Our perception towards death

[Insecured soul]

salaam alaikum brothers and sisters, hope everyone is doing fine.

So i would like to know how should we perceive death?

All i know that its painfull and its inevitable offcourse and when at the time of our death we should be fearful of allah ta'ala's punishment and at the same time hope for his mercy to be saved from the torment of graveyard and hell.

Please provide quotations from quran and hadith as to how a muslim should perceive death.

Jazak allah khair

[Innocent Soul]

Assalamualaikum
You can find some in this link.
http://path-to-peace.com/community/s...d.php?t=7778&h

[Insecured soul]

I did find a lot of information my sister and im looking for more insha allah

[- IqRa -]

Notes from ‘Silent Moments’ By Abdul-Malik Al-Qasim

Pg 18
Ar-Rabi‘ bin Bizzah (Rahmatullah) said: “I am amazed at the creations, they are unaware about a truthful matter that they see with their eyes and to which truth their hearts testify. Yet, here they are busy from remembering it, engaging in playful heedlessness.”
He added, “By Allâh! This heedlessness is a mercy from Allâh and a bounty that He bestowed on creation. Otherwise, the believers among them would be losing their minds, their hearts would fly away, crushed with fear, and they would not enjoy life, if they constantly remembered death.”
----------------------------------------
Pg 19
When death will come all of a sudden, some will beg of Allâh, “My Lord! Send me back.” [23:99]
But, why should you go back and return? “So that I may do good in that which I have left behind!” [23:100]
That day has not come yet. Therefore, who do you not perform good deeds while able to do so and while healthy, since the Angel of Death has not come to you yet?
----------------------------------------
Pg 20
One of our predecessors said: “I am amazed at he who knows that death is certain, yet he laughs. I am amazed at he who knows that the Fire is true, yet he rejoices. I am amazed at he who witnesses how life changes the condition of its people, yet he feels safe. I am amazed at he who knows that Predestination is true, yet he tires himself (vigorously seeking the bounties of life.)”
----------------------------------------
Pg 31
Khulaid Al-‘Asri said: “We are all certain that death will come, yet we do not see those who are prepared for it. We are all certain of Paradise, yet we do not see those who work to earn it. We are all certain of the Fire, yet we do not see those who are afraid of it. Therefore, what is it that you are waiting for? Death? Certainly, death is the first comer from Allâh that will bring you good or evil [news]. So brothers, take the journey back to your Lord in a good manner.”
----------------------------------------
Pg 41
Think now about the fear that will overcome your heart when you see the Sirât (the bridge over the Fire that everyone must pass to enter Paradise) and realize its thinness. Then, your sight will fall on the darkness of Jahannam (Hellfire) under the Sirât, and then your hearing will pick up the sound of the Fire’s flames. You will be required to pass over the Sirât, even though you will be weak and your heart will be shaking. Your feet will be trembling and your back will feel the burden of your evil deeds.
----------------------------------------
Pg 56
Once, Hasan Basri (Rahmatullah) passed by a man who was laughing and asked him, “O my nephew! Have you safely passed over the Sirât?” He said, “No.” Hasan Basri (Rahmatullah) asked, “Have you received news that you will end up in Paradise or Hell?” He said, “No.” Hasan Basri (Rahmatullah) asked him, “Why do you laugh then, may Allâh save you, while the matter ahead is horrifying?” That man was never seen laughing until he died.
----------------------------------------
Pg 57
What thoughts would be crossing your mind if you open your eyes and find the Angel of Death standing beside your head? What thoughts do you have now, when you still have not tasted the agonies, pains, hardships and afflictions that accompany death?
----------------------------------------
Pg 59
Death has struck fear in our hearts because it has taken away many from among us, yet we feel safe, even though we know for certainty that our turn will soon come?
Think, O deceived one, about the agonies of death and the horrors that accompany it. Certainly, death is a true promise and a just judge that brings grief to the heart and tears to the eyes. It separates groups and puts an end to lusts, hopes and wishes.
----------------------------------------
Pg 63
Abu Sulaimân Ad-Dârâni said, “I asked Umm Harun, a worshipper of Allâh, ‘Do you like to die?’ She said, ‘No.’ I asked, ‘Why not?’ She said, ‘By Allâh! If I disobeyed a creation, I would hate to meet him, so what about meeting
the Creator, the Exalted and the Most Honoured?’”
----------------------------------------
Pg 66
Just before he died, Abu Hurairah (RA) wept and replied when asked why he wept, “I do not weep for your world! I weep because of the far journey I am going on and the little provision I have. Now I have ensued on a climb that will end in settling down in a Paradise or a Fire, and I do not know to which of them I will be taken.”
----------------------------------------
Pg 67
Also, Hasan Basri (Rahmatullah) wept very hard, and he was asked why he wept. He replied, “For fear that Allah might throw me in the Fire and care less about me.”
----------------------------------------
Pg 84
Have you not thought about the moment when death will come to you, knowing that you will suffer painful afflictions at that moment? Surely, the scene of death stirs deep emotions, when the soul of the dying person reaches the throat and its owner stands at the doorway of the Hereafter. Then, all those around will stand helpless, unable to extend any help for him. Further, he will not know what is going on around or with him and will surrender all power to Allâh:

