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Q:

Salam,
I’m very curious to know what happens on the moment we die I mean that moment when we are about to leave this duniya. And when will the doomsday will happen?
Jazakallah

A:

Wa Alaykumussalam

I am glad to know that you want to learn about this particular topic. I will mention briefly and also give you some books and links to study so you can increase your knowledge.

Ihtidhar(اِحتضار) means “presence”. It means that all the obstacles that prevented us from realizing the reality of our actions in the world will be removed and we will see all the realities. It starts from the moment of dying and as the person gradually leaves the body, he sees the realities better and more. Of course, the most important thing for a person at that moment is his actions.

furthermore,  it is mentioned in Quran and hadith that one sees Angels, Satan, the Holy Prophet and Imams, and his actions at the time of Ihtidhar.

All the actions of one’s life cross in front of his eyes.

If a person was strong in his faith and Imaan in this world, he would listen to the angels and die as a believer but if a person had not been strong in his faith, he would listen to satan and even deny reciting the Kalima and bear witness to one God and His messenger at the time of dying. This usually happens when a person is attached to this materialistic world and doesn’t have strong faith.
May Allah help us all through our trial then.

 

Separation of the Spirit from the body

It is narrated in the tradition of Me’raj that a plank is placed in front of the angel Azrael, on which names of all creatures are written. When Allah wills the death of any one of His creatures, the name on the plank disappears, and Azrael does the needful. It is possible that at one-time death of more than one creature may be ordained. Just as many candles can be extinguished in a single puff, more than one spirit can be removed together. Surely Allah is the giver of death as stated in the Qur’an,

“Say (O Prophet) the Angel of death who is given charge of you shall cause you to die. (Surah as-Sajdah/11)

In another verse, it is stated.

“Those whom the Angels cause to die while they are unjust to them selves.” (Surah an-Nahl/28)

Azrael and his comrade Angels have been assigned the job of removing the spirits of creatures. When an army follows the commands of their king and conquers cities, it is said that the said army has conquered the said cities, but in reality, conquest is a result of the king’s military tacts and warfare. Many examples can be given to prove the above, but the fact is that this event is beyond comparison.

As Allah has created this world as a house of causes (Darul Asbab), He has also created a cause for death. Disease, murder, accident etc. are some of its causes. These act as reasons for the approach of death, if not there are instances of persons who recover even after a serious illness, while some die in a blink of an eye. These causes also do not have an independent option, unless attested by the command and will of the Almighty.

Spirits of some men are removed with ease while some experience severe difficulty. It is narrated in traditions (Ahadees) that during death some people feel as if their body is being cut asunder by scissors, or are being ground in a mill, while some feel as if they are smelling the fragrance of a rose. It is stated in the Qur’an:

“Those whom the Angels cause to die in a good state, saying – Peace be on you, enter the garden (of Paradise) for what you did.” (Surah an-Nahl/32)

It is not necessary that the spirits of all believers (Mo’mineen) will be removed easily. Even a believer who has done good deeds in his lifetime can experience difficulty during death. This acts as the punishment for sins he committed for which he is atoned for in this very world. While for a non-believer this difficulty is an extra punishment of Allah followed by the ones to come in the Hereafter.

“But how will it be when the Angels cause them to die smiting their backs.” (Surah al-Muhammad/27)

It is also possible that a non-believer may not experience difficulty during death, this acts as a reward for the good deeds he has committed which is compensated in this very world, leaving their scrolls of the deed of any reward. In reality, death is an unfortunate event for a non-believer even though he dies in comfort, while it is a blessing and felicity for a believer even though he experiences difficulty during it.

www.al-islam.org/last-journey-translation-manazil-al-akhirah-shaykh-abbas-qummi/returning-maad#persons-body-affected-after-death

 

Regarding the second part of your question, when will the day of judgment take place? Nobody knows about it except Allah(swt).

يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ السَّاعَةِ أَيَّانَ مُرْسَاهَا ۖ قُلْ إِنَّمَا عِلْمُهَا عِنْدَ رَبِّي ۖ لَا يُجَلِّيهَا لِوَقْتِهَا إِلَّا هُوَ ۚ ثَقُلَتْ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۚ لَا تَأْتِيكُمْ إِلَّا بَغْتَةً ۗ يَسْأَلُونَكَ كَأَنَّكَ حَفِيٌّ عَنْهَا ۖ قُلْ إِنَّمَا عِلْمُهَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

They question you concerning the Hour, when will it set in? Say, ‘Its knowledge is only with my Lord: none except Him shall manifest it at its time. It will weigh heavy on the heavens and the earth. It will not overtake you but suddenly.’ They ask you as if you were in the know of it. Say, ‘Its knowledge is only with Allah, but most people do not know.’ (Surah A’raf/187)

يَسْأَلُكَ النَّاسُ عَنِ السَّاعَةِ ۖ قُلْ إِنَّمَا عِلْمُهَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ ۚ وَمَا يُدْرِيكَ لَعَلَّ السَّاعَةَ تَكُونُ قَرِيبًا

The people question you concerning the Hour. Say, ‘Its knowledge is only with Allah.’ What do you know, maybe the Hour is near. (Surah Ahzab/63)

 

I would recommend you to read the following books:

The last journey, Translation of Manazil Al-Akhirah: www.al-islam.org/last-journey-translation-manazil-al-akhirah-shaykh-abbas-qummi

Death-Abeautiful gift for a believer:  www.al-islam.org/articles/death-beautiful-gift-believer

May Allah(swt) grant you success

Wassalam,

Syed Haider