Answer
Short Answer: Actually, remembering death is not a bad thing. It’s essential to remember that death is a fact that will happen and can happen to any of us at any minute. It is a fact, and it’s not healthy to ignore or run away from this fact. Rather than being afraid of death, prepare for it. Understand that we were designed by God to die and return to Him not stay here forever.
Salam Dear Sister,
Thank you so much for sending your question and we pray that Allah descends peace and serenity upon your heart and that He guides you to what’s best in this life and the next.
Now, remembering death is not a bad thing.
As a matter of fact, it is essential to remember that death is a fact that will happen and can happen to any of us at any minute.
It is a fact, and it’s not healthy to ignore or run away from this fact.
Benefits of Remembering Death Often
Remembering death is actually good in the sense that it puts matters in perspective and puts life in perspective.
It reminds us of not being too sad about worldly matters, it reminds us of our purpose in life and it causes us to think seriously and sincerely about our lives.
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah said:
“Remember, as much as you can, the one thing (fact or reality) which (always) brings an end to all worldly joys and pleasures, (meaning death)” [Related by At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasa’i and Ibn Hibban].
So, again, it is encouraged to remember death in order to put life in perspective, however, we shouldn’t be seeking it or sitting aimlessly waiting for it to come.
The Prophet said:
“Let not one of you wish for death because of a misfortune which befalls him. If he cannot help doing so, he should say: ‘O Allah, keep me alive as long as You know that life is better for me, and make me die when death is better for me’.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
We should also remember that death will lead us to meet Allah Almighty, The Most Merciful…this is something to love and look forward to.
Allah is The Creator of Beauty, The Creator of Mercy, The Creator of Wisdom, The King of kings… deep down, one anticipates the meeting with this Mighty Creator.
Allah [swt] has 100 portions of mercy, because of just one, there is/has been mercy on earth from the beginning of time until the end of time, and 99 double this amount is still reserved with Him [swt] for the Day of Judgement. [Muslim]
Don’t Be Afraid, Be Ready
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“Allah is more kind to His servants than [a mother] is to her child.” [Sahih Muslim]
Also Aisha [may Allah be pleased with her] asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) about death and he said:
“When a (true) believer is given the glad tidings of the Mercy of Allah, His Pleasures and His Jannah (at the time of death), he loves to meet Allah, and Allah also loves to meet him.” [Muslim]
So, do not be too panicked about the idea of death.
Everything in life is temporary, and so is life as a whole; it will come to an end.
The smart thing to do, though, is to be ready.
For example, make sure you do know the meaning and purpose of life.
Make sure you pray all your prayers daily on time.
Always recite your morning and evening adhkar daily. Strengthen your relation with Allah Almighty so as to be ready for meeting Him.
Start doing acts that have ongoing rewards.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) said, “When a man dies, his deeds come to an end, except for three: A continuous charity, knowledge by which people derive benefit, pious son who prays for him.” [Muslim]
So this is something to consider and work on.
Also, write your own will to list everything that you want to say to people around you and to make sure you deliver rights to people and there is nothing left for you to say, that’s if you have something important to say to those around you.
The Prophet said:
“It is not proper for a Muslim who has got something to bequeath to spend even three nights without having his will written down with him regarding it. ‘Abdullah b. ‘Umar (Allah be pleased with them) said: Ever since I heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) say this I have not spent a night without having my will (written) along with me.” [Sahih Muslim]
We Were Created To Die
Always remember that meeting Allah and going back to Allah is the purpose of our life that we should be working every day for.
We were created for a mission and a purpose, we will definitely go back to The One who created us; this is a reality.
So we need to make peace with it and be at peace with it.
We will not live in this world forever, no matter how much we like it or like its temporary pleasures.
Death will be too shocking or sudden if we’re not prepared or if we ignore this reality. But if we remember it, then we should be at peace. After all, we are going back to The Source of Peace, The Owner of Peace!
Work hard, do not neglect your duties as a Muslim and as a human being, and have good expectations of Allah.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said three days before his death:
“Let none of you die unless he has good expectations from Allah”.[Muslim].
So have good expectations.
“Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.” [Quran: Chapter 2, Verse 156]
I hope this helps answer your question.
Salam and please keep in touch.
(From AboutIslam’s archives)
Read more…