* As sweet as Death Or As sour as Death
* Death -The Bigger Reality than Life
* Death -The Separator -The Leveler
* Death -Where this Short life meets the Everlasting life
* Death -The thing that cuts-off pleasures of this world
A human being is composed of two things the material body which is created from the components of this material world and a soul. The “real you” is your soul. This material body of yours is just a carrier of real you -your”self”. E.g: If you are holding a pen in your hand, you will say “I am holding pen in my hand” the “I” in this phrase is the real you -your soul also called “nafs” or “self”. And the “my hand” in this phrase refers to your material body which belongs to this world just like “pen” in the same phrase refers to a thing belonging to this material world.
Holy Quran 15:28-29:- And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, “I will create a human being out of clay from an altered black mud. And when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My [created] soul, then fall down to him in prostration.”
Sahih Muslim Book 1, Number 206:- Allah’s Apostle the true and truly inspired, narrated to us, “The creation of everyone of you starts with the process of collecting the material for his body within forty days and forty nights in the womb of his mother. Then he becomes a clot of thick blood for a similar period (40 days) and then he becomes like a piece of flesh for a similar period. Then an angel is sent to him (by Allah) and the angel is allowed (ordered) to write four things; his livelihood, his (date of) death, his deeds, and whether he will be a wretched one or a blessed one (in the Hereafter) and then the soul is breathed into him…………………..
As is clear from above, creation of your material body starts in womb of your mother and there itself your soul is attached to your material body but even before attaching the soul to body, the date of its separation from material body (i.e. date of your worldly death) is set.
Holy Quran 29:57:- Every soul will taste death. Then to Us will you be returned.
Death is just a separation of “your soul” from your “material body”. Death is “full-stop” of this material-worldly-life of yours, but it is a just a “comma” in overall journey of yours. Death does not mean you become extinct or vanish. E.g: If your tooth is extracted you say “I lost my tooth”, it does reduce your material-body but not your “self”. It is just like if your pen is lost which again lessens your material possession but not your “self”. In death you will loose your whole material body but your “self” (also called soul or nafs) continues. This thing about death, i.e. death is not the end of a human being, makes it a serious thing for humans. Why? Because if death had been the end of us -the end of both of our body & self- then we would not have been accountable for our actions we do in this worldly life. Our actions can lead us to either Hell or Paradise. That is the whole point of Life & Death.
Holy Quran 2:132:- And We did not grant to any man before you eternity [on earth]; so if you die – would they be eternal?
Holy Quran 67:2:- [He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed – and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving
Holy Quran 62:8:- Say, “Indeed, the death from which you flee – indeed, it will meet you. Then you will be returned to the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, and He will inform you about what you used to do.”
When & Where i.e. the time & space of the death is predetermined. That is why death is known as most efficient “bodyguard ” because a person does not die before his/her time of death has come. And also, death takes a person to a place where the person is to die. Seven (7) close attempts were made on hitler’s life but he survived and we often here person leaves a place in fear of death to some safer place but then dies there.
Holy Quran 3:145:- And no human being can DIE save by God’s leave, at a term pre-ordained.Holy Quran 31:34:- No self knows what it will earn tomorrow and no self knows in what land it will die.Holy Quran 16:61:- When their specified time arrives, they cannot delay it for a single hour nor can they bring it forward,
Back to that very intimate moment of death. Now when a person is at his/her place & time of death what happens at that very moment -the moment of dying. The moment where here & hereafter overlaps, the moment which marks the end of this very brief worldly life of ours and start of our life of hereafter. When the moment of death arrives, it starts with what is called the sakarat of death or the stupor of death and generally it is painful and then soul leaves the material body. Holy Quran indicates that the soul leaves from the throat/collarbone area.
Holy Quran 56:83:- Then why, when the soul at death reaches the throatHoly Quran 75:26:- No! When the soul has reached the collar bones
There is an important significance of the last stupor of death. It is here when the time for repentance is up. If the person has not repented from his/her sins before the death-rattle begins then his repentance will be of no value and repentance will not be accepted.
