A Fascinating Story About Sakaratul Maut: Lessons on the Moment of Death

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Hi all readers! In the previous article, I explained the most severe moments during Sakaratul Maut (the agony of death). In this article, I will share an interesting story about Sakaratul Maut. There are many lessons to be learned if we truly understand it well.

It is said that when Abu Zakariyah az-Zahid was in the throes of Sakaratul Maut, a friend came to him and prompted him to say the sentence ath-Thayyibah (لا إله إلا الله محمد رسول الله). However, he turned away. His friend prompted him again, but once more, he turned away. A third time, his friend urged him to say it, and he responded, "I will not say that." Then he fainted.

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Abu Zakariyah az-Zahid was unconscious for a few moments. When he regained consciousness and opened his eyes, he asked the people around him, "Did you say something to me?" They replied, "Yes. We prompted you to recite the Shahadah three times. You refused twice, and the third time, you said, 'I will not say that.'"

Abu Zakariyah az-Zahid then explained:

"The devil came to me with a container of water, standing on my right side, shaking the container. He said to me, 'Do you want some water?' I replied, 'Yes.' Then he said, 'Say: Jesus is the son of God!' I turned away from him. He came to me again from the other side and said the same thing. The third time, he said, 'Say: There is no God!' I replied, 'I will not say that.' He then threw the container to the ground and fled. I was rejecting the words of the devil, not yours. Now, I testify that there is no god but Allah, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and His messenger."

Mansur bin 'Ammar said:

"When the death of a servant is near, his condition is divided into five parts: his wealth goes to his heirs, his soul to the Angel of Death, his flesh to the worms, his bones to the earth, his good deeds to his enemies, and the devil seeks to take his faith."

Manshur bin 'Ammar continued:

"If the heirs leave with the property, that is no issue. If the Angel of Death takes the soul, that doesn't matter. If the worms consume the flesh, that's acceptable. If his enemies leave with his virtues, that is of no concern. But may Satan never take his faith when he dies, for that would mean separation from religion. Indeed, the separation of the soul from the body is not a separation from Allah. It is truly a departure that no one knows what will happen after, a loss beyond our understanding."

Dear readers, that's the interesting story about Sakaratul Maut. May we all benefit from it, insha'Allah. Amen!

I think that's enough for this article. I hope it has been useful!

See you in the next one!

Akhmad Syafiuddin
Akhmad Syafiuddin An expert in Islamic discourse and law, and a graduate of Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.

6 comments for "A Fascinating Story About Sakaratul Maut: Lessons on the Moment of Death"

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I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the writer for sharing this insightful article on Sakaratul Maut (the agony of death). As a new Muslim, I found this story deeply moving and enlightening. The account of Abu Zakariyah az-Zahid during his final moments provided a powerful reminder of the struggle between good and evil, especially when facing death. It was both humbling and sobering to learn how the devil attempts to deceive even at the last moments, trying to divert the person from the truth.

The lesson that stood out to me the most was the importance of holding firm to our faith, especially when facing life's greatest test: death. The story shows that, despite the trials of death, the most important thing is to stay true to the oneness of Allah and the message of Prophet Muhammad. I also appreciated the explanation shared by Mansur bin 'Ammar about the five parts of a person’s condition near death, and the importance of safeguarding our faith in such moments.

As someone who is still learning about Islam, this article has reinforced my understanding of the spiritual challenges we face in our final moments and has motivated me to strengthen my connection with Allah. I am grateful for the valuable lessons this article has provided, and I pray that Allah grants us all the strength to remain steadfast in our faith until the end. May Allah reward the author for such a beautiful and thought-provoking piece. Ameen.
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Hello Rashid,

Thank you for reading this article.

Warm regards.
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Thank you so much for this insightful article on Sakaratul Maut. As a Muslim woman, I truly appreciate the depth of knowledge shared here. The story of Abu Zakariyah az-Zahid's experience during his death was both profound and eye-opening. It is a reminder of how vulnerable we are in those final moments, and how crucial it is to protect our faith until the very end. The way the devil tried to mislead him during Sakaratul Maut and his strong resolve to reject those temptations really struck a chord with me. It serves as a powerful lesson in staying firm in our belief, especially in moments of trial.

The explanation about the five parts of a servant's condition when death is near, as shared by Mansur bin 'Ammar, was particularly moving. It reminded me of the fleeting nature of worldly things and the importance of ensuring that our faith remains strong. Indeed, the loss of faith in the final moments would be a loss too great to bear.

This article serves as a beautiful reminder for all of us to prepare ourselves for the inevitable and to always keep our faith firm, regardless of the trials and temptations that may come our way. May Allah grant us the strength to hold on to our faith until the end. Thank you for sharing this valuable knowledge; I will surely reflect on it and carry it with me. May Allah bless you and all of us with a peaceful and faithful departure from this world.
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Hello Neswa,

Thank you for reading this article.

Warm regards.
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I just finished reading this article, and I'm truly amazed by how informative and engaging it is! As a Muslim student, I've been searching for well-explained insights about Sakaratul Maut, and this article has answered so many of my questions. Thank you so much to the writer for sharing such valuable knowledge in such an easy-to-understand way!

The story of Abu Zakariyah az-Zahid was incredibly eye-opening. It really shows how critical and challenging the moments of Sakaratul Maut can be. The struggle he faced with the devil during his final moments is a powerful reminder for us to always strengthen our faith and seek Allah's guidance. I was particularly touched by his courage to reject the devil's whispers, even in such a vulnerable state. It really highlights how important it is to stay steadfast in our iman (faith) until the very end.

I also appreciated how the article included Mansur bin 'Ammar's profound explanation of the five divisions at the time of death. It gave me a new perspective on what truly matters when we leave this world. The emphasis on protecting one's faith at all costs is such a critical lesson for every Muslim.

This article doesn't just tell a story; it inspires reflection and encourages us to prepare for the inevitable reality of death. It reminds us of the importance of dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and maintaining a strong connection with Him throughout our lives.

The simple language and clear explanation make this article perfect for anyone, whether they're a new Muslim like me or someone who's been practicing for years. I genuinely feel more informed and spiritually motivated after reading this.

Thank you so much for writing this article! May Allah reward you abundantly for your efforts in spreading beneficial knowledge. I'm looking forward to reading more of your articles. Keep up the great work!
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Hello Hafsa,

Thank you for reading this article.

Warm regards.