By: Ustad Dr. Samsul Basri, S.Si, MME
Start moving now.
Expect the pleasure of Allah.
Be patient in studying.
Repent of sins and immorality.
Practice the obligatory and sunnah.
Live for the benefit of fellow human beings.
If we talk about the description of how close death is to the verses of the Qur’an, we will get several verses. Every soul will be bound by three things, namely the dimension of time, the situation of conditions and the dimension of place.
The dimension of time binds the humans who live in it. There are morning, afternoon, evening and there is a time span of days, weeks, months to years. The dimensions of the situation and condition can be related to our daily activities and activities. What were you doing? While the dimensions of the place, as the name implies, refers to the location where we are.
First Lesson : The Death is before us
Death can come at any time. It can be morning, afternoon, evening or night. Also the date and day on which man will die. It cannot be pushed back or forward for a moment because everything has been determined by Allah
Allah’s word: For each community there is an appointed term. When their time arrives, they can neither delay it for a moment, nor could they advance it. (QS. Al A’raf (7): 34)
Also the place where the human will die and under what conditions. It could be because of illness; it could also be in good health. Every human being will leave this world, anytime and anywhere. Not bound by time and place. Because no one can know for sure what he will do tomorrow.
Allah’s word: Indeed, Allah ‘alone’ has the knowledge of the Hour. He sends down the rain,1 and knows what is in the wombs.2 No soul knows what it will earn for tomorrow, and no soul knows in what land it will die. Surely Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware. (QS. Luqman (31): 34).
Although death is certain and cannot be avoided by anyone, humans are still in a state of neglect. Not preparing the best provisions for the afterlife. Intelligent people are not people whose titles line up. A successful person is not a person whose house is luxurious, his wealth is abundant. Intelligent people are people who can prepare good provisions for life after this world.
Rasulullah said: “Al kayyisu man daana nafsahu wal amila limaa ba’dal mauut.” Meaning: “An intelligent person is one who corrects himself and does charity as a provision after death. This hadith confirms that an intelligent person is one who always corrects himself. He is good at seeing his flaws. The weakness that exists in him then he fixes it. He is always introspective.”
If there are people who remind him then he is not ashamed to accept the criticism. Suggestions from other people he made as a lesson. With his willingness to accept suggestions, his shortcomings so far can be covered. Little by little he is moving towards perfection.
On the other hand, people who are not intelligent are people who like to follow their passions. Though lust comes from the devil. As for the devil, of course, commands on ugliness.
There are three causes that make people easy to neglect and turn away from Allah’s commands. First, seeing death was far from him. Second, excessive love for the world, and third consuming haram food.
The death seems far, but Allah said : “Inaahum yarawnahuu ba’iidaa. Wa naraahu qariibaa” (QS. Al-Ma’arij (70): 6), means: They truly see this ˹Day˺ as impossible, but We see it as inevitable.”
Allah has confirmed that death is near, but humans think that death is still far away. That is a mistake in seeing death, so people delay doing good and do more damage.
Second, loving the life beyond everything : “Kallaa bal tuhibbuunal ‘aajilah” (QS. Al-Qiyamah (75): 20-21). But no! In fact, you love this fleeting world, and neglect the Hereafter.”
Many people, for the sake of their love for the life of the world, then justify all means to achieve the life of the world. Want to quickly get a luxury car, a magnificent house then dare to take the road of usury. Many officials who want to get rich instantly are trapped in corruption.
Third, consuming haram food. Allah ordered the Prophet to pay attention to halal food and associate the halal food with good deeds.
Allah’s word.: “Yaaa aiyuhar Rusulu kuluu minat taiyibaati wa’maluu saalihan innii bimaa ta’maluuna ‘Aliim” (QS. Al-Mu’minun (23): 51). Means: O messengers! Eat from what is good and lawful, and act righteously. Indeed, I fully know what you do.”
Allah commands the prophets to eat the lawful and good sustenance that Allah has bestowed upon them and it is never permissible to eat unlawful wealth, to always do good deeds, and to stay away from evil and evil deeds.
This commandment, although addressed to the prophets, applies to their people without exception. The prophets become role models for their people except in some cases that are specifically for the prophets, because it is not appropriate if it is also required of their people.
Allah associates this good food, the food that is lawful and also has good nutrition, to make pious for those who consume it. Therefore, so that we get pleasure in worshiping Allah, we should always eat halal food. Many people are cast into hell as a result of what they consume.
Second Lesson: Human Interaction with the Qur’an
There are three models of human interaction with the Qur’an. First, the interaction of people who believe in the Qur’an. First, people who recite properly and correctly with the Qur’an. Second, the disbelievers who will turn away and deny the Qur’an outwardly and inwardly. The third are the hypocrites, who outwardly read and listen to the Qur’an but their hearts turn away and deny it.
For the human model in the first group, Allah, said: “Allaziina aatainaahumul Kitaaba yatluunahuu haqqa tilaawatihiii ulaaa’ika yu’minuuna bi; wa mai yakfur bihii fa ulaaa’ika humul khaasiruun.” (Al-Baqarah: 121). Means: Those We have given the Book follow it as it should be followed. It is they who ˹truly˺ believe in it. As for those who reject it, it is they who are the losers.
People who believe in the Qur’an will read it every day, understand its meaning and practice it. They memorized, and then preached to the community. As for the disbelievers, Allah said: “Wa maa taatiihim min aayatim min ayataati Rabbihim illaa kaanuu ‘anhaa mu’ridiin.” (QS. Yasin: 46). means: Whenever a sign comes to them from their Lord, they turn away from it.
People who disbelieve, whenever a sign from the signs of God’s greatness and oneness comes to them through the messengers and verses of the Qur’an, they always turn away from it in full disbelief. God insists that those who disbelieve always turn their faces away from every sign that shows His oneness and power and acknowledge the apostleship of His messenger. Their hearts have been blinded, although their eyes can clearly see all the signs.
Allah said in the Qur’an: “Wa sawaaa’un ‘alaihim ‘a-anzartahum am lam tunzirhum laa yu’minuun.” (QS. Yasin: 10) means: It is the same whether you warn them or not—they will never believe.
As for the hypocrites, outwardly they read and listen to the Qur’an. However, they still deny it. Their hearts turned away from the teachings of the Qur’an. Allah said: “Maa yaatiihim min zikrim mir Rabbihim muhdasin illas tama’uuhu wa hum yal’abuun.” (QS. AlAnbiya: 2). Means: Whatever new reminder comes to them from their Lord, they only listen to it jokingly,
Every time it is revealed to them, the disbelievers and polytheists, verses of the Qur’an which have just been revealed from Allah, which remind them of the principles of life that are useful to them, they listen to them while playing, busy about the games that are good for them. It is useless to them; they play like children usually play.
Third Lesson: The Correlation between Death and the Qur’an
The relationship between death and the Qur’an can be seen from the explanations of the mufassir who state that the correlation between the two can be identified by the presence of tsaqiilun, which means heavy. The word only exists in two verses in the Qur’an.
QS. Al Insan (76) verse 27: “Inna haaa’ulaa’i yuhibbuuna ‘aajilata wa yazaruuna waraaa’ahum yawman saqiilaa.” Means: Surely those ˹pagans˺ love this fleeting world, ‘totally’ neglecting a weighty Day ahead of them.
Indeed, they, the disbelievers, love the life of this world, which is visible and quick to achieve, even though it is quickly destroyed, and leaves behind a hard day, namely the hereafter.
Meanwhile, in another verse, Allah said: “Innaa sanulqii ‘alika qawalan saqiilaa.” (QS. Al Muzammil (73:5), means: For˺ We will soon send upon you a weighty revelation.
Therefore, before regretting it, let us immediately emigrate. Leave the bad things and get closer to Allah. Our prayers, worship, life and death are solely for Allah. Let’s seek the pleasure of Allah. (Retrieved from LPPOM MUI Friday Morning Study).
