Death is not the absolute end. It is just the discontinuation of unitybetween the body and soul. It is a change from one state to anotherand a transition from this present life to that of the hereafter. The purpose of our existence is the worship of Allah as mentioned inthe Book of Allah:
"And I [Allaah] created not the Jinns and Men except that they shouldworship Me [alone]" Soorah az-Zariyat (51): 56
This life, which we are living, is the testing ground for which thereshall be only two consequences, Paradise or Hellfire. Unfortunatelymore than often we disregard death, as we are so attached to thisworld and the love of which has been established in our hearts.
"Certainly, they see it as distant, but We see it as near" Soorahal-Ma'arij (70): 6-7
Death only becomes a reality when a close beloved one dies. The heartfeels heavy, the eyes shed tears and there is, at that moment, apresent fear of death. If we were to spend even a single moment eachday thinking about death, it would bring forth many concerns? Thegreatest being our Hereafter:
"He Who has created death and life, that He may test you, which of youis best in deed." Al-Mulk (67):21
So we stop and consider what we are doing with our time and where weare heading, and then realize that much of it is wasted in light talk,in laughing, in pursuing that which is not going to benefit ourHereafter.
One of the Salaf said: "Three characteristics are from Eemaan: Modesty, Chastity andWithholding of the tongue, not the with holding of the heart andactions. These are things which cause gain in the Hereafter and lossin this life, and what is gained in the next life is greater than whatis lost in this world." [Re ported by Abdur-Razzaaq in his Musannaffrom A'oon ibn 'Abdullaah]
"This World in comparison with the world to come is just like one ofyou putting his finger in the sea. Let him consider what it returnswith." Saheeh Muslim (eng. trans. vol.4 p.l486 no.6843 The Prophet Muhammad (sallahu alihi wa-sallam) explained how thisworld is not even worth the wing of a mosquito! And how small is amosquito, and then the wing of a mosquito- so what is the worth of theworld we run after and are dearly attached to? The Messenger of Allaah (sallahu alihi wa-sallam) referred to death as'the destroyer of desires." [Sunan at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah & Nasaai andauthenticated by Sheikh al-Albanee in al-Mishkaat (1/1607)] Because when each one of us remembers the awesome reality of death andwhat is to follow after that, our present desires and wordy concernsseem so insignificant and futile, and the life of the Hereafterbecomes our goal and we become interested in the means to attain thatgoal.
We find that the Companions of the Prophet (sallahu alihiwa-sallam) excelled on this point and were not deluded by theamusements of this world, knowing that love for this world wouldinjure their Paradise. Hence, they faced trials and every hardship with the knowledge that aweighty judgement was yet to come and a full compensation yet to bepaid - so they had hope and fear in Allaah, without exaggeratedoptimism or disparity.
"O you who believe! What is the matter with you, that when you areasked to march forth in the cause of Allaah [ie. Jihaad] you clingheavily to the earth? Are you pleased with the life of this worldrather than the Hereafter? [Soorah at-Taubah (9):38]
Regarding the shaheed (martyr), the Prophet (sallahu alihi wa-sallam)said: "Nobody who enters Paradise will (ever like to) return to this world,even if be were offered everything on the surface of the earth, exceptthe martyr who will desire to return to this world and be killed tentimes for the sake of the great honor that has been bestowed uponhim." [Saheeh Muslim (eng. trans. vol.3 p.1045 no.4635)]
Let us see how these words affected the hearts and lives of theCompanions, as we reflect upon one Companion in particular, who wasguaranteed Paradise, Talhah ibn 'Ubaidullaah.. "Whoever wishes to look upon a martyr walking the face of the earth,then let him look upon Talhah ibn 'Ubaidullaah." [Sunan at-Tirmidhi &al-Haakim. Authenticated by Shaikh al-Albaanee in his as-Saheehah (no.126)]
The Prophet (sallahu alihi wa-sallam) said to Talhah when his fingerswere struck by arrows in protecting the Prophet (sallahu alihiwa-sallam) at Uhud, as he let out an exclamation of pain: "If yow had said. 'In the name of Allaah', then the Angels would haveraised you up while the people were looking on at you." (And inanother narration he added): until they entered you into the sky."[Sunan an-Nasaai. The addition is from al-Baihaaqee. Authenticated byal-Albaanee in his as-Saheehah ( no.217)]"Talhah is one who has fulfilled his term." [Sunan at-Tirmidhi andauthenticated by Sheikh al-Albani in as-Saheehah (125)].Which means that he has exhausted his allotted time in the path ofAllaah there remaining nothing between him and death - thus he is asone killed already, although still alive. These are the best ofpeople, those whose belief is manifest in their actions, to whomAllaah and His Messenger (sallahu alihi wa-sallam) are more belovedthan the world and all it contains.
"But truly the home of the Hereafter is the actual life, if only theyknew." [Soorah al-Ankabut (29):64]"
We have reminder upon reminder, about how nations before us weredestroyed and a common sickness which they were plagued with was 'loveof this world'. Regarding the Jews, who claim to be the best of allpeople and inheritors of the Promised Land, Allaah says:
"And verily you will find them the greediest of mankind and [evengreedier] than those who do not believe in Resurrection [i.e. theidolaters]. Every one of them wishes that he could be given a life ofa thousand years. But the grant of such life will not save him even alittle from [due] punishment. And Allaah is all-Seer of what they do."Soorah al-Baqarah (2):96
If these people who spend their time in heedlessness and negligence,and futile desires, and the best part of their time being when theysleep or are inactive - then death is better than life. And we say tothem: 'Time is the most precious thing which you take care of, and I see itto be the easiest for you to lose" "….. and the worst regret is regret on the Day of Resurrection....andthe fortunate one is the one who takes admonition from others.." [From the famous khutbah (sermon) of the Companion, Ibn Mas'ood whichhas been recorded in al-Musannaf of Ibn Abee Shaibah (vol.7 no. 106)]
"Live in this world as if you are a stranger or a traveler." [Saheehal-Bukhari vol.8, p.284, no.425]
Does a traveler waste his time in gathering that which is of nobenefit for his journey? Or does he immediately select that whichshall facilitate him to reach his goal? In the same way, we too mustget into the good habit of striving to do as much as we can today andeveryday, not putting off things for tomorrow, or after exams, ormarriage, or the age of sixty. . !
"If you survive till the evening do nor expect to be alive in themorning and if you survive till the morning, do not expect to be alivein the evening. And take from your health for your sickness and [take]from your life for your death." [Saheeh al-Bukhari vol.8, p.284, no.425]"And die not except in a state of Islaam" Soorah al-Imran (3):102
So we keep our hearts moistened and alive with remembrance of Allaah,and we remember death in order to remember the Hereafter, and finallywe close with a citation from Imaam ash-Shaafi'ee "O my soul, it is not except a few days patience, As if her extentwere a few dreams. O my soul pass quickly on through this world, And leave it, For indeedlife lies ahead of it.
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