Fear is an emotional response to a threat or a danger. The reason why, as a child, we used to be scared of darkness or insects was this feeling of danger. Even though this fear was unreasonable, we experienced it. Therefore, we can conclude that sometimes these unrealistic emotions are responsible for getting us into fear and panic. Hence, perhaps understanding and analyzing the situations properly are the keys to overcome fear and panic.
Death is one of such realities which perhaps most of us are afraid of mentioning or thinking about. However, its reality is different…
Once a man asked Imam Jawad (PBUH), ”Why do Muslims fear death?” He replied, ”Because they do not know it. If they knew death and were truly among the friends of Allah (SWT), they would love death and know that the Hereafter is better for them than this world”.
The man replied, ”Because they are unaware of its benefits”.
Then, Imam Jawad (PBUH) said, ”I swear to the One who rightfully appointed Muhammad (PBUH&HP) as a messenger, whoever gets prepared for death the way he should, death is more beneficial to him than medicine is to an ill person. Beware that if they know what blessings they will get after death, they will seek death more than a knowledgeable and provident person seeks medicine to cure illness and gain health.
Indeed, if we look at death from this perspective, death for a believer is like calmness after a storm, a harbour in which the flooded ship of this world could cast anchor, and the sweet taste of meeting with the beloved One. In fact, if a person’s deeds are good and he is not attached to the decayed ship of this world, will he ever fear this harbour of calmness?
(The above is a selection taken from “Mahajjah al-Bayda” (1), by Mulla Muhsin Fayd al-Kaashani (with some changes))
Footnotes:
1. The abovementioned Hadith is selected from the Persian translation of the book Mahajja al-Bayda, named “The Bright Path”, by Sayyid Muhammad Sadiq Aaref.