[وَجَاءَتْ سَكْرَةُ الْمَوْتِ بِالْحَقِّ ۖ ذَلِكَ مَا كُنتَ مِنْهُ تَحِيدُ ] [50:19]

“And the stupor of death will come in truth; that is what you were trying to escape!”

You will not be able to raise your hand or move your tongue at the time of death. Your feet will be paralyzed, your eyes tearful and the people will be gathering around you to no avail (purpose/benefit).
----------------------------------------
Pg 99
Whenever ‘Uthmân (RA) stood next to a grave, he used to weep until his beard became wet. He was asked, “You mention Paradise and do not weep, but you weep from this scene?” He said, “The Messenger of Allâh (SAW) said:
‘The grave is the first in the stages of the Hereafter. If one is saved from it, what is afterwards is even easier. If one is not saved from it, what comes after that is even harder.’”
----------------------------------------
Pg 103
A wise man once said: “There are four seas for four types of things. Death is the sea of this life, the innerself is the sea for lusts, the grave is the sea for sorrow and Allâh’s forgiveness is the sea that covers the sin.”
----------------------------------------
Pg 105
“Sufyân Ath-Thauri said, “He who remembers the grave often, will find it a garden of Paradise, while he who ignores its remembrance will find it a hole in the Fire.”
----------------------------------------
Pg 115
“Read your book. You own self is sufficient as a reckoner against you this day.” [17:14]
----------------------------------------
Pg 116
“Amazing is the matter of those who remember death, yet rejoice, fear loss yet forget, who are certain of the nearness of their end yet boast, and indulge in useless speech even though the Hereafter is being mentioned to them.
----------------------------------------
Pg 116
‘Umar bin Abdul Aziz said to Abu Hâzim, “Advise me.” Abu Hâzim said, “Lay down, imagine that death is right next to your head and think about what you would like to be doing during that moment, so that you practice it now, and about what you hate to be doing and abandon it now.”
----------------------------------------
Pg 118
Al-Auza‘î (Rahmatullah) said: “He who remembers death often, will be content with little provision, and he who knows that his words are among his actions, will speak little.”
----------------------------------------
Pg 119
A wise man once wrote to his friend, “My brother! Beware of death while still in this life, before you end up in a life where you will wish to die, but there will be no death.”
----------------------------------------

Hey there! Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.

When you create an account, you can participate in the discussions and share your thoughts. You also get notifications, here and via email, whenever new posts are made. And you can like posts and make new friends.
Sign Up

[- IqRa -]

Death

by Imâm al-Haramain 'Abdul-Bârî ibn ‘Awad ath-Thubaytî Muharram 19, 1422

(April 13, 2001)

All praise is due to Allah. I testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger saws.
I enjoin you and myself to fear Allah, for it is the provision and safety in this world and the Last Day, “the day when neither wealth nor sons will avail, except him who brings to Allah a clean heart.”
Allah says,

“Everyone shall taste death. And only on the day of Resurrection shall you be paid your wages in full. And whoever is removed away from the fire and admitted to Paradise he indeed is successful. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception (a deceiving thing).”
(Al-‘Imraan 3:185)

Such is the reality of death and what comes after it. Every one of us shall taste it whether poor or rich; healthy or sick, old or young; leader or led and none of us can escape it.

Allah says,

“Wheresoever you may be, death will overtake you even
if you are in a fortress built up strong and high.”
(An-Nisaa 4: 78).

Death, as manifested in its character and effects is one of the mysteries that dazzles human intelligence because it has to do with the soul.

Allah says,

“And they ask you (O Muhammad) concerning the spirit. Say: ‘The spirit is one
of the things, the knowledge of which is only with my Lord.
And of knowledge, you (mankind) have been given only a little.”
(Al-Israa’ 17: 85)

One of it mysteries is that you see a youth who was full of health and energy suddenly falls dead without warning; thereby making that youthfulness and energy fade away, bringing all his senses to a complete standstill. That youth might even be an erudite scholar, an eloquent author, a skilled physician or brilliant inventor but it is absolutely out of the question that this quality should prevent death from overtaking him when his time is due.

Allah says,

“When their term is reached, neither can they delay
it nor can they advance it an hour (or a moment).”
(Yoonus 10: 49).

‘Amr bin Abdullah used to mount the pulpit and say,

“Many a person who has seen the beginning of a day but would not see it’s end. And many a person who has expected morning but would not live to see it. If only you had known your appointed time and how it comes to pass, you would have detested nursing hope for worldly materials and its deception.”

While man enjoys his good health, playing and merrymaking, moving about in haughtiness, commanding and forbidding, death and illness suddenly attacks him, weakens his body, makes his limbs lifeless and then closes his record.

How near is death! Every day it becomes closer to us and no sooner has the book reached its appointed time that we belong among the dead. Then it becomes clear that life is really like flowers that bloom then afterwards wither or like a lamp that illuminates then afterwards dies down.

Let those who crave for this world and its pleasures ponder over these scattered graves all over the place and realize that the way to pleasures and lustful things, though decorated with beautiful roses inevitably leads to the present condition of those buried in these graves. Happiness is for him whom a messenger of death has opened his eyes to reality before he died, and whoever does not heed to the warning of the Qur’an and death, even if mountains were to thrust one another in front of him, he would not heed.
Dear sisters! What we witness in the cemeteries is a great lesson for us.

The carrier of the bier to the cemetery today is taken back there tomorrow (as a dead person) and is left there only with his deeds either good or evil.
It is also very unfortunate that in these days we see some among those who escort the deceased laughing and playing or attending the funeral for showing off. This phenomenon is due to the heedlessness that has hardened people’s hearts and made them forget the Last Day and the frightening conditions of the grave. May Allah awaken us from this heedlessness!
Brothers in faith! It is expected of him who knows that he will die, be buried, raised up on the day of Resurrection and enter Paradise or Hell to always remember death, prepare for it and reflect on it. He is in fact expected to regard himself among the dead. This is because all that is coming is near and when the angel of death comes neither your wealth nor your people can prevent him from taking your soul.

Where are those who achieved their aims and none were comparable to them in that? They collected but could not eat what they collected; they built mansions but could not live there! We on our part are still swimming in the pool of life as if we are meant to live here forever. Uways Al-Qarnee said,

“Remember death when you sleep and always think of it when you are awake.”

