God — blessed and exalted — says in the Holy Qur’an:
“And no soul knows what it will earn tomorrow, and no soul knows in what land it will die.”
(Al-Qur’an 31:34)
Life and death are two inevitable worldly phenomena that lie beyond human control and are entirely within the power and will of God. These are examples of the vast scope of God’s dominion. Health, illness, poverty, wealth, success, travel, and many other matters also fall within God’s authority.
In human life, we often make plans for the future, only to find ourselves unable to carry them out. Everyone has experienced this: a person decides on a goal, near or far, but unexpected events outside their control prevent them from realizing it. Someone may dedicate years to a long-term objective, yet before reaching the goal, they may suffer a sudden illness or accident, leaving their aim incomplete. Conversely, someone struggling with a severe illness for years may find divine providence granting them healing and extending their life—something entirely beyond their expectation.
These occurrences—disruptions of plans and forecasts—are frequent in human life and cannot be dismissed as mere coincidence or randomness. The only way to understand and interpret such events is through the framework of God’s perfect and absolute power.
The Qur’an, in the above verse, highlights two realities beyond human capability, which lie in the domain of God’s unlimited authority: knowledge of death and foresight of the future.
These two truths—the human unawareness of time, place, and the causes of death, as well as the uncertainty of future events—are undeniable realities. Of course, the degree of certainty with which individuals grasp this truth may vary. Every person makes decisions for themselves and others, many of which will never come to fruition. Matters such as marriage, having children, business, travel, and countless other aspects of life are ultimately subject to God’s unseen yet present will—a will far above human capacity. Many events we expect to happen may be prevented by unexpected trials or blessings, reflecting the overarching divine will that constantly shapes human experience.
In a narration about Imam al-Sadiq (ʿa), it is reported that he, along with one or a few of his companions, visited a sick person. The patient’s condition was so critical that anyone who saw him would be certain that he was near death. One of his relatives was sitting beside him, crying over his state.
The narration mentions that a smile appeared on the Imam’s face. When the relative asked him the reason for his smile after leaving the patient, he replied: “The patient will recover and live, but the one who is crying will die.” Soon after, the patient regained his health and rose from his bed, while the relative who had wept passed away.
In another narration, the Imām was asked, “What is closer and closer?” He replied: “Every future event is close, but death is closer.” Future events will eventually arrive, sooner or later, but death may precede them and reach a person earlier than expected. Here, “future” refers to deeds or outcomes a person anticipates—such as success, profit, or blessings. However, there is no guarantee that a person will live to see those outcomes. In other words, death may sometimes come closer than any future expectation, turning hopes into despair.
“The smell of halva is coming!”
A story I personally witnessed involves an elderly, frail man struggling along a path. Due to old age and weakness, he could not walk steadily and wavered from side to side. By chance, a young man passing by remarked to me: “You can smell his halva!”
It is customary—and narrations emphasize its virtue—that charity or good deeds be performed for the deceased within the first hours or day of death. This is because a person, at the moment of death, experiences intense fear due to leaving this world for the unknown. The dread of judgment and the afterlife further intensifies this fear. Therefore, it is recommended that early charity be performed for the deceased, as a gift sent ahead that can provide some comfort and peace.
These gifts or acts of charity, usually performed by the surviving relatives, vary according to their means, generosity, and circumstances. Among these, cooking and distributing halva is the most common. Over time, the phrase “distributing halva” became symbolic of death, so that when someone is nearing death, people say: “You can smell his halva.”
The young man’s expression meant that the old man was nearing the end of his life and death was imminent. Although his words seemed accurate, I did not like hearing them. I thought to myself: “How can he know who will die first? Perhaps this young man’s appointed time will arrive before that of the old man.” This thought occurred spontaneously, without any ill feeling, and I later forgot about it.
One day, I heard that the young man, who had no prior illness or health issues, suddenly suffered a fatal stroke and passed away.
I personally attended the funeral of that young man. During the procession, I saw the old man—whom the young man had claimed smelled of halva—walking ahead of me. At that moment, I was struck with astonishment and thought: “SubhanAllah, how amazing is the decree of God!” The young man, who had assumed that the old man was about to die and soon “smell his halva,” actually died first. Indeed, the “smell of halva” manifested for him before it did for the old man.
There are countless lessons of this kind in human life that merit deep reflection, particularly the certainty of the nearness of death. The Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (peace be upon him), says regarding this matter:
"I have never seen a certainty without doubt more resembling doubt without certainty than death."
Death is an undeniable reality. Everyone knows, without any doubt, that one day they will die. Yet, despite this certainty, the behavior of most people toward death is clouded with hesitation and speculation. Their actions and conduct often suggest that they do not truly believe in the inevitability of death.
It is therefore appropriate for a person to constantly remember death and visualize it in their mind. In doing so, their behavior and ambitions will naturally be influenced by this awareness. If someone anticipates success or the completion of a task a year or even ten years from now, they should temper their hope, for death may arrive sooner than expected. Even in short-term plans, such as tasks scheduled for the next day, one should not lose sight of mortality.
By consistently reminding oneself of death, a person will be less prone to sin, less susceptible to arrogance, and more conscious of their Hereafter. When they eventually leave this world, their regrets will be fewer, for they will have focused on matters with lasting spiritual value rather than fleeting worldly gains.
Achieving this awareness and never forgetting death requires deliberate effort, consistent practice, and discipline. If a person continually concentrates on this thought, they will gradually incline toward the Hereafter and distance themselves from sin and wrongdoing. May God never let the remembrance of death fade from our hearts.
And peace and blessings be upon Muhammad and his pure progeny.
