Consider these situations: You are chatting with a Non Mahram
quietly in a dark lane of cyber world, fiddling with your mobile and
you stumble upon a broken rod of balcony that leads you straight down
from the fifth floor. Or you are listening to your favorite rap song
,latest hit, while standing on the edge of a railway platform or road,
unaware of a fast approaching train or bus and deaf to the shouts of
people because you have stuck an ear phone... Or you are traveling in a
vehicle , plane, car or bus while watching a movie and it
crashes...These deaths are becoming a common news these days.
Death approaches in two ways. Either suddenly or with an
announcement of a prolonged sickness like tumor, cancer... The
difference is : If death pounces upon you suddenly either you are
involved in a haram or a good deed. If you are warned by a prolonged
sickness you know it is approaches and you have time to make amends.
A neighbour of mine died all of a sudden, due to heart failure.
People spoke that he was lucky to have died without undergoing prolong
sickness. There are some videos showing sudden death of a football
player in the midst of the game. The question is : Are these deaths
really lucky? The answer is simple : Depends upon your daily routine. If
you are absorbed in sins then no matter how you die, its a warrant for
you. Even if you are sleeping peacefully in your air condition bed room
wrapped in a warm blanket.
If you are involved in good acts in the company of good people then
your death is an invitation from Allah. Refer to the 27 th verse of
Surah Fajr.. To the Righteous Soul it will be said " O Soul in complete
rest and satisfaction.. Return to your Lord, well pleased and well
pleasing unto Him!
How to prepare for a death ? Recall the sahaba, the noted
companions of the Prophet (pbuh) : Uthman bin Affan r.a. received
multiple glad tidings of paradise in a single gathering when he
instantly responded to all the few calls of charity by the Prophet (
pbuh ). Yet that man wept when ever he visited grave yard. Your
Assignment : When was the last time you walked into the grave yard and
recalled your own death? When was the last time you stumbled upon a
rotting bone ? When was the last time you peeped in a grave dug for a
dead body ? Uthman bin Affan was a regular visitor to grave yard.
Clear your debts: Many of us are sunk in debt. Our houses, cars,
business, everything is running on borrowed money ( with or without
interest) We have yet to pay the grocer's bill. We delay salaries to our
labours. Clearing Debt is among those rare things which many of us
procrastinate for next salary . A man who dies with debt will not find
the gates of heavens opened for him when his soul is taken to Allah.
Rather it hangs in between World and heavens. This , even if you are a
martyr !!! Sahih Hadith
If Allah tests you with a prolonged sickness , then know that He is
giving you a chance to repent. Your death did not catch you suddenly .
These rising of temperatures, and shivering cold, with bundles of
medicines around you are reminding you to correct your affairs before
your medicines give up.
If you are still healthy ? Then chart a time table of good deeds.
Keep doing good passionately. Don't be bored of visiting your sick
relatives. Don't get irritated when your mother calls you to help her.
Don't get distracted to movies and songs but sooth your ears and spirit
with Qur'anic recitation. List your debt and start paying off, your
inheritors may not pay your debts but rather be busy in planning to
spend the money which you left behind...Pay them off.
Take life seriously. You will not be able to get out of it alive.
Death does not knock on your door and say " May I come in ?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hl-RQBkjP48
Author Nisaar Nadiadwala can be reached at nisaar_yusuf@yahoo.com
