MORTALITY AND ITS IMPLICATIONS Assalamualaikum, Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'aala says in the Qur'an "Verily we have not made eternity for anyone." Even the beloved Prophet of Islam Muhammad SalAllahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam passed away. He, who was beloved not only to the nation of Islam but to Allah. This should be indication enough for us that none of us will live on forever. Death is not a debatable concept, one doesn't need proofs to know of its reality. The Prophet of Islam has not only made the reality of death extremely clear but also opened for us the realities of the grave, the hereafter, the day of judgement and what awaits each of us after reckoning. He has shown us the way to attain salvation and Jannah. So why is it that we forget about our mortality? The mashaikh site two main reasons:
1) Our iman is weak and
2) We forget death. Imam Dhiqah (rah) has said that a person who remembers his death is rewarded with 3 bounties given by Allah (SWT).
1) Inspiration to repent (Tana'atul Taubah)
2) Contentment of heart (Qana'atul Qalb)
3) Enjoyment of Ibadah ( Nasha'atul Ibadah)
And for those who forget death Allah assigns three punishments:
1) No inspiration for Taubah
2) No contentment with what wealth he has
3) Laziness in ibadah. Shaddad ibn 'Aus (RA) reports that the real intelligent one is he who looks after his nafs; he puts his nafs down (slave of Allah) and his actions are for the preparation for the hereafter. DEATH: It is narrated by the ancient scholars that Rasool Allah (SAWS) stated: Remember Allah by the destroyer of enjoyment/ luxuries. The sahaba asked what is this lazzat (enjoyment)? The Prophet of Allah (SAWS) responded: Death, death is the destroyer of lazzat. Malikul Maut The Prophet had once asked Malikul Maut why he doesn't inform a person before coming to take the soul. Malikul Maut responded: I do inform. I send diseases, sickness, old age, white hair and 'Humum" worries and stresses. When man shows heedlessness i come and say i am that messenger after which no messenger comes. Ibn Abbas RadhiAllahu 'Anhu reported that there is no house except that Malikul Maut comes and knocks on 5 times everyday. Ibrahim 'Alayhis Salaam asked Malikul Maut, how will you come to Mu'mins? Malikul Maut responded by asking Ibrahim 'Alayhis Salaam to turn his face away, then he asked him to face him. Ibrahim Alayhis salaam saw a face radiant with beauty and splendor, with beautiful clothes perfumed and dazzling hair. Then Ibrahim Alayhis Salaam asked Malikul Maut how will you come to the person who is a kafir and munkir. Malikul Maut was reluctant to show Ibrahim Alayhis salaam because he feared Ibrahim Alayhis salaam would not be able to tolerate it. On insistance from Ibrahim Alayhis Salaam Malikul Maut showed him a face darkened and black with a stench that caused fear in the hearts of the beholder, and under every strand of hair of Malikul Maut was fire. Time of Death Rasool SalAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam had a leather pouch with water filled to the brim near his deathbed. Ever so often he would put his hand in the later sack and wipe over his face. He would say contantly that i testify there is no God except Allah and the sakarat ( time when a person is in the pangs of death) is extremely harsh. Because of the nobility of his soul Rasool SalAllahu 'Alayhi wa sallam asked Allah subhanahu wa ta'aala if his ummat will go through the same pain. The answer was yes, to which the Prophet weeped and begged for all the difficulties and pains the ummah will have to endure at the time of death be transferred to him.
Ayesha radiAllahu 'Anha on seeing this said Wallahi an easy death is not the sign by Allah that a person is loved. To be continued....... | 
