The Believer at Death’s Approach
Presented herein under are Ahadith from a chapter called Kitab al-Iman of a forthcoming book – the Miftah al-Ma`ani, by Syed Iqbal Zaheer.
1. `Ubadah b. al Saamit reported the Prophet, “Whoever loves to meet with Allah (swt), Allah (swt) also loves to meet, while he who dislikes to meet with Allah (swt), Allah (swt) also dislikes to meet him.” `A’isha inquired, “We all dislike to die. Isn’t that our dislike of meeting with Allah (swt)?” The Prophet answered, “Rather, when death arrives and he is given the glad tidings of what is to follow, he loves to meet with Allah (swt), and Allah (swt) loves to meet with him. On the other hand, when an unbeliever’s time comes, and is given the tiding of what is to follow, he hates to meet with Allah (swt)and Allah (swt) hates to meet with him.”
2. A believer dies with sweat on his forehead.
Commentary
There are several explanations:
- Physical hardships of death bring on sweat, which itself could be because his cleansing and purifying might be taking place to clear off his left-over sins in order that he rises sinless.
- It is out of shame for being given glad tidings at the time of death, despite his acts of disobedience during life.
- It could be a sign of death.
3. Abu Hurayrah reported the Prophet: “At the time of a believer’s death, angels of mercy descend down on him. When his soul is withdrawn, it is placed in a white silk cloth and taken up to the heaven’s door closest to the earth. They (those of the heaven) say, ‘We have not experienced a fragrance sweeter than this.’ It is said, ‘A call to release. He was in sorrows.’ He will be asked, ‘How fares so and so, how fares such and such a lady.’ As for an unbeliever, when his soul is withdrawn, they go up to the earth’s door. The keepers of the earth say, ‘We haven’t experienced a smell more foul than this.’ Then they take it down to the lowest of the earths.”
– Sahih Isnad
4. On Abu Hurayra’s authority, the Prophet said, “Let not one of you wish for death, and invite it not before it comes. When he dies, his deeds are severed from him. A believer’s age does not cause increase but in what is good (for him).”
– Ibn Hibban
5. Abu Hurayrah narrates the Prophet: “A believer’s soul remains suspended so long as he has debts on him.”
– Ibn Hibban
