Preparing for Death in Islam: What You Must Know

Every day, we hear news of deaths we are never prepared for. A sudden brain stroke, a heart attack, a tragic car accident—and just like that, people we know depart from this world, journeying to the other side. The truth is, for those of us caught up in the distractions of life, preparing for death is incredibly difficult. We are so busy preparing for things that make us forget death itself.

This short article is a humble attempt to remember those final moments before death, hoping it will make us pause and reflect, even if just for a little while. (Insha’Allah Ta’ala – if God wills).

The Final Station of Life

Each of us has a station in life that we must pass through. Crossing this station marks the end of our journey in this world. While we have the chance to change ourselves right up until the moment we reach it, that opportunity vanishes the instant we cross over. From there, the journey into eternal life begins—a path we paved for ourselves before reaching that final station, which is the very essence of preparing for death in Islam.

This shows us just how crucial the moments before that final stop truly are. Because when the Angel of Death appears before me, I will have no chance to look back. Whether I am ready or not, I will have to answer the call of my Lord. As Allah Ta’ala says:

إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ يَوْمَئِذٍ الْمَسَاقُ

“To your Lord, that Day, will be the procession.”

[Surah Al-Qiyamah, 75:30]

Al-Ihtidar: The Moments Before Death

The period just before death has a name: Al-Ihtidar. This is the final stage, where the angels descend to take the soul. During Al-Ihtidar, the person facing death can see them.

The Death of a Believer

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: When a believing servant is leaving this world and entering the Hereafter, angels with bright faces descend from the heavens. They bring with them a coffin and fragrance from Paradise. They sit beside him and say, “O pure soul! Come out to the forgiveness and pleasure of Allah.” The Angel of Death then gently tells the soul to emerge, promising it Allah’s forgiveness and pleasure.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that this pure soul will emerge as easily as a drop of water glides from a waterskin.

The Fate of a Sinful Soul

However, when a sinful and disbelieving person is leaving this world, angels with dark faces descend, carrying a coarse coffin from Hellfire. They sit beside him, and the Angel of Death says, “O wicked soul! Come out to the wrath and anger of Allah.” The Angel of Death tells the soul it must come out immediately and that Allah’s anger awaits.

When the Angel of Death makes this announcement, the soul rushes around inside the body, refusing to come out. The angels then seize it and drag it out, like a thorny branch being pulled through wet wool. Imagine trying to pull a thorny object through wet wool! It would tear everything apart. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “When the angels pull this soul out, it is as if it tears the flesh and nerves, because this soul does not want to leave the body easily.” Such will be the painful end for the sinful soul.

The Race for Riches and Final Regrets

Even believing individuals will be anxious in these final moments. However, Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala will grant them peace and give them glad tidings, making their last breath less painful. On the other hand, for the disbelievers and sinners, that moment will be one of immense pain and regret. And yet, they have only just begun their journey on that eternal path, a stark reminder of the importance of preparing for death.

At that point, everyone will wish they could go back. They would repent for their misdeeds and perform many good actions. But these are nothing more than regrets. The competition for worldly abundance had made them forget the solemn duty of preparing for death in Islam. In that state of heedlessness, their final moment arrived—a moment they could neither ignore nor delay. As Allah Ta’ala says:

أَلْهَاكُمُ التَّكَاثُرُ (1) حَتَّىٰ زُرْتُمُ الْمَقَابِرَ (2) كَلَّا سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ (3) ثُمَّ كَلَّا سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ (4)

“The worldly competition for piling up diverts you, until you visit the graves. No! You are going to know. Then no! You are going to know.”

[Surah At-Takathur, 102:1-4]

This shows that an unprepared test always yields a poor result.

Conclusion

Ultimately, death is an inescapable truth from which there is no escape. The allure of the world and the race for riches can blind us, causing us to forget life’s greatest reality. The truly wise person is not the one who indulges in the fleeting pleasures of this temporary life, but the one who focuses on preparing for death and the eternal life that comes after.

Remembering death frequently is the cornerstone of preparing for death in Islam. This remembrance holds a person back from injustice and heedlessness and inspires them to walk the path of Allah’s pleasure. May Allah Ta’ala grant us all the ability to prepare for death in the best way possible. Ameen.