The Fourth Point

Once, through reflecting on death and affirming the truth of

اَلْمَوْتُ حَقٌّDeath is a reality.

and through contemplating the transience and passing nature of the world, I found myself in a strange spiritual state. I saw myself as a corpse standing before three immense corpses.

The first: I regarded all the living beings with whom I had been connected throughout my life and who had passed into the grave of the past as a single, collective corpse, while I stood before them like a gravestone.

The second: I saw the earth as a vast cemetery, containing as one great corpse all the departed creatures with whom humanity has been connected throughout its history. Upon the gravestone of that corpse—represented by our present age—I perceived myself as no more than a swiftly vanishing point, or an ant destined soon to die.

The third: Since the death of the universe at the Hour is an undeniable certainty, it appeared before my eyes as though it had already taken place. I beheld its death throes with awe and astonishment, while at the same time my own inevitable death seemed to be unfolding before me. I realized that, at my death, all created beings and all my beloveds would turn away from me, leaving me utterly alone. My soul was being driven toward eternity, which appeared as a boundless ocean into which everyone would inevitably be cast, willingly or unwillingly.

In that strange and sorrowful state, I sought support in my faith and in the Qur’an. Then the verse

فَاِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَقُلْ حَسْبِىَ اللّٰهُ لاَ اِلٰهَ اِلاَّ هُوَ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَهُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِBut if they turn away, then say: ‘Allah is sufficient for me. There is no god except Him. In Him I place my trust, and He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne.’ — The Quran 9:129"

came to my aid and became for me like a trustworthy and secure ship. At that moment I realized that, beyond its explicit meaning, this verse also carried an allusive meaning that brought me consolation and filled my heart with tranquillity.

Indeed, its explicit meaning addresses the Prophet (saw)Sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam (Peace and blessings be upon him) as follows:

“If the people of misguidance turn away from you, abandon your religion and your SunnahThe sayings, actions, and approvals of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) that serve as a model for Muslims., and refuse to heed the Qur’an, do not be concerned. Say: ‘Allah is sufficient for me. I place my trust in Him. He will raise up others who will follow me in their place. His dominion encompasses all things; the rebellious cannot escape His sovereignty, nor will those who seek His help be left without assistance.’”

Its allusive meaning, however, addresses every human being—and especially the guide and leader of mankind—as follows:

“O human being! O guide and leader of mankind! If all created beings leave you behind and seem to vanish through transience; if living creatures part from you and hasten along the path of death; if people abandon you and enter the graveyard; if the heedless and misguided refuse to listen to you and descend into darkness, do not be troubled.