Fellow Muslims! It is a fact that this world and its tribulations appear insignificant in the eyes of him who always remembers death, for, he has lofty aims and strong resolutions; he is far from hypocrisy and always yearns for the everlasting bliss in the eternal Paradise.
Dear Brothers, Remembering death does not in any way make one’s life loathsome to him; forcing him to sit in his home and leave all means of sustenance. It is rather meant to deter him from committing sins and soften his hard heart. We remember death in order to have good preparation for it and for all that follows it by doing righteous deeds, obeying Allah and increasing one’s efforts in all acts of worship.
Abdur-Rahman ibn Mahdee said,

“If Hammaad bin Salamah is told, ‘You will die tomorrow.’ He will not be able to increase anything in his deed, because his time is full of worship and remembrance of Allah. ‘

How do we prepare for death? We prepare for death by shunning all abominable things and returning trusts to their rightful owners. We prepare for death by eliminating hatred and enmity from our hearts. We prepare for death by being good to the kith and kin.

Ibn al-Mubaarak said that Saalih Al-Mariy used to say,

“If the remembrance of death leaves me for an hour my heart becomes spoilt.”

It is also said that,

“Whoever frequently remembers death is honoured with three things: quick repentance, self-contentedness and energy in doing acts of worship; and whoever forgets death is punished with three things: delaying repentance, lack of contentedness and laziness in acts of worship.”

When will one who always follows his lustful desires and moves wantonly in his heedlessness remember death? When will one who has no regard for Allah’s injunctions in Hall or Haraam remember death? When will one who deserts the Qur’an, prays not Fajr in congregation, usurps people’s property unlawfully, takes usury, and commits fornication, remember death? How can one whose habit is slandering others and backbiting, whose heart is full of rancour and envy remember death?

Fellow Muslims! The Prophets, whenever death came to them were given a chance of choosing between remaining on this world and moving to that noble position. It is beyond doubt that every Prophet would select the everlasting bliss. This happened to Prophet Muhammad, as narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of A’isha that she said,

“The Messenger of Allah saws used to say while he was healthy, ‘No Prophet died until he saw his place in the Paradise, he was then given the choice between that place and remaining in this world.’ So when he was dying and his head was on my thigh, he fainted for a while then regained his consciousness. He stared at the ceiling, then said, ‘O Allah! I choose the Highest Companionship.’ I then said, ‘He was not preferring us.’ It was then that I understood statement he used to tell us and it was true. She said, ‘The last word he uttered was: `Oh Allah, I choose the Highest Companionship.`”

During death and its pain; in the grave and its darkness; and the Day of Resurrection and its horror people fall into two groups. A group shall remain firm; secured from fright and given glad tidings of Paradise while the other group shall suffer disgrace and ignominy.

Allah says,

“Verily, those who say, ‘Our Lord is Allah (alone) and then stood straight, on them the angel will descend (at the time of their death saying,) ‘Fear not,nor grieve! But receive the glad tidings of Paradise which you have been promised.’”
(Fussilat 41: 30)

Angels shall descend upon the believers who are straight in heir religion during death in their graves and when they are resurrected in order to assure them of security and to allay their fears of the horror of the day of judgement. The angels will be telling them,

‘Do not fear about what you are going to meet and do not grieve over what you will be leaving behind of children, family and wealth.’

The angels will also say,

‘We have been your friends in the life of this world and (are so) in the hereafter.’
(Fussilat 41: 31)

i.e. we will also be your friends in the hereafter, keeping your company in your graves and when the horn is blown, we will also assure you of security on the day of resurrection.
As for the unbelievers, when death comes to them and they start suffering its agonies, they will be subjected to ignominy and disgrace.
Allah says,

“And if you could but see when the wrongdoers are in the agonies of death, while the angels are stretching forth their hands saying, “Deliver your souls! This day you shall be recompensed with the torment of degradation because of what you used to utter against Allah other than the truth. And you used to reject His ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) with disrespect.”
(Al-An’aam 6: 93).

Their sorrow shall increase so much so that they will wish to go back to this world.

Allah says,

“Until when death comes to one of them, he says, ‘My Lord send me back.’”
(Al-Mu’minoon 23: 99).

