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Agony of death Friday Khutbah

And the stupor of death will come in truth: "This is what you have been avoiding!"

And the Trumpet will be blown that will be the Day whereof warning (had been

given) (i.e. the Day of Resurrection). And every person will come forth along with an

(angel) to drive (him) and an (angel) to bear witness. (It will be said to the sinners):

"Indeed you were heedless of this. Now We have removed from you, your covering,

and sharp is your sight this Day!" [50:19-22]

O Servants of Allaah! Fear Allah, Your Lord did not create you in vain and willnot leave you unavailing, so take provision from this life by which you can protectyourself tomorrow.

The time of death is concealed and wishes are deceiving. Funerals pass by people,and they prepare them, pray over the deceased, accompany them and carry themto their final abode. You see people viewing them causally and perhaps theymight get slightly saddened or grieved, but very soon they become overwhelmedagain with the ravishment of this life and the heedlessness of living.

Respected brothers! Life is evidence against those who are heedless and their

days lead them to wretchedness. How can one hope for the reward in theHereafter without righteous deeds? How can someone wish to repent while beingheedless and hoping to live longer?

Woe to the people of heedlessness! When they are given something, they are notsatisfied and when they are deprived of anything, they become discontent. Theyenjoin that which they do not do themselves and forbid what they do not refrainfrom. They continuously criticize others and compromise with themselves.

O people! How many people trusted life but it betrayed them and how manywere assured by it, that were let down? How many swindlers got deceived in it?

And, how many arrogant people became degraded and honourable oneshumiliated by it? Power in this life alternates, it is never stable. Its sweetnesssoon becomes bitter and its bitterness sweet. People of might becomeoverpowered. Life is short, the great things in it are few in number and this lifevery soon turns out to be as though it never even existed. Its happiness eventuallyturns into sorrow, health into sickness, and wealth into poverty. Its days aredeceiving and it commands people with evil. It consists of vanishing pleasures,

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afflicting adversities or death. Its structure is soon destroyed, people unite butsoon separate, and everything on earth turns into dust.

People of heedlessness are never satisfied, regardless of how much they mayaccumulate. They do not achieve all they wish for and are not prepared for what

they are approaching. They collect but do not benefit from it, build that whichthey will not live in and hope for things that they will never achieve. Allaah saysthat which means:

Let them eat and enjoy themselves and be diverted by (false) hope,for they are going to know.(Al-Hijr: 3)

One who wishes to live long, builds and demolishes and estimates but with awrong estimation. He says something but does not do it, plans but does notimplement them, and things happen which are the opposite to that which hasbeen planned. He does wrong and delays repentance, then death comes and thenhe will not benefit from his deeds; his family and friends leave him and there areno longer any excuses. Allaah says that which means,

Then have you considered if We gave them enjoyment for years.And then there came to them that which they were promised? Theywould not be availed by the enjoyment which they were provided.(Ash-Shuaraa: 205 207)

Oh people of heedlessness! O Muslim brothers and sisters! The Prophetsallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said in aHadeeth:

Abundantly remember the destroyer of pleasures (meaningdeath)(An-Nasaai). This is the advice of your Prophet Muhammadsallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam which consists of a few words but is concise; shortbut effective. Indeed, he who remembers death as it should be remembered willhold himself accountable and question himself about his deeds and aspirations.But one who has a heedless heart, asImaam Al Qurtubi, may Allaah have mercyupon him, said: "Needs long speeches and embellished statements."Abundantlyremember the destroyer of pleasures, which will separate those who are united:

None will remember it (meaning death) while in hardship but willfeel ease and while at ease but will feel disturbed. (Tabaraani)

I swear by Allaah! Each one of us will come to an end, and each soul will die. Theearth will eat our flesh and drink our blood - just as we walk over it, eat from itsfruits and drink from its water. Then it becomes like Allaah says, which means:

:[68 ]

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And the Horn will be blown, and whoever is in the heavens andwhoever is on the earth will fall dead except whom Allaah wills.Then it will be blown again, and at once they will be standing,looking on.(Az- Zumar: 68).

Your Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam stood at the edge of a grave and criedas related in aHadeeth; he then said:

O my brothers! For this, prepare yourselves.(Ibn Maajah)A manasked the Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam: Who is the most wise ofpeople O Messenger of Allaah? He replied:

The one who remembers death most often and the one who is well-prepared to meet it; these are the wise; honourable in this life anddignified in the Hereafter.(Ibn Maajah & Tabaraani). In anotherHadeeth, he, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said:

(( ))

The wise one is he who reproaches himself and acts in preparationfor what is after death.(Ahmad)

Al Hasan, may Allaah have mercy on him, said:

Death has exposed the reality of life and left no reason for one with a soundmind to be happy in it."

Yunus Ibn Ubaydsaid:

"The remembrance of death deprived us from enjoying our families andwealth."Also,Mutarrifsaid:

"Death spoils for the people of pleasure, their enjoyment. So look for pleasure inwhich there is no death. The people of Paradise do not die, so their lives willbecome comfortable, and they do not become sick, so they live a pleasant,eternal life.

