DEATH

"Every soul shall have a taste of death. And you will be paid on the Day of Ressurection only that which you have fairly earned. Whosoever is removed from the fire and is made to enter paradise, he indeed is triumphant. The life of this world is but a comfort of illusion."[Qur'an,Surah 3: verse 185]

How many of us have witnessed and know of people around us that have walked this earth but are no more?! Everyday, every nano second we hear and see death taking over a soul. Yet how heedless we are for we don't realise it'll be our time soon, the hour is close and the angel of death is waiting, ready to snatch our souls for when Allaah has appointed!

We truly don't realise or take into account this occurence which is SURELY to take place until we are put in a position where we are witness to it first hand.

When a member of your family passes away, thats when it hits for their presence is no longer around you and the surety of death strikes you. Alhamdulillaah (All Praise belongs to Lord, Al-Mighty) for theres hikmah (wisdom) in this, as it is a remembrance for those of us still walking on this journey in this temporary abode, to remember our time will certainly come but when we do not know, so gotta prepare before its too late!

My nan passing away recently made me assess and think about the life of this world and how quickly our time will pass. As I aided in washing her body, I couldn't describe the sensation I felt at that very moment. SubhanAllaah! All that went through my head was that I too will be in that position, while others surround and wash me and cover me in simple shroud which will be the only thing I'll be taking with me along with my deeds! If any of you have witnessed or taken part in washing a dead body, I am sure you will agree the emotions are indescribable!

So let us remember that death could be around the corner for any of us and take heed in the sayings of The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings be upon him) who responded when he was asked by a man from the Ansaar (helpers):

'Which of the believers are the best?'
He (May Allaah's peace and blessings be upon him) responded;
' Those who are best in character.'
Then the man asked:
'Which of the believers are the most intelligent?'
He (May Allaah's peace and blessings be upon him) replied:
'Those who remember death the most, and those who are best prepared for what comes after it. These are the intelligent ones.'

On the authority of al-Baraa ibn 'Aazib (May Allaah be pleased with him) who said: While we were with the Messenger of Allaah (May Allaah's peace and blessings be upon him), he suddenly looked towards a group (of people) and said:
'For what reason have they gathered here?'
It was said: In order to dig a grave.
So the Messenger of Allaah (May Allaah's peace and blessings be upon him) became alarmed and startled and he quickly went ahead of his Companions until he reached the grave, then he knelt upon it, and I turned my face towards him (May Allaah's peace and blessings be upon him), in order to see what he was doing. He (May Allaah's peace and blessings be upon him) cried until the earth became wet with his tears, then he turned to us and said:

'O my brothers! Prepare for a day like this.' [Bukhari]

Following is a clip I recommend you watch and remember every breath is a precious jewel...our end will certainly come...when the soul shall leave our body and we shall breathe our last breath...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9HIEZN7XHk