On Remembering Death
SowSee Summary
About the Book
Death is the ultimate certainty, an inescapable reality that Islam urges us to remember and reflect upon. In On Remembering Death, Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali distills the essence of this contemplation, rooted in Islamic teachings. Through Quranic verses, Prophetic traditions, and reflections of pious predecessors, he crafts a guide to prepare the soul for its inevitable meeting with its Creator. The work is both sobering and inspiring, aiming to instill humility, urgency for repentance, and hope in God’s mercy.
About the Author
Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (1335–1392 CE) was a prominent Islamic scholar of the Hanbali school, known for his deep expertise in hadith, fiqh, and spiritual purification. Born in Baghdad, he studied under renowned scholars in Damascus and Cairo, authoring influential works such as Jāmiʿ al-ʿUlūm wa al-Ḥikam, a commentary on the Forty Hadith of Imam Nawawi. His writings emphasized sincerity, humility, and devotion to Allah, making him a key figure in Islamic scholarship and spirituality.
Insight 1: The Illusion of Permanence
You live as if the world around you will remain forever. You make plans that span decades, accumulate possessions as though they’ll travel with you, and tether your happiness to achievements that won’t outlive you. Yet, deep down, you know none of it is truly yours to keep. Ibn Rajab calls this false sense of permanence the greatest deception of this lower world, a world designed to entice you into forgetting its fleeting nature. The Quran admonishes:
“What is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion?”
Reflect for a moment on your day-to-day. You work tirelessly for a promotion, pour yourself into maintaining relationships, and worry endlessly about things you can neither control nor carry with you beyond the grave. But what happens when these pursuits begin to slip through your fingers? The discomfort you feel when things don’t go as planned is not because life has betrayed you—it’s because you bought into the illusion that life is yours to control.
Ibn Rajab urges you to confront this illusion head-on. Remember that every possession you hold, every accolade you chase, and every moment you assume is guaranteed, is, in reality, on borrowed time. Ownership is temporary; the world belongs to God alone. The Prophet, peace be upon him, described the believer’s relationship with this world perfectly when he said:
“Be in this world as though you were a stranger or a wayfarer”
This doesn’t mean you renounce life or avoid fulfilling responsibilities. Quite the opposite: you engage fully but without attachment. Like a traveler passing through a foreign land, you use what is necessary and leave the rest behind. A traveler doesn’t overpack or overindulge—they know their journey is brief. Similarly, you prepare for the hereafter by focusing on the essentials: prayer, remembrance, charity, and good deeds.
How do you dismantle this illusion of permanence in a world that constantly reinforces it? Begin with reflection. Recall moments when death entered your orbit. Did the passing of a loved one not shake you? Didn’t it remind you how fleeting life is? Yet how quickly did the tides of distraction pull you back into routine? It is human to forget, but Ibn Rajab calls on you to anchor your heart in constant dhikr (remembrance). By frequently remembering death, you free yourself from the grip of the dunya.
This practice isn’t about despair or morbidity. Instead, it’s about clarity. The illusion of permanence blinds you, making you invest in what is temporary and trivial while neglecting what is eternal and essential. But the remembrance of death is like cleaning a dusty window—it allows you to see life clearly and prioritize what truly matters. It reorients your goals and aligns your heart with God’s pleasure.
You must also simplify your life. Ask yourself: are you accumulating more than you need? Are your attachments to material wealth, social status, or relationships hindering your spiritual progress? Simplicity is not just about possessions; it’s about decluttering your soul. Let go of grudges, excessive desires, and the anxiety of constantly chasing more. Each act of letting go brings you closer to the reality of your journey and makes room for what truly counts: repentance, worship, and service to others.
Finally, live with urgency. The illusion of permanence whispers that there’s always more time, more opportunity, more tomorrows. But the reality, as Ibn Rajab emphasizes, is that the clock is always ticking. Every moment is a chance to prepare for your meeting with God.
Remember: this world is not your final home. Treat it as a means to an end, not an end in itself. In doing so, you free yourself from its traps and align your life with the eternal. This clarity, born of remembering death and embracing the transient nature of life, transforms the way you live. Instead of grasping at illusions, you walk your path with purpose, carrying only what will serve you in the next life.
Insight 2: The Gift of Prolonged Life
You often think of time as a dwindling resource, a cruel countdown that pushes you closer to your end. Each passing year can feel like a loss, a reminder of the inevitability of death. But Ibn Rajab invites you to shift your perspective entirely. Time is not your enemy; it is a divine gift, an opportunity to grow closer to God, correct your course, and leave a legacy of righteousness. Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said:
“The best of people is he who lives a long life and whose deeds are good”
What if, instead of lamenting the passing years, you saw them as a mercy from God? Each day that you wake up is another chance to strengthen your bond with Him, to seek forgiveness, and to invest in the hereafter. Ibn Rajab emphasizes this gift of prolonged life by showing how it can multiply your rewards if you use it wisely. He paints the image of a farmer tending a crop: each additional year is like another season to sow seeds, nurture growth, and prepare for harvest. The seeds, of course, are your deeds—prayers, acts of charity, fasting, and moments of dhikr.
But time is not neutral. It either works for you or against you, depending on how you use it. Ibn Rajab recounts the stories of the pious predecessors, those who wept not because their lives were ending but because they regretted the opportunities they missed. They cried for the fasts they could no longer observe, the night prayers they would no longer rise for, and the Quranic recitations that would cease with their final breath. They understood what you must: every moment you are given is a treasure that will either testify for you or against you on the Day of Judgment.
So how do you ensure that your time works for you and not against you? First, cultivate gratitude for the life you have. The fact that you are alive right now is evidence that God has not yet closed the door of repentance for you. The Quran reminds you:
“God accepts the repentance of those who commit evil in ignorance and repent soon afterwards. To them, God will turn in mercy”.
Do not let the years that have passed define you. Instead, focus on the days and moments ahead. Begin with sincere repentance for past mistakes. Make a commitment to change, even if it feels overwhelming. Remember, the longest journeys begin with a single step.
Second, create a sense of urgency. The enemy of good deeds is procrastination, the belief that you’ll have another chance tomorrow. Ibn Rajab’s words echo with urgency: the believer must view time as priceless and fleeting, never wasting it in heedlessness. What if this day, this very hour, is your last opportunity to set your record straight? Will you spend it scrolling through distractions or standing in prayer?
Finally, aim for consistency, not perfection. Life’s length is uncertain, but the weight of your deeds is in your control. The Prophet, peace be upon him, taught that small, consistent deeds are beloved to God. Begin by adding moments of worship to your daily routine—an extra two units of prayer, a few minutes of Quran recitation, or a quiet moment of reflection on God’s names.
Ibn Rajab also warns against the danger of spiritual stagnation. It is not enough to avoid sin; you must actively strive for spiritual ascension. If today is not better than yesterday in terms of your faith and deeds, then you are losing ground. Heed the words of Imam al-Shafi’i:
“Whoever’s two days are the same has been deceived. Whoever’s today is worse than yesterday is ruined.”
The passing of time is not a countdown to despair but a call to action. The years behind you are a lesson, and the time ahead is a gift. Embrace it. Use it. And when the moment comes to return to your Creator, let your prolonged life be your greatest testimony—a life spent in worship, service, and striving for the eternal.
Insight 3: The Reality of the Grave
No one escapes it. The grave is the ultimate equalizer. Whether you are rich or poor, influential or forgotten, all paths lead to this silent dwelling. You will lie there, alone, shrouded in the deeds you accumulated during your fleeting time in this world. Ibn Rajab reminds you that the grave is not merely a resting place but the first station of the Hereafter. What happens there determines the ease—or the torment—of the journey ahead. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ described it starkly:
“The grave is the first stage of the Hereafter. If one passes through it safely, what follows will be easier. But if one does not, what follows will be harder”.
Do you ever think about that moment? Imagine being lowered into the ground, hearing the earth thud over you, and realizing that no one—no loved one, no possession, no worldly success—can follow you. The only companion you will have is your book of deeds. Ibn Rajab warns that for the heedless, this moment is one of unimaginable regret. The grave constricts around them, and they are confronted with the reality of a life wasted in distractions and sin.
