Dear Brothers and Sisters!

Just as it is a reality for Allah (swt) to create us from nothing and give us life, death is also an inevitable truth. Every creature that comes to the world will die after their time is up. Man and any creature that was created have no way of escaping death. Allah (swt), who gave life to every living thing, states the following in the Quran: “Say, “Indeed, the death from which you flee – indeed, it will meet you. Then you will be returned to the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, and He will inform you about what you used to do.”[1]

In the age we live in, many people care more than necessary about the world they were sent to, to be tested and lead a life as if they would never die. They do not think that they will one day leave this temporary life and the people they love behind. Today, many people are exposed to a mental illness that is defined as worldliness and that sees life as the only life in this world. However, our Prophet Muhammad (saw) was sent as a mercy to the worlds and has said, “Verily, the example of this world and myself is that of a rider who seeks shade under a tree, then he moves on and leaves it behind.”[2]

A conscious Muslim, should be aware that life is a unified whole, made up of the world and the hereafter.

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

Allah (swt), who is closer to man than his jugular vein, says in the Quran: “Say, “Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.”[3] and commands us to live a lifetime in this direction. While fulfilling both our individual duties and social responsibilities, we should be aware that the life of the hereafter to which we will be accountable is not far from us. According to what is narrated from Ibn Mas’ud (r.a), Rasulullah (saw) has said, “Paradise is closer to one of you than the strap of his sandal, and so is the Hellfire.”[4] Based on this awareness, we should always strive to increase our good deeds. We should not act unfairly against any person, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, and we should completely avoid intruding others’ rights. On the contrary, we must firmly believe that the reward for doing good is only goodness.

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

Our religion Islam explains the meaning of death as well as the meaning of life. Death is not an extinction and nothingness. The perspective that will calm the mind and heart of a person regarding death exists only in Islam. In our religion, it is explained that death is the means for the servant to reach Allah (swt), just as a river meets the sea. For this reason, some Islamic elders have described death as the “wedding night” expressing the meeting of two that are in love.
May Allah (swt) make us one of his servants that has taken ourselves into account before death has come. Ameen!

[1] Surah Al-Juma, 62:8
[2] Tirmizî, Zühd, 44, H.No: 2377
[3] Surah Al-An’am, 6:162
[4] Buhârî, Rikâk, 29