The Messengers of Death: Your Guide to Preparing for the Grave
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| The Messengers of Death: How to Prepare for the Grave |
Introduction
Dear friends, life is a precious gift, a trust from Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ. But this journey has a final stop: death. Every single soul must taste it. We don't know the exact time we will go, but the time is certainly fixed. We need to be ready!
The amazing thing is that Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ sends us reminders. These reminders are like "Messengers of Death." They tell us that our time on Earth is moving fast. We must not be careless.
What are the Messengers of Death?
The "Messengers of Death" are signs that life is passing and the end is near. They warn us to start preparing for the Hereafter (Aakhirah).
Key Messengers Include:
Grey Hair: Seeing your black hair turn white is a major sign of aging. It shows that your youth is gone, and old age is setting in.
Old Age: Physical weakness, poor hearing, and other signs of aging clearly tell us that death is close.
Fatal Disease: Sickness can remind us how fragile life is.
It is important to remember that these signs are only reminders. Death does not wait for old age. Young, healthy people and even newborns also pass away. Death is inevitable and can come at any moment.
The Clear Truth from the Holy Quran
The Glorious Quran Pak has a very clear message for everyone. It states in Surah Al-Anbiya, verse 35:
Translation (Kanz-ul-Iman): Every soul shall taste death.
This verse is a powerful announcement. It means no one can escape. If we know this truth and still don't get ready, that would be truly unfortunate!
Why We Must Stop Being Heedless
Imagine you are at a fun party, but then someone tells you that a soldier is coming to punish you. You would immediately lose interest in the party.
Yet, death is following us every moment, but we remain busy with worldly pleasures. We are busy with our jobs, high hopes, and seeking worldly status. We live as if we will never die.
As Sayyiduna Siddeeq-e-Akbar رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ wisely said:
Where are the people who were arrogant about their youth?
Where are the great kings with their massive forts?
They are all gone now, lying in the darkness of the grave. Hurry up! Perform good deeds and seek salvation!
How to Imagine and Prepare for Death
To truly understand the reality of death, we must sit alone and think deeply about it.
1. Recall Those Who Have Passed
Think of your family and friends who have died. Picture their faces.
They were once busy with their worldly goals, thinking they had forever.
Their worldly efforts were left incomplete.
Their possessions were divided among their heirs, and they were quickly forgotten.
Their lives show us that everything but good deeds stays behind.
2. Ponder the State of the Grave
Now, think about what happened to their bodies:
Their beautiful faces are now distorted.
Their shining teeth have fallen out, replaced by dust.
Their attractive eyes are swollen and gone.
Their bodies are decomposing, and their joints have separated.
Insects and worms crawl freely over them, eating what was once a beautiful human body.
3. Realize it Will Happen to You
This thought is the most important: This will also happen to me very soon.
You will go through the pain of the soul being seized.
Your loved ones will weep around you.
A person will come to close your eyes and prepare your body.
You will be washed, wrapped in a shroud, and carried out of the house where you spent your whole life.
Finally, you will be laid alone in the darkness of the grave.
Your loved ones will put sand on you and leave.
Then, the decomposition and the worms will begin their work.
If we remain busy only with the attractions of this world and ignore the grave and the Hereafter, we might live a life of comfort now, but we face great disgrace later.
FAQs About Death in Islam
Q1: Is the time of death fixed? A: Yes, the time of death is absolutely fixed by Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ. However, no human being knows the hour of their own death.
Q2: What should I do to prepare for the grave? A: The best preparation is to increase good deeds, perform Salah regularly, seek sincere repentance (Tawbah) for sins, and follow the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah.
Q3: Does death only happen to old people? A: No. While aging is a major sign (a 'messenger'), death can come to anyone at any age, including children and healthy young adults.
Q4: Will I be completely alone in the grave? A: Physically, yes, you will be alone. However, the light and peace of your good deeds will be with you. Your sins, on the other hand, will bring darkness and hardship.
Conclusion
Death is not the end; it is the beginning of the eternal life of the Hereafter. The grey hairs, the poor sight, and the passing years are all messengers sent to wake us up. Let us not be careless! Let us use the time we have left to perform good deeds and prepare for the darkness of the grave.
May Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ enable us to act upon these reminders and grant us a beautiful end.
اٰمِيۡن بِجَاهِ النَّبِيِّ الۡاَمِيۡن صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيۡهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم
