"Are you packed? Have you packed everything that you need? There is no turning back on this trip! You must take all the necessary things along with you."
These are likely statements that could be made when going on a journey. When going to a strange place or a different location, you will desire to pack as much as you can. You will make sure that all your needs are within easy reach. You will pack all the provisions that you will required. This is what every sane human will do. So what is difficult in preparing for THE JOURNEY? Yes, that journey, the eternal journey to the hereafter! Are you prepared or you are just about to start?
This journey is the most important of all journeys. It is a must for all who live on earth, Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Allaah and His Messenger (peace and blessing be upon him) have informed us about this journey in great detail. The journey starts with death and has two ultimate destinations: Paradise (AI-Jannah) or Hell (Jahannam). Your final destination depends on the provisions that you take along for the journey.
Allaah says:
"Verily, the death from which you flee will surely meet you, then you will be sent back to Allaah, the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen, and He will tell you what you used to do." (AI-Jumu'ah [62]: 8)
also Allaah says:
"And this worldly life is nothing but diversion and amusement. And indeed the home of the Hereafter- that is eternal life, if only they knew." (al-Ankabut [29]: 64)
So if you pack your luggage and it contains the belief in the oneness of Allaah, salaah, fasting (Voluntary and involuntary), hajj, zakaah, and many good deeds done according to the instruction of the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) then you are on the right path to AI Jannah. Since
"... those who feared their Lord will have gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding eternally therein, as hospitality from Allaah. And that which is with AIlaah is best for the righteous. "(al-Imraan [3]: 198)
On the other hand if you pack disbelief in Allaah, associating others in the worship of Allaah, lies and deceit, neglect in the worship of Allaah, enjoining evil and neglecting good, etc; then you will be heading towards the path to Jahannam. Since
"those who disbelieve and deny Our signs-those are the companions of Hellfire." (al- Maaidah [5]: 10)
Hence our mission in this life is to get the proper provisions packed into our luggage for our eternal life. Mujahid narrated that 'Abdullah bin 'Umar (RA) said, "Allaah's Messenger (peace and blessing be upon him) took hold of my shoulder and said,
"Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveller"
Due to this, Ibn 'Umar (RA) used to say,
"If you survive till the evening, do not expect to be alive in the morning, and if you survive till the morning, do not expect to be alive in the evening, and take from your health for your sickness, and (take) from your life for your death." (Bukhari)
So start your preparations now! Packing your luggage for this journey is not only for the elderly! Youths like you and I are included in this too. You don't need to be shocked, because your deeds starts being recorded from the onset of puberty, so you are not exempted. Also, do not be deceived about your youth thinking that because you are too young "it is not yet my time!" This is a wrong belief. Death is not determined according to age or wealth, so you've got to start preparing now, before it is too late!
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited