Dreaming of someone’s death and the way to cope with death

QUESTION:

I of Islamic faith, I saw my brothers death in a dream at 8am Friday morning, that shook me to my bones. 4 days later my brother was killed. I feel my faith at present is in turmoil and need advice and answers to be able to move forward.

ANSWER:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Generally, dreams can be visualised as a person driving down the countryside where there are many different types of cars and sceneries. One does not stop to examine every car or examine each bit of scenery. He is concerned about arriving at his destination and continues to move on. Similarly, one should not ponder too much over their dreams and rather, one should focus on the real objectives of life.

Nonetheless, it is true that at times, Allah Almighty – through his infinite wisdom – shows certain people specific events of the future. However, such dreams aren’t intended to trouble you, rather to re-route you onto the path of realisation and reform.

How to respond to death

Allah Almighty has stated in the Holy Qur’ān:

الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالُوا إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ – أُولَٰئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلَوَاتٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَرَحْمَةٌ ۖ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُهْتَدُونَ

“… And give glad tidings to the patient ones – those who when afflicted by a calamity say, “Indeed, to Allah we belong and indeed to Him we shall return.” It is those who will be awarded blessings and mercy from their Lord and it is those who are guided.” [Sūrah al-Baqarah: 155 – 157]

Umm’ Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and salutations be upon him) stated:

ما مِن عَبْدٍ تُصِيبُهُ مُصِيبَةٌ، فيَقولُ: {إنَّا لِلَّهِ وإنَّا إلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ} [البقرة:١٥٦]، اللَّهُمَّ أْجُرْنِي في مُصِيبَتِي، وَأَخْلِفْ لي خَيْرًا منها، إلَّا أَجَرَهُ اللَّهُ في مُصِيبَتِهِ، وَأَخْلَفَ له خَيْرًا منها. قالَتْ: فَلَمَّا تُوُفِّيَ أَبُو سَلَمَةَ، قُلتُ: كما أَمَرَنِي رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عليه وَسَلَّمَ، فأخْلَفَ اللَّهُ لي خَيْرًا منه، رَسولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عليه وَسَلَّمَ

Translation: “Whenever a Muslim is afflicted by a calamity and he says what Allah has commanded him, ‘Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un. Allahumma aajirni fi musibati wa akhlif li khairan minha’ (Certainly to Allah we belong and certainly to Him shall we return. Oh Allah! Reward me for my affliction and replace it for me something that is better), except that Allah will replace for him with something better.” [Sahīh Muslim: 918]

Allah Almighty states, “Every soul shall taste death,” [Sūrah Āl ‘Imrān: 185]

Indeed, death is something inevitable and through the decree of the Almighty, we are all to drink from the glass of death one day. Yet, often, it strikes us with grief and fear when it afflicts our loved ones. There is no wrongdoing in mourning over our deceased, however, this must be in the manner Islām teaches us. Nonetheless, we should seek to make such events into life-changers for ourselves, just as Allah wishes. 

Shaddād ibn Aws (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and salutations be upon him) stated:

الكَيِّسُ مَن دان نفسَه وعمِل لما بعدَ المَوتِ والعاجِزُ مَن أتبَعَ نفسَه هواها وتمنَّى على اللهِ

Translation: “The intelligent is one who calls himself into account and works for that which comes after death. The foolish is one who follows his caprice (whims/desires) and vainly hopes that his desires will be fulfilled by Allah.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhī: 2459)

Thus, in seeking to prepare for death, we can adopt the following means and methods:

Inwardly:

1) Adopting Patience;

2) Submitting to the Divine Will of the Almighty;

3) Reflecting on the temporary nature of life;

4) Taking admonition for one’s own situation;

5) Implementing gratitude in one’s life.

Outwardly:

1) Reciting a lot of the Holy Qur’ān for oneself and extending the reward to the deceased also;

2) Supplicating for one’s loved ones – both alive and deceased;

3) Striving to pray one’s five daily Salāh with full devotion;

4) Calculating any outstanding Salāh, Zakāh, Sawm (fasts), Hajj etc and seeking to fulfil these at the nearest possibility [or referring to local scholars for advice];

5) Taking account of any outstanding debts to people and seeking to fulfil them as soon as possible;

6) Remaining conscious of one’s income and consumption of food/drink being Halāl etc.;

7) Continuing to strive towards good deeds, such as exercising compassion towards one’s parents, other seniors and younger ones, donating to charity and other such noble causes;

8) Seeking forgiveness regularly and sincerely to cleanse oneself of all sins;

9) Accompanying the pious in your locality and spending time in their company;

10) Identifying a spiritual guide who you may seek advice and guidance from. Spending time in their supervision and adhering to their advice will enable you to overcome any challenges and stay focused;

11) Going out for some time in Tablīgh (in the Path of Allah Ta’ālā to propagate Islām). By changing your environment, you will be able to build spirituality and inculcate noble qualities within you, whilst practising noble deeds/actions;

12) Keeping yourself occupied with studying the knowledge of the Holy Qur’ān through Tafsīr (Qur’ānic commentary) such as:
– “Ma’āriful Qur’ān” by Mufti Shafī’ ‘Uthmānī (may Allah have mercy upon him) – translation revised by Mufti Taqī Uthmānī DB
– “Illuminating Discourses on the Noble Qur’ān” (Anwār al-Bayān) by Mawlana Muhammad ‘Āshiq Ilāhī (may Allah have mercy upon him);

13) An alternative method of keeping yourself occupied is by listening to Islamic lectures and discourses of Ulamā’ – this will boost your spirituality and keep you motivated;

14) Volunteer at local institutes and charities – This will help you mentally and spiritually;

15) Obtain a copy of some of the following books:
– “What happens after death” By Mufti Muhammad ‘Āshiq Ilāhī (may Allah have mercy upon him) – Translated by Mufti Afzal Hossen Elias, Zam Zam Publishers – this will help you acknowledge what is to come after death and help you stay conscious of Allah Almighty.
– “The Beginning of Guidance” (Bidāyat al-Hidāyah) by Shaykh Abu Hāmid Al-Ghazālī (may Allah have mercy upon him) – this will motivate you to build God-consciousness (taqwa) and avoid sins.
– “Easy Good Deeds” by Mufti Taqi Uthmānī DB – this will help you keep occupied with good deeds.
– “Remedies to Spiritual Maladies” by Maulana Shah Hakim Akhtar (may Allah have mercy upon him) (Translated by Mufti Zubair Bhayat DB) – this book deals with various spiritual ailments and their remedies; proving to be of tremendous benefit.
– “Tasawwuf & Sulook” by Mawlāna Zulfiqār DB) – this book also deals with the science of self-rectification and purifying one’s soul of spiritual ailments.

May Allah Almighty ease your affairs, grant you and your entire family sabr (patience). May He grant us all the ability to prepare for death before it welcomes us. Āmeen. 

And Allah Ta’ālā Knows Best
Mubasshir Talha Ahmed

Concurred by: Hanif Yusuf

Posted in MiscelleaneousDeath (Funeral) on 8th Feb 2022 by Our Imam | 432 Views