Anas narrated that the Prophet passed by a group of people who were laughing and said: “Frequently remember the destroyer of pleasures.” Then he added: “It is never mentioned during the time of need but would make one feel content, and never mentioned during prosperity but would make one feel restricted.” [Al-Munthiri and Al-Bazzaar]
As this narration indicates, there are numerous benefits to be gained from mentioning and contemplating death, such as:
· It encourages one to prepare for death before it strikes.
· It makes man lose hope in living longer, which is a hope that causes heedlessness.
· It makes a person content with very little.
· It makes one inclined towards the Hereafter and the obedience of Allah The Almighty.
· It makes worldly hardships seem insignificant.
· It prevents one from greed and extravagance.
· It encourages one to repent and make up for the acts of worship and obedience a person may have neglected in the past.
· It softens the heart, makes the eyes shed tears, assists one in becoming committed to Islam and expels base desires.
· It makes a person humble and prevents arrogance and oppression.
· It makes a person kind and forgiving towards his fellow Muslims.
Imam Al-Qurtubi said, “The Muslim scholars have unanimously agreed that death is not restricted to a certain age, time or sickness, so that man would always be ready to receive death, prepared for what comes after it.”
At-Tameemi said, “Two things prevented me from enjoying life: remembering death and remembering the questioning in front of Allah.”
Ad-Daqqaaq said, “He who frequently remembers death will be granted three things: swift repentance, a content heart and enthusiasm to worship Allah; and the one who neglects remembering death will be afflicted with three things: delay in repentance, discontentment and laziness in worshipping Allah.”
Al-Hasan said: “There are some people whose hope to be forgiven makes them heedless until they depart from this life having no rewards; and if you ask one of them about his delay in repentance, he would say: ‘I have positive thoughts about my Lord (i.e., He will not punish me).’ How he lies! If he thought positively about his Lord he would act accordingly (i.e., perform good deeds)’ then he recited the Saying of Allah The Almighty (what means): {And that thought of yours which you thought about your Lord, has brought you to destruction; and you have become (this Day) of those utterly lost!} [Quran 41:23].”
Sa’eed ibn Al-Jubayr said: “It is a great deception to disobey Allah, but hope to be forgiven.”
Muslims are encouraged to contemplate death and be ready for it with good deeds. Ibn 'Umar reports, “I came to the Prophet and I was the tenth of the first ten people (who embraced Islam). A man from among the Ansaar got up and said, "O Messenger of Allah, who is the most sagacious and the most prudent among the people?" He replied: "Those who are most aware of death and prepare themselves for it. They are the wisest of people and will have honor in this world and a generous reward in the Hereafter.’” [At-Tabarani]
Various acts that help in contemplation of death are:
· Visiting the graves: The Prophet said: “Visit the graves because they remind you of the Hereafter.” [Ahmad]
· Visiting the places where the dead are washed and witnessing the washing.
· Being around people who are dying to see how they suffer and to encourage them to utter the Shahaadah (testimony of faith).
· Accompanying funerals and the funeral prayers and attending the burial of the dead.
· Reciting the Quran, especially the verses that mention the agonies of death, like the Saying of Allah The Almighty (what means): {And the stupor of death will come in truth: This is what you have been avoiding!} [Quran 50:19]
· Having grey hair and being afflicted with illness, because these are two messengers of death.
· Pondering over earthquakes, volcanoes, floods and landslides which remind one of the nearness of death.
· Reading about previous nations who died and have vanished forever.