The fact how precious health is and how quickly it can be snatched away has glaringly become obvious in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been more than a year today since the pandemic has hit the entire world. It has made us realize the truth that we often forget and ignore: we can die at any given moment.
We may have seen many of our loved ones and acquaintances, young and old, departing suddenly and unexpectedly. Death is a constant reminder. We can no longer brush this seemingly inconvenient truth under the carpet. We must face the reality that we have no guarantee of how long we will stay in this world.
It is such a concrete and solid fact, that even a person who does not believe in Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) cannot deny. It is very difficult for a sane man to claim that he will not die one day. The truth of the matter is that the Angel of Death will pay a visit to each of us at our appointed time. The Angel pays heed to nothing except the command of Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ). Who we are and what we are doing at that moment when our appointed time has approached us will be irrelevant to the one who has come to take our soul.
We may say we are busy with the affairs of our lives to be reflecting upon death. We might think we are too young or we have too many responsibilities in the world to plan our departure just yet. All these thoughts are simply self-delusionary. Yet, the graveyards are full of people who considered themselves indispensable. Busy professionals, university students and young mothers all met the Angel of Death suddenly, at the fixed time and place. They thought they would do better tomorrow. They thought they had plenty of time left in the world, except that the command came from Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) for their mission to be aborted and their life to end.
Whenever we are too engrossed in life or matters in life seem to weigh heavily upon us, death is enough as a reminder. This could be our last year, month or even day. Where’s the guarantee that it will not be? The cloth for our shrouds might already have reached the marketplace. Our graves might already have been dug while we are heedless. Who knows?
We were all manufactured with an expiry date. There is a pre-appointed time which has been kept hidden from us by the Mercy of Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ). None of us can escape or delay our time of leaving the world. The only thing we can do is prepare for it.
Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) says:
إِنَّ أَجَلَ اللَّـهِ إِذَا جَاءَ لَا يُؤَخَّرُ ۖ لَوْ كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
“Indeed, the time [set by] Allah, when it comes, will not be delayed, if you only knew.”
[Surah Nuh: 4]
For a Muslim, death is not the end. It is a new beginning. It is simply the transition from one world to the next. It is an opportunity to meet the Beloved Rabb and to reap the rewards of all that that has been strived for in the world.
Remembering Death
Remembering death is very beneficial for the hearts. It is a very effective catalyst to soften our hearts and reform our actions. It is one of the best deterrents against sinning and one of the best motivators towards good deeds.
Ibn Abbas (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) reported: The Prophet ﷺ, said:
“There are two blessings which many people waste: health and free time.”
(Ṣaḥiḥ Bukhari: 6049)
From this hadith we learnt that both time and health is limited. As we age, we witness the decline of both. What would be the smart thing to do? Yes, make the best of both while it is in abundance for us.
In another hadith we are taught to remember death. Abu Huraira reported (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ): The Messenger of Allah, ﷺ said:
“Remember often the destroyer of pleasures,” by which he meant death.
(Sunan At-Tirmidhī 2307)
Common sense and wisdom demand that we remember our departure and prepare the provisions of iman and good deeds for the journey ahead. This is done by remembering death often. Although this is a topic we want to steer away from and do not even want our children to experience the thought. It is horrific to talk about death and people tell us it is a morbid topic.
Ibn Umar (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) reported:
A man said, “O Messenger of Allah, which of the believers is best?” The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Those with the best character.” The man said, “Which of the believers is the wisest?” The Prophet said, “Those who remember death often and have best prepared for it with good deeds; those are the wisest.”
(Sunan Ibn Mājah 4259)
Our hearts get attached to this world and this beauty and we get lost in it not wanting to ever let go. Our hearts get rusted and hardened as a result of our sins and heedlessness. Among the things that can cure our ailing hearts is the remembrance of death. This is also the main benefit behind visiting the graveyards.
Narrated by Abu Hurairah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) reported:
“The Prophet (ﷺ) visited the grave of his mother and wept, causing the people around him to weep. Then he said: ‘I asked my Lord for permission to seek forgiveness for her, but He did not give me permission. Then I asked my Lord for permission to visit her grave and He gave me permission. So visit the graves, for they will remind you of death.”
(Sunan Ibn Mājah 1572)
We must remember that each one of us will be made to meet those who have departed prior to us. Each must leave this world. One of the versions of the Prophetic dua for visiting the graves is translated as:
“Peace be upon you all, O inhabitants of the dwellings (i.e. the graves), amongst the believers and the Muslims. Indeed, we are soon to follow (i.e. to die as believers also) In Sha’Allah, We ask Allah for well-being for us and for you.”(Sahih Muslim 975)
This is truly an amazing dua. Notice how it shifts focus from the dead to the living, from the grave-dwellers to us- the travelers of this world, who are about to hit the grave one day too.
We have all learnt the SOPs to be practiced during this pandemic. We can take all the precautions we want against the COVID-19 virus. But the fact remains, death will overtake us one way or the other. All our efforts are directed towards prolonging and preserving our lives, whereas our lifespans are already predetermined. We can’t add a millisecond to it. It is, therefore, even more important and beneficial to take precautions against Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ)’s anger and punishment and to prepare for the day of our departure from this world. While we make dua to Allah to protect us and our loved ones from this pandemic, we should also make dua to Him to grant us a good ending.
Allah’s Apostle ﷺ said:
You have asked from Allah about durations of life already set, and the length of days already allotted and the sustenance the share of which has been fixed. Allah would not do anything earlier before its due time, or He would not delay anything beyond its due time. And if you were to ask Allah to provide you refuge from the torment of the Hellfire or from the torment of the grave, it would have good in store for you and better for you also.
(Sahih Muslim, 2663b)
May Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) grant us a pure and beautiful death, such that we are pleased with Him, and He is pleased with us when we return to Him.
