Upon realizing this, he let out a loud cry and fell unconscious. When he regained consciousness, he lamented:

If I committed even one sin each day, I will present myself before Allah with 21,500 sins. What will happen to those sins which I cannot even count? Woe to me! I have ruined my Hereafter while prospering in this worldly life and consistently disobeyed my Lord. I dislike transitioning from prosperity to ruin in this world, so how will I face reckoning on the Day of Judgment without deeds and rewards? How will I endure punishment?"

He then cried out loudly again, fell to the ground, and passed away. Upon checking, it was found that his soul had departed.^[1]

This is how our pious predecessors رَحِمَهُمُ الـلّٰـهُ held such deep regard for self-reflection. Despite their virtuous deeds, they would oppose their inner desires, strive to protect themselves from sins, and constantly remind themselves of standing before Allah.

Let us reflect: if these devout individuals were so consistent and steadfast in self-accountability and contemplation of the Hereafter, how much more do we, as sinners, need to engage in such practices?

Now, let us listen to another story that inspires the habit of self-reflection.

Contemplating day and night

It was the practice of RābiꜤah al-Baṣriyyah رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْہا that when night fell and everyone went to sleep, she would say to herself: O RābiꜤah! This might be your last night. Perhaps you will not live to see tomorrow's sunrise. Get up and worship your Lord so you do not face