Remembering Death

people must reflect on how they will live amidst very difficult conditions after they die if that happens to them. If we ponder over this issue thoughtfully, it can create a revolution in our lives. The Quran says that when the inhabitants enter Paradise, they will say: “Praise be to God Who has taken away all sorrow from us.” (35:34). A life of pain is the most intolerable thing for a human being. A life free of pain is the most desirable thing for a person. If we reflect on this matter with the attention it deserves, death will become our most significant concern. We will think more about death than about life. Realizing that we all must die can be a ‘masterstroke’. In the game of caroms, a ‘masterstroke’ is a stroke that causes all the coins on the board to shift from their present position. In the same way, if we develop an awareness of our eventual death, our whole life will be completely transformed. Ignoring the reality of our death makes us unaware of our reality. In contrast, remembrance of our death makes us fully aware and alert.