Sufi Quotes on Death in English and Arabic
Hello! Are you looking for explanations of Sufi quotes on death in English and Arabic? If your answer is "Yes," congratulations! You are now reading the right article. So, you should read it until the end!
Death in Sufi Teachings
Before I explain the Sufi quotes on death, I will first briefly explain the concept of death in Sufi teachings. I want you to understand this first because it is a fundamental aspect of this discussion that must be well understood.
In Sufi teachings, death is not merely understood as the end of physical life but also as a gateway to a more essential life. The meaning of death in Sufism goes beyond a biological event; it is an important moment that leads a servant toward Allah. This concept is often referred to as spiritual death, which means the death of the ego or the mortal self, leaving only total servitude to the Creator.
Fana' in Sufism is one of the terms that describe this spiritual death. Fana' means the annihilation of the self in the presence of Allah, a state where the ego and worldly desires dissolve in the Divine presence. This is reflected in the expression "die before you die," which encourages Sufis to achieve fana' before physical death arrives.
Read Also: Sufi Quotes on Sin in English and Arabic
Dhikr and death are also important aspects of Sufi teachings. Dhikr, or the remembrance of Allah, is seen as a means to achieve spiritual awareness and readiness to face death. The reality of death is a deep awareness of the meaning of death, which helps a Sufi embrace death with sincerity as a form of submission to Allah.
Preparation for death becomes a primary focus for Sufis. Death is seen as a path to Allah, where a Sufi prepares by increasing worship, dhikr, and emptying the heart of worldly love. For a Sufi, death is a purification of the soul and a profound spiritual experience.
Death in the eyes of Sufis is not something to be feared but is welcomed with love and tranquility. They are fully aware that all living beings will inevitably experience death. Allah says:
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَاۤىِٕقَةُ الْمَوْتِۗ وَاِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ اُجُوْرَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيٰمَةِ ۗ فَمَنْ زُحْزِحَ عَنِ النَّارِ وَاُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ ۗ وَمَا الْحَيٰوةُ الدُّنْيَآ اِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُوْرِ
Every soul will taste death. And you will only be given your full compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So, whoever is kept away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he has attained success. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception. (Ali Imran [3]: 185).
In short, death for Sufis is a process of transformation towards a life closer to Allah, where spiritual awareness becomes increasingly profound and eternal. Death is part of the Divine destiny that must be accepted with complete sincerity, serving as a reminder of the hereafter and the maturity of the soul.
Sufi Quotes on Death in English and Arabic
There are many Sufi quotes on death. Unfortunately, I will not be explaining all of them right now. In this article, I will only discuss a few Sufi quotes on the subject.
The following are some of the Sufi quotes on death that I intend to share:
Sufi Quote of Ibrahim bin Yazid An-Nakha’i on Death
If you want to know the Sufi quote of Ibrahim bin Yazid on death, take note of the Sufi quote below!
وَلَمَّا احْتُضِرَ جَزِعَ وَبَكَى , فَقِيْلَ لَهُ: مَا يُبْكِيْكَ ؟ فَقَالَ : السَّاعَةُ يَأْتِيْنِيْ رَسُوْلُ رَبِّيْ فَلَا أَدْرِى أَيُبَشِّرُنِيْ بِالْجَنَّةِ أَمْ بِالنَّارِ[1]
When he faced the throes of death, he felt anxious and wept. So, he was asked, "What makes you cry?" He replied, "At this moment, the messenger of my Lord is about to come to me, and I do not know whether he will bring good news of Paradise or Hell."
In the Sufi quote above, Ibrahim bin Yazid An-Nakha’i, in these words, expresses the deep fear and uncertainty one feels when facing death. Even though he was a great scholar known for his wisdom and piety, he still experienced anxiety when confronting death's throes. When asked why he wept, his answer revealed a profound awareness of the spiritual reality that, despite living a devout life, he did not know whether Allah would bring him the good news of Paradise or Hell. This shows humility and genuine fear of Allah's final judgment.
The Sufi quote above teaches us all that in the face of death, nothing is certain except complete reliance on Allah's mercy, and that every servant, no matter how devout, must remain vigilant and full of hope for His forgiveness and compassion.
Sufi Quote of Abu Hazim Salamah bin Dinar on Death
If you want to know the Sufi quote of Abu Hazim Salamah bin Dinar on death, take note of the Sufi quote below!
