The Remembrance of Death and the Afterlife
In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
If a person had no other distress or anguish before them except death, this would be sufficient to disturb their livelihood. Death is the reality of every soul and it is the destroyer of all pleasures. How strange is it indeed that a human is so immersed in worldly life; it’s delights, glitter, glamour, fame and power that they are heedless of a truth which is about to strike at any time, with no return.
Death is a tremendous reality however, in today’s modern era, there is lack of contemplation on it, or it is remembered with a heedless heart. It is for this reason the remembrance of death is important and preparing for it is an utmost need. Like the one who wants to travel to the edge of a dangerous desert or travels by sea or air, only thinking about the journey and how to reach with safety and security.
Hamid al-Qaysari used to say: “All of us were certain of death, yet we were not prepared for it. All of us were certain of Paradise, yet we had not performed any actions for it. All of us were certain of the Hellfire, yet we were not in fear of it. So why are you joyous? What are you waiting for? Death! It is the first visitor from Allah which brings either good or evil. O believers, travel to your Lord in a beautiful way.”