Holy Quran 4:18:- But repentance is not [accepted] of those who [continue to] do evil deeds up until, when death comes to one of them, he says, “Indeed, I have repented now,” or of those who die while they are disbelievers. For them We have prepared a painful punishment.
Al-Tirmidhi Hadith:- “Allah accepts the repentance of the servant so long as his spirit has not arrived at his throat.”
Al-Tirmidhi Hadith Hadith 18:- Narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Allah, the Lord of honour and glory, will accept the repentance of His servant till his death-rattle begins.” Transmitted by Tirmidhi.
So, when soul finally leaves the body, the eyes follow the soul as it is taken to heaven. That is why we close the eyes of the dead person.
Narrated by Muslim, Ahmad, al-Bayhaqi and others:- “The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) came to see Abu Salamah when his sight had become fixed (he had passed away). So the Prophet (pbuh) closed his eyes and said: ‘When the soul is seized and it leaves the body, the eyes follow it.’ Some of Abu Salamah’s family wept and wailed, whereupon the Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘Pray to Allaah only for good for yourselves, because the angels (who are present) say “amen” to whatever you utter…………”
How easily soul leaves the body depends on the dying person. If the dying person was a righteous believer then soul leaves easily; but soul of a disbeliever and sinner is extracted from body with much pain.
Holy Quran 6:93:- And if you could but see when the wrongdoers are in the overwhelming pangs of death while the angels extend their hands, [saying], “Discharge your souls! Today you will be awarded the punishment of [extreme] humiliation.”
Holy Quran 8:50:- And if you could but see when the angels take the souls of those who disbelieved. They are striking their faces and their backs and [saying], “Taste the punishment of the Burning Fire.
These two verses indicate that the souls of disbeliever are forcibly removed, whereas the soul of a believer is removed with ease.
Ahmad, Abu-Daawood & Al-Haakim:- On the authority of Al-Baraa’ Ibn ‘Aazib (r.a) the Messenger of Allaah (pbuh), said that “the soul of a Muslim is removed like a water drop flows from a vessel. The soul of a non-Muslim is removed like a multi-pointed skewer is removed from wet wool that causes the veins and nerves to sever”.
Following hadith tells in detail how a soul of believer is extracted and what happens to the soul after extraction.
Musnad al-Imaam Ahmad, 17803:- “………Then he said, ‘Verily, when the believing slave is about to depart this world and enter the Hereafter, there come down to him angels from heaven with white faces, as if their faces are the sun. They bring with them one of the shrouds of Paradise and some of the perfume of Paradise. They sit with him as far as the eye can see. Then the Angel of Death (peace be upon him) comes to him and sits by his head and says, ‘O pure soul, come out to the forgiveness and pleasure of Allaah.’ Then his soul comes flowing out like a drop of water flowing from a cup. Then he takes the soul, and no sooner does he seize it but they take it and place it in that shroud and perfume. Then out of it comes the most excellent fragrance of musk to be found on the face of the earth. Then they ascend with it and they do not pass by any group of angels but the angels ask, ‘Who is this pure soul?’ and they reply, ‘It is So and so the son of So and so’ – using the best names by which he was known on earth. Then they bring it to the lowest heaven, and ask for it to be opened, and it is opened for him. Those who are of high rank in each heaven accompany it until they approach the next heaven, and so it goes until it reaches the seventh heaven. Then Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, says: ‘Record the book of My slave in ‘Illiyoon (the highest heaven) and take him back to the earth, for I created them from it, and I shall return them to it, then I shall take them out from it again.’ “
What happens to disbelievers soul when it leaves the body
