A Reminder

Death is a harsh and fearful reality faced by everyone who lives. No one has the power to avoid it, nor does anyone around the dying person have the ability to prevent it. It is something which happens every moment and is encountered by the old and the young, the rich and the poor, the strong and the weak. They are all the same in that they have no plan or means of escaping it, no power, no means of intercession, no way to prevent it, nor to delay it, which shows that indeed it comes from one having tremendous power - so that the human is helpless in this regard and can only submit to it.

So in Allah's Hand alone is the granting of life, and in His Hand is the return of what He gave at the appointed time, and after the allotted life span, whether the people are in their houses amongst their families, or striving to seek provision or striving for 'aqeedah (correct belief). Reward and recompense are with Him, and He has full knowledge and power.

So the return of all is to Allah, and they will be raised up before Allah, having no place of return except that, and no destiny but this one. So they will differ from one another only due to their deeds and intentions, and according to the way they followed and their seriousness in that. But with regard to their end, then it is one, death at the appointed time, after the decreed span, and then the return to Allah and resurrection on the Day of Gathering of mankind. Then Forgiveness and Mercy from Allah, or His Anger and His Punishment.

So the greatest fool is the one who chooses the wretched fate, and he is certain to die whatever happens:

“Everyone shall taste death...”[1]

This reality must be established firmly in one’s heart, the reality that life in this world is limited and has an appointed end - and this end will definitely come...

The righteous will die and the wicked will die...

The warriors who fight Jihaad will die and those who sit at home will die...

Those who busy themselves with correct belief will die and those who

treat the people as their slaves will die...

The brave who reject injustice will die, and the cowards who seek

to cling on to this life at any price will die...

The people of great concern and lofty goals will die,

and the wretched people who live only for cheap enjoyment will die... All will die:

 “Everyone shall taste death...”[2]

Everyone's soul will taste it and will depart from this life. There will be no difference between one soul and another in tasting from this cup which passes between them all, rather the difference is in something else. The difference is in the place of their destination:

 “And only on the Day of Resurrection shall you be paid your wages in full. So whoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful.”[3]

This is what is of true worth and is that which will cause the difference between souls, this is the final resting place which will mean separation of one person from another, that which is of true and everlasting value, which deserves to be strived for and that one should exert ones efforts for its attainment, and the other destination is to be dreaded, and it deserves that one should take account of oneself a thousand times…[4]

Noble Aayaat

Many Sublime Aayaat mention death, from them is the saying of the One free and far removed from all imperfections, and the Most High:

“You did indeed wish for death (martyrdom) before you met it. Now you have seen it openly with your own eyes.”[5]

His saying:

Say: "Verily, the death from which you flee will surely meet you, then you will be sent back to (Allah), the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen, and He will tell you what you used to do."[6]

His saying:

“And we granted not to any human being immortality before you (O Muhammad), then if you die, would they live forever? Everyone is going to taste death, and We shall make a trial of you with evil and with good, and to Us you will be returned.”[7]

His saying:

“(He) Who has created death and life, that He may test which of you is best in deed. He is the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving.”[8]