But for the righteous, the grave is something else entirely. It is spacious, illuminated, and serene—a garden of Paradise. These are the ones who lived with intentionality, who prepared for this moment by aligning their lives with the commands of God. They are the ones who saw death not as an end but as the doorway to their ultimate meeting with their Creator. Ibn Rajab vividly contrasts these two experiences, urging you to ask: which reality are you preparing for?
This insight isn’t meant to scare you—it’s meant to motivate you. The grave is not just a place of consequence; it is a reflection of your choices in this life. The Prophet, peace be upon him, reminded us of three things that accompany a person to their grave:
“Three things follow a person to the grave: his family, his wealth, and his deeds. Two return, and only one remains—his deeds”.
You must prepare for that reality now, while you still have the chance. Ibn Rajab emphasizes that the time to act is today, not tomorrow. You may intend to repent, to give in charity, to pray more—but intentions alone do not save you. What are you actively doing to prepare for the grave?
Start with small, consistent actions. Commit to a daily routine of worship that fortifies your soul. Perform your prayers on time, give in charity—even if it’s a little—and seek forgiveness regularly. These deeds, though they may seem simple, will light your grave and shield you from its constriction. The Quran declares:
“The Day when neither wealth nor children will avail, except one who comes to God with a sound heart”
And don’t forget the importance of repentance. No matter how far you’ve strayed, God’s door is always open. The grave reminds you that your time is finite; make every moment count.
Visiting the graves of others is another practice Ibn Rajab emphasizes. It’s not just about paying respect; it’s about reminding yourself of your own mortality. Stand among the graves and reflect: one day, this will be you. Ask yourself, What legacy will I leave behind? What will my book of deeds say about me?
Finally, let the reality of the grave cultivate a sense of urgency in your life. Don’t waste your days chasing fleeting pleasures or accumulating wealth you can’t carry with you. Invest in what truly matters: acts of worship, service to others, and sincere devotion to God. The grave will not ask about the size of your home or the titles you held—it will testify to the sincerity of your faith and the purity of your actions.
This is the ultimate reality: the grave is coming, and nothing can stop it. But you can decide, right now, how you will meet it. Will it be a place of regret or a garden of joy? The choice is yours, and the time to prepare is today.
Insight 4: Yearning for God’s Meeting
Imagine the moment. You stand before God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, the One who knows every secret of your heart. This is the meeting your soul was created for, the culmination of your existence. How do you feel as you imagine it? For the believer, this meeting is not one of terror but of longing—a profound yearning to return to the Source of all mercy and love. Ibn Rajab masterfully captures this sentiment, showing how the righteous viewed death not as an end but as a reunion with their beloved Creator.
Abu al-Darda, one of the great companions of the Prophet, peace be upon him, once said:
“I love death out of longing for my Lord.”
This wasn’t a morbid fascination with the end of life. It was a deep, unwavering confidence in God’s mercy and an eagerness to be close to Him. Death, to these luminaries, was not something to dread but the moment when veils are lifted, and the believer finally gazes upon the countenance of their Lord.
But how do you cultivate such longing? How do you shift from fearing death to anticipating it with hope and joy? The answer lies in how you live. If your life is filled with obedience, remembrance, and sincere striving for God’s pleasure, then death becomes a natural transition to something far greater. As the Prophet, peace be upon him, said:
“Whoever loves to meet God, God loves to meet him. And whoever dislikes to meet God, God dislikes to meet him”.
You might wonder, How can I love to meet God when I know I’ve fallen short? This is where Ibn Rajab’s words bring clarity. Longing for God’s meeting isn’t about perfection—it’s about intention. The righteous predecessors were not sinless, but they lived with a constant awareness of their purpose. They repented frequently, sought forgiveness, and trusted in God’s mercy. Their yearning came not from arrogance but from humility, knowing that their deeds alone could never earn Paradise, but God’s boundless grace could.