Musnad al-Imaam Ahmad, 17803:- “……..When the disbelieving slave is about to depart this world and enter the Hereafter, there come down to him angels from heaven with black faces, bringing with them sackcloth. They sit with him as far as the eye can see. Then the Angel of Death comes to him and sits by his head and says, ‘O evil soul, come out to the wrath and anger of Allaah.’ Then his soul disperses in his body and is dragged out like a skewer being pulled out of wet wool. Then he takes the soul, and no sooner does he seize it but they take it and place it in that sackcloth. Then out of it comes the most putrid stench of rotten flesh to be found on the face of the earth. Then they ascend with it and they do not pass by any group of angels but the angels ask, ‘Who is this evil soul?’ and they reply, ‘It is So and so the son of So and so’ – using the worst names by which he was known on earth. Then they bring it to the lowest heaven, and ask for it to be opened, and it is not opened for him.” Then the Messenger of Allaah (pbuh) recited (interpretation of the meaning): “… For them the gates of heaven will not be opened, and they will not enter Paradise until the camel goes through the eye of the needle” [al-A’raaf 7:40]. Then he said, “Then Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, says: ‘Record the book of My slave in Sijjeen (the lowest Hell) in the lowest earth. Then his soul is cast down.” Then he recited (interpretation of the meaning): “… and whoever assigns partners to Allaah, it is as if he had fallen from the sky, and the birds had snatched him, or the wind had thrown him to a far off place.” [al-Hajj 22:31].”
From above hadith it is clear that soul of believer ascends to heavens and Allah orders his/her “Book” to be recorded in Illiyun (the high place in paradise) and disbeliever’s soul is not allowed to enter heaven and his/her “Book” is stored in Sijjin (prison / bottom of hell) After the Book of the deceased is recorded either in Illiyun or Sijjin, the soul is returned to the body and following happens then-
To a believer:
Musnad al-Imaam Ahmad, 17803:- “……….Then his soul is returned to his body and two angels come and make him sit up, and ask him, ‘Who is your Lord.’ He says, ‘Allaah.’ They ask, ‘What is your religion?’ He says, ‘My religion is Islam.’ They ask, ‘Who is this man that was sent amongst you?’ He says, ‘He is the Messenger of Allah (pbuh).’ They ask him, ‘What knowledge do you have?’ He says, ‘I read the Book of Allaah and I believed in it.’ Then a voice will call out from heaven, ‘My slave has spoken the truth….. “
To a disbeliever:
Musnad al-Imaam Ahmad, 17803:- “……….He said, “Then his soul is returned to his body and two angels come and make him sit up, and ask him, ‘Who is your Lord.’ He says, ‘Oh, oh, I don’t know.’ They ask, ‘What is your religion?’ He says, ‘Oh, oh, I don’t know.’ They ask, ‘Who is this man that was sent amongst you?’ He says, ‘Oh, oh, I don’t know.’ Then a voice will call out from heaven, ‘He is lying.
From above it is clear that when soul is returned to the body he/she is put to Questioning called “Questioning of Grave”. Two angels called al-Munkar and al-Nakeer appear and ask three questions in grave 1. “Who is your Lord?” [Mann Rabbuka ?], 2. ” What is your religion?” [Maa Dinuka ?] & 3. “Who is this man that was sent amongst you?” [“Ma kunta taqoolu fa haazar rujul ?”] (i.e. about Prophet (pbuh)). A believer is able to answer the questions but a hypocrite & disbeliever will not be able to answer. After the “Questioning of Grave” if the person was a righteous believer then there is relief for him in Grave but for a sinner & disbeliever there is Punishment of Grave.
To a righteous believer:
Musnad al-Imaam Ahmad, 17803:- “……….Prepare for him a bed from Paradise and give him clothes from Paradise, and open for him a door to Paradise.’ And he will feel its breeze and smell its fragrance, and his grave will be widened for him as far as his eye can see. Then a man with a handsome face, beautiful clothes and a pleasant fragrance will come to him and say, ‘Good news! This is the day that you were promised.’ He will say, ‘Who are you? You face looks as if it brings good news.’ He will say, ‘I am your good deeds.’ (The deceased) will say, ‘O Lord, let the Hour come so that I may see my family and my wealth again.’”