Qataadah said while commenting on this verse,

Allah, he would not wish by this statement to go back to his family and wealth nor to collect the good things of this world and satisfy his desires. He would rather wish to go back and do acts of obedience to Allah. May Allah bless him who does in this life what the disbelievers would wish to do when he sees the torment of Hell!’

Fellow Muslims! How is the need of a dying Muslim to Allah’s success that his last words may be, “Laa ilaaha illa Allah”. Mu’aadh bin Jabal narrated that the Prophet said,

“Whoever has ‘La ilaha illa Allah’ as his last words will enter Paradise.”

Ibn Al-Qayyim said,

Dictating this word to a dying man is recommended because one who is dying experiences horrors that were unknown to him before, so it is feared that forgetfulness might overtake him since Satan is close to human beings. Moreover, uttering this statement while dying has a great effect in erasing ones misdeeds because it is a testimony of a slave of Allah who believes in it and knows its meanings; for whose lustful desires are now dead and whose soul has become weak after its might. Then that testimony becomes his last utterance, it purifies him from all his sins because he meets with his Lord with a sincere testimony…”

The righteous predecessors also recommended that a dying person be reminded of his good deeds, so that he can have positive thoughts about his Lord. Jaabir narrated: The Messenger of Allah saws said,

“None of you should die except in the state of having positive thoughts about Allah.” (Muslim).

The Sunnah encourages talking about good deeds of a dead person and abstaining from talking about his misdeeds. Al-Bukhari reported on the authority of A’isha that she narrated,

‘The Prophet saws said, “Do not abuse the dead; for they have gone to meet the consequences of their deeds.”
’

In Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Abul-Aswad said,

“I came to Medinah while there was an epidemic there. I sat with ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab. Then a funeral procession passed by and people praised its owner. ‘Umar said, “It becomes incumbent.” Then another funeral procession passed by and people also praised its owner, and ‘Umar said, “It’s incumbent;” then a third procession passed by and people spoke ill of its owner. ‘Umar also commented, “It becomes incumbent.” Then I said, “What is incumbent, O Leader of the Faithful? ‘Umar answered, “I said as the Prophet saws said, that, “Any dead Muslim whom four persons testify in his favour, Allah will make him enter Paradise, We said, “And three persons?” He said, “And three persons.” We also said, “And two persons?” He said, “Yes, and two persons.” We did not thereafter ask him of one person.”

It should be added that those whose testimony is regarded are the people of virtue and truthfulness. The testimony of an enemy shall not be considered.

It is also recommendable that the person who washes the dead should conceal whatever defects he may see on him. It is also a right of a Muslim on his fellow Muslims to escort his funeral, pray on him and supplicate for him. In Saheeh al-Bukhari, Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet saws said;

, “Whoever attends the funeral of a Muslim faithfully and hoping for the reward of Allah and stays with him until Salaah is done on him and he is buried, he will go back home with two qeeraats, each is as big as the size of Mount Uhud; and whoever observes Salaah on him and then goes back before he is buried will get one qeeraat.”

As regards debts, the family of the deceased should hasten to pay it because a believer’s soul hangs on his debt until it is paid on his behalf. Debts of Allah should also be promptly paid for, it is more deserving to be paid. Ibn Mas’ood said,

“A Believer has no rest until he meets Allah.”

----------------


Source

[- IqRa -]

Remembering Death

Death does not mean total destruction. Rather, death means the dislocation of the connection of the soul from the body, in which the soul will exit from the world and enter in the Aakhirah.

Hazrat Bilal bin Masood and Umar bin Abdul Aziz (RA) said, “O People! You are not created for being destroyed”. You will travel from one home to another home. For a believer, death is a gift. The Prophet (SAW) has said, “The gift for a believer is death”. Due to the hardship which the believer goes through in this world, death becomes easy for him and all of his anxieties disappear. Therefore, it is described as a gift in the Hadith.

