Download PDF: [S] Do not Inform anyone of my Death (Islamic Story)

Hadrat Sayyiduna Zun Nun Misri – may Allah be pleased with him – narrates:

 

One day, as I was travelling in the bazaar, I noticed four people who were carrying a Janazah. There was no one else that was accompanying them. I said to myself that I would certainly become their fifth companion with the intention of receiving some reward and Divine Grace.

 

After they had arrived at the cemetery, I asked them, “Where is the Wali (or family of this person) who will perform the Janazah.”

 

They replied, “O Respected Saint, we have no idea who this person is!”

 

I then came in front and performed the Janazah Salaah.

 

They then took the person to his grave and after covering the grave, I again asked these four people who the deceased was. They again replied that they did not know the person but was hired by a certain female to carry out this duty. Very soon she will be coming to the grave.

 

A few minutes later, a lady approached the grave. As she stood near the grave, she removed her pardah and began to weep. She raised her hand towards the heavens and began to implore Allah Almighty. She then fell on the ground unconscious and when she regained her senses, she was smiling.

 

I then asked her, “Can you please explain to me who you are and who the deceased is to you and what is the reason that after displaying such grief, you are now smiling?”

 

She asked me who I was and I mentioned that I was Zun Nun Misri.

 

She then replied, “I swear by Allah Almighty that if you were not from among the Saaliheen, I would have never revealed the secret of what had happened”.

 

She then revealed to me, “This was my son who was the coolness my eyes. However, he had destroyed his young life and there was not a sin or transgression which he had not performed. He never hesitated in trying to commit a sin which he had heard about. His punishment was such that one day he suffered from immense pain and he realized that he was going to die very soon. When he realized this, he called me and asked me to keep to my promise in the Name of Allah Almighty. He then mentioned that when he dies, I must never inform anyone of his death. The main reason would be that they would never display good thoughts about him knowing the life he used to live. He then recited the following words:

  1. My sins have made me oblivious of my Salaah.
  2. I have managed to make my body so weak that before death, it has already died.
  3. If only I can make Taubah in the Divine Court of Allah Almighty from my sins and transgressions.
  4. O Allah, in this vast expanse which is Your creation, Your servant is in a state of amazement and shock.
  5. My faults have become apparent to all and my sins have broken my back.
  6. My transgressions have become plenty and whatever little good deeds I have, have been destroyed.

“He then continued to say, ‘O my mother! The greatest tragedy is that I have gone beyond the limits of disobeying Allah Almighty. I am also regretful of making my heart so hard. When I die, you must place my body on the sand and place your one foot on one side of my forehead and loudly declare that this is the punishment for one who has disobeyed His Creator.’

 

“However, after he had been buried, I made Du’a, ‘O Allah! I am pleased with him, You also be pleased with him.’ I then fulfilled all his last requests and when I looked up towards the heavens I heard him saying to me, ‘I have arrived in the Divine Court of Allah Almighty in such a state where He is pleased with me.’”

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna Mansur bin Ammaar – may Allah be pleased with him – mentions that when the time comes for the person to die, the state of the person can be described in five ways.

  1. He leaves his wealth and property for his inheritors.
  2. He surrenders his soul to the Angel of Death.
  3. He gives his physical body to the worms.
  4. He gives his bones to the sand.
  5. His good deeds are kept aside for those who would demand payment from him on the Day of Judgement.

 

He further explains, “When his inheritors take away his wealth and property, this is something he can cope with. When the Angel of Death take away his soul, this is considered as correct. But, only if the Satan does not take away his Imaan at the time of his death. If this happens, certainly, he would be distanced from Allah Almighty. We seek protection in the Allah Almighty from this.

There is no doubt that being distanced from everything is something which can be managed, but if Allah Almighty is distanced from someone, no one will be able to cope with this.”

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna Mohammed bin Na’eem – may Allah be pleased with him – reports that the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – has stated that, “Whenever Jibra’eel Ameen used to appear, he used to tremble with fear for Allah Almighty. When Satan was thrown out and cursed, both Jibra’eel and Mika’eel began to weep. Allah Almighty then asked them, ‘What has happened to you, why are you weeping even though I cause no oppression on anyone.’

They replied, ‘O our Lord! We are fearful of being distanced from You and we are also fearful of Your Secret Divine Decree.’ Allah Almighty then mentioned that they should continue to have fear for His Secret Divine Decree.” (Al Uzmah by Abi Shaikh Isfahani)

 

Certainly no words can describe the Divine Creator and His immense concern and Grace for His creation. We should also be cautious and not to take this for granted. Bear in mind what happened to a creation like Iblis who worshipped Him for many years. It also proves that one of the greatest methods of remaining a beloved servant of Allah Almighty is to continue having love and respect for His beloved servants who are the Prophets, the Awliyah and the rightly guided ‘Ulama.