Preparing for death

Preparing for death by Imam Al-Ghazali – A summary

Rasulullah s.a.w. was asked, “How does one prepare for death?”

Rasulullah s.a.w.  said, “Those of you who remember it the most are the best prepared for it.”

So how does one prepares for this path?

Remember that death is just another journey, a journey from this world to a world that brings us to the presence of Allah s.w.t.  The journey of a homecoming after numerous journeys before.

We, all of us are in actual fact travellers.  So as travellers, we must have provisions to provide us throughout our journey and to reach the final destination (akhirat).

There are 3 items to bring.

First, the provision are taqwa (deep consciousness of God) towards Allah s.w.t.

Allah says, “…And take a provision with you for the journey, but the best of provisions is taqwa.” (Al-Baqara, v. 197)

Second, the severing of worldly affairs and cut ties that will prevent us from advancing. We need to severe the heart from the pleasures of this world.

Third, the gift from us (traveller) to Allah s.w.t., king of all kings to attain His pleasure.  This gift, they are in the form of faith and ma’rifah (a love that overrides everything)

There we have, the 3 items which are the summary of the provisions we need to prepare to meet death.  For more details, it is wise to seek knowledge, in depth knowledge from a teacher who can lead us to the path of the final destination.