To a disbeliever:
Musnad al-Imaam Ahmad, 17803:- …………Prepare for him a bed from Hell and open for him a door to Hell.’ And he will feel its hot winds and smell its stench, and his grave will be constricted for him until his ribs interlock. Then a man with an ugly face, ugly clothes and a horrible stench will come to him and say, ‘Bad news! This is the day that you were warned about.’ He will say, ‘Who are you? You face looks as if it brings bad news.’ He will say, ‘I am your evil deeds.’ (The deceased) will say, ‘O Lord, do not let the Hour come!’”
From above it is clear that for righteous believer grave is widened and he/she is safe in there but for sinner and disbeliever & hypocrite grave is tightened so much that ribs get interlocked.
Al-Tirmidhi Hadith Hadith 5352:- Narrated by AbuSa’id …… He also reported Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) as saying. “The grave is one of the gardens of Paradise, or one of the pits of Hell.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.Sahih Muslim Book 004, Number 1218:- According to the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah (r.a), the wife of the Prophet (PBUH), the Messenger of Allaah (pbuh) used to pray in his salaah (prayer), “……….O Allaah, I seek refuge in You from the torment of the grave, ……………..
Some people say, how do those people have punishment of grave who are burnt / cremated? Simple answer to that is- those who are buried in grave also get decomposed after a while, does that mean if they had punishment in grave that is gone with decomposition of their body. Also from above hadiths we are told “grave is widened for him as far as his eye can see” or “grave will be constricted for him until his ribs interlock” but if we physically open the grave after some time we won’t see that happened, that means happenings of grave is not part of this world but of next and will happen to everyone no matter how his/her body is disintegrated. Like Holy Quran says Allah will preserve the body of pharaoh as a sign (which has been found and displayed in a museum) and at the same time Allah says pharaoh is been presented before hell fire in morning & evening till day of Qiyamah
Holy Quran 10:92:- So today We will save you in body that you may be to those who succeed you a sign. And indeed, many among the people, of Our signs, are heedless
Holy Quran 40:46:- ………the people of Pharaoh were enveloped by the worst of punishment – The Fire, they are exposed to it morning and evening. And the Day the Hour appears [it will be said], “Make the people of Pharaoh enter the severest punishment.”
So it can be said that torment of grave is to soul and not to body which is lost at the time of death.After the process of death is over i.e. from pangs of death to soul leaving the body to ascendance of soul to heaven to soul returning back earth to answering of grave; the state in grave, which is either ease of grave or punishment of grave, will last till the day of Rising i.e Day of Qiyama. On the day of Rising / Qiyamah, soul in grave-state will be returned to a (new but similar) body and accounting of good & bad deeds will start. The basic rules of judgment on that day are very clear -1.Those who disbelieved i.e did kufr of Allah Or worshiped along with Allah anything i.e. committed shirk with Allah will go to hell forever. 2. Those who believed in Allah then he/she will go to either Hell or Paradise as per the deeds he/she did in this world. But if the believer goes to Hell because of his/her misdeeds, then eventually after completing the sentence in Hell, which can span thousands of years, the believer will be taken from Hell to Paradise by mercy of Allah which can be in the form of Shafaat of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
Al-Tirmidhi Hadith Hadith 104:- Narrated by Ali ibn AbuTalib Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: No servant will be a believer (in the true sense of the term) till he affirms his faith in four things: 1. He bears witness to the fact that there is no god but Allah. 2. I am His Messenger whom He has sent with Truth. 3. He affirms his faith in death and in the life after death. 4. He affirms his faith in the Divine Decree. Transmitted by Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah.
Holy Quran 44:40:- Indeed, the Day of Judgement is the appointed time for them all –
Holy Quran 28:84:- Whoever comes [on the Day of Judgement] with a good deed will have better than it; and whoever comes with an evil deed – then those who did evil deeds will not be recompensed except [as much as] what they used to do.
