Nobody can deny that we all have to depart from this world one day, sooner or later. People often dislike speaking about this fact. Yet the truth is that we all love this worldly life and all its glamour, its wealth and luxuries, its power, status and desires, and its comforts and happiness.
The sad part about it is, as much as we love this world, it will never love us back and will only run away from us. This world will only tempt us, tease us and eventually break our hearts. No matter how much of the world’s treasures we acquire it will never satisfy our desires. It will never make us content and we will almost always wish for the next best and more from houses, cars, jobs and enjoyment. It absorbs us into a rat race that will never end until we meet the grave.
Allah the Almighty says in the Holy Quran: “The love for the accumulation (of worldly things) made you distracted (from the Hereafter). Until you reach your graves (i.e. till you die).” [Surah at-Takathur,.1-2]
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said “Nothing will suffice the belly of the children of Adam, except for dirt (meaning death)” [Agreed Upon].
And by Allah, it is only once we depart this world will we truly realise the shallowness of all the glitz and glamour surrounding us. This world is temporary and fake, death is a painful truth, while life is a beautiful lie.
Allah says in the Holy Quran: “And what is this world except the enjoyment of delusion” [Surah Aal Imran, 185].
The Movement Of The World Wouldn’t Stop!
According to a write up contributed by Abdullah JarAllah (رحمه الله), he beautifully said :
I will not worry upon my death nor be unduly concerned about my body, for my Muslim brothers will do the needful, they will disrobe me, wash me, enshroud me, take me from my home, they will carry me to my new abode (the grave).
Many will come to participate in my janaazah, many of them would have taken time off their jobs or cancelled appointments in order to attend my burial.
NEXT, my belongings will be disposed of. My keys, my books, my briefcase, my shoes, my clothes, and so on.
If my family are amenable, they will donate them (my things) to benefit me in my grave. Rest assured, the world would not mourn my passing, the movement of the world wouldn’t stop, business will continue as usual, someone else will do my job, occupy my office, my wealth will be lawfully inherited by my heirs, whilst I will be taken to task for it: a little, or a lot, nothing unaccounted for.
The First Thing To Be Lost
The first thing I will lose upon death will be my name and title, that is why upon my death they will ask: “Where is the body?” and they will not call me by my name. When they want to perform the solat they will say: “Bring the bier”, and they will not call me by my name! When they are ready to bury me, they will say “Bring the deceased…” and they will not mention my name.
Due to this, I will not be deceived by lineage, or my tribal affiliation and neither my status nor fame will beguile me. How insignificant this world is, compared to what we will face!
What’s Next?
People are divided in the way they express their sorrow on your departure.
- Those who just knew you superficially, they will say: “How poor is he (you). Miskeen”
- Those who are your friends, will remain sad for a few hours or days, then they will return to their discourses and entertainment!
- Deep sorrow at home. Your family will be sad for a week or two, a month, two months or even a year after which you will be but a memory.
- Those whom you may hate or dislike and disagree with you, or was in a race and competition with you, definitely they will express joy and even curse you.
The Story Is Not Finished Yet!
Your story ended amongst people, but your real story just began, and it’s the hereafter.
You have been divested of beauty, wealth, power, title , health, children, houses, castles and wife.
And nothing remains with you except your deeds (that you used to do). And you have now begun the “real” life.
You see, this world was meant to be the ground upon which we walk, yet we have let it creep into our hearts. We’ve fallen in love with something that will never love us back. And it will continue to break our hearts until we realise this painful truth.
The Question
The question here is what have you PREPARED for your grave and your hereafter? Are you READY to face your own records?
Obedience to Allah, such as: prayer, fasting, justice, trust, charity, righteous children, believing friends, care of kinship, orphans, widows and needy, spreading good knowledge and building houses of Allah, being beneficial to the creations of Allah OR
Disobedience to Allah such as slandering, envy, mockery, abandoning obligations, hypocrisy, injustice, lies, engaging and facilitating corruptions and immoralities, stinginess and consuming the impermissible.
Indeed this reality needs some deep reflection on our part.
No one knows when his/her time is up, but there are signs that relate to us to the closeness of our end such as elderly age, grey hair and sicknesses etc. Please wake up and starting today, strive to please your Lord and remember that He is the Most Merciful towards His servant. It is about time to worry about yourself and turn to Him sincerely, indeed He loves sincere repentance.
The Whole Story In A Nutshell!
Allah The Almighty said,
“Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children – like the example of the rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion,” [Surah al-Hadid, 20]
The Real Winner
“Whoever is removed from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he has, indeed, succeeded.” [Surah Aal Imran, 185]
“O our Creator! Enable us to be grateful to You for Your favours which You have bestowed upon us and on our parents, and that we may do good deeds which will please You and count me, by Your Mercy, among Your righteous slaves.” Ameen
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