Remembering Death

The most intelligent one is he who has prepared for death.

Abdullah ibn Umar said that Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said, “When one of you dies, he is shown his (future) position morning and evening. If he is from the people of Jannah, (he is shown his place) in Jannah, and if he from the People of the Fire, (he is shown his place) in the Fire; and each is told, “This will be your place when Allah raises you on the Day of Resurrection.”  [Bukhari and Muslim]

Abdullah ibn Masud said that Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said, “Verily, the dead are punished in their graves, and even the animals hear their screaming.” [Saheeh al-Jaami, no 1965]

Zayd ibn Thaabit reported that Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said: “Verily, those people (the dead) are being afflicted in the grave. Were it not that you may tend to stop burying each other, I would have asked Allah to let you hear the torture of the grave as I do.” [Muslim and Ahmed]

Abu Hurayrah and Anas reported that Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said: “Indeed, these graves engulf their dwellers with darkness; and verily Allah illuminates them (for the believers) because of my salaah (supplication) for them.” [Muslim and others]

Ka’b bin Maalik narrated that Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said: “Verily, a believer’s soul is (turned into) a bird that eats from the trees of Jannah until Allah sends it to his body on the day that it will be resurrected.” [Recorded by Malik, Ahmed, and others. Verified to be authentic by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami, no.2373]

It is reported that ʿUthmān b. ʿAffān – Allāh be pleased with him – once addressed the people in a sermon. He praised Allāh, then said:

O people! Fear Allāh and obey Him, for piety is a valuable prize. Verily the most intelligent person is he who takes account of himself and works for what comes after death, and acquires through the light (guidance) of Allāh a light for the darkness of the grave.

The servant of Allāh should fear lest Allāh the Mighty and Sublime resurrects him blind though he used to see. A few comprehensive words can be enough for a wise man, whereas the deaf (who does not listen to guidance) is being called from afar.

And know that whoever Allāh the Mighty and Sublime is with has nothing to fear; but whoever Allāh the Mighty and Sublime is against, then in whom can he hope after Allāh?!

Abū Bakr Al-Daynūrī, Al-Mujālasah wa Jawāhir Al-ʿIlm 4:116,117. Source from sayingsofthesalaf.net