Holy Quran 75:3-4:- Man thinks that, We shall not assemble his bones, Yes truly! We are able to restore his very fingers!
Holy Qur’an 45:28:- And you will see each nation humbled, each nation called to its record. And it will be said to them: This day you are repaid for what you used to do.
Al-Bukhari Book 4 Vol 55 Hadith 656:- Narrted Ibn Abbas: Allah’s Apostle said, “You will be resurrected (and assembled) bare-footed, naked and uncircumcised.” The Prophet then recited the Divine Verse- “As We began the first creation, We shall repeat it: A promise We have undertaken. Truly we shall do it.” (21.104)
Above we saw what happens at the time of death and afterwards, Now something about the death itself. Death is an important moment for a person:- it means life-of-deeds is over and it marks the start of life-of-consequences.
Holy Quran 23:99-100:- until, when death comes to one of them, he says, “My Lord, send me back That I might do righteousness in that which I left behind.” No! It is only a word he is saying; and behind them is a barrier until the Day they are resurrected.
Sahih Muslim Book 013, Number 4005:- Abu Hurairah narrated that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, “When a man dies, his good deeds come to an end except three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, and righteous offspring who will pray for him.”
Above ayat & hadith clearly states that death marks end of our direct deeds. If before death we had not done good deeds then the loss is permanent and can’t be overcome. The exception is if we had done some deeds which continue to benefit mankind till the time they continue to benefit others our good deeds will also continue to get additions.
Death is a gift for a believer. Because it marks the end of test called life. A believer lives his/her life as per the rules/limitations set by Allah. Because believer lived a life as being abd i.e. slave of Allah, so on death Allah gives glad tidings of Paradise to believer; and death marks the end of his/her trail. So death becomes gift for a believer.
Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 1609:- Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr: Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said, “The gift to a believer is death,”Holy Quran 30:15:- And as for those who had believed and done righteous deeds, they will be in a garden [of Paradise], delighted.
Many of us indulge in pleasures of life so much that these pleasures of life makes us forget the reality of death and the hereafter. So we have been instructed to remember our death often so that we do not go deep into forgetfulness of it.
Al-Tirmidhi 579:- Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, “Remember frequently the thing that cuts off pleasures,” i.e. death.”Alam al-Din, no. 333:- “The most sagacious one from among you is he who remembers death the most, and the most prudent one from among you is he who is the most prepared for it.”
Though we have been told to remember death often but at the same time we have been told not to wish for death.
Sahih Al-Bukhari Book 70 Hadith 575:- Narrated Anas bin Malik: The Prophet (pbuh) said, “None of you should wish for death because of a calamity befalling him; but if he has to wish for death, he should say: “O Allah! Keep me alive as long as life is better for me, and let me die if death is better for me.’ ”
When we have not been allowed to even wish for a death then Suicide i.e. inflicting death in real on one’s own self is Totally Forbidden and has dangerous consequences. When & why does one commit suicide? When a person is in immense pain -physical or psychological pain- he/she want to end the life with the intention that death will end his/her pain and provide relief & peace. This thought is an ignorant thought based on wrong assumption. Rather killing oneself i.e inflicting death on own self i.e. Suicide does not bring peace but perpetual pain till day of Qiyamah. So with Suicide if he/she wanted to end physical or psychological pain then the opposite happens.
Sahih Bukhari Vol 2, Book 23, Number 445:- Narrated Thabit bin Ad-Dahhak:The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, “……whoever commits suicide with piece of iron will be punished with the same piece of iron in the Hell Fire.” Narrated Jundab the Prophet said, “A man was inflicted with wounds and he committed suicide, and so Allah said: My slave has caused death on himself hurriedly, so I forbid Paradise for him.”
Sahih Bukhari Volume 2, Book 23, Number 446:- Narrated Abu Huraira-:The Prophet said, “He who commits suicide by throttling shall keep on throttling himself in the Hell Fire (forever) and he who commits suicide by stabbing himself shall keep on stabbing himself in the Hell-Fire.”