O Muslims! Remember death and all its hardships, the rattling of ones soul in thethroat and remember the terrifying screams one will give; for he who remembersdeath often, Allaah will bless him with three things: immediate repentance,contentment of the heart, and vigour for worship. Moreover, he who forgetsdeath will be afflicted with three things: delay in repentance, discontentment, andlaziness in worship.

Death is enough of a reason to break hearts, shed tears, destroy pleasures, dividepeople and ruin all hopes. The dead are made to be lonely after having lived with

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their families; they live in darkness after having been in the light; in tightnessafter having lived in wide space, and under the soil after having walked the earth.They become bare-footed, naked and alone. The grave is their dwelling, dust istheir shroud, and mortal remains are their neighbors, who cannot hear a call norrespond to it. They lived long and owned much, but it did not benefit them when

the command of their Lord came. So their homes became graves and what theycollected was lost. Their money went to their inheritors, their wives re-marriedand what they were promised came to them. Allaah says that which means:

:[115]

Then did you think that We created you uselessly and that to Usyou would not be returned?(Al-Muminoon: 115)

Have you ever thought, O servant of Allaah, about the day that you will die? - Theday that you cannot delay and in which regret will not benefit you? Remove thecover of heedlessness from your heart for you will soon be standing before theOne who knows the whims and whispers of the hearts, Who asks about theactions of the eyes and holds one accountable for what he hears. Allaah says thatwhich means:

:[18 ]

That Day, you will be exhibited (for judgment); not hidden among

you is anything concealed..(Al-Haaqqah: 18)

Contemplate death, for it prevents one from disobedience, softens a hard heart,stops one from trusting this life and makes one feel ease at the time of hardships.Remember death so that you may be saved at the time of regret.Al Hasan, mayAllaah have mercy on him, said:

: .

. .

"O son of Aadam! Fear Allaah, and let two things not happen to you at thesame time: the hardships and agony of death, plus sorrow and regret. Bewareof agonies and regrets, for death will come to you suddenly and no one candescribe to you what you will face and see. Beware, so as not to die while in astate of disobedience, otherwise you will meet Allaah with no excuse."

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Respected brothers! Where are those who are afraid of not having enoughprovision? Where is he who is terrified of the lengthy distance of the journey andhostility of the road? All he took from this life is an old garment and a morsel offood. He was chaste through life, guided, and so little provision sufficed him. Hewas ashamed of himself in front of his Lord, remembered death, and therefore

preserved his head (meaning his senses: eyes, ears and tongue) and stomach(meaning did not eat or drink except that which is lawful). He sought the rewardof the Hereafter and gave up the adornments of this worldly life. He favored thatwhich is everlasting over that which is vanishing - this is indeed the wise andclever one.

So fear Allaah, may Allaah have mercy on you, and be aware of Allaah, andwatchful of that which He entrusted you with. Remember that you will bestanding before your Lord, being judged according to your deeds and you willregret your negligence. Allaah says that which means:

[3:185 ]

Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your (full)compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away

from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained (his desire).And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.(Aal Imraan: 185)

O Muslims, repent to Allaah before death. The Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam said:

"Hasten to do good deeds before you become busy. Are you waitingfor such penury which will make you unmindful of devotion? Orsuch prosperity which will make you corrupt? Or such disease whichwill disable you? Or such senility which will make you mentallyunstable? Or sudden death? Or the Dajjaal (Anti-Christ), who is theworst apprehended (sign of the hour)? Or (are you waiting) for the

Hour? - that will be most grievous and bitter.(At-Tirmidhi)

Now that you are aware of the suddenness of death, do not be like those whohoped for the reward of the Hereafter without performing righteous deeds, andwho delayed repentance, due to the false hope of living longer.

Visit the graveyards frequently for it reminds one of the Hereafter, and take alesson from those who are under the earth and have lost connection with theirfamilies and loved ones; death came to them at a time which they did not expectand horror came to them in a way which they did not anticipate. Let he who visits

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the graves ponder and think of the situation of those who have passed away fromhis friends. They gathered money and had a high hopes, but suddenly they lost alltheir wishes and their wealth did not benefit them. The soil of the earth changedthe nice appearance of their faces and their bodies became scattered in theirgraves. Their wives became widows and their wealth and homes were all

distributed. Allaah said, which means:

[6:94 ]

(It will be said to them), And you have certainly come to Us alone(i.e., individually) as We created you the first time, and you have leftwhatever We bestowed upon you behind you.(Al-An'aam: 94)

So, fear Allaah, may Allaah have mercy on you, and work for the Hereafter, for itis a dwelling in which there is no death for its inhabitants. Its structure does notwear out, youth does not age and its pleasure is never-ending. Its beauty,enjoyment, and women do not change and its people live under the mercy of theMost Merciful. Allaah says that which means:

[11:10 ]

Their call therein will be, Exalted are You, O Allaah, and theirgreeting therein will be, Peace. And the last of their call will be,Praise to Allaah, Lord of the worlds!(Yoonus: 10)

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