Begin by fostering this yearning in your daily life. Reflect on God’s attributes—His mercy, His generosity, His justice. When you recite the Quran, pause at verses describing His mercy and let them fill your heart with hope. For example:
“Say, O My servants who have transgressed against themselves: do not despair of the mercy of God. Indeed, God forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful”.
Imagine meeting the One who has sustained you every moment of your life, who forgives even your most persistent shortcomings. That thought alone should inspire a yearning that overshadows your fear of death.
This longing also requires action. A heart connected to God expresses itself through deeds. Perform your prayers with mindfulness, as if you’re already in His presence. Fast, give in charity, and engage in acts of kindness, knowing that each action draws you closer to Him. Over time, these practices turn your relationship with God into a living, breathing reality, and the thought of meeting Him becomes the most anticipated moment of your existence.
At the same time, remember that longing for God doesn’t mean rushing toward death recklessly. The Prophet, peace be upon him, cautioned against wishing for death simply to escape life’s trials. Instead, live with purpose, treating every moment as a gift to prepare for that meeting. When challenges arise, view them as opportunities to increase your reward and deepen your reliance on God.
Lastly, surround yourself with reminders of God. Keep the company of those who inspire you toward Him, listen to lectures that uplift your heart, and engage in constant dhikr. The more you immerse yourself in His remembrance, the more natural your longing for Him will become.
Ibn Rajab’s wisdom teaches you that longing for God is not reserved for the pious elite; it is the birthright of every believer. You were created to know Him, to love Him, and ultimately to meet Him. When you live with this reality at the center of your life, death is no longer a source of fear—it is the most beautiful promise of all.
Insight 5: The Dangers of Heedlessness
There’s a quiet danger that creeps into your soul if left unchecked. It’s not an outright rebellion against God or a conscious denial of faith. It’s something more insidious: heedlessness. Ibn Rajab warns that heedlessness isn’t just a lapse in focus; it’s a disease of the heart, a spiritual numbness that clouds your priorities and distances you from God.
Think about it—how often do you move through your day without truly being present? You recite prayers but barely register the words. You hear the call to God’s remembrance, yet your thoughts drift to deadlines, notifications, or entertainment. Heedlessness transforms your life into a series of motions devoid of meaning. Worse, it disconnects you from the reality of your purpose: to worship God and prepare for the eternal life that follows this fleeting one.
Ibn Rajab urges you to recognize heedlessness as a spiritual poison. Like physical illness, it may begin subtly—missing a prayer here, delaying a good deed there. But left untreated, it hardens your heart. The Quran warns of this:
“Then, after that, your hearts became hardened like stones, or even harder”.
The first step to combating heedlessness is awareness. You must admit to yourself when you’ve allowed distractions to take precedence over your devotion. The modern world is relentless in pulling your attention away from God. Social media, entertainment, and endless obligations all compete for your focus. But the believer must learn to resist. Ibn Rajab reminds you that the battle against heedlessness begins in the heart, with conscious effort and the remembrance of God.
Start by cultivating remembrance. When you remember God, you awaken your soul from the slumber of heedlessness. Simple phrases like SubhanAllah (Glory be to God), Alhamdulillah (All praise is due to God), and Allahu Akbar (God is the Greatest) can bring your heart back to life. Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said:
“The example of the one who remembers God and the one who does not is like the living and the dead”.
Imagine that. Every moment spent in heedlessness is a moment of spiritual death. But every moment of dhikr revives your soul, aligning it with your Creator and fortifying it against the distractions of the dunya.
Another remedy for heedlessness is reflecting on death and the Hereafter. Ibn Rajab emphasizes that remembering death is not meant to paralyze you with fear but to awaken you to what truly matters. Picture yourself standing before God, your book of deeds laid open. What will your record say? This reflection isn’t meant to overwhelm you but to inspire action, to remind you that every day is a chance to write a better ending.
Seek out reminders. Attend gatherings of knowledge, listen to scholars who bring your heart closer to God, and surround yourself with companions who encourage your spiritual growth. Heedlessness thrives in isolation, but it struggles in the company of the mindful.
