Death the Destroyer of Desires

Death is not the absolute end. It is just the discontinuation of unity
between the body and soul. It is a change from one state to another and a
transition from this present life to that of the hereafter.



The purpose of our existence is the worship of Allah as mentioned in the Book of
Allah:



"And I [Allaah] created not the Jinns and Men except that they should worship
Me [alone]" Soorah az-Zariyat (51): 56



This life, which we are living, is the testing ground for which there shall be
only two consequences, Paradise or Hellfire. Unfortunately more than often we
disregard death, as we are so attached to this world and the love of which has
been established in our hearts.



"Certainly, they see it as distant, but We see it as near" Soorah al-Ma'arij
(70): 6-7



Death only becomes a reality when a close beloved one dies. The heart feels
heavy, the eyes shed tears and there is, at that moment, a present fear of
death. If we were to spend even a single moment each day thinking about death,
it would bring forth many concerns? The greatest being our Hereafter:



"He Who has created death and life, that He may test you, which of you is
best in deed." Al-Mulk (67):21



So we stop and consider what we are doing with our time and where we are
heading, and then realize that much of it is wasted in light talk, in laughing,
in pursuing that which is not going to benefit our Hereafter.One of the Salaf
said:



"Three characteristics are from Eemaan: Modesty, Chastity and Withholding of the
tongue, not the with holding of the heart and actions. These are things which
cause gain in the Hereafter and loss in this life, and what is gained in the
next life is greater than what is lost in this world." [Re ported by
Abdur-Razzaaq in his Musannaf from A'oon ibn 'Abdullaah]



"This World in comparison with the world to come is just like one of you putting
his finger in the sea. Let him consider what it returns with.” Saheeh Muslim
(eng. trans. vol.4 p.l486 no.6843



The Prophet Muhammad (sallahu alihi wa-sallam) explained how this world is not
even worth the wing of a mosquito! And how small is a mosquito, and then the
wing of a mosquito- so what is the worth of the world we run after and are
dearly attached to?



The Messenger of Allaah (sallahu alihi wa-sallam) referred to death as 'the
destroyer of desires." [Sunan at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah & Nasaai and authenticated
by Sheikh al-Albanee in al-Mishkaat (1/1607)]



Because when each one of us remembers the awesome reality of death and what is
to follow after that, our present desires and wordy concerns seem so
insignificant and futile, and the life of the Hereafter becomes our goal and we
become interested in the means to attain that goal. We find that the Companions
of the Prophet (sallahu alihi wa-sallam) excelled on this point and were not
deluded by the amusements of this world, knowing that love for this world would
injure their Paradise.



Hence, they faced trials and every hardship with the knowledge that a weighty
judgement was yet to come and a full compensation yet to be paid - so they had
hope and fear in Allaah, without exaggerated optimism or disparity.



"O you who believe! What is the matter with you, that when you are asked to
march forth in the cause of Allaah [ie. Jihaad] you cling heavily to the earth?
Are you pleased with the life of this world rather than the Hereafter?
[Soorah at-Taubah (9):38]



Regarding the shaheed (martyr), the Prophet (sallahu alihi wa-sallam) said:



"Nobody who enters Paradise will (ever like to) return to this world, even if be
were offered everything on the surface of the earth, except the martyr who will
desire to return to this world and be killed ten times for the sake of the great
honor that has been bestowed upon him." [Saheeh Muslim (eng. trans. vol.3 p.1045
no.4635)]



Let us see how these words affected the hearts and lives of the Companions, as
we reflect upon one Companion in particular, who was guaranteed Paradise, Talhah
ibn 'Ubaidullaah..



"Whoever wishes to look upon a martyr walking the face of the earth, then let
him look upon Talhah ibn 'Ubaidullaah." [Sunan at-Tirmidhi & al-Haakim.
Authenticated by Shaikh al-Albaanee in his as-Saheehah (no.126)]



The Prophet (sallahu alihi wa-sallam) said to Talhah when his fingers were
struck by arrows in protecting the Prophet (sallahu alihi wa-sallam) at Uhud, as
he let out an exclamation of pain:



"If yow had said. 'In the name of Allaah', then the Angels would have raised you
up while the people were looking on at you." (And in another narration he
added): until they entered you into the sky." [Sunan an-Nasaai. The addition is
from al-Baihaaqee. Authenticated by al-Albaanee in his as-Saheehah (no.217)]



"Talhah is one who has fulfilled his term." [Sunan at-Tirmidhi and authenticated
by Sheikh al-Albani in as-Saheehah (125)].



Which means that he has exhausted his allotted time in the path of Allaah there
remaining nothing between him and death - thus he is as one killed already,
although still alive. These are the best of people, those whose belief is
manifest in their actions, to whom Allaah and His Messenger (sallahu alihi
wa-sallam) are more beloved than the world and all it contains.



"But truly the home of the Hereafter is the actual life, if only they knew."
[Soorah al-Ankabut (29):64]



"We have reminder upon reminder, about how nations before us were destroyed and
a common sickness which they were plagued with was 'love of this world'.
Regarding the Jews, who claim to be the best of all people and inheritors of the
Promised Land, Allaah says:



"And verily you will find them the greediest of mankind and [even greedier]
than those who do not believe in Resurrection [i.e. the idolaters]. Every one of
them wishes that he could be given a life of a thousand years. But the grant of
such life will not save him even a little from [due] punishment. And Allaah is
all-Seer of what they do." Soorah al-Baqarah (2):96



If these people who spend their time in heedlessness and negligence, and futile
desires, and the best part of their time being when they sleep or are inactive -
then death is better than life. And we say to them:



'Time is the most precious thing which you take care of, and I see it to be the
easiest for you to lose"



"….. and the worst regret is regret on the Day of Resurrection....and the
fortunate one is the one who takes admonition from others.."



[From the famous khutbah (sermon) of the Companion, Ibn Mas'ood which has been
recorded in al-Musannaf of Ibn Abee Shaibah (vol.7 no. 106)]



"Live in this world as if you are a stranger or a traveler." [Saheeh al-Bukhari
vol.8, p.284, no.425]



Does a traveler waste his time in gathering that which is of no benefit for his
journey? Or does he immediately select that which shall facilitate him to reach
his goal? In the same way, we too must get into the good habit of striving to do
as much as we can today and everyday, not putting off things for tomorrow, or
after exams, or marriage, or the age of sixty. . !



"If you survive till the evening do nor expect to be alive in the morning and if
you survive till the morning, do not expect to be alive in the evening. And take
from your health for your sickness and [take] from your life for your death." [Saheeh
al-Bukhari vol.8, p.284, no.425]



"And die not except in a state of Islaam" Soorah al-Imran (3):102



So we keep our hearts moistened and alive with remembrance of Allaah, and we
remember death in order to remember the Hereafter, and finally we close with a
citation from Imaam ash-Shaafi'ee



“O my soul, it is not except a few days patience, As if her extent were a few
dreams.



O my soul pass quickly on through this world, And leave it, For indeed life lies
ahead of it.