ON THE SEVERITY OF DEATH

Al-Hasan rahimahullâh narrates that the Messenger of Allâh mentioned death and its agony and pain. He said: “It is equivalent to being struck 300 times with a sword.” The Messenger of Allâh was asked about the severity of death. He said: “The easiest death is like a thorn in wool. When the thorn is removed, some wool certainly comes out with it.” The Messenger of Allâh visited a sick person and said: “I know what he is experiencing. Every single vein is individually experiencing the pain of death.”

‘Alî would encourage the people to fight [in waging jihâd] by saying: “If you do not go to fight, you will still die. I take an oath by that Being in whose control is my life, being struck a thousand times by a sword is easier for me than dying on my bed.”

Al-Auzâ‘î rahimahullâh said: “We heard that the dead person continues experiencing the pangs of death till he is resurrected from his grave.”

Shaddâd ibn Aus rahimahullâh said: “Death is the most terrifying horror to a believer in this world and in the hereafter. It is worse than being sawn off by saws, cut by scissors, and boiled in huge pots. If a dead person was given life and informed the people of this world about the horrorifying experience of death, they will not derive any benefit from life and they will not enjoy any sleep.”

Zayd ibn Aslam narrates from his father who said: “If any levels of a believer are left which he cannot reach through his deeds, death is made severe onto him so that he may reach his level in Paradise through the pangs and pains of death. If an unbeliever has any good for which he is not rewarded, death is made easy for him so that he may receive his reward of good in full [in this world] so that he may then proceed to the Hell-fire.”

It is related with regard to a person that he used to inquire a lot about the sick people about their experiencing the onset of death. When he himself fell ill, someone asked him: “What about you? How do you find it?” He replied: “It is like the skies are placed firmly onto the earth and it is as though my soul is going through the eye of a needle.”

The Messenger of Allâh said: “A sudden death is a cause of comfort to a believer and a source of regret to a sinner.”

It is related from Mak-hûl that the Prophet said: “If a single strand of hair of the deceased were to be placed on the inhabitants of the earth and heavens, they would have died by the will of Allâh . This is because there is death in every single strand. And when death is placed on anything, it most certainly dies.”

It is related that if a drop of the pain of death were to be placed on the mountains of this world, they would all melt.

It is related that when Ibrâhîm passed away, Allâh asked him: “What do you think of death, O My friend?” He replied: “Like a skewer that is thrust into wet wool and then pulled out.” Allâh said: “Listen! We had made your death an easy death [you can thus guage the death of those who was made severe].”

It is related that when the soul of Mûsâ went to Allâh , He asked him: “O Mûsâ! What do you think of death?” He replied: “I found my self like a sparrow that is placed alive in a frying pan. It does not die, whereby it could gain solace from death, nor can it save itself whereby it could fly away.” It is also related that he said: “I found my self like a live sheep being skinned by a butcher.”

It is related that the Prophet had a bowl of water at the time of death. He used to dip his hand in the water and wipe it on his face. He would then say: “O Allâh! Make easy for me the pangs of death.” And Fâtimah radiyallâhu ‘anhâ would say: “O what pain! O what pain you are experiencing, O my beloved father!” The Prophet would reply: “There will be no pain on your father after this day.”

‘Umar said to Ka‘b al-Ahbâr : “O Ka‘b! Tell us about death.” He said: “Indeed, O leader of the believers! Death is like a tree that has many thorns. The tree is inserted in the body of a person. Every thorn attaches itself to every vein [of the person’s body]. Then a strong person pulls out that tree with great force. He therefore draws out whatever the thorns attached themselves to, and leaves behind what they did not attach themselves to.”

The Prophet said: “A person experiences the pain and pangs of death while the joints of his body greet each other saying: ‘Peach be on you. You are leaving me and I am leaving you till the day of resurrection.” These are the pangs of death that are experienced by the friends and beloveds of Allâh . What will be our case, while we are immersed in sins?! When, together with the pangs of death, the other calamities will afflict us one after the other?!

The calamities of death are three:

(1) The extreme pain when the soul is removed, as mentioned previously.

(2) Seeing the angel of death, and fear and terror entering the heart on seeing him. Even if the strongest man were to look at the appearance of the angel who is going to take the soul away of a sinful person, he will not be able to look at him full in the face.

