The angel of death then showed a bowl and said, “When a leaf turns yellow, I take water from this bowl and sprinkle it upon said leaf. If it returns to its original colour, I learn the person will recover from this illness. And when it does not return to its original colour, rather it turns black, I understand they will soon die. I continue to observe the leaf; when it falls off the tree, this means that the time of death for that person has arrived. If he is pious, I go to him in a good appearance. I take their soul and place it in comfort and fragrance.

If he is sinful, I appear in a frightening form. When he sees me, he screams out, ‘O angel of death! My sins have increased! My book of deeds is replete with them! My final time has come. Give me some respite so I may shed tears before Allah. Give me some time so that I may repent!’ In reply, I say, ‘Impossible! This is completely impossible.’ I then take their soul.”^[1]

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                                     صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Who remembers death the most?

Dear Islamic brothers! From this we learn our time of death has been appointed. The angel of death is always fully focussed on us. When our time to go comes, we won’t even get a second’s respite. Our soul is taken immediately.

We know death is a reality, but we choose to ignore it. We spend our time heedlessly. Whether we remember death or not, perform good deeds or not, prepare for the Hereafter or not, death will come regardless.