The Grave (9/9)

(4) More lessons from Arabic poetry

Poets often mentioned death and used it as a lesson. For example, the poet said:

"Nothing of what you see will keep its beauty.

Allah will remain, whilst wealth and children will pass away.

The treasure of Hormuz was of no help to him,

And 'Aad tried to live forever, but they failed.

Sulaymaan did not live forever, although the wind was subjugated to him,

As were men and jinn, who paraded before him.

Where are the kings in whose honour

Delegations came from all directions?

Like a trough from which all and sundry come and drink,

One day we too shall drink from it, just as they did."

Another poet said:

"We walk the steps which are written for us.

Whoever is decreed to walk certain steps will do so.

Our provision is scattered,

So if a person's provision does not come to him, he will go and get it.

Whoever is decreed to die in a certain land,

Will never die in any other land."

Another poet said:

"If you are put in charge of some people one night,

Know that you will subsequently be responsible.

If you carry a person to his grave,

Know that one day you too will be carried."

Another poet said:

"Take provision from this world, for you never know

When night comes, will you live until morning?

How often has a bride been adorned for her husband,

When it has been decreed on Lay/at al-Qadr that their souls will be

taken that year?

How often has a young man hoped for a long life,

Then his soul has entered the darkness of the grave?

How many healthy people have died without illness,

And how many chronically sick people have lived for years?

How often have young people spent day and night in play,

When their shrouds have already been prepared for them, but they do

not know?

How many of those who started the day dwelling in palaces,

Have ended up dwelling in the tomb by nightfall?

Be sincere, and always do good,

Maybe you will earn the reward.

Always fear Allah, because

That will be your protection from the horrors in the place of gathering."

Another poet said:

"Suppose that worldly joys come to you easily,

Will you not eventually depart from them?

Your life in this world is like shade

That covers you briefly, then disappears."

Another poet said:

"O you who feel so settled in this world,

After this ease will come a very hard Day.

Death brings agony so watch for that.

No doctor could help you when that begins.

How much you delay until you become a prisoner (of your sin),

Then comes the call (of death) and you answer.

Remember the Day when you will be brought to account.

The one who remembers death should turn back to Allah.

There is no moment of your life

When death is not watching and waiting.

Every day it aims an arrow at you.

If it misses you one day, soon it will hit you."

Another poet said:

"Every day, death is preparing the shroud,

But we are unaware of what is going to happen to us.

Do not be content with this world and its joys,

Even though it may adorn itself with its finery.

Where are our loved one and neighbours, what did they do?

Where are those with whom we used to feel happy?

Death gave them a bitter cup to drink,

And kept them prisoners underground."

Another poet said:

"Repent sincerely

Before death comes and your tongue cannot speak.

Hasten to do this before death comes, for it

Is provision and booty for the one who turns back to Allah and does good."

(5) The effect of remembering death on reforming people

Remembering death has a great impact on reforming and disciplining people. That is because people are influenced by this world and its delights, so they hope to live long in this world. They may be inclined towards sin and disobedience, and they may fall short in obedience. But if death is always on a person's mind, then this world will become less significant in his sight and that will make him strive to reform himself and put right whatever is wrong in his case. It is narrated by Al-Bayhaqi in Shu'ab al-Eemaan, Ibn Hibbaan in his Saheeh and by Al-Bazzaar in his Musnad with a hasan isnad that Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) related: "The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) said:

“Remember often the destroyer of pleasure, death, for no one remembers death in times of hardship but that makes him feel better, and no one remembers death in times of ease but that restrains him."[1]

Ibn al-Mubaarak mentioned that Saalih al-Murri used to say, "If l cease to remember death for a moment, my heart goes corrupt."[2]

Ad-Daqqaaq said: "Whoever remembers death often will be honoured with three things: he will hasten to repent, he will be content with his lot, and he will have the energy for worship. Whoever forgets about death, three things will happen to him: he will delay repentance, he will not be content with what he has and he will be lazy when it comes to worship."[3]

Qurtubi said: "Know that remembrance of death results in feeling discontent with this temporary life and focusing at every moment on the eternal life of the Hereafter."[4] It is narrated that a woman complained to 'Aa'ishah of the hardness in her heart. She said to her: "Remember death often, for that will soften your heart." She did that, and her heart was softened.[5]

Qurtubi related: the scholars said: remembering death deters one from sin, softens the hard heart, stops one from delighting in this world, and makes disasters look bearable.[6]

Ququbi also wrote: the scholars - may Allah have mercy on them - said: there is nothing more beneficial to people's hearts than visiting graves, especially if their hearts are hard. Those whose hearts are hard must treat them with three things:

(i) Giving up the things in which they are wasting their time, and attending gatherings of knowledge in which they will hear lessons of warning (about Hell), encouragement (to strive for Paradise) and stories of the righteous, for all of these are things which soften the heart.

(ii) Remembering death: calling to mind frequently the destroyer of pleasures, that which separates people and makes orphans of sons and daughters.

(iii) Looking at those who are dying, because looking at the dying and seeing the agony and stupor of death, and thinking about these images after he has passed away, will cut a person off from his pleasures and expel any feelings of joy from his heart; it will keep him awake at night and deprive him of his rest; it will motivate him to strive and make him try harder.[7]

It is narrated that Al-Hasan al-Basri went to see a sick man whom he used to visit, and he found him in the agony of death. He looked at his distress and the hardship that he was suffering, then he went back to his family with a different expression than that with which he had left them. They said to him, "Food is ready, may Allah have mercy on you." He said, "O my family, enjoy your food and drink, for by Allah I have seen death and I will keep striving for that until I meet Him (Allah)."[8]

Abu-Dardaa' said: "Whoever remembers death often, his joy will be reduced and his envy will be reduced."[9]