The Big Day

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

Where are the sheets that will be used to wrap my body? Where is the wood that will be used to cover me? Where is the shovel that will dig the hole within which I shall eventually lay? Who will place me in my new home? Such preparations need to be made for death is our companion in every wakeful state.

Rather, you find me busying myself with vain endeavours, none of which are worth the time needed to make mention of them.

Check the calendar, and there it is marked. In invisible ink, the exact day is not seen, but it is the only scheduled occurrence worth anticipating.

As a bride prepares herself for her wedding, so too shall we prepare ourselves for our big day. Who will perform the final wash? Sidr instead of soap. All uncleanliness is removed. An odd number of washings, one, three, maybe five or more. Soaped, washed, and combed, complete with three braids. No cosmetics needed, but perhaps a few dabs of perfume.

Turned onto one's right side, the story of one's life is over, and a new chapter of existence is opened. The next realm of existence is met.

What awaits us? O Lord, what awaits us?

O Allah, my heart does not comprehend the reality of promised death, and my mind fails to deliver the reminder. Walking blindly in this world, we seek Your protection from the evils of ourselves and beg of Your vast mercy. Ya Rahman, Ya Rahim, forgive us, guide us, let our last moment be the best moment of our lives. Let that day be one of rejoice for us. Ya Allah, ighfir lana wa iftah qulubana ilayka, qawiy imanana, wa 'atiyna husnal khaatima, ameen.

Update 13-08-09:

Please watch "Washing and Shrouding the Deceased"
A Flash presentation by Islamway

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ameen to your dua...

May Allah give us good in this world and good in the here after. May Allah make us mindful of our deeds and may Allah forgive us our transgressions.
Please do say dua for me as well...

Jazak'Allah.

Momina said...

Assalaam-u-alaykum Wa Rahma,

Most of us hardly ever reflect on this issue. Even though the Prophet s.a.w.w. has told us never to forget death as that would keep us away from sins.

Jazakillaho Khayran for bringing this fact back to my mind, at least :)

May Allah SWT reward you with the best in both the worlds, ameen!

fee amaanillah

Anonymous said...

Sister....Do say dua for us all especially during the blessed month of Ramadan.

Jazak Allah Khair

Farzeen said...

Wa 'alaykum assalaam wa rahmatullah Momina

Ameen to your du'as and Mustafa's.

InshaAllah it served as a reminder for me as much as it did for you... the reality of it is so easy to forget. SubhanAllah. May Allah take us back to Him in the best of states, ameen thumma ameen.

"Do you think that you will enter the Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They encountered suffering and adversity and were so shaken in spirit that even the Apostle and those of faith who were with him cried: 'When (will come) the help of God?' Ah! Verily the help of God is (always) near!" [2:214]

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Inspiration

"Be mindful of God, and God will protect you. Be mindful of God, and you will find Him in front of you. If you ask, ask of God. If you seek help, seek help of God. Know that if the whole world were to gather together to benefit you with anything, it would benefit you only with something that God had already prescribed for you. And if the whole world were to gather together to harm you, it would harm you only with something that God has already prescribed for you. The pens have been lifted and the ink has dried."
--Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him]