Hazrat Mahmood bin Labeed says that the Prophet (SAW) said, “Mankind likes two things very much. One of these things is life, though death is much better for him, and the second is wealthiness though poverty makes accounting easy.”

Hazrat ibn Umar (RA) says, “This world is paradise for the non-believers (they are engaged in their worldly desires and aspirations)." This world is a jail or prison for the faithful (mu'mins). They are bound by the laws of Shariah in every matter. Therefore, when the soul of a mu'min leaves his body (at the time of death), it is as if a captive has been freed from the cell. He cleans himself by turning in the dust.

Nowadays, we tend to forget death and occupy our minds in the world.
This shouldn't be the route for a Muslim.

Ulamah have said, “Allah Almighty will grant three graceful things to the one who remembers his death more:
(1) Wisdom of repenting soon
(2) Peace of Mind - satisfaction of hear
(3) Peace in worship.”

To the Person who is not mindful of his death, there will be for him three calamities
(1) He will have no wisdom of repenting for his sins
(2) He will not be satisfied by little provisions
(3) He will delay his prayers and worship (ibaadat).

Ulamah have also said that there are four reasons for a bad death:

(1) Showing laziness in prayers (Namaz)
(2) Not obeying orders of parents
(3) Drinking wine
(4) To harm a Muslim.


We should therefore remember death more and avoid forgetting death.


Source: http://www.inter-islam.org/Actions/forgettingdeath.htm










This is all I have for the time being, please remember me in your duas InshaAllaah.

[Hamza Asadullah]

salaam alaikum brothers and sisters, hope everyone is doing fine.

So i would like to know how should we perceive death?

All i know that its painfull and its inevitable offcourse and when at the time of our death we should be fearful of allah ta'ala's punishment and at the same time hope for his mercy to be saved from the torment of graveyard and hell.

Please provide quotations from quran and hadith as to how a muslim should perceive death.

Jazak allah khair

Asalaamu Alaikum Wr Wb,

Men are of three kinds: The first are covetous and greedy; the second have begun to turn to Allah, and the third have attained the heights of mystical knowledge. Pleasure-loving people simply do not think about death and, even if they do, it is in order to pine for this world and to become further engrossed in its good things. The remembrance of death makes such a person move further away from Allah. A person who has begun to turn toward Allah thinks about death as a means of producing fear and dread in his heart, and thus be enabled to turn completely toward Him. It often happens that he has a great aversion to death out of fear that it might come before he has turned fully toward Allah and prepared the provisions necessary for it. Such a person would be excused for such an aversion, and would not come under this threat: "Anyone who has despised the vision of Allah ta'ala does not rest in His favour." This is because he does not abhor death and the divine visage, but rather is afraid of losing that very sight on account of some fault of his. It is like a person who delays seeing his beloved, and remains engrossed in making preparations to meet her at the time and place that will be most to his liking. He does not bother to make a count of the labour involved in such a preparation. The sign of his friendship is that he is always making some effort on her behalf, and is not preoccupied with anybody else.

The advanced Sufi is forever recalling death, for it is the time appointed for seeing the countenance of the Friend, and no lover can ever forget the time fixed for meeting his beloved. He would love to be swallowed up by death so that, being freed from this dwelling place of sinners, he might rise to the abode near his Friend, just as Huzaifa relates: "O Allah, You know that I prefer poverty to riches, sickness to health, and death to life. Make death easy for me, that I might arrive at my reward You!" Now it will be understood why the novice is excused for shunning death and for desiring it, while, on the other hand, the advanced Sufi is also excused for loving death and yearning after it! It is said, however, that there is an even higher stage than both of these, when a person makes use of nothing at all, but does his work purely for the sake of Allah. For himself, he chooses neither death nor life. This is the stage of resignation and acceptance, and it is the final point of those who have reached the summit.

