﷽

In the name of Allah the Most Gracious and the Most Merciful.

Peace and Blessings of Almighty Allah(ﷻ), be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his blessed descendants and his noble companions.

السلام عليكم ورحمةالله وبركاته○

Tip#3: REMEMBER DEATH.

Death is the only thing guranteed in life. So remember where you are heading.

Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet, passed by a group of people who were laughing and said: 

“Frequently remember the destroyer of pleasures.”

Then he, , added: 

“It is never mentioned during the time of need but would make one feel content, and never mentioned during prosperity but would make one feel restricted.” 

[Al-Munthiri, Al-Bazzaar].

As this narration indicates, there are numerous benefits to be gained from mentioning and contemplating death, such as:

• It encourages one to prepare for death before it strikes.

• It makes man lose hope in living longer, which is a hope that causes heedlessness.

• It makes a person content with very little.

• It makes one inclined towards the Hereafter and the obedience of Allah The Almighty.

• It makes worldly hardships seem insignificant.

• It prevents one from greed and extravagance.

• It encourages one to repent and make up for the acts of worship and obedience a person may have neglected in the past.

• It softens the heart, makes the eyes shed tears, assists one in becoming committed to Islam and expels base desires.

• It makes a person humble and prevents arrogance and oppression.It makes a person kind and forgiving towards his fellow Muslims.

Imaam Al-Qurtubi, said, 

‘The Muslim scholars have unanimously agreed that death is not restricted to a certain age, time or sickness, so that man would always be ready to receive death, prepared for what comes after it’.

At-Tameemi, said, 

‘Two things prevented me from enjoying life: remembering death and remembering the questioning in front of Allah.’

Ad-Daqqaaq, said, 

‘He who frequently remembers death will be granted three things: swift repentance, a content heart and enthusiasm to worship Allah; and the one who neglects remembering death will be afflicted with three things: delay in repentance, discontentment and laziness in worshipping Allah.’

Al-Hasan,  said: 

‘There are some people whose hope to be forgiven makes them heedless until they depart from this life having no rewards; and if you ask one of them about his delay in repentance, he would say: ‘I have positive thoughts about my Lord (i.e., He will not punish me)’ How he lies! If he thought positively about his Lord he would act accordingly (i.e., perform good deeds)’ then he recited the saying of Allah The Almighty which means: {And that thought of yours which you thought about your Lord, has brought you to destruction; and you have become (this Day) of those utterly lost! } [Quran 41: 23].

Sa’eed ibn Al-Jubayr, said: 

‘It is a great deception to disobey Allah, but hope to be forgiven.’

Muslims are encouraged to contemplate death and be ready for it with good deeds.

Ibn ' Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, reports,

 "I came to the Prophet, peace be upon him, and I was the tenth of the first ten people (who embraced Islam). A man from among the Ansaar got up and said, "O Messenger of Allah, who is the most sagacious and the most prudent among the people?" He replied: "Those who are most aware of death and prepare themselves for it. They are the wisest of people and will have honor in this world and a generous reward in the Hereafter'." 

[At-Tabarani]

■ Various acts that help in contemplation of death are:

• Visiting the graves:

The Prophet, , said: 

“Visit the graves because they remind you of the Hereafter.”[Ahmad].

• Visiting the places where the dead are washed and witnessing the washing.

• Being around people who are dying to see how they suffer and to encourage them to utter the Shahaadah(testimony of faith).

• Accompanying funerals and the funeral prayers and attending the burial of the dead.

• Reciting the Quran, especially the verses that mention the agonies of death, like the saying of Allah The Almighty (which means): 

{And the stupor of death will come in truth: This is what you have been avoiding!}

[Quran 50: 19].

• Having gray hair and being afflicted with illness, because these are two messengers of death.

• Pondering over earthquakes, volcanoes, floods and landslides which remind one of the nearness of death.

• Reading about previous nations who died and have vanished forever.

Watchout the nasheed attached at top of this chapter!

Did you ever stop for a while and asked for yourself
What is going to happen to me in the first night of grave?

Imagine lying in your grave,
imagine the angels questioning you,
And imagine standing infront of Allah on the day of Judgement.

These thoughts helps you to build up your relationship with Almighty Allah by performing a'mals out of sincerity with true heart!

May Almighty Allah make us among His closest slaves and unite us in Jannahtul Firdaus!

Aameen Aameen Yaa Rabbal Aalameen!

Reference
Islamweb.com

Jazakum Allahu Khairan.

"سُبْحَانَكَ اللْهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْكَ"

'Glory be to You O Allah, and with Your praise, I testify that there is no God (worthy of worship) except You, I seek Your forgiveness, and I repent to You.'