Remembering death for a fulfilling life

As human beings, with consensus, know that one day we will die. And that is the inevitability of all forms of life. Every now and then, the realization certainly comes to us whenever a person, whether it be a close one or a stranger, passes away and departs from this world.

Allah s.w.t also mentioned the inevitability of death in the Quran. Allah s.w.t says,

“Every soul shall taste death. And you will be paid your wages in full on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is distanced from the Fire and admitted to the Garden, has indeed triumphed. And the life of this world is only the enjoyment of delusion.” [3:185]

Not only is death certain, but it is also predetermined, and the specific place, day, and hour of our demise are written for us. Death doesn’t ask permission, or warn us when our time is near. 

Allah s.w.t said in the Quran, 

“When their specified time arrives, they cannot delay it for a single hour nor can they bring it forward,” (16:61)

No one escapes death or hides from it, even our Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. Despite his exalted status and his beloved position to Allah s.w.t, he too experienced death. Allah s.w.t reminded him, “Indeed, you are to die (O Muhammad), and indeed, they are to die.” 

The prospect of death is our greatest fear, fueled by the uncertainty of when and how it will happen. 

Don’t fear death, fear failing to prepare for it.

Failing to prepare for our death, means failing to prepare for our condition in the next life. Will it be a comfortable place for us or a miserable one? 

When readying oneself for a move to a new house, certain preparations become essential. Naturally, we gather indispensable items like clothes, cherished books, and even some furniture. The process often involves discarding unwanted or old belongings, sometimes making room for new acquisitions. 

Similarly, as we contemplate our journey to the next life, we strive to present our most virtuous deeds, aspiring to leave behind any undesirable aspects. 

What we would want for our next phase of life is for it to be a comfortable one, where we enjoy the glimpses and enchanting fragrances of Jannah. What we would not want is the wretched smell of hellfire and the constrictions of the grave and its punishment. 

The state of our abode in the hereafter hinges upon the success of our preparations in this world.

Death is not a cause for despair, but a cause for hope.

Many people feel sorry for a person who has passed away, thinking that he or she left behind the goodness and aspirations of what the world can offer. However, Allah s.w.t reminds us of what awaits those who do good in preparation for the next life.

“For those who do good in this world is good; and the home of the Hereafter is better. And how excellent is the home of the righteous. Gardens of perpetual residence, which they will enter, beneath which rivers flow. They will have whatever they wish. Thus does Allah reward the righteous. The ones whom the angels take in death, [being] good and pure; [the angels] will say, ‘Peace be upon you. Enter Paradise for what you used to do’” (Quran 16:30-32)

Hence, we should be hoping for more of what Allah s.w.t offers in the Akhirah than what this life and its illusions offer. 

Prophetic ways of remembering death

1. Visit the graveyard.

The Prophet ﷺ said, “I used to forbid you from visiting graves, but now go and visit them; for this softens the heart, makes the eyes weep and reminds one of the Hereafter” (Ḥākim)

2. Visit the sick.

I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, “When a Muslim visits a sick Muslim at dawn, seventy thousand angels keep on praying for him till dusk. If he visits him in the evening, seventy thousand angels keep on praying for him till the morning; and he will have (his share of) reaped fruits in Jannah.” (Tirmidzi)

3. Remember death in every prayer.

“Remember death in your ṣalāh because when an individual remembers death in his ṣalāh, he is more likely to perfect his ṣalāh. And pray the ṣalāh of an individual who thinks he is not going to be able to perform another prayer” (Daylamī).

“Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveler on the road.”

Most of the time, we are distracted in our long journey to our eternal home. Distracted in this stopover called the Dunya, in which we should prepare and replenish for the next destination, which is the Akhirah.

“O you who believe! Do not let your wealth or children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. Whoever does so, then they are indeed the losers. And give from what We have provided for you, before death comes to one of you and he says, ‘O Lord, if only you would give me a little more time so that I can give charity and be one of the righteous.’ But never will Allah delay a soul when its time has come. And Allah is acquainted with what you do.” [Surah Al-Munafiqun:9]

The intelligent person is the one who makes preparations for it, with repentance and remembrance of Allah, giving in charity, serving the people, calling upon goodness, seeking knowledge, reading the Quran and one who remembers death a lot.

As we contemplate death, let’s remember that death is a reality we cannot turn our back on, and as the time has come for many before us, so too must we prepare for our time.