What Should I Do If I Lose Patience with Waiting for Death to Reach Allah
Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Weltch
Question
I apologize if this question was already answered in some other form. I cannot shake this feeling of impatience towards dying in a good state during these times of fitnah. We are in the shadows of the End Times (Allah Knows Best, of course), and I lost all hope in the future (shortening hopes is a good thing in this regard). But I don’t feel patient enough to live longer than I should in these times, and I’d like to have some guidance on what to do/say/ask Allah for.
I’m completely fed up with this Dunya, and I’m currently taking myself to account for the past 16 years with the help of your Major Sins Seminar. Should I take myself into account for the next months until Allah Takes my Soul Away insha’Allah in a good state?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
Understanding the shortness of this world, the inevitability of death, and longing to meet Allah Most High are praiseworthy qualities. Add to this elusive nature of the world and the tribulation (fitna) that comes with this; it is natural for one to long to leave this world. However, part of worshipping Allah Most High must be based on following the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace).
Let’s look at some of his advice in this regard:
Longing to Meet Allah
Our Mother ‘Aisha (Allah be pleased with her), narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Whoever loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to me them…” [Bukhari]
It is a quality of true faith to love to meet Allah Most High, and for that to happen, one must leave this world through the door of death.
Not Desiring Death Due to Difficulty
Despite this, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) told us not to ask for death.
Imam al-Bukhari narrates the following narrations under the heading “The dislike of desiring death due to difficulty that has befallen one and the permission to do so due to fear of tribulation that affects their religion.”
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Let none of you desire death (ahead of its time). Either they are a good doer, or perhaps they may increase. Or they are a sinner, and perhaps they’ll repent.” [Bukhari]
In another narration with different wording, He (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Let none of you desire death (ahead of its time), nor pray for it before it comes. Indeed, when he dies, his deeds end, and the Believer is not increased with longer lifespan except in goodness.” [Muslim]
Desiring Death Due to Fear of One’s Religion
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Let none of you desire death due to difficulty that has afflicted them. If there is no way to prevent doing so, then let him say:
اللهُمَّ أَحْيِنِيْ مَا كَانَتِ الْحَيَاةُ خَيْرًا لِيْ وَتَوَفَنِيْ إِذَا كَانَتِ الْوَفَاةُ خَيْرًا لِيْ
“O Allah, let me live as long as life is best for me, and give me death if death is best for me.” [Bukhari]
Notice that the above supplication is only done if one fears for their religion.
Seeking a Long Life
In general, we should pray to Allah Most High for a long life of righteousness. This is based on the idea that “This World is the plantation of the Next Life.”
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “The best of people are those whose lives are long, and their deeds are good.” [Tirmidhi]
Reaching Out
There are many challenges to living in this time as a Muslim. These challenges can leave one feeling overwhelmed, and one may even experience some depression. One of the essential Islamic principles is realizing when we need help.
It is essential to have good company, people one trusts and can speak with when one is struggling. One may even seek professional help using a therapist or the like.
Remember that Allah Most High is with those whose hearts are broken for His sake. He is there for us to turn to in all situations. Furthermore, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) is more concerned for us than our selves. The righteous are ever striving to realize in the world what is in our best interest.
Final Advice
In line with the above, turn to Allah Most High in supplication. Express to him your struggles. Beseech Him for His help. Increase in sending salutations to the Prophet (may Allah bless him and give him peace): a tried and tested method for realizing worries and problems. Seek out righteous people and make time to spend with them, even if briefly a few times a week.
God willing, you will find solace and clarity in all circumstances.
Hope this helps
Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he then completed four years at the Darul Uloom seminary in New York where he studied Arabic and the traditional sciences. He then traveled to Tarim, Yemen, where he stayed for three years studying in Dar Al-Mustafa under some of the greatest scholars of our time, including Habib Umar Bin Hafiz, Habib Kadhim al-Saqqaf, and Shaykh Umar al-Khatib. In Tarim, Shaykh Yusuf completed the memorization of the Qur’an and studied beliefs, legal methodology, hadith methodology, Qur’anic exegesis, Islamic history, and a number of texts on spirituality. He joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.
