To my readers and my “Interfaith Library” community family; approximately six months ago, I was given a death sentence. I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and was told I had three months to live. I wasn’t willing to accept that. That timeline has now come and gone.
In the Qur’an, Surah Al-Imraan, verse 145 is translated as saying, “And a soul will not die except by Allah’s permission at a decree determined time. And whoever desires the reward of this world – We will give him thereof; and whoever desires the reward of the Hereafter – We will give him thereof. And we will reward the grateful.” (Qur’an 3:145)
In the Islamic tradition, there is a Sahih Hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that describes sleep as being the “sister of death.” However, it is important to note that this saying is not specifically mentioned in the Qur’an itself. Instead, it is understood by some Muslims as being a metaphorical statement or a proverbial expression that conveys a particular understanding about the nature of sleep and death.
The idea behind this Hadith is that sleep and death share certain similarities. When a person sleeps, they enter a state of unconsciousness and experience a temporary detachment from this world. Similarly, death is seen as a state of absolute detachment from this worldly life. Both sleep and death involve a suspension of consciousness and a separation from this physical existence that was predestined by Allah’s Qada.
The concept of predestination is an important aspect of Islamic belief, and while there are several verses in the Qur’an that refer to predestination, these verse you are intended to remind us that Allah is always in control of everything. He Knows how, when, where and why a thing happens.
With this mentioned, the subject of predestination and free will is a complex one within Islamic theology, and scholars have debated various perspectives on how these concepts interact. The understanding of these concepts can vary among different Islamic schools of thought and individual interpretations.
Surah 7, verse 34 of the Qur’an, known as Ayat al-Kursi, is a highly significant verse that holds great importance in Islamic teachings. The verse is as follows:
“Allah! There is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. …”
This verse highlights the absolute sovereignty and transcendence of Allah (God) in Islamic belief. It begins by affirming the oneness of Allah, stating that there is no deity worthy of worship except Him, and ends explaining His role as the sustainer of all creation.
This verse also stresses that Allah is the ultimate authority and possesses complete knowledge and control over everything. He Knows what man knows not. Allah’s knowledge encompasses everything that has occurred in the past and everything that will happen in the future, while His creation has only limited knowledge based on what He allows them to think they know.
In conclusion, believers should know that Allah has perfect knowledge and wisdom, and His insight surpasses that of human beings. We as Muslim are taught to trust in Allah’s divine knowledge and guidance, even when we may not fully comprehend the wisdom behind His Will.
I am very grateful for this article on heart failure—a condition I personally experience. Your post provides valuable insights and guidance that empower me to better understand and manage my spiritual health along with my physical health. This well-written article gives me hope, knowledge, and a sense of connection, reminding me that I’m not alone in my journey. May God keep you close to us for a long time because we need your words to continue.
Congestive heart failure is a common condition in the United States. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), approximately 6.2 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with heart failure as of 2021. It’s important to note that this number includes both systolic and diastolic heart failure, which are two different types of heart failure. I just wanted to state in this post that a human being can’t decide when someone’s time is up. Keep fighting my friend and keep God first.