Death is terrifying, and its danger is immense. Yet, people remain heedless—they neither think deeply about it nor remember it. Even if someone does recall it, they do so with inattentiveness, as their heart remains engrossed in worldly desires. Hence, such remembrance of death yields no benefit.

True benefit lies in remembering death with full awareness and focus, imagining it as if it is right before one's eyes. One must clear the heart of all distractions, just as someone preparing to travel through a dangerous jungle or embark on a treacherous sea voyage thinks of nothing else. When the remembrance of death is deeply rooted in the heart, its impact will manifest. A sign of this effect is that the person’s attachment to the world will diminish to the extent that all worldly joys will seem meaningless.^[1]

Dear Islamic Brothers! Having understood the reality of death, let us now listen to a few virtues of remembering it:

Once, Sayyidah ꜤĀˈishah Ṣiddīqah رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهَا asked, “O Messenger of Allah صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! Will anyone else besides the martyrs be resurrected alongside them?”

The beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم replied, “Yes! Those who remember death 20 times a day and night.”^[2]

The noble Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم once passed by a gathering from which loud laughter could be heard. He advised, “Include the remembrance of that which spoils worldly pleasures in your gatherings as well.”

The people asked, “What is that which spoils pleasures?”