Remembering death — the gift
How the salaf used the remembrance of death to clarify everything else.
About 30 minutes of listening
You have walked the spine of Islamic spirituality in thirty days. From here, the real journey begins.
Book 40: The Book of the Remembrance of Death and the Afterlife
Imam al-Ghazali · Ihya' 'Ulum al-Din
The fortieth and final book of the Ihya addresses the remembrance of death, the trials of the grave, the Day of Judgment, and the realities of the afterlife — the ultimate motivation for a life lived in obedience to God.
Open this book →
From The Book of the Remembrance of Death and the Afterlife.
-
"whoever you wish, for you will eventually part from them. As for ignorance, it manifests in relying on youth, thinking death is rare when young, not realizing that in their city elders are fewer than ten men, primarily because death in youth is more prevalent. Before an elder dies, many young people pass. They may consider death unlikely due to their health, thinking unexpected death is far-fetched, but they do not realize how it isn't unlikely, even if remote, sudden illness can swiftly lead to death. If they fall ill, death is not distant, and those heedless of death's timing should"
— Imam al-Ghazali, Book 40: The Book of the Remembrance of Death and the Afterlife
-
"contemplation and remembrance of it. Even those who remember often do so with hearts preoccupied with worldly desires. So the remembrance of death does not impact them. To succeed, one must empty the heart of everything except the remembrance of death, which is imminent, like preparing for a perilous journey. When the heart truly engages with the memory of death, it starts to affect it."
— Imam al-Ghazali, Book 40: The Book of the Remembrance of Death and the Afterlife
-
"lived, you would forget your past pleasures. Do you take pride in your health or indulge in the longevity of well-being, or do you feel secure from death, or do you dare against the angel of death? When the angel of death comes, neither your wealth nor your many preparations will prevent him. Do you not know that the moment of death is filled with hardships, choking, and regrets over negligence? Then it will be said, May God have mercy on a servant who acts for what comes after death. May God have mercy on a servant who considers himself before death descends."
— Imam al-Ghazali, Book 40: The Book of the Remembrance of Death and the Afterlife