Abu Nu’aym narrated, through Al-A’mash, from Ibrahim, from ‘Alqamah, from ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud رضي الله عنه, that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“The soul of the believer departs gently, like perspiration flowing from the body. The soul of the disbeliever is pulled out as the soul of a donkey is torn away. Indeed, a believer may commit a sin, and the difficulty experienced at the time of death serves as an expiation for it. Likewise, a disbeliever may perform a good deed, and the ease granted to him at death is his recompense for that deed.”
Reflections on the Agony of Death
Abu Bakr ibn Abi Shaybah narrated in his Musnad, from Jabir ibn ‘Abdullah رضي الله عنه, that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Relate narrations from the Children of Israel, for indeed there were astonishing events among them.”
He then narrated:
“A group of them once passed by one of their graveyards and said, ‘If only we were to pray two rak’ahs and ask Allah to bring forth one of the dead so that he might tell us about death.’
So they did so.
While they were there, a man emerged from one of the graves. His head was white with age, his complexion was dark, and between his eyes was the mark of prostration.
He said:
‘O people, what is it that you want from me? I died one hundred years ago, yet the heat and agony of death have not left me until this very moment. So ask Allah to return me to the state I was in before.'”
The Agonies of Death
Abu Hudbah Ibrahim ibn Hudbah narrated from Anas ibn Malik رضي الله عنه that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Indeed, the servant experiences the hardships and agonies of death. His joints bid one another farewell, saying: ‘Peace be upon you. I depart from you, and you depart from me until the Day of Resurrection.'”
Another narration from Humayd Al-Tawil, from Anas ibn Malik رضي الله عنه, states:
“The angels surround the dying servant and restrain him. Were it not for this, he would flee across deserts and open lands because of the severity of the agonies of death.”
How Severe Is Death?
Shahr ibn Hawshab narrated:
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asked about death and its severity.”
He replied:
“The easiest form of death is like a thorn caught in wool. Can the thorn be removed without pulling some of the wool with it?”
Shahr then related:
“When ‘Amr ibn Al-‘As رضي الله عنه was approaching death, his son said to him:
‘Father, you used to tell us that you wished you could meet an intelligent man while he was dying so that he could describe to you what death feels like. You are now that man, so describe it to me.’
He replied:
‘My son, by Allah, it feels as though a mountain rests upon my chest. It is as though I am breathing through the eye of a needle, and as though a thorny branch is being dragged from the soles of my feet to the top of my head.'”
A Wake-Up Call Before Death Arrives
O people, the time has come for the one asleep to awaken from his slumber, and for the heedless to emerge from his negligence before death suddenly overtakes him with the bitterness of its cup.
Before his movements cease.
Before his breathing comes to an end.
Before his journey to the grave begins.
Before he lies among the silent inhabitants of the earth.
It is narrated that ‘Umar ibn ‘Abd Al-‘Aziz رحمه الله wrote to some of his companions, advising them:
“I counsel you to fear Allah, the Most Great, and to remain constantly aware of Him. Make piety and scrupulousness your provision, for you reside in an abode whose inhabitants will soon depart. You will stand before Allah amid the terrors of the Day of Resurrection, where He will question you even about the smallest deeds.
Fear Allah, O servants of Allah.
Remember the death that is inevitable.”
He then reminded them of the saying of Allah:
“Every soul shall taste death.” (Qur’an 3:185)
And His saying:
“How will it be when the angels take their souls, striking their faces and their backs?” (Qur’an 47:27)
He added:
“It has reached me, and Allah knows best, that they strike them with whips of fire.”
Reports Concerning the Angel of Death
Imam Al-Suyuti رحمه الله said:
“It has reached me, and Allah knows best, that the Angel of Death looks upon the face of every human being three hundred and sixty-six times.”
It has also been reported:
“The Angel of Death looks into every home beneath the heavens six hundred times.”
Another report states:
“The Angel of Death stands at the centre of the world, seeing the entire earth, its lands, seas, and mountains before him as easily as one of you sees an egg resting between his feet.”
It has likewise been narrated:
“The Angel of Death extracts the soul from beneath every limb, every fingernail, every vein, and every hair. As the soul passes from one joint to another, the pain is more intense than a thousand blows of the sword.”
It has also been reported:
“When the Angel of Death takes the soul of a believer, he places it in white silk scented with the finest musk.
But when he takes the soul of a disbeliever, it is wrapped in a black cloth and placed in a vessel of fire, emitting an odour more offensive than the foulest corpse.”
The Final Moments of the Believer and the Disbeliever
It has been narrated that when the appointed time of the believer arrives, four angels descend.
One draws the soul from his right foot.
Another from his left foot.
The soul slips out as gently as a drop of water flowing from a waterskin, while the angels continue drawing it from the fingertips and toes.
The soul of the disbeliever, however, is torn out like an iron skewer being pulled through wet wool.
Imagine Your Own Final Moments
O deceived son of Adam, imagine yourself when the agonies of death descend upon you.
Your groans increase.
Your final moments overwhelm you.
Some around you begin saying:
“So-and-so has made his will.”
Another says:
“His wealth has been counted.”
Another says:
“His tongue has become heavy.”
He no longer recognises his neighbours.
He can no longer speak to his loved ones.
Picture yourself hearing every word spoken around you while being completely unable to respond.
Your daughter stands beside you, weeping like a captive, pleading:
“My beloved father, who will care for me after you?
Who will look after my needs?”
You hear every word she says, yet you are powerless to answer.
The Journey After Death
Then imagine yourself, O son of Adam, being lifted from your bed and carried to the washing place.
The one washing your body prepares you for burial.
You are wrapped in your shroud.
Your family and neighbours begin to feel your absence.
Your companions and loved ones weep over you.
The one washing your body asks:
“Where is the wife of so-and-so, that she may bid him farewell?
Where are his orphaned children?
Your father has left you, and after this day you will never see him again.”
May Allah make the agonies of death easy for us, grant us a righteous end, and allow us to meet Him while He is pleased with us.
O Allah, make the pangs of death easy for us, grant us a good ending, and have mercy upon us, O Most Merciful of those who show mercy. Ameen.
