O Brother? Remember Death
Since 2012-11-27
These words are for you. They tackle a topic forgotten by a lot of people in the midst life though they are heading towards it. They must drink from its cup. It is death.
All praise and thanks be to Allah, and prayers and peace of Allah be upon the last and seal of the Prophets.
O brother: these words are for you. They tackle a topic forgotten by a lot of people in the midst life though they are heading towards it. They must drink from its cup. It is death. It does not know the young... It does not distinguish between the mean and the honorable... It does not show favor for those of sublime positions…
My Muslim brother: have you once sit privately with yourself telling it, “O myself! You are a ‘thing’” and Allah Almighty has said, {Everything will perish save His Face.} [Surat Al-Qassas 28:88]
{كُلُّ شَيْءٍ هَالِكٌ إِلَّا وَجْهَهُ} القصص: 88
Transliteration: kullu shayin halikun illa wajhahu
Brother: This is the destroyer of pleasures! The Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, urged you to remember it a lot! He, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said, “Remember the destroyer of pleasures a lot.” [Authenticated by Al-Albani]
«أكثروا من ذكر هادم اللذات» صححه الألباني
My brother: is it not strange that every day we bid farewell to a dead while our heart does not move and that it does not cause fear or horror?!
It seems that as if death was written on this deceased only! My brother: how ugly is such negligence! How loathsome and repugnant it is! This is the blindness of the hearts; how bad is such blindness: {Verily, it is not the eyes that grow blind, but it is the hearts which are in the breasts that grow blind.} [Surat Al-Hajj 22:46]
{فَإِنَّهَا لَا تَعْمَى الْأَبْصَارُ وَلَـٰكِن تَعْمَى الْقُلُوبُ الَّتِي فِي الصُّدُورِ} الحج: 46
Transliteration: fainnaha la taAAma alabsaru walakin taAAma alquloobu allatee fee alssudoori
Brother: if this worldly life preoccupies you, remember death. You will not find a harder whip than remembering death.
“Have you, son of Adam, thought about the day of your death and moving from your place? Have you thought about moving from amplitude to narrowness? Have you thought about the betrayal of the companion and the desertion of the brother and friend? You will be taken from your bed and cover to the unknown! You will be covered by dust and mud instead of your soft quilt! O collector of money and diligent in building, by Allah, the money you have is only the coffins! By Allah it will be taken away and spoiled. Your body will be dust. Where is the money you have collected? Did it save you from the horrors?! Nay, you have, however, left it to those who do not thank you! You have come with your sins to Him Who will not excuse you.” (Imam Al-Qurtubi)
Brother:
How much time has elapsed of this worldly life?
How many generations and nations have perished? How many deceased among your brothers and lovers have you buried in dust?!
How many times has yourself told you that you may die today or tomorrow?!
How much of your life has passed while you spent it in wide hopes?
Have you fulfilled all your hopes?
If so, have your hopes given you what you wished for?!
O brother: Remember... then remember again… these words are for you, “A man has a Lord Whom he will meet, and a home in which he will dwell, so he must please his Lord before meeting Him and prepare his home before moving into it.” (Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim)
My brother: Be careful! But is carefulness enough?! The lasting good deeds, my brother, are the best provisions and the best companion in the Hereafter. It is your garden in the day of death and your close companion when people leave your grave...
Prayers and peace of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his family and companions.
Prepared by Ibn Khuzaymah House
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