Remembering Death & the Standing In Front of Allah Ta'ala

The topic of death is something that makes many people uncomfortable; and it is also something that I dislike speaking about since up to this point, I have never written about it and I have only once (when I was young) given a talk about it.

The subject of death hits a nerve into many of those who are God-fearing; death to them signifies the end, the full stop which abruptly finishes their story. After this full stop, a question mark arises; have I done enough to be forgiven? And similarly, the aspect of death hits a nerve into many of those who are not religiously inclined; because it once again signifies an end to their existence and it pulls a dark curtain over their performance (i.e. living). The reality is that death is something which no person has a disagreement in; every single sane person who lived regardless of his faith knew that one day, inevitably, he would have to go. Thus, logic would suggest that the clever person is he who prepares for what is to come next.

Yes, the discussion of death and the coming of the angel of death is one which creates anxiety but this is only coupled thereafter with the standing in front of the Creator of death. There is always Allah Ta’ala to save us from the pain of death; but who is there to save us from the wrath of Allah Ta’ala? Failure in front of Allah Ta’ala is the ultimate end; “If Allah helps you then nobody can overcome you and if He forsakes you, then who is there after Allah who can help you?” (Surah Ale Imran). Thus, it is established that though death is something which is testing; there is something far more greater in trial after that.

However, this fear is not something which is disliked in Shari’ah. Allah Ta’ala mentions in the Qur’an, “...whereas for the one who feared to stand before his Lord, and restrained his self from the (evil) desire, the Paradise will be the abode.” (Surah Nazi’ah). There are three steps mentioned in this verse which will lead a person to Jannah; the first is fearing the standing before Allah Ta’ala. When a person does this, it will enable him to take the second step which is to stay away from evil. Because he is constantly thinking about the end of his lowly existence and the perceived horror of standing in front of Allah Ta’ala as a criminal; he is immediately inclined towards doing good deeds. This fear in reality becomes a pious friend who pushes one to do good deeds. Thereafter, when that person has amassed so many good deeds, he is able to take third step. And that third step is Jannah.

Thus we should think about death often despite it not being a topic which is beloved to our heart; it will help us in reaching our goal. When a person is sitting in an exam hall and the teacher reminds him that he has only a few minutes left, he begins to cram as much good in as he can. Similarly, we have to remind ourselves that our time will soon be over upon this earth and thus we too should try do cram in as many good deeds as we can.

Our pious elders would think about death regularly to subdue their desires; they would think of their last breath, the sight of the angel of death, the extraction of the soul from the feet till it leaves from the mouth, the pain it creates, the crying of those around, the ghusl of one’s own body, the praying of the Janazah, the burial in the cemetery and that final clod of mud which lands upon one’s portion of this world. Then the dread of hearing the footsteps of loved ones bidding farewell as if to say, ‘There is nothing we can do for you now’. We too should keep these thoughts in mind. This is why Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam mentioned, “Remember the destroyer of all pleasures (i.e. death).”

However, we should never be despondent of Allah Ta’ala. Our hope should be in His mercy alone. Perhaps this is the reason as to why I have not written about death before as I can’t bring myself to think of a situation so severe in which there is not Allah’s Ta’ala softness. My heart can’t bare the idea that Allah Ta’ala will deal so severely with any slave who at least tries to do good and thus I can only make my tongue moist with the supplication of our Prophet Muhammad salallalhu alayhi wasallam, “O Allah, do not disgrace me for indeed You know of my state and do not punish me for indeed you are dominant over me.” and thereafter hope for His mercy.

May Allah Ta’ala give us all the ability to remember death and prepare for our hereafter and the standing in front of Allah Ta’ala. May He out of His kindness and benevolence pardon our reckoning and admit us into Jannah without any trials. Ameen, Ya Rabbal Aalameen.