A person has attained this stage when the remembrance of death makes blessings appear irksome, and changes the pleasure one derives from them into vexation, and when what normally renders insipid things pleasurable and desirable for man becomes something leading to salvation. Here is a hint about this: "Think more about the destroyer of delights [i.e., death], that your inclination toward them might be severed. Thus will you be enabled to turn toward Allah ta'ala." It is related in a Tradition: "If animals knew as much about death as you do, then you would not be able to eat the meat of any fattened animal."

A'isha said, "O Apostle of Allah, who will appear together with the martyrs on the Day of Resurrection?" The holy Prophet, p.b.u.h. replied: "Anyone who thinks about death twenty times each day and night." He also said, "Death is a present for the faithful, because the world is their prison, and they are always grief-stricken in it. Death is the release from all that, and release from prison is certainly a much-prized gift!" Again, he said, "Death is an atonement for every Muslim." Anyone who is a real Muslim, unlike you and me, is in quest of it. A genuine believer is the person from whose hand and tongue Muslims receive peace and security. The behaviour of the believers should instruct others. They should not be stained by sins, except for trifling ones. Death makes them pure.

Khwaja Hasan Basri said, "Death has dishonoured this world. It has not allowed any sensible man to rejoice!" A wise man wrote the following to one of his brothers: "Be afraid of death in this abode before you go to the other dwelling place, for you will long for death therein, but will not find it." When Ibn Sirinwas remembered death, all his limbs became transfixed. Umar Abdul Aziz [a caliph] used to gather all the jurisconsults together each evening and recall death, the Day of Judgment, and the last things, and also weep as though his bier were in front of them all. And Khwaja Rabih Tamimi said, "The pleasures of this world cut me off from two things: One is the remembrance of death, the second is standing in the presence of Allah." Kaab Ahbar said, "Everyone who realizes what death is finds that the trials and difficulties of this life become easy for him to bear!" It is related that Mutarraf said, "I saw in a dream that someone in the mosque of Basra was saying that the description of death tears to pieces the hearts of the timid." It is related that whenever Jesus a.s. was reminded of death, blood used to ooze out of his body. O brother, it behooves you not to lag behind those who day and night used to recall death at least twenty times. As far as possible, remain steadfast in this practice and be ready for death to come, whenever that may be. Qaqa Hakim said, "I have waited thirty years for death to come, for I have no love for anything here." It is also related that Imam Suri said, "I saw an old man in the mosque of Kufa who said, I have waited for death for thirty years in this mosque, not knowing when it would come. When it comes, I won't have to wait for anything else. I don't want any delay. I have no claims on anybody else, nor does anyone have any claim upon me.' " One beloved of Allah ta'ala wrote in a letter: "This world is a dream. After it, comes the awakening. Midway between them lies death. We are all perplexed with dreams."

O brother, even if there were no sorrow, grief, fear, or torment, still death and its pangs would be quite sufficient, for the whole of life is made miserable because of that moment. All pleasure is spoilt therein, while every blunder and foolish action will be changed completely at the awakening. Meanwhile, it is said that death is more painful than the blow of a sword or a cut from a saw, or removing the nails from one's fingers. Hence it is that the holy Prophet, p.b.u.h. said, "O Allah, make the pangs of death bearable for me!" In a similar way, Jesus a.s. said to his followers: "O my apostles, beseech Allah ta'ala to make death easy for me, for I am so much afraid of it that my fear itself is plunging me to my death!"

