are really preparing for death? Its amazing how people are not doing anything for the preparation of death. And when you see them preparing for it, they are still preparing for the dunya side of it, the funeral, cemetery, rather than for the akhera.
We should all stop for a moment and think to ourselves, are we really prepared to die? Are we really prepared for the Hereafter? It is always very good to be reminded about death, and that we are all going to die one day to assure that we are ready for it and do not fear it one bit.
In the Holy Qur'an, interesting and varied interpretations have been made, regarding death, the study of all the aspects of which, shall become very elaborate, hence we suffice by mentioning a few of the beautiful and expressive interpretations, which have appeared in some of the verses.
1. Meeting with Allàh
The Holy Qur’àn, in the last verse of the Surah Kahf, has expressed death as a meeting with Allàh and says:
“So whoever desires to meet his Lord, he should do good deeds and not associate anyone in the worship of his Lord.” (Holy Quran - 18:110)
2. Return to Allàh
Another interpretation which the Holy Qur’àn has and which makes clear the reality of death, is “return to Allàh”. However, the Islamic philosophers, regarding the manner of the creation of the entities (and amongst them, man) by Allàh and after then, their return towards Allàh, have subtle, profound and interesting theories. The Holy Qur’àn says:
“Verily, we are Allàh's and verily to Him shall we return.” (Holy Quran - 2:156)
3. Seizing of the Soul
One of the beautiful interpretations of the Holy Qur’àn in the matter of death is(توفّى). This word means seizing a thing in its entirety. Hence, according to the verse under consideration, the reality of death is that the angels commissioned to take the soul, seize the entire personality of man at the time of death, and remove it from the captivity of the body. They, then carry it to the Divine Presence:
“Say: the Angel of Death who is given charge of you shall cause you to die, then to your Lord you shall be brought back.” (Holy Quran - 32:11)
Three benefits of remembering and preparing for death:
1- taadeel altawba - you would hasten the repentance, and prepare for the akhera.
2- al ritha bi al qaleel - content with the minimum, whatever Allah gives you, you will be happy with it. You will be satisfied and pleased because you know that this is all temporary, therefor you would not give it that much of concern and attention. So whatever Allah gives you, alhamdullilah.
3- you will not fight and compete with people of this world over this world, and that will cause you to have tranquility in your heart. Because what makes people anxious and obnoxious is competing over material things since this world is small and our desires are large, nothing can satisfy this desire of the human being. Rasool (SAW) says: "If a son of Adam had a valley of gold, he would request another one and nothing would please the son of Adam, nothing would shut him up except dirt." So do not value things more than it is really worth, and give it importance more than it needs.
Coming to an end, we will all die one day, but we just have to be ready and prepared to die as a true believer to be a real winner today.
"Allahummagh fir-lna warr hamna wah-dina warr zuq-na."
(O Allah, forgive us, have mercy on us, guide us aright and grant us sustenance).
May Allah grant all Muslimeen Jannat Al Fardos
"Allahumm aj 'al-ni min at-tow-wa been waj-alni minal muta-tah-hireen."
(I testify that there is no deity except Allah; He is One and has no partner. And I testify that Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) is His servant and apostle.)
