Signs Indicating a Good End (1/2)

Along  with  a  discussion   of  the  circumstances    of death,   it is appropriate  to highlight   those  signs which  foretell  a good end  for the deceased  believer  and  consequently,   a blissful  existence  in the life of the Hereafter.

The Pronouncement of the Shahadah

The   Prophet (Peace be upon him)   ordered   those   attending a dying   person to prompt him   to pronounce    the words   of the shahadah - the testification    of tawhid (unity   of   Godhood). This has been mentioned in a number   of authentic   prophetic   traditions   such as the following:

"Prompt your dying one to say, 'La ilaha illa Allah.' He whose last utterance  is 'La ilaha illa Allah,'  will enter  Paradise - at some time,  even  if there  befalls  whatever  must  befall  him before that.” [1].

The  believer  who  sincerely  bears  witness  to the  oneness  of Allah will  eventually   enter  Paradise.   However,   those  who  sin  and  are disobedient   to Allah  may  have  to spend  a designated   amount   of time  in the fire of Hell  as atonement - assuming  that  they did not make true repentance  or perform  the designated  act of expiation  for their  sins. In any case, it is the  sole right  of Allah  to either  punish or extend  mercy to them;  therefore,  every Muslim  should  hasten  to repent  and  constantly  beseech Allah  for forgiveness.  Furthermore, one should perform good deeds which please Him, for good works erase evil deeds.

Martyrdom on the Battlefield

True Islamic jihad is a sacred war for the purpose of establishing Allah's   religion   on earth   and   for the   defense   of the   Muslim community   and the Islamic state. The martyr is one who dies in such a war. He is awarded special honour and receives special grace from Allah's bounty - a befitting reward for one who sacrifices his life solely for Allah’s cause. It is written in the Qur'an:

"Do not consider those who are slain in the path of Allah as dead.  Rather, they are alive with their Lord, being provided for. They are happy with what Allah has bestowed upon them of His bounty.  And  they rejoice in the glad tidings  given to those  [of their brethren]  who have been left behind  and have not yet joined  them  that no fear  shall overcome  them,  nor shall  they grieve.  They   rejoice  in Allah's   grace  and  bounty   and in the  fact  that  Allah  does  not  allow  the  reward   of believers   to be lost.” [Surah AI-lmran, 3:169-171]

Allah  specifically  directs  us  not  to  consider   those  slain  in jihad dead; for, in reality, they are alive with a life much  more beautiful, joyful and  noble  than  earthly  life. Their spirits have been freed to roam about in the gardens of Paradise and to delight in some of its pleasures.  In an authentic   tradition   the Prophet   (Peace be upon him)   described some of the special graces conferred upon martyrs:

"Allah has prepared  for the martyr  six[2] special distinctions: he will be forgiven  upon  the  first outpouring   of his blood; he will see his place in Paradise;  he will be protected  from the torment  of the grave and  from the  horrors  of al-Faz al­ Akbar [The Great Terror ][3]   and he will be decorated with the adornment   of faith, wedded  to the women  of Paradise  and will be allowed to intercede on behalf of seventy relatives."[4].

Death in the Path of Allah

If the mujahid  (warrior)  is not actually  killed on the battlefield but  dies  due  to  natural   causes  or  art  accident   while  in  Allah's path,   he  is  still  considered   a  martyr   and  will  enjoy  the  favour and  blessings  of Allah.  This   was clearly pointed out by Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) in the following hadith:

"Whoever goes out in Allah's path and then dies or is slain is a martyr; so, too, is one a martyr if he dies from being thrown by his horse or camel [during jihad], Or [from being] bitten by a venomous creature[5] [during jihad], or even [if he] dies on his bed for any [other] reason willed by Allah [during jihad]. Such is a martyr, and for him there is Paradise.” [6].

Similarly, the warrior who is stationed in readiness for jihad is considered a martyr if he dies while in a state of preparedness.  The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said regarding such a person:

"Every deceased person’s works are sealed [by his death][7] except for the warrior at his station who died in the path of Allah;   for indeed    his deeds   are   increased    until   the   Day   of Resurrection, and he is protected from the trial of the grave.” [Additionally, in  a narration  from al-Tabarani, the  Prophet (Peace be upon him) said],  “And   he  will  be raised   up  as  a martyr   on  the  Day of Resurrection.”[8].

(Continued)