Heed The Announcement Of The Grave!

Every person will taste death one day, and he will have to enter his or her grave. Today we have become accustomed to living in the comfort and luxury of our homes. We are accustomed to the company of our family and friends, and we are accustomed to the ending comforts of the Duniya. Even though we live in this world and benefit from all the bounties of Allah, and enjoy the comforts of our worldly lives, we should not forget that one day; we will leave behind everything, and we will remain in our graves until the establishment of The Last Day. Have you really sat down, alone in your room or in some private place and thought about what it would be like when you enter your grave? Did you ever think about how you would feel when you are left all alone in the darkness of the grave? Did you ever think about how you would spend your first night alone and away from the all your near and dear ones? If we haven’t thought about this, then we should! Did you ever think about the Announcement of Grave? The Announcement and the call of the grave is one that we should heed before it is too late!

Hazrat Muhammad bin Sabih (radi Allahu anhu) reported, When the deceased is placed into his grave, and he is punished, then his deceased neighbours call out to him saying, ‘O newcomer from the world! Did you not learn any lesson from us? Did you not see how our deeds came to an end, whereas you had the opportunity to do more amal (good deeds), yet you wasted your time? From a corner of the grave a caller will say, O you who walked on the earth with pride! Did you not learn any lesson from those who died (before you)? Did you not see how the people carried your relatives to their graves?’

Hazrat Ibn Ab’bas (Radi Allahu anhu) reported that Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu alaihi wa Sallam) said, ‘Prepare for your graves, because the grave announces seven times daily, ‘O weak Ibn Adam! Before you meet with me, have mercy on yourself during your lifetime, then I too will have mercy on you; and you will be saved from my destruction.’

It is reported from Ubaid ibn Umar (Radi Allahu anhu) wherein he states, ‘The grave says, O Ibn Adam! What preparations have you made for me (i.e. before coming to me)? Do you know not that I am a house of transit, loneliness and difficulty and (a house of) insects and worms?

My dear brothers and sisters! Heed the announcement and the call of the grave. Prepare for the grave before you enter it. The important question is, When will we prepare? And, How much time do we have left?