It is related that Ibrâhîm said to the angel of death: “Can you show me your appearance with which you take away the soul of a sinner?” He replied: “You will not be able to look at me.” Ibrâhîm said: “I will be able to do so.” The angel of death said: “Okay, turn away from me.” He turned away and then looked back at him. He sees a black man, with hairs standing on their ends, having a terrible stench, wearing black clothes, with flames of fire and smoke coming out of his mouth and nostrils. [On seeing this appearance], Ibrâhîm fell unconscious. When he regained consciousness, the angel of death was standing before him in his first form. Ibrâhîm said: “O angel of death! If a sinner sees your appearance only at the time of death, that will be sufficient [as a punishment] for him.”

Abû Hurayrah narrates from the Prophet that Dâ’ûd was jealous [99] by nature. When he left home, he would lock the doors. One day, he locked the doors and left. His wife looked and saw a man in the house. She said to herself: “Who permitted this man to come into the house? If Da’ûd were to come now, this man will be in trouble.” Dâ’ûd just walked in then and saw the man there. He asked: “Who are you?” The man replied: “I am that person who does not fear kings and whose barricades and obstacles cannot stop me.” Dâ’ûd said: “By Allâh, then you are most certainly the angel of death.” Dâ’ûd then remained firmly at the spot where he was standing.

It is related that ‘Îsâ passed by a skull. He struck it with his leg and said: “Speak, by the permission of Allâh.” It said: “O spirit of Allâh! I was the king of a certain era. While I was sitting in my kingdom on my throne, with my armies and servants sitting around me, the angel of death came to me and started removing each part from my body separately. My soul then came out and went to him. Oh! Despite that huge gathering, it was as though I was the only one there. Oh! Despite the sociable atmosphere, I experiencet total isolation.” This is the calamity which the sinners will experience and from which the obedient ones will be spared.

The Prophet narrates a mere pang at the time when the soul is removed without experiencing the terror that a person who sees the appearance of the angel of death in that [terrifying] form. If he were to see that terrifying appearance in his dream, the remainder of his life will become loathsome. How, then, will it be when he actually sees that terrifying appearance [of the angel of death]? As for the obedient servant [of Allâh ], he will see the angel of death in the most beautiful and attractive appearance.

‘Ikramah rahimahullâh narrates from Ibn ‘Abbâs that Ibrâhîm was a jealous husband (refer to previous footnote). He had a place wherein he used to worship. When he used to come out of there, he would lock it. One day, when he returned, he found a man in the very depths of the house. He asked him: “Who permitted you to enter my house?” He replied: “The master of the house gave me access to the house.” Ibrâhîm said: “I am the master of the house.” He said: “That Being who is a greater master than you and me gave me access to the house.” Ibrâhîm asked: “Who are you from among the angels?” He replied: “I am the angel of death.” Ibrâhîm asked: “Can you show me your appearance with which you take the soul of a believer?” He replied: “Yes. Turn away for a moment.” Ibrâhîm turned away and then looked back. He saw a young man. He then described his beautiful face, beautiful clothes and wonderful fragrance. He then said: “O angel of death! If at the time of death, a believer does not receive anything else but your beautiful appearance, it will be sufficient [as a reward] for him.”

From among these bounties is seeing the two angels that are appointed to constantly protect a person. Wuhayb rahimahullâhsaid: “It has reached us that every single person who passes away is certainly shown the two angels who record his deeds. If he was an obedient servant, they say to him: ‘May Allâh reward you well on our behalf, for you made us sit in many a good gathering, and you made us attend many a good deed.’ If he was a sinner, they say to him: ‘May Allâh not reward you well on our behalf, for you made us sit in many an evil gathering, you made us attend many an evil deed, and you made us hear many an evil speech. May Allâh not reward you well on our behalf.’ The eyes of the deceased will stare transfixed at them and he will never return to the world.”

(3) The sinners observing their abodes in the Hell-fire and their fear even before observing it. When they are in the pangs of death, all their powers are subdued and their souls are in submission in order to leave [their bodies]. Their souls will never leave them till they hear the voice of the angel of death giving them one of the two glad tidings: “O enemy of Allâh! Receive the glad tidings of the Hell-fire.” If the person was an obedient servant, he will say: “O friend of Allâh! Receive the glad tidings of Paradise.”

The fear of the intelligent ones is from here. The Prophet said: “None of you will leave this world till he knows his destination and till he sees his abode: either Paradise or the Hell-fire.”