Umar bin Khattab and the preparation for death

Death is an inescapable certainty for all living beings, a fundamental truth emphasized in the Quran. The verse "Every soul will taste death. And you will be given your wages in full on the Day of Resurrection. So whoever is removed from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained success. And the worldly life is only the enjoyment of delusion" (QS Ali Imran, verse 185) serves as a reminder that life is finite.

This divine message clarifies that ultimate victory is not measured by earthly achievements like power, territory, or wealth. Instead, true success is defined by being spared from hellfire and granted entry into paradise. Death, therefore, is not merely an end to earthly existence but a gateway to the afterlife, where all human actions are accounted for.

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Kullu nafsin żā’iqatul-maut(i). Wa innamā tuwaffauna ujūrakum yaumal-qiyāmah(ti). Faman zuḥziḥa ‘anin-nāri wa udkhilal-jannata faqad fāz(a). Wa mal-ḥayātud-dunyā illā matā‘ul-gurūr(i).

The Quran uses the term "sakaratul maut" to describe the profound difficulty and consciousness experienced as the soul separates from the body. The verse "And the agony of death will come in truth: 'This is what you were trying to avoid'" (QS Qaf, verse 19) underscores that death is an undeniable reality, regardless of human attempts to evade its contemplation through work, entertainment, or power.

Even strong and courageous figures, such as the companion of the Prophet Muhammad, Umar bin Khattab, experienced deep fear as they faced their own mortality. This illustrates that despite the presence of loved ones, medical care, or prayers, the passage through death is a solitary journey that individuals must undertake alone.

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Wa jā’at sakratul-mauti bil-ḥaqq(i), żālika mā kunta minhu taḥīd(u).