Exception for wishing for death is allowed when the wish to die is for the sake of Allah
Sahih Muslim Book 020, Number 4695:- Narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “Whoever asks Allaah sincerely for martyrdom, Allah will cause him to attain the status of the martyr, even if he dies in his bed.”
Also the death of martyr is a special case. Rather we have been told not to say that those who die in way of Allah are dead, rather they are alive but we perceive it not like we do not perceive the punishment of grave.
Al-Quran 3:169:- “And do not regard those who have been killed in the cause of Allah as dead, rather, they are alive with their Lord, being provided for.”
Death of a martyr is also different than a common believer. Martyr’s death is one of ease and he/she does not feel much at the time of death.
Imam Ahmad (7953), at-Tirmidhi (1668 – and he classed it as saheeh), an-Nasaa’i (3161) and Ibn Maajah (2802):- Narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “The martyr does not feel anything more when he is killed than one of you feels if he is pinched.”
Not only death of a martyr is different but also what happens after death is also different. Earlier we saw righteous believer’s soul after death is taken to heaven and then returned to earth, but martyr souls after death is not returned to earth but from heaven they are taken to near throne of Allah and put in green birds.
Sahih Muslim Book 020, Number 4651:- It has been narrated on the authority of Masruq Who said: We asked ‘Abdullah about the Qur’anic verse:” Think not of those who are slain in Allah’s way as dead. Nay, they are alive, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord..” (iii. 169). He said: We asked the meaning of the verse (from the Holy Prophet) who said: The souls, of the martyrs live in the bodies of green birds who have their nests in chandeliers hung from the throne of the Almighty. They eat the fruits of Paradise from wherever they like and then nestle in these chandeliers. Once their Lord cast a glance at them and said: Do ye want anything? They said: What more shall we desire? We eat the fruit of Paradise from wherever we like. Their Lord asked them the same question thrice. When they saw that they will continue to be asked and not left (without answering the question). they said: O Lord, we wish that Thou mayest return our souls to our bodies so that we may be slain in Thy way once again. When He (Allah) saw that they had no need, they were left (to their joy in heaven).
Sahih Muslim Book 020, Number 4650:- It has been reported on the authority of Amr b. al-‘As through a different chain of transmitters that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: Death in the way of Allah blots out everything except debt.
But only Allah knows who dies death of martyr.
What is better early death or living a full life? Sometimes we hear the sentence “I want to die early because then my sins will be less and account will be short on day of Judgment”. This is not a right thinking. Rather….
Sahih Muslim Book 035, Number 6485:- It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (r.a) that the Messenger of Allaah (pbuh) said: “No one of you should wish for death or pray for it before it comes, for when one of you dies, his good deeds come to an end and for the believer a long life will not increase him in anything but good.”
Al-Bukhari Book 70, Hadith 577:- Narrated Abu Huraira: I heard Allah’s Apostle (pbuh) saying, “The good deeds of any person will not make him enter Paradise.” (i.e., None can enter Paradise through his good deeds.) They (the Prophet’s companions) said, ‘Not even you, O Allah’s Apostle?’ He said, “Not even myself, unless Allah bestows His favor and mercy on me.” So be moderate in your religious deeds and do the deeds that are within your ability: and none of you should wish for death, for if he is a good doer, he may increase his good deeds, and if he is an evil doer, he may repent to Allah.”
While as long life for a believer is a good thing but dislike/aversion from death is a disease; the disease is called Wahn. As a believer we should always be ready for death and not fear it. Wahn, i.e. aversion from death, is the disease that has engulfed this ummah and is one of the two reason of our downfall, the other being love of this world. As much as we have aversion to death, so much is death visiting the muslim places in our times.
