Dislike for Death and Weeping Over Demise of the Beloved

Whatever we have mentioned above makes clear that if the dislike for death and longing for living longer in this world is because of one's madness (excessive affection) or due to the thought that death becomes a barrier between his beloved things depriving him of worldly pleasures and luxuries, then it is unwise from the viewpoint of reason and an unpleasant attitude from religious viewpoint too. But if one dislikes death and desires its delay thinking that, in that case (in a longer life), he will continue to make more and more provision for his post-mortem journey to the Hereafter because death closes all possibilities to do good deeds in this world and hence he desires that death may not come very soon then it is a very good intention. But if the wailing, crying and lamenting over the demise of beloved persons and to become angry on such occasions and to denounce the death is due to material reasons and thoughts then it also is wrong and undesirable. For example, to weep asking why the happiness of this worldly has been snatched from him or why he has been deprived of the comforts available from his deceased beloved relative then such wailing is also wrong and misplaced. But if the unhappiness and sorrow and mourning is only because of the separation, like that of a co-traveller (who reaches first of all to his beloved native place) then his other companions will naturally be emotionally affected (even though the departing soul has reached his beloved place and joined his beloved ones) then also the said sorrow and unhappiness is very well, rather it is desirable that a faithful should mourn over the demise of his faithful brother especially when

37the departing person was helping the living one in his good deeds which formed a kind of provision for journey to Hereafter. Expression of Impatience is the Result of Carelessness about the Hereafter Since most of the people, especially women, are more inclined towards worldly matters they become all the more restless and agitated and go to extremes in crying and complaining, thinking as if they were to live in this world forever and imagining that the one who died has been annihilated. Had they thought correctly they would have realized that the departed person was a traveller who has reached his or her destination earlier and that he or she had to go there. Then they will not show such excessive impatience and restlessness. Imam Sadiq (a.s.) once saw a man whose son had died. He was crying and complaining too much. The Imam told him, "How is it that you are crying over this little calamity and have totally forgotten the far more hard and troublesome calamity (of the Hereafter)? If you yourselves would have been properly busy making provision for your travel to the other world, you would not have ever exhibited so much impatience and dislike over the demise of your beloved son. Your not being anxious and careful about your Hereafter is a calamity, which is harder than the calamity of your son's death."[1] Divine Mercies and Bounties Similarly, the condition of a man, regarding death should be like that of the one who had been in the service of a king for a few days. In the meanwhile he gets a word from the king that you will be, at an unfixed time, be made to stand in front of the king so that you may be rewarded and honoured by the king for your good service and loyalty. Surely that man will feel happy due to these good tidings. But at the same time he will also wish that he might be called up somewhat later so that he may perform some more functions liked by the king and get more rewards. Similarly a faithful person, though he [1] Uyoon al Akhbar ar Reza, Vol.2, P.81.

feels happy at his death which is the door to the place of rewards and gifts, also likes and wishes that the said hour may be delayed somewhat so that he may perform more worship and at the same time remain satisfied and happy when God decides to call him up, with the conviction that God is most merciful and kind and with the longing to meet the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and his Holy Progeny (a.s.) whom he respected and honoured very much during his lifetime. The Arrival of Ahle Bayt (a.s.) at the Moment of Death It is mentioned in many traditions that the Holy Prophet and Ali bin Abi Talib and, according to some narrations, even the Holy five (Panjetan), and also all the fourteen Infallibles (a.s.) arrive at the head of the dying person. (More about their radiant faces and appearances will be mentioned henceforth). One of the companions of Imam Reza (a.s.) was on deathbed. The Holy Imam went to him and stood near his head. That man had closed his eyes at his last moments. Yet he said once, "At present the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and Amirul Mo-mineen, Siddiqa Fatima Zahra, Imam Hasan, Imam Husain and all the Holy Imams right upto Imam Kazim (a.s.) have arrived here and I am getting the honour of seeing their Holy faces," and added, "O Sir! Your honour's radiant face is also visible to me here."[1] In short, it is agreed that every person sees the Ahle Bayt (a.s.) at the time of his or her death and derives happiness in proportion to his or her love and respect for them. According to a famous tradition narrated by Harith Hamadani, Amirul Mo-mineen (a.s.) said, "Everyone sees me on his or her death bed and will do so in future also, be he a believer or an unbeliever.[2] Of course what is significantly important is that, for the faithful, the [1] Biharul Anwar, Vol.3.   [2] Biharul Anwar, Vol.3.