FAJR REMINDER: THE TRIP OF A BELIEVER’S SOUL
By: Umm ‘Affān
Jumādā al-Ākhirah 18, 1447 (10-December-2025)
What occurs after death is even more consequential than death itself. Therefore, it is essential for us to be adequately prepared for what lies ahead.
Al-Barā’ Ibn ‘Āzib (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “When his soul (i.e. the soul of a believer) leaves his body, all Angels between the heavens and earth, and all Angels in the heavens pronounce Ṣalāh upon him (i.e. seek forgiveness for him). All gates of heaven open for him, the guardians of every gate imploring Allāh that his soul ascends in their direction. When the Angel of Death takes the soul, they (i.e. the Angels of Mercy) do not leave it in his hand for as little as the blinking of an eye. They take it and place it in its shroud, and put the embalmment on it; and from it issues the best scent of musk that ever existed on earth.”
Once the soul has been taken, the burial process begins according to the customs of those who care for the deceased. During this time, Angels accompany the soul. Al-Barā’ Ibn ‘Āzib (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) mentioned that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “The Angels (i.e. of Mercy) ascend with it (the believer’s soul). As they pass by a gathering of Angels, they ask, ‘Who is this good soul?’ They reply, ‘He is so-and-so, son of so-and-so,’ using the best names with which he had been addressed in the first life. When they reach the lowest heaven, they request admission, and the gates open for them. The most elite (Angels) from each heaven escort him to the next level until he reaches the seventh heaven. Allāh then says, ‘Write My servant’s record (that he will be) in ‘Illiyyūn. [Allāh reveals: “And what will make you know what ‘Illiyyūn is? A register inscribed, To which bear witness those nearest (to Allāh, i.e., the Angels).”]
The Ḥadīth continues: “Thus, his record is inscribed (that he will be) in ‘Illiyyūn, and the Angels are told, ‘Take him back to earth, because I promised them (i.e. humans): From it We created them, into it We return them, and from it We raise them a second time.’ He is then returned to earth, and his soul is restored into his body; and indeed, he then hears the thumping of his companions’ shoes as they walk away from him (i.e. from his grave).” [Musnad Aḥmad 18534]
The subject of death and what transpires thereafter is part of the unseen. However, we are required to believe in all that has been stated by Allāh and His Messenger (ﷺ) with utmost conviction. In doing so, we genuinely find benefit.
I beseech Allāh to enable us to die in a state of Eemān. Aameen
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