That Magnificent Creator!
He brings forth the living out of the dead,
and brings the dead out of the living.
~ The Qur'an
1.
Someone in a sufi group had a dream and in that dream came the instruction from the unseen world that when they gather in weekly gathering they should regularly contemplate on death.
It was a very appropriate instruction. Praise be to the One and Only Guide who transmit His Guidance in many ways, via many channel, through many voices and faces. For Sufis, death is not the end, it is not something to be forgotten as much as possible with materialism and material fulfilment, but it is the doorway of eternal life, the door beyond which lies the promised Intimacy of the Gardener and His soul quenching Garden of Truth.
Allah Almighty says, "Every self will taste death. You will be paid your wages in full on the Day of Rising. Anyone who is distanced from the Fire and admitted to the Garden, has triumphed. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of delusion," (Qur'an 3:185)
"Everyone is going to taste death, and We shall make a trial of you with evil and with good, and to Us you will be returned." (Quran 21:21)
Death is the absolute certainty in life. It is the sure return journey to the Source Who gives existence from nothing, the Fashioner, the Maker, One Who Creates and then guides the creation. Since death is one of those certain truth in life, contemplation of death is highly recommended.
"O you who believe! Do not let your wealth or children (ie. worldly life, the samsara) divert you from the remembrance of Allah. Whoever does that is lost. Give from what We have provided for you before death comes to one of you and he says, 'O Lord, if only you would give me a little more time so that I can give charity and be one of the righteous.' Allah will not give anyone more time, once their time has come. Allah is aware of everything you do." (63:9-11)
In our strange time dominated by materialism death is preferred to be forgotten, where as Sacred Traditions speaks of a different attitude towards death.
Almost all spiritual tradition teaches that the moment of death is very precious time and one must depart this world with as much mindfulness as possible, so much so that they may witness the highest truth in full consciousness. Death is to be accepted with full acceptance for this is inevitable and only the kind of person who is aware of death, who have accepted it in totality will be blessed to have a peaceful departure with hope and longing for the Beloved Lord who promised infinite forgiveness and never ending mercy to those who have hope and trust in Him.
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| "Remember frequently the destroyer of pleasures (death)." ~ Sacred Tradition of Islam |
2.
Following are the lyrics of a popular folk sufi song of Bangladesh where the realized author of the song speaks quite eloquently the reality of death in a life surrounded by worldly drama.
| ami to morey jabo choley jabo rekhe jabo shobi achos ni keu songer shati songhe ni keu jabi morar songhey songhey porey jabey kanna katar bhir keuba morey mati ditey hoibe osthir amae dibey mati bhul truti cheye nebe khoma bari eshe khoj koribey kon banke ki joma ami morey jabo rekhey jabo duniar shompod ai shompod deke anbey bipod ar apod shompod bhager jonno mon malinno jhogra shutropat ekjon korbey arekjon ke opoman aghat bhalo monder uparjone gora e shongshar ora pap punner dhar dharena shudhu ongshidar ami morar porey hishab korey dibey paper bojha anontokal boibo ami amar paper shaja ganer chondey mon anondey matha julau taley bujhli na jey ondho manush likhokey ki boley sobar hatey dhori paye pori bedhey nao shaman mohonto koi parer ghatey voyonkor nidan ami to morey jabo choley jabo rekhe jabo shobi achos ni keu songer shati songhe ni keu jabi | I will surely die and depart from this world leaving behind it all, Is there a single friend of mine who is willing to accompany me? Immediate after my death there will be huge cry and lamenting someone will be anxious to bury me quickly They will burry me away and ask for forgiveness on my behalf on returning from cemetery they will enquire about my bank balances I will die leaving behind my worldly wealth and this very wealth will invite all kinds of troubles distribution of wealth will become the cause for disharmony and quarrel For it one will hit and humiliate the other This earnings with blood and sweat they care not right or wrong only inheritance is what concerns them After my death divine scale will set up alas for eternity I alone will face my judgment At this very moment you may be enjoying this music and tunes but not realizing the message of what the writer is saying This poet earnestly beg to all please pickup your capital for the real journey for at next threshold beyond life the trials are absolutely terrifying I will surely die and depart from this world leaving behind it all Is there a single friend of mine who is willing to accompany me? |
Lyric & Tune: Abdus Satter Mohonto
Translation from Bangla to English by Sadiq M. Alam
** LISTEN TO THIS SONG via YOUTUBE (Click here) **
About the Lyricist ABDUS SATTER MOHONTO:
Abdus Sattar Mohonto was born at Village Kurigaon of Louhajang Upazila in Munshigonj District in 1942. This area is a part of historical Bikrampur which is the home of many illustrious sons of Bengal. He was the fourth son of Golam Ali Bepary and Soburonnesa who were well-known for their piety and devotion to spiritual music.
Abdus Sattar Mohonto initiated singing spiritual songs in the shrine of Kodom Mostan from his early childhood. With the miraculous advice of Kodom Mostan, he began to play music with the harmonium. Since then his devotion to spiritual music took him to a newer height making him an extra ordinary singer and composer. His lyric and tune touch the soft cords of the devotees making them shed tears profusely in love of Allah, His prophets and friends. Some of his popular songs are, 'Amito More Zabo', 'Vobo Nattya Rongomonche', 'Dar Khule Dao Doyal Ami', 'Ore O Matir Manush', 'Zoutuk Protha Bondho koro', 'Rickshawala koiya aamgo gali diona', etc. He was an enlisted singer of Bangladesh Betar and Television respectively since 1978 and 1987.
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