Sulaiman, Kabuye Uthman

The International Islamic University Malaysia Repository

Death is 5unnatullah, a realitywhich cannot be doubted. It isthe separation ofthe soul fromthe body; the shift from the abode oftemporary existence (al-Dunya) to theabode of eternal, perpetual and trueexistence (al-Akhirah).Allah (swt) says: "And We granted notto ony humon being immortality beforeyou (0 Muhammad): then if you die,wauld they live forever?" (21 :34) "Wehave ordained death among you, andWe are not to be avercome, so that Wemay change yaur state and make yougraw into whatyou know not."(56:6G-61)Different religions perceive deathdifferently. In Islam it is perceived asfollows:First, it is one of the signs (ayat) ofAllah's Might: "Blessed be He in Whosehands is Dominion; and He over allthings hath Power. He Who createdDeath and Life, that He may try which ofyou is best in deed: and He is the Exaltedin Might, Oft-Forgiving" (67:1-2).It is reported that when Caliph HarunAI-Rashid came down with an illnesswhich eventually caused his death, hegave instructions for his grave to bedug so that he could see it before hedied. After the grave was prepared, heasked to be carried to it. Upon arrival,he looked down into the grave andthen up toward the sky and said: "0whom (Allah swt) Whose rule neverends, have mercy on whom (Harun)his rule has ended:' Thus said a manwho knew the limitation of his power.In contrast, the world has seen severaltyrannical rulers who have claimedLordship (Rububiyyah) over the earthbut could not prove it when deathcame to them!Second, it is a tribulation (musibah)(5:106) which a believer in Allah isurged to face patiently. Allah (swt)says: "Be sure we shall test you withsomething of fear and hunger, someloss in goods or lives or the fruits (ofyour toil), but give glad tidings to thosewho patientlypersevere. Who say, whenafflicted with calamity: "To Allah Webelong, and to Him is our return." (2:155-156).In fact, no second on earth passeswithout the following verse beingrecited: "Inna Iillah, wa inna ilayhiraji'un" which means: 'To Allah(Almighty God) we belong, and to Himis our return:' Thus, in order to facethis tribulation patientiy, one mustbelieve with conviction that death isnot accidental; it is neither broughtby sickness, accident nor witchcraft,but by Allah (swt). It is called ajal(appointed time): "He it is who createdyou fram clay, and then decreed astated term (for you). And there is inHis presence another determined term;yet ye doubt within yourselves!" (6:1-2).People do not die before or after theirappointed time:"Neverdid We destroya population that had not a termdecreed and assigned beforehand.Neither can a people anticipate its term,nor delay it." (l 5:4-5).Third, it is one of the five matters thatonly Allah (swt) knows.It is reported that Imam Malik IbnAnas saw the Angel of Death in hissleep, and the Imam asked him: "Howmuch left for me to live?" The Angelpointed to his five fingers. Then theImam asked him: "Does that mean 5years, or 5 months, or 5 days?" Beforethe Imam had a chance to get ananswer back, he woke up. The Imamwent to someone who couid interpretdreams, and was told: "Imam Malik,when the Angel pointed to his fivefingers he didn't mean 5 years ormonths or days, but the Angel meantthat your question 'how much left forme to live' is among 5 matters thatonly Allah (swt) knows about. NarratedAbdullah: Allah's Messenger said, "Thekeys of the Unseen are five: "Verily,with Allah alone is the knowledge oftheHour. And He sends down the rain, andHe knows what is in the wombs. And nosoul knows what it will earn tomorrow,and no soul knows in what land it willdie. Surely, Allah is All-Knowing, AII-Aware." (31:34). (Bukhari, Sahih, Book60, Hadith 151)9

Death: an Islamic perspective

http://irep.iium.edu.my/17833/1/Death_-_An_Islamic_Perspective_-_SA.pdf

Death: an Islamic perspective

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The International Islamic University Malaysia Repository