Sunan Abu-Dawud Book 37, Number 4284:- Narrated Thawban: The Prophet (pbuh) said: The people will soon summon one another to attack you as people when eating invite others to share their dish. Someone asked: Will that be because of our small numbers at that time? He replied: No, you will be numerous at that time: but you will be scum and rubbish like that carried down by a torrent, and Allah will take fear of you from the breasts of your enemy and last enervation (wahn) into your hearts. Someone asked: What is wahn (enervation). Apostle of Allah (pbuh): He replied: Love of the world and dislike of death.
Sudden death is not a good thing and we should ask Allah’s refuge from it.
Sunan Abu-Dawud Book 20, Number 3104:- Narrated Ubayd ibn Khalid as−Sulami,: …….. The Prophet (pbuh) said: Sudden death is a wrathful catching.
A person should pray for a blessed death rather than evil death.
Death in some cases is given as a punishment for various crimes in Islam, like for married adulterer, for murderer etc.
Sahih Bukhari Volume 2, Book 23, Number 413:- Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar : The Jew brought to the Prophet a man and a woman from amongst them who have committed (adultery) illegal sexual intercourse. He ordered both of them to be stoned (to death), near the place of offering the funeral prayers beside the mosque.”
Death is presented as a challenge to disbelievers and those who say we are independent of Allah. They are being told if they are self-sufficient they should bring back soul of their dying person.
Holy Quran 56:83-87:- Why then ˹are you helpless˺ when the soul ˹of a dying person˺ reaches ˹their˺ throat, while you are looking on? And We are nearer to such a person than you, but you cannot see. Now, if you are not subject to Our Will ˹as you claim˺, bring that soul back, if what you say is true.
At the time of death one should be positive and think positively of Allah
Sahih Muslim No. 2877:- narrated that Jaabir said: I heard the Prophet (pbuh) say, three days before he died: “No one of you should die except thinking positively of Allah.”
Sahih Muslim Book 35 No 6490:- A’isha reported Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) as saying: He who loves to meet Allah, Allah also loves to meet him, and who dislikes to meet Allah, Allah abhors to meet him. There is death before (one is able to) meet Allah.
Sahih Muslim Book 040, Number 6877:- Jabir b. ‘Abdullah al-Ansari reported: I heard Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) say three days before his death: None of you should die but hoping only good from Allah, the Exalted and Glorious.
At the time of death one tries give sadaqa for blessings but giving before the death arrives is more virtuous
Sunan Abu-Dawud Book 17, Number 2860:- Narrated AbuSa’id al−Khudri: The Prophet (pbuh) said: A man giving a dirham as sadaqah (charity) during his life is better than giving one hundred dirhams as sadaqah (charity) at the moment of his death.
At the time of death Shaitan tries its most to harm the iman of the dying person after trying in life of the person.
Sunan Abu-Dawud Book 8, Number 1547:- Narrated AbulYusr: The Apostle of Allah (pbuh) used to supplicate: “O Allah, I seek refuge in Thee from my house falling on me, I seek refuge in Thee from falling into an abyss, I seek refuge in Thee from drowning burning and decrepitude. I seek refuge in Thee from the devil harming me at the time of my death, I seek refuge in Thee from dying in Thy path while retreating, and I seek refuge in Thee from dying of the sting of a poisonous creature.”
At the time of Death if a dying person is clear of the sin of Shirk then the person will eventually go to paradise. If the person had some other sins but not sin of Shirk then either those sins will be forgiven by Allah or abundant good deeds will overshadow them or Shafat of Prophet (pbuh) will help him/her or he/she will first burn in Hell till the ‘other sins’ are cleansed or the combination of above will happen but then eventually he/she will goto paradise if he/she was clear of sin of shirk at the time of death.
Sahih Bukhari Vol 2, Book 23, Number 330:- Narrated ‘Abdullah: Allah’s Apostle (pbuh) said, “Anyone who dies worshiping others along with Allah will definitely enter the Fire.” I said, “Anyone who dies worshiping none along with Allah will definitely enter Paradise.”
O believers! Fear Allah as He should be feared and die not but as true Muslims (Holy Quran 3:102)
——————————————————
As-Sirat 