Death is the end of life... not really, for it is merely the beginning of a New Life eternal.
Prophet Muhammad said,
"When a human being is laid in his grave and his companions return and he even hears their foot steps, two angels come to him and make him sit and ask him:
'What did you use to say about this man, Muhammad?'
He will say: 'I testify that he is Allah's slave and His Apostle.'
Then it will be said to him,
'Look at your place in the Hell-Fire.
Allah has given you a place in Paradise instead of it.'
"Prophet Muhammad added,
"The dead person will see both his places.
But a non-believer or a hypocrite will say to the angels,
'I do not know, but I used to say what the people used to say!
It will be said to him,
'Neither did you know nor did you take the guidance (by reciting the Quran).'
Then he will be hit with an iron hammer between his two ears, and he will cry and that cry will be heard by whatever approaches him except human beings and jinns."
-Sahih Bukhari 2:422, Narrated by Anas
Every soul shall taste Death.
And only on the day of Resurrection shall you be paid your compensation in full.
And whoever is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise,
he indeed is successful.
And what is the life of this world except only the enjoyment of deception.
-Qur'An 3:185
Indeed, just the thought of Death is already terrifying. It may not be to all but it is for many. People long for death whenever afflicted by extreme grief or sorrow, I myself is guilty of this... and not just once. I'm not afraid of Death itself.... I've learned not to fear anything or anyone.
I've seen so many faces of death before and now I'm not afraid to die anymore. But what frightens me most, is in fact, the thought that the scales of my "bad" deeds is heavier than my "good" deeds. I'm afraid to die in this state.
I can still remember clearly, when i was on my Umrah, the first time I set foot on the hallowed grounds of the Ka'abah... tears was flowing down my face. All my worries, anguish, hatred, and burden.... has all been lifted up. My chest can once again breath freely. I finished the first Umrah rites and decided to go for a second one, during the 4th circumambulation, the adhan (call to prayer) for Salat-ul Isha'a was called. And there I was facing the Ka'abah door with less than 10 meters away. We did the prayer, and every time I was in prostration I utter these words:
"Ya Rabb! if you will take back the life that you've lent me, I am ready, here submitting my humble self to your will. Let me taste death in my purest state, in prostration, under your most beautiful names. Enjoin me with your pious slaves and the martyrs who died for Islam and those that has been guided to the straight way. Do not let me die in the state of unbelief or hypocrisy like of those who earned your wrath and that those who went astray. And to you shall be the return of everything.
Ameen."
Inshaallah we'll all be in our purest form and state when the Angel of Death is at our doorstep. I pray that Allah may grant remission to those souls who wandered away from the True Light, for His Mercy always comes before His Wrath.
