Remembering death and reflecting deