Answer
Short Answer:
- It is perfectly natural, in Islam, to be conscious and have a healthy respect for death. A person may become more conscious of their failings as they become older. We must ask Allah to forgive all our sins. Do as many good deeds as possible.
- We know this life is a test. Allah tells us He will not burden a soul more than it can bear. Listening to and/or reading the Quran can have a calming effect.
- Finally, we should leave the world in a better state than when we entered it. With this in mind, we should be conscious of what we will leave behind us, upon our death, as sadaqa jariyah.
- If we are still obsessed with negative thoughts etc after doing as much as we can, then we should seek help from our doctor and/or counselling.
- A Muslim should always be optimistic. Why? – Because Allah can do anything. We should make sure we have the correct relationship with our Creator.
How Do I Prepare Myself for Death?
You say you have ‘a constant fear of death;, this is normal for most Muslims. However, ‘you cannot shake the feeling that you are going to die’ is a worrying aspect. I don’t know if this is a sense of morbidity, or even the beginning of depression but I pray not. If there is any hint of depression you should talk to your doctor.
You ask ‘how do I get ready (for death)? Actions are according to intentions. We must have a clear intention that what we are doing is solely for Allah. Note: Any act done solely for the sake of Allah, following the legal ways of the Prophet is an act of worship.
Hadith Highlight
Narrated Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him): I heard Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) saying:
The first of the people whose case will be decided on the Day of Judgment will be a man who died as a martyr. He will be brought forth. Allah will remind him of His blessings (which He had bestowed on him in the world). The man will acknowledge them. Then Allah will ask him: What did you do with them? He will say: I fought and died for You. Allah will say, You lie. You fought so that you may be called a brave warrior. Drag him to Hell on his face.
Then a scholar will be asked similarly. Allah will remind him of His favours (showered on him in the world). He will admit them). Allah will then ask him: What did you do with them? He will reply: I acquired knowledge and imparted it and also recited the Quran for Your sake. Allah will say, You lie. You gained knowledge to be renowned as a scholar; and you recited the Quran to be known for your recitation. Allah will say, You lie, drag him to Hell on his face.
The third will be a very wealthy man. Allah will let him know about His gifts conferred upon him in the world. He will recognize them. Then Allah will inquire: What did you do with them? He will say: I spent my wealth in Your way. Allah will say, You lie. You did so to be described as generous (in the society); (you were rewarded in the world according to your intention). Now you deserve nothing in the Hereafter except Hell). So drag him there on his face. [This Hadith is sound and reported by Muslim and Nasa’i]
Preparation for death
We look into the spiritual, physical, mental and social aspects of our life. Do we have the right relationship with our Creator? Do we get sufficient sleep such that we are mentally prepared for each day? Are we doing physical exercise? And, do we get sufficient relaxation and interaction in our social life? It is a balancing act between these aspects of our life. If there is an imbalance then it may well lead to negative thoughts and depression.
Have we broken ties with any family members? If so, we should try to repair them.
The main thing is to make the best use of our time. That means to remember Allah. There are many ways we can do this. We must ask for forgiveness for all our sins before we die. The Prophet used to pray:
O Allah, forgive my past and future sins, my hidden and apparent sins, my transgression, and the sins that You know of more than I do. You are the One who puts forward and the One who holds back. There is no god but You.
[Sahih Muslim]
Aisha may Allah be pleased with her narrated:
O Allah, You are the Forgiver, You love to forgive, so forgive me.’ – Musnad Ahmad, Sunan ibn Majah and at-Tirmidhi
“O believers! Turn to Allah in sincere repentance, so your Lord may absolve you of your sins and admit you tnto Gardens under which rivers flow …..” [Quran 66: 8]
Daily Tips
We can pray (on time, read and memorise the Quran, and we can pray in the early hours of the morning. Go to sleep with wudhu after saying our dua’s following the Sunnah’.
Why not fast Mondays and Thursdays and or the white days – the three days in the middle of the month 13th, 14th and 15th?
How about keeping wudhu’ during the day? Reciting the dua’s before and after eating, when leaving and entering the house will keep the devils out of the house as they cannot eat or sleep where the name of Allah is mentioned.
Allah’s Messenger said:
Allah has ninety-nine names, one hundred less one, and he who memorised them all by heart will enter Paradise. [Narrated by Abu Huraira in Bukhari]
More Acts of Goodness
We can perform wudhu’ and recite dua’s before going to bed at night and sleep in that state. If Allah takes our soul in such a state we will die as martyrs.
There are many dua’s we can recite which offer many blessings. We should be familiar with these. e.g. Allahumma ajirni min an-nar, Subhanallahi wa bihamdihi, Subhanallahi al-azim and la ilaha illallah ….
We can give sadaqa and we can do as many good deeds as possible. As I’ve grown older (I’m now 82), I’ve become increasingly aware that Allah offers us opportunities (tests) where we can gain His Blessings. As an example, I let myself be talked into becoming a Chaplain in a local university.
We should make the most of such opportunities to gain His Blessings. They may come in this life, the Hereafter or in both. We should be doing this all our life. We should try to clear our debts before we die.
On the mundane practical side, if we have property we must make a Will. One third can be given in charity and the two thirds are to be distributed according to the Laws of Inheritance.
In this country (UK) you must name someone as the Executor of the Will or the Bank will act in that capacity.
Conclusion
First, we trust in Allah. We strive to do our best to balance our spiritual, physical, mental and social aspects of our lives We look after our health..
Sabr occurs many times in the Quran and it means to steadfastly persevere and to be patient with whatever comes from Allah.
What are all these actions leading to? We are building up an account with Allah in the next life. It is like an investment as Allah may reward our act by up to 700 times or more. What is in our account is what will be waiting for us in the next life. Remember it is not our deeds which will take us to Jannah, it is the mercy of Allah.
Aisha reported: The Messenger of Allah, said:
Follow the right course, seek nearness to Allah, and give glad tidings. Surely, none of you will enter Paradise by his deeds alone. They said, “Not even you, O Messenger of Allah?” The Prophet said, Not even me, unless Allah grants me His mercy. Know that the most beloved deed to Allah is that which is done regularly, even if it is small.
[Bukhari and Muslim]
And Allah knows best.
I hope this helps. Please keep in touch.
Walaikum Assalam Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu.
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