Dear Islamic brothers! Laylat al-Barāˈah is the Night of Salvation, a night full of blessings, mercy, acceptance of prayers, forgiveness, distribution of sustenance, recording of Hajj pilgrims' names, deliverance from Hellfire, and the recording of prosperity or misfortune. This is the night when the names of those who will pass away before the next Laylat al-Barāˈah are passed over to the Angel of Death, Sayyidunā ꜤIzrāˈīl عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم.

Dear Islamic brothers! Life is a trust that gradually or sometimes suddenly slips into the hands of death. Every living being must pass through the door of death. While the time of death is certainly predetermined, we are unaware of when we will face it. However, when strands of white hair begin to shine on our heads and beards and old age starts setting in, it is a clear sign that the final examination is near. After the soaring flight of youth, the slopes of old age serve as heralds of death.

Let us listen to an account about these harbingers of death and extract pearls of wisdom from it to strive for self-reformation.

Three harbingers of death

The beloved Prophet of Allah, Sayyiduna YaꜤqūb عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم, had a friendship with the Angel of Death, Sayyiduna ꜤIzrāˈīl عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم. Once, when the Angel of Death عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم visited him, Sayyiduna YaꜤqūb عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم inquired, "Have you come to meet me, or is it time to take my soul?"

The Angel of Death عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم replied, "I have come to meet you."

Sayyiduna YaꜤqūb عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم requested, "Before taking my soul, please send your heralds to me."

The Angel of Death عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم agreed and said, "I will send two or three harbingers to you."

When the time came for the Angel of Death عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم to take his soul,