Remembering death
The Prophet said: "I have left two guides among you: one is silent, and one speaks. The silent one is death, and the one that speaks is the Qur'an." Once, a man asked, "O Messenger of Allah! Who is the smartest and noblest among people?" He replied, "The one who remembers death the most and prepares earnestly for it. These are the wisest; they achieve both worldly honor and eternal nobility."
Benefits and Approach to Remembering Death
- Benefits: Reflecting on death encourages detachment from worldly things and longing for the hereafter. Those who truly love God will yearn to meet Him.
- Method: To reflect on death:
- Set aside time alone, empty your mind of other thoughts, and deeply contemplate.
- Remember those who have passed—friends and peers who once held ambitions, wealth, and status. Reflect on their last moments, regrets, and physical decay.
- Remind yourself that, like them, your body will weaken, and your life will end similarly.
- Visit graveyards and make prayers for the deceased
Don't hate death. If you fear it, let it be because of a desire for preparedness and repentance.
Vain Hopes and Heedlessness of Death
Heedlessness stems from vain hopes, which breed laziness and procrastination. The Prophet warned, "The most frightening traits I fear for my community are following desires and vain hopes." To combat this:
- Focus on short-term goals, remembering death each morning and evening when reciting daily supplications.
- Avoid excessive planning and saving without purpose.
The Reality of Death
The "perfect gnostic" is someone so immersed in the remembrance of Allah that they have no fear or need to dwell on death. To them, death is simply a transition to further clarity, not an end.
The reality of death relates to the reality of life and the spirit. Our spirit remains after death, experiencing either joy or sorrow. It does not die; instead, it is freed from the body, with death seen as a believer's gift.
Death is the complete cessation of bodily functions, leading to absolute physical deterioration. In the afterlife, three types of punishment may occur:
- Loss of Desired Things: Similar to a viper's painful bite, it represents separation from worldly attachments.
- Humiliation: Actions once perceived as good may be revealed as shameful.
- Regret for Lost Opportunities: Like being in darkness, realizing the true nature of one's actions too late.
Prepare for the Day of Judgement
Abii Zakariya al-Taymi said: "Once when Sulayman Ibn 'Abdu'lMalik was in the Sacred Masjid, a stone with an inscription was brought to him. He sought someone to read it, and upon it was written: 'O son of Adam! If you were to see how close you are to the end of your life, you would renounce your long hopes, seek to increase your good deeds and shorten your ambitions. Regret comes only when you slip (through sin) and are separated from your family. Then, it becomes clear that you will not return to the world nor increase your good deeds. So, act for the Day of Judgement, the day of grief and regret.'"
Ways to Increase Your Status in Paradise
- Continuous charity.
- A pious child who supplicates for you.
- Knowledge shared that benefits others.
- Learn as much of the Quran as you can.
Preparing for the Masih ad-Dajjal
- Flee from him and recite the first or last ten verses of Surah Al-Kahf.
- If confronted by him, choose his "fire" (as it is Paradise in disguise). Close your eyes if you are afraid.
Die a Certain Way
- Make your last action righteous, as you will be resurrected upon that action.
- Die during Hajj, and you will be resurrected in the state of talbiyah (the Hajj chant).
- Die as a martyr, and on the Day of Judgement, you'll be raised with blood smelling of musk, and death will feel like a pinch.
Traits to Avoid (Consequences on the Day of Judgement)
- Pride: You will be resurrected as tiny as ants.
- Hypocrisy: Resurrected with two tongues of fire.
- Asking for unnecessary help: Resurrected with no skin on your face.
- Breaking promises or betraying others: Resurrected with a pole through the body.
- Theft: Resurrected carrying the stolen item in humiliation.
- Misuse of orphan funds: Resurrected with a mouth on fire.
- Dealing in interest (riba): Resurrected in a possessed state.
- Arrogance about the Day of Judgement: Walk to the place of accountability on your head.
- Worship with ostentation: Unable to prostrate when Allah appears.
- Foul language: Lose the ability to intercede for others.
Making the Day of Judgement Easier for Yourself
- Be a Mu’athin: You will have a beautiful, long neck.
- Recite the Quran (especially Al-Baqarah and Al-Imran): Two flocks of birds will shade you.
- Help others, maintain good character and pure intentions: These are the heaviest deeds on the scales.
- Forgive transgressions against you: To get rewarded directly by Allah.
- Live humbly: Gain early access to the Prophet's basin (Al-Hawd).
- Fear Allah: Receive a ride to the place of accountability.
- Minimize sins: Each sin will make you sweat on that day.
- Send salawat upon the Prophet to receive his intercession.
- Be from one of the seven categories who receive shade under Allah's throne:
- A heart attached to the mosque.
- Love others for Allah's sake.
- Remembrance of Allah in solitude with tears.
- Just and fair, even against oneself.
- Youth devoted to worship.
- Resisting temptation from the opposite gender.
- Giving charity secretly.
Passing the Bridges
- Attend night prayers (Isha or Fajr): Light will guide you across the Sirat.
- Maintain general trust and family ties: This will help you rise if you stumble in the Sirat.
- Habitually seek forgiveness: Helps pass the bridge of Qantara (to not lose ranks in paradise).
Entering Paradise Without Account
- Avoid belief in bad omens.
- Refrain from requesting others to cure you by Quran recitation.
- Do not cauterize wounds.
- Have true reliance on Allah
Engage in worldly work, but direct your intentions so that your efforts in this world do not detract from your focus on the hereafter.