كُلُّ عَمَلٍ تَكْرَهُ الْمَوْتَ لِأَجْلِهِ فَاتْرُكْهُ ثُمَّ لَايَضُرُّكَ مَتَّى مِتَّ[2]
Every deed that makes you dislike death because of it, abandon it. Then, whenever you die, it will not harm you.
In the Sufi quote above, Abu Hazim Salamah bin Dinar, in these words, emphasizes the importance of introspection and self-adjustment in facing death. He teaches that if there is any deed that makes a person afraid to face death, then that deed must be abandoned. This message reflects the Sufi concept of purifying the soul and heart from anything that may hinder one’s relationship with Allah. Abu Hazim urges us to avoid sins and behaviors that are displeasing, so that we are prepared whenever death comes, without fear or regret. By avoiding actions that cause anxiety when facing death, a servant will live in peace and confidence, and will be ready to return to Allah with a tranquil heart.
The Sufi quote above teaches us all the importance of living in obedience and maintaining our deeds to remain free from anything that corrupts them.
Sufi Quote of Abu Imran Al-Jauni on Death
If you want to know the Sufi quote of Abu Imran al-Jauni on death, take note of the Sufi quote below!
[3]مَا قَرُبَ الْمَوْتُ مِنْ قَلْبِهِ اسْتَكْثَرَ مَا فِى يَدَيْهِ
When death approached his heart, he felt that what was in his hands was too much.
In the Sufi quote above, Abu Imran Al-Jauni, in these words, describes the profound awareness that arises when someone approaches death. As death draws nearer, he feels that what he possesses, whether it be wealth or worldly pleasures, seems excessive and no longer meaningful.
The Sufi quote above reflects the Sufi teachings on the impermanence of the world and the importance of letting go of attachment to material things. Abu Imran Al-Jauni seeks to remind us that at the moment of death, worldly possessions and wealth will not bring any benefit. Instead, what matters most is how one has prepared for the life after death through good deeds and piety. The feeling that "what is in his hands is too much" indicates an awareness of the heavy burden of worldly attachments and the importance of freeing oneself from impermanent things to attain true peace in the hereafter.
لَسْتُ أَجْزَعُ مِنَ الْمَوْتِ , بَلْ أَنْ يَيْبَسَ لِسَانِيْ مِنْ ذِكْرِ اللهِ عِنْدَ الْمَوْتِ[4]
I do not fear death; rather, I fear that my tongue will be dry from mentioning Allah's name when death arrives.
In the Sufi quote above, Abu Imran Al-Jauni, in these words, emphasizes the importance of maintaining a constant connection with Allah, especially as death approaches. He states that it is not death itself that is frightening, but the fear that in the final moments of his life, his tongue will be dry from mentioning Allah's name. This reflects a fear of spiritual negligence that could occur at such critical moments. He reminds us that remembering Allah through dhikr is the essence of a believer's life and must remain an integral part, even until the very last moments.
The Sufi quote above teaches us all that the most important preparation for death is ensuring that the heart and tongue are always connected with Allah. In this way, death becomes not something to be feared but a gateway to meeting the Creator in a state filled with dhikr and Divine awareness.
That concludes the brief explanation of some Sufi quotes on death in English and Arabic. Do you understand? If you have any questions, please write them in the comments section!
I think that's enough for this article. I hope it is beneficial. Ameen.
See you again in the next article!
Source Citations
[1] Muhammad Abdurrauf al-Munawi, Al-Kawâkib ad-Durriyyah fî Tarâjumi as-Sâdah ash-Shufiyyah (الكَوَاكِبُ الدُّرِّيَّةُ فِى تَرَاجُمِ السَّادَةِ الصُّوْفِيَّةِ), vol. 1 (Cairo: Maktabah ad-Dar al-Arabiyah li al-Kitab, 2009), 289.
[2] Muhammad Abdurrauf al-Munawi, Al-Kawâkib ad-Durriyyah fî Tarâjumi as-Sâdah ash-Shufiyyah (الكَوَاكِبُ الدُّرِّيَّةُ فِى تَرَاجُمِ السَّادَةِ الصُّوْفِيَّةِ), vol. 1, 302.
[3] Muhammad Abdurrauf al-Munawi, Al-Kawâkib ad-Durriyyah fî Tarâjumi as-Sâdah ash-Shufiyyah (الكَوَاكِبُ الدُّرِّيَّةُ فِى تَرَاجُمِ السَّادَةِ الصُّوْفِيَّةِ), vol. 1, 304.
[4] Ibid.
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