03-10-2005, 11:48 AM
Assalaamu alaikum.
Not many of us like to think about death. Yet it is as important
(perhaps even more important) to our eventual eternal life than
which is this life.
So many of us get wrapped up in our daily living, that we tend to
forget about the eventual death of this life.
And so many of us consider the topic of death to be so morbid that
we simply put it to the back of our minds, burying it behind the
struggle of the daily life.
Yet, in order to properly put all things into focus, and to truly
work towards an eternal life of bliss and peacefulness, we should
and must think about the death of this life, and what it means, and
how to properly prepare for it.
Just as nearly anyone regardless of religious preference may prepare
for a trip by packing their baggage and taking along provisions for
the journey, so we should also prepare for that final journey which
takes us out of this life and ushers us along our way towards the
eternal life.
Ask yourself today...what have you prepared in way of provisions??
What have you packed in your baggage? Are all things ready if you
are called instantly??
In the ahadith, there is evidence that the prophet(SAAW) sometimes
uttered a supplication seeking Allah's protection from the instant
and un-announced death.
With some further exploration into this matter, we come to
understand that the instant and un-announced death is something
which comes along suddenly, with little if any fore-warning. Such as
those who are taken in a sudden crash or with a sudden heart attack
or similar fate. Or perhaps those who simply fall asleep to never
awake again.
Think about it. In such an instant of sudden and un-announced
death...does the individual have the chance to bid farewell to
his/her loved ones? Does the individual have the last chance to make
things right with others of this world? And...most important and
most vivid...does the individual have the chance and fore-warning
that something is coming along, so as to state or utter the
shadahah???
This is truly frightening indeed.
Our beloved prophet(SAAW) was also recorded to ask Allah for the
betterment of the last moment (hasn-al-khaatimah). This means to ask
Allah for the best possible last moment of this life, in the hopes
that we will be judged according to that last moment, and not all
the moments and opportunities preceding it.
May Allah be so merciful to us all.
Also in some of the ahadith, it is mentioned that one of the signs
of the coming of the Last Day is the increase in the occurance of
sudden or un-announced deaths.
As regards all this, I would like to relay to you some real-life
instances which have happened in my community in the past 2-3 weeks.
A strong reminder for us all...that there is truly no guarantee that
we will indeed live for the next moment. And the most strong
reminder that we need to be up to date in our various forms of
worship, and we need to take heed of importantly saying our prayers
and supplications.
