Book by Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali
The Sowsee Summary of On Remembering Death by Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali offers a profound reflection on the inevitability of death, inspiring a life of greater mindfulness, repentance, and spiritual preparation for the Hereafter through Qur’anic wisdom and prophetic guidance.
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.
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
Insight 2: The Gift of Prolonged Life
Insight 3: The Reality of the Grave
Insight 4: Yearning for God’s Meeting
Insight 5: The Dangers of Heedlessness
Insight 6: The Balance of Hope and Fear
Insight 7: The Legacy of Good Deeds
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.
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