Death should not be feared

I just attended a janazah (funeral) today, so I am feeling in a very reflective mood. Burying a loved one is always very, very sobering. I often use to wonder –– what is the purpose of it all?” But, Alhamdulilah, I no longer ponder on that for Allah has made it clear the matters concerning life and death. 

There is a saying that I heard some time ago “that we bury our dead every day, yet we do not learn from it.”  

I guess some would wonder what does that mean. I’m sure it can be interpreted in numerous ways, but my take on those words is that we do not seriously consider what happens after we transpire into death. 

Mystery

Death occurs constantly, yet, it is still a mystery. As often as death occurs, one would think that it would be a matter-of-fact thing, yet it is not –– death is a hard thing to accept. 

We all know that death is the reality from which no one can escape; indeed death draws nearer every day, in fact each second, and each minute. 

No person will evade this inescapable fate called death. If we as human beings could be as indiscriminate as death, what a better world we would have because death is a respecter of no one. 

Death will visit upon you no matter who you are –– regardless of your age, health, background, piety or social status; kings, queens, billionaires, paupers, powerful politicians, educated and uneducated all taste death –– yes –– death is indeed the equalizer! 

In the Quran [4:78] it says “Wheresoever you may be, death will overtake you even if you are in fortresses built up strong and high!”

At the janazah, the Imam prayed that we fear Allah as he should be feared. 

This made me think that the fear of Allah is the only thing that will get us into the paradise. 

As when one fears the wrath of Allah, one would think twice before doing a sinful action; afraid of the punishment they will incur. In the Bible it says ‘the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.”  

The word “fear” appears 296 times in 269 verses in Quran; hence I think the fear of Allah should not be taken lightly. 

My good sister friend, Ameenah always say that she lives in Fear and Hope. 

Fear that she is living her life doing the deeds that are pleasing to Allah, so that she does not incur His wrath and hope that Allah’s mercy will be plentiful and He will be pleased with her life, therefore not incurring His wrath. 

Allah says “Those who believe (in the Qur’an), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians –– any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve,” [2:62]” This is indeed what the book says and we know that ‘the book’ is absolute truth and guidance for those who believe:  “This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah” [2:2] 

Worship

Yes, if we believe and follow the scriptures as we should, and as we are commanded, we will undoubtedly know and accept that the purpose of our life is to worship Allah who has informed us that He has created us with the purpose of worshipping Him alone and that He made this life a test to see who fulfills that purpose: “And I did not create the Jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” [51:56]

Allah has made it easy to worship Him as the concept of worship in Islam is all encompassing and is not merely restricted to praying.

 In fact, any action that is pleasing to Allah is considered an act of worship, and a person will be rewarded for it. “Allah is He who created death and life to test you as to which of you is best in deed.” 67:2

So let us reflect on our life and on our death and live our life worshipping our Lord and doing good deeds –– for it is only our deeds that will follow us into death and it is our deeds upon which we will be judged –– “Let every person consider what they have sent ahead for tomorrow.” [59:18] 

Ameen