In Islam, we all know that this worldly life is temporary. Our bodies of clay and water, of flesh and bones, will decay; while it is our soul that will return to its Creator, the One Who gives life. The Creator is indeed the One Who gives life, and He is also the One Who takes life back. The life of a human being is an Amaanat (a trust) given to his parents, his family, his environment and native land – and wherever he resides upon the earth – only for a short time. Death is a truth that cannot be denied; it is an obligatory passage that every soul must taste. Allah says in the Qur’an: “Kullu nafsin zaa’ikatul mawt” [Every soul shall taste death.] (Al-‘Imran 3: 186)
This word is firm, absolute, and it
reminds man that life on earth is not eternal. Every moment that people spend
in this world is a favour, but it is also a responsibility. Whoever understands
this truth remains humble, prepares his provisions, and does not allow himself
to be distracted by worldly wealth and pleasures. Reflect well that death does
not take only the poor, but also the rich, those materially powerful as well.
Remember that all your wealth that you accumulate, a part you will enjoy, yes,
but the rest will go to your heirs.
There were kings in the past who
accumulated enough treasure for their families and armies to survive for many
years. But when one of those kings died, his treasure remained in the hands of
his children, and they became so attached to those material possessions that
they forgot his Janaza. His corpse was neglected until it gave off a foul
odour. Here was a king who possessed millions of dinars, thousands of jewels,
pearls, diamonds, gold and silver; but when he died, he did not even receive a
dignified shroud to cover him. This shows that worldly wealth does not protect
against death, nor does it give any honour in the grave.
Thus death is a powerful reminder
that life on earth is short, and that all that people accumulate, whether
money, glory or pleasure, remains behind. Everything will be left here. The
Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Remember often the destroyer of
pleasures, that is, death.” (Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)
This reminder is not to discourage
people, but to make everyone understand that the true destination is the
Hereafter (Aakhirah). Allah says: “Wal-aakhiratu
khayrun wa abqaa” [And the Hereafter is better and more lasting.]
(Al-A‘la 87:18)
This verse shows that all that
exists in worldly life is transient – temporary, but what exists in the
Hereafter is eternal. When people remain attached to jewels, rubies – riches –
they forget that death is near. A person may say: “I have work, I have bills
to pay, I must take care of my life.” But the truth is that death does not
wait for people to finish their affairs. It comes without warning, it cuts off all
projects, and it halts all ambitions. Whoever remains attached to this world gets
only regrets. Whoever prepares his provisions for the Hereafter gets peace.
In a letter he addressed to his son
Al-Hassan, Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib (ra) said: “Know that you are on a
journey and that your true destination is the other world. Therefore take with
you provisions of piety for your journey.” Remember well that life on earth
is a true refuge only for the sincere, a refuge of security for those who
understand its reality, and a refuge of wealth for those who take provisions of
piety. Material wealth is only for a time. It is the wealth of piety that is
most important. Rich and poor, we shall all taste death. Death is not reserved
only for the old. Death touches people of all ages. Thus, life on earth is a
means to acquire Allah’s mercy, if people use it as they should to sow good
deeds, and most importantly, not for the eyes of people, but only to acquire
Allah’s pleasure.
Death is not an end, but a passage.
Whoever has lived sincerely receives a grave filled with light. Whoever has
lived in disobedience receives a grave filled with suffering. The Holy Prophet
Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) said: “The grave is either a garden among the gardens
of Paradise, or a pit among the pits of Hell.” (Tirmidhi)
This reminder pushes people to
reflect upon their deeds, and not to waste their lives in pursuit of what is
useless. Every moment is an opportunity to prepare for an eternal future. Death
is also a universal equality. As I was saying, whether king, rich, poor,
scholar or ignorant, all meet the same fate. No one can escape death. Whoever
has accumulated treasures leaves them all behind. Whoever has accumulated good
deeds finds them before him in the Hereafter. Allah says: “Yawma la yanfa‘u maalun wa la banun, illa man
ata-al-laaha bi qalbin saliim” [The Day when neither wealth nor
children will be of any benefit, except to him who comes to Allah with a pure
heart.] (Ash-Shu‘araa 26: 89-90)
This verse shows that only
sincerity and purity of heart have value before Allah. Death is also a reminder
that life is fragile. Each of our breaths is a favour from Allah. Whoever is
conscious of this truth remains humble, grateful, and obedient. Whoever forgets
it falls into arrogance, believing himself to be eternal, but death comes to
cut off his illusion. Whoever remembers death often acquires honour in this
world and in the Hereafter. Death does not come to make people sad, but to give
them wisdom and strength to live correctly. Death is also a moment of truth.
When a person dies, his family, his friends, his wealth, all remain behind on
earth. Only his deeds accompany him. Whoever has done good receives great
reward. Whoever has done evil receives punishment.
Allah says in the Qur’an: “Faman ya‘mal
mithqaala dharratin khayran yarah, wa man ya‘mal mithqaala dharratin sharran
yarah” [Whoever does an atom’s weight of good shall see it; and
whoever does an atom’s weight of evil shall see it.] (Az-Zalzalah 99: 8-9).
These verses are firm, clear, and they remind us that no deed escapes Allah.
Thus, death is a lesson. The intelligent prepare their provisions. The careless
remain in illusions. Life on earth is short, but the Hereafter is eternal. Whoever
seeks Paradise remains detached from this world, seeks Allah’s mercy, remains
in prayer, charity, sincerity. Whoever seeks only this world gets regrets.
Death comes as a truth that cannot be avoided, and it gives a reminder to each
of us that only Allah is eternal.
May Allah grant everyone a sincere
heart, a life filled with good deeds, and a gentle death. May Allah make us
among those who get His forgiveness and His mercy, in this world and in the Hereafter.
May Allah grant us a grave filled with light, and an eternal future in His
mercy and His Jannah (Paradise). For death is not an end, but a
beginning towards eternity. Whoever has prepared for this journey accedes to
happiness. Whoever has neglected this truth obtains regrets. Death is a truth,
and it is a reminder that only Allah is eternal, and only the Hereafter is
lasting. May Allah illuminate our path towards His eternal pleasure. Insha-Allah,
Ameen.
---Friday Sermon of 15 May 2026~ 26 Dhu'l Qaddah 1447 AH delivered by Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius.