DEATH, LEGACY & INTELLIGENCE

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For my first writing, I would like to point out the reality of life; to ponder upon the inevitable death, to shed some light to the term of intelligence and wisdom, as well as to share and remind ourselves about our duty in this world.

After reading this text, I pray that the readers can get plenty of benefits, and at last be a smart, wise and intelligent person to face our life ahead.

(WARNING: Please follow the flow of this text, or the message would not reach you. INSTRUCTION: Please read with a slow pace, and reflect yourselves after each paragraph)

DEATH creates such a scary atmosphere. When we remember death, all things in this world seem to be so meaningless. We start to look things based on the akhirah point of view. We can treat both good and bad things that happen to us equally; that is with patience, knowing everything will end with death.

Remembering death makes us feel sad, week and hopeless, but that’s not what we ‘should’ feel. Yes, those feelings are needed to enslave ourselves to The Almighty Allah, but do those emotions push us to race in doing good things? By remembering death, we must feel the urge to do something good for the humanity.

Let’s think for a while, do you think that when you are dead, it will bring any effect to your community? Will the society (not just your family) weep for your death? If you are, then you are doing a really good job here in this dunya. If not, then we are in the same boat; same sinking boat, I’m afraid.

The Prophet (Sallallahhu ‘alaihi wasallam) once said:

“When the son of Adam dies his actions come to an end except three things, a continuing charity or knowledge which gives benefit or a pious child who prays for him”

(Sahih Muslim)

From the hadith above, it is clear that when you are dead, what is left is the LEGACY that you have built that benefit the community; only then a continuous flow of rewards will straight go to your I’lliyiin (good deeds) account.

Some people will say, do this legacy even necessary to attain jannah? Yes, it does! Take a look at the sahabas (companions), the likes of those who Rasulullah (peace be upon him) promised jannah even before their death. They have been mocked, ridiculed, tortured and even killed to make sure this deen reach us. Our efforts seem like nothing when being compared to their sincere sacrifice. That is their legacy, what about us?

Are we being protected by Allah from any sins? Are we being promised by the Prophet a place in jannah? Are we feeling contented with the deeds we have done so far? Have we built our own legacy? The big question is, are we ready for our own death?

Upon finishing reading the passage above, I am sure that now you guys can see our purpose of life. The purpose of our life is to serve Allah; The One and Only (Ilah) and in order to serve Him in our short duration of life, building our own legacy seems to be of the utmost important.

So, back to our main topic, how can death make us be an INTELLIGENT person? In remembrance of death and preparing for it, it shows that the person has a definite purpose in life. They have a plan and a mission to fulfill. They are bounded to the solid ground of truth, not deceived by the temporary pleasure of dunya. They are intelligent and wise because they are preparing for something much bigger and more ‘real’ than dunya, which is akhirah.

“But you prefer the worldly life, While the Hereafter is better and more enduring.” {Surah Al-A’la, 87:16-17}

I am an engineer-to-be after all, (If God wills it); mathematical expressions become my second language. So, to conclude my post, below are the crucial points being expressed in an equation :

Death (Remember + Preparations) = Clear Purpose in Life = Intelligent

Ibn Umar reported: I was with the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, when a man came from the helpers and he greeted him with peace. Then he said, “O Messenger of Allah, which of the believers is the most virtuous?” He said, “Those with the best character.” He said, “Which of the believers is the most wise?” He said, “Those who remember death often and have best prepared for it with good deeds. Those are the wisest.”

[Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Asceticism, Number 4259, Hasan]

Let’s do our best and race doing good things! May Allah give us His blessing based on our efforts and noble intentions, and guide us in the right path.

Be a dai’,

Build a legacy.