A dear friend and fellow revert once shared with me a story that highlighted this predicament. Throughout his life, his grandfather was his mentor, his hero and his role model. He was a very principled man, a retired military general and a leader of the Old Apostolic Church. Despite numerous efforts to convey the message of Islam to him, his grandfather refused and eventually left the world without Iman, passing away as my friend recited the last page of Surah Yaseen at his side. His last words were, “There are too many people in the church who rely on me for guidance. I can’t let them down”.

This dear friend explained to me: “I learnt to appreciate my own faith seeing him die without it. I learnt to appreciate the loss of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ who saw his dear uncle – his mentor, hero and role model – leave the world without Iman and whose last words were very similar to that of my grandfather. If this is something that the most beloved of Allah ﷻ had to experience, there must be a significant spiritual benefit to this involuntary Sunnah and therefore, I accept Allah’s ﷻ decision in anticipation of that benefit”. 

It is always beneficial to listen to the stories of resilience from our scholars and elders in the face of adversity because it really puts the essence of Islam into perspective. From their vantage point, we’re invited to seek out parallels from the Prophet’s ﷺ life, and channel them to meet adversity with patience and forbearance. Unlike other traditions and belief systems, Islam offers a comprehensive and cohesive framework that positions death as the bridge between this life and the next. As the common adage goes, there’s nothing quite like death to put life into perspective.

In that vein, the Islamic scholarship is robust in its efforts to organize the Quranic references and Hadiths on the subject in comprehensive and beneficial ways. These resources help us understand and make sense of death and adversity so that we may find out own inner strength and reach the stage of “Ridha” (being pleased with the decision of Allah ﷻ) in full conviction that Allah’s ﷻ plan is, without doubt, most perfect and Allah ﷻ truly knows best.

If you’re just starting your knowledge journey on the subject of death and the hereafter in Islam, we think you’ll find the following titles extremely beneficial:

1. "What the Living Can Do for the Dead" by Shaykh Muhammad al-Jibaly is a poignant exploration of the Islamic perspective on death and the afterlife.
2. "Life of the Grave - Its Delights and Horrors until Resurrection" by Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali delves into the realities of the grave, exploring both its joys and its tribulations in great detail.
3. "Healing After Loss: Consoling the Bereaved" by Jalal Al-Din Al-Suyuti offers a glance at the prophetic narrations and reports that describe the states and stages of the Intermediary Realm (Al-Barzakh), also known as the life of the grave.
4. "The Life of the Prophets in the Graves" by Jalal Al-Din Al-Suyuti delves into the spiritual journey of the prophets after death.
5. "For Those Left Behind: Guidance on Death and Grieving" by Shaykh Omar Suleiman is a comprehensive resource for individuals seeking understanding and support in the aftermath of loss.
6. "What to Do When a Muslim Dies" by Noorjehan bint Faqir Seedat provides practical guidance on the rituals and obligations surrounding death in Islam.

In the midst of grief and sorrow, these books serve as beacons of light, illuminating the path towards healing, acceptance, and acceptance so that the difficulty we face becomes an opportunity to earn the pleasure of Allah ﷻ and a means of spiritual growth. We’re reminded that a believer's approach to death and grief is anchored in faith, hope, and the profound understanding of life's transient nature. Through prayer, mutual support, and deeper knowledge about death and that which follows, believers can find immense solace and reassurance in the face of loss.