Secrets of Death in View of Imam Ali
In a series of sessions, Emad Afroogh tries to introduce the thoughts of Imam Ali (AS). Here is a summary of his remarks made in the 21st session:
In this session, we are going to discuss the issue of death from Imam Ali (AS) viewpoint.
More research should be conducted on this issue and personally, I believe that death does not equal annihilation, rather, it is a movement from one existential real to another. Some believe that death is a disease and that man can ultimately conquer it, however, we saw how a virus like COVID-19 shattered their ideas.
Imam Ali (AS) has a strong belief in death. He not only knows this issue but also believes in it. He talks about it in a manner that it seems as if he has tasted death and is fully aware of the Resurrection.
According to sermon 10 of Nahj al-Balagha, he says: “Indeed, if you could see that has been seen by those of you who have died, you would be puzzled and troubled. Then you would have listened and obeyed; but what they have seen is yet curtained off from you. Shortly, the curtain would be thrown off. You have been shown, provided you see and you have been made to listen provided you listen, and you have been guided if you accept guidance. I spoke unto you with truth. You have been called aloud by (instructive) examples and warned through data-x-items full of warnings. After the heavenly messengers (angels), only man can convey message from Allah.”
Elsewhere, in sermon 38, he recalls the issue, noting, “One who fears death cannot escape it nor can one who loves eternal life secure it.”
So there is no fear in death; one who has a precise understanding of death will welcome it.
Sermon 51 also contains a reference to death: “Real death is in the life of subjugation while real life is in dying as subjugators.”
Furthermore, sermon 28 points to death from another viewpoint: “Beware, surely you are in the days of hopes behind which stands death. Whoever acts during the days of his hope before approach of his death, his action would benefit him and his death would not harm him. But he who fails to act during the period of hope before the approach of death his action is a loss and his death is a harm to him.”
Beware, and act during a period of attraction just as you act during a period of dread. Beware, surely I have not seen a coveter for Paradise asleep nor a dreader from Hell to be asleep. Beware, he whom right does not benefit must suffer the harm of the wrong, and he whom guidance does not keep firm will be led away by misguidance towards destruction.”
And the last reference for today is sermon 149 which reads: “O people! Every one shall meet what he wishes to avoid by running away.1 Death is the place to which life is driving. To run away from it means to catch it. How many days did I spend in searching for the secret of this matter, but Allah did not allow save its concealment. Alas! It is a treasured knowledge.”
So there are secrets deep inside death that only God knows.