It is also related that a group of the sons of Israel was passing by a cemetery. They prayed to Allah ta'ala that He might revive one of the dead so that they might question him. Lo, one dead man rose up from his grave and, between his eyes, was the mark of his repeated prostrations. He said, "O men, what do you want of me? It is fifty years now since I tasted death, but its bitterness has not yet departed from my heart!" Imam Auza'i has related this: "I was told that a dead man is afflicted by death till the moment he is raised from the grave." One man used to make great inquiries of sick people who were at the point of death, saying: "How do you find death?" When he himself fell ill, and was hastening toward death, some people asked him, "How do you find death?" He replied: "It is as though the sky were covering the earth, and as though my soul were being drawn through the eye of a needle." It is also related that the Prophet Muhammad, p.b.u.h. said, "If even a single hair of a dead person were to be placed upon the inhabitants of the heavens and earth, then by the divine command all would certainly perish, because in each hair is contained the effect of death, and this effect simply cannot fall upon anything without causing it to perish." It is also related that he said, "If only a drop of the fear of death were to be placed upon the mountains of the earth they would certainly melt away." It is also said that when the soul of the prophet Moses reached the Divine Presence, Allah asked: "Moses, how did you find death?" He asked this question, even though He is fully aware of what it is like. Moses replied: "I found my soul was like a sparrow, and in such a state as though it had been fried in a pan but did not receive the relief of death, nor was it released so that it might fly away." Now understand that at the time of death the lover appears to pass away, that is, he is completely peaceful and at rest. Some appropriate words of witness will assuredly be found on his lips at that moment. In his heart there will be a good idea about Allah ta'ala.

There is a tradition that the Prophet, p.b.u.h. said, "A dying man's attention should be fixed on three things: He should be blushing with shame; tears should be flowing from his eyes; and his lips should be parched. This would all be due to Allah's mercy, which had been showered upon him. And when he makes a noise, it would be a choking sound; his colour would turn red, and his lips became the colour of dust. All this constitutes torments sent by Allah, which have now overwhelmed him. It would, however, be a good sign if his tongue still moved in witness to Allah." It is also related that the Prophet, p.b.u.h. said, "Everyone who is dying, and knows that there is no other god but Allah, will go to heaven." It is also narrated how the Prophet Muhammad, p.b.u.h. went to a young man who was dying. He inquired: "What is your idea about Allah?" The youth replied, "I hope in Allah, but am afraid of my sins." He said, "At such a time, both these two sentiments cannot be present in a man's heart, namely, that Allah ta'ala would not grant him that for which he hopes, but would change his fear into assurance."

O brother, the end of one and all is by this way alone, whether you are a beggar or a king, for here it is all the same with respect to the possessions of kings and the poverty of beggars, as has been said, and the author quotes a poem here.

If you say that in any particular state of these two, that is, fear or hope, should overcome the other, realize that when a slave is strong and completely correct in his belief and practice, fear is what should predominate. On the other hand, when he is sick and weak, especially when he is gripped by the pangs of death, that is when hope should predominate. Scholars have said that the reason is because Allah ta'ala has said, "I am close to those whose hearts are broken out of fear of Me!"

At the time of death, and while undergoing its pangs, hope is better because at that moment a person's heart is broken, due to the sins committed while he was vigorous and healthy. If you were to say, "No, one should have only a good opinion about Allah, according to the traditions," then understand that one of the good opinions we should have is to shun any sin whatsoever against Allah ta'ala, as well as fear the punishments of the world to come, while striving to serve Him. Realize also that all works return to this one source, namely, it is a point that breaks backs, turns faces pale, rends hearts, and turns eyes into blood. Yet that very fear is the cause of mystical knowledge. In other words, this is the limit and extremity of those who fear Allah. A venerable Sufi has said, "There are three types of sorrow: that of worship - has it been accepted or not? that of sin - has it been forgiven or not? and that of the vision of Allah ta'ala - will it be denied or not?" The especially favoured ones have said, "There is really only one sorrow - that of being denied the vision of Allah! Every other sorrow, apart from that, is easy to bear, because it is not destined to last." Hence it is that the prayer of all the wise in this: "O Lord, do whatever You wish, but don't cut us off from this!" [The author then quotes a poem].

As-Salaamu Alaikum (peace be upon you)

Source:http://muslim-canada.org/death.htm

[Insecured soul]

salaam brother tia and hamza thank you for your comprehensive reply
i want to remember death as it keeps me doing good work, as it reminds im here just for a while and hereafter is the final abode, also it helps me in many ways from committing sins and all

sometimes when i remember death i say to myself have i repented properly? am i really preparing well for the time to come? coz by god i feel death can take us anytime

may allah help us all