Lastly, take small, consistent steps to realign your focus. Begin with your daily prayers. Perform them on time, with intention and concentration. As Ibn Rajab explains, prayer is not merely a ritual; it is a meeting with God, an opportunity to refocus your heart.
Don’t let the small lapses accumulate. Heedlessness is a slippery slope that can lead to complete spiritual neglect. But you are not powerless. God, in His infinite mercy, always leaves the door open for you to return. The Quran reassures you:
“And turn to your Lord and submit to Him before the punishment comes to you; then you will not be helped”.
Heedlessness is not just a passive state—it’s a choice to ignore the signs of God all around you. But the choice to wake up, to remember, and to act is also yours. The stakes couldn’t be higher. Don’t wait for the warnings to become undeniable. Begin now, while your heart still has the capacity to turn toward its Creator.
Awaken your heart. Realign your focus. And let each moment be a step closer to God.
Insight 6: The Balance of Hope and Fear
You are walking a tightrope. On one side is the chasm of despair, where fear of God’s punishment can overwhelm you to the point of paralysis. On the other side is the pit of complacency, where unchecked hope in God’s mercy tempts you to neglect accountability. Ibn Rajab reminds you that the believer’s journey requires both hope and fear, held in balance like two wings of a bird. Lose either, and you lose the ability to soar toward your Creator.
The Quran provides this balance beautifully:
“Inform My servants that I am the Forgiving, the Merciful, and that My punishment is the painful punishment”.
You are reminded of God’s mercy not to encourage laziness, but to inspire hope that leads to action. Simultaneously, you are reminded of His justice not to create despair, but to instill a healthy sense of accountability. The key is to let these emotions work in harmony, driving you to live a life of righteousness while constantly seeking God’s forgiveness.
Ibn Rajab emphasizes that excessive fear is as dangerous as excessive hope. If fear dominates your heart, you might fall into despair, thinking your sins are too great for God to forgive. This, in itself, is a grave sin. The Quran explicitly forbids it:
“Do not despair of the mercy of God. Indeed, God forgives all sins”.
Despair diminishes your trust in God’s infinite mercy and His promise to forgive those who sincerely repent. Ibn Rajab encourages you to view repentance as a bridge—a way to leave your sins behind and return to God’s grace. No matter how far you’ve strayed, no sin is greater than God’s mercy.
On the other hand, unchecked hope is equally perilous. It lulls you into a false sense of security, whispering that God is so merciful that your actions don’t matter. But this ignores the Quran’s warning:
“Let not the deceiver deceive you concerning God”.
Ibn Rajab likens this to someone planting a garden but neglecting to water it, expecting fruits to grow simply because the sun shines. Hope without action is self-delusion. You must pair your trust in God’s mercy with consistent effort to earn it through good deeds, repentance, and devotion.
To maintain the balance, start by reflecting on the vastness of God’s mercy. Every breath you take is a sign of His compassion, every provision a gift of His generosity. Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said:
“When God created mercy, He divided it into 100 parts. He kept 99 parts with Himself and sent down one part to the earth”.
Imagine that—the mercy you see in the world is but a fraction of what awaits you in the Hereafter. Let this inspire gratitude and hope, encouraging you to strive for nearness to God.
But don’t let this hope overshadow the reality of accountability. Reflect on the consequences of heedlessness and sin. Picture standing before God on the Day of Judgment, your deeds laid bare. Ibn Rajab suggests imagining this moment regularly to keep fear alive in your heart, not as a source of dread but as a motivator to stay steadfast on the path of righteousness.
Practical steps can help you maintain this balance. Begin with consistent repentance. Each time you seek forgiveness, it reignites your hope in God while reminding you of your responsibility to reform. Pair this with acts of worship that nourish your soul—prayer, fasting, and giving in charity. Let every deed be an expression of both hope for God’s reward and fear of His displeasure.
Surround yourself with reminders of this duality. Study the Quran and hadith, which are rich with examples of God’s mercy alongside His justice. Engage with scholars and righteous companions who embody this balance in their lives. They will keep your heart aligned and your focus steady.
Remember, balance is dynamic. There will be times when fear feels stronger, such as when you reflect on your sins. Use those moments to propel yourself into action. There will be times when hope swells, such as after a heartfelt prayer or good deed. Let that hope inspire gratitude and continued striving.
Ibn Rajab’s wisdom teaches you that this balance is not just theoretical—it is the essence of living a meaningful, spiritually centered life. By holding fear and hope in harmony, you walk the straight path, neither veering toward despair nor complacency. And in that balance, you find the strength to soar.
Insight 7: The Legacy of Good Deeds
When your time in this world ends, what will you leave behind? It’s a question that deserves more thought than you likely give it. Ibn Rajab insists that your true legacy isn’t your wealth, your accomplishments, or the praise of others—it is your deeds. These are the currency of the hereafter, the only things that follow you into the grave. Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said:
“When a person dies, all their deeds come to an end except three: a continuous charity, knowledge by which people benefit, or a righteous child who prays for them”.
So, what will accompany you? Not the accolades or titles you worked so hard to earn. Not the houses, cars, or bank balances you toiled to accumulate. What remains are the actions you performed sincerely for God’s sake, actions that ripple beyond your lifetime. They are your legacy.
Ibn Rajab paints this vividly: imagine yourself in the grave, unable to move or speak, your fate sealed except for the benefits of the deeds you left behind. Did you plant seeds of goodness in this world? Did you teach someone a verse of Quran or inspire a heart toward God? Did you support a cause that continues to help others long after you’re gone? These are the deeds that will illuminate your grave and testify on your behalf.
Start by asking yourself: what am I doing now that will outlive me? If the answer is “not enough,” it’s time to shift your focus. Ibn Rajab reminds you that good deeds don’t have to be monumental to be meaningful. Small, consistent acts of worship and service can create profound impacts. A simple smile, a sincere dua, or sharing beneficial knowledge can all be acts that leave an enduring mark.
Consider the idea of sadaqah jariyah (ongoing charity). This is a form of charity that continues to benefit others long after your departure. It could be as simple as planting a tree that provides shade and fruit or contributing to a mosque or school. Every prayer performed in that mosque, every child educated in that school, becomes part of your record.
Another enduring legacy is spreading knowledge. Teaching even one person how to pray or recite Quran can cascade into countless acts of worship over generations. Imagine the rewards of someone praying for decades, using the knowledge you shared. The Prophet, peace be upon him, reminded us:
“Whoever guides someone to goodness will have a reward similar to the one who does it”.
Your family can also be a source of ongoing benefit. Raising children who are conscious of God and committed to good deeds is one of the most enduring legacies you can leave. When they pray for you, give charity in your name, or teach their own children to walk the straight path, you reap the rewards.
But Ibn Rajab also warns that the opportunity to leave a legacy is fleeting. Once death arrives, your chance to add to your record ends. Even the most powerful and wealthy would trade everything for one more moment to perform a single good deed. The Quran captures this sentiment:
“Until, when death comes to one of them, he says, ‘My Lord, send me back that I might do righteousness in that which I left behind.’ But no! It is only a word he is saying”.
Let this reality drive you. Invest in your hereafter while you still can. Make every day count by doing something that has the potential to outlast you. Build relationships, not just with people but with God. Prioritize quality over quantity in your worship. A single, sincere act performed with love for God can outweigh a lifetime of mechanical rituals.
Lastly, reflect often on what you’re leaving behind. Are you accumulating deeds that will benefit you, or are you chasing fleeting gains? Balance your worldly pursuits with eternal ones. Wealth, status, and accomplishments have their place, but only as tools to serve higher purposes. Redirect your efforts to what matters most—your standing with God.
The legacy of good deeds is the only legacy that truly matters. It is the inheritance you pass on to the next world, where every act of goodness multiplies in ways you can’t imagine. When your book of deeds is closed, let it be a record that continues to speak for you, a testimony to a life spent in service to God and humanity. This is your real legacy, and now is the time to build it.
Ibn Rajab’s work is a timeless call to action, urging believers to embrace life as a fleeting journey meant to prepare for eternity. His words foster a balance between accountability and hope, encouraging readers to live with intentionality and spiritual focus.