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...”  Surah Aali-‘Imran (3):185

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...

All will die:

“Everyone shall taste death...” [Surah Aali-‘Imran (3):185]

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.” [Surah Aali-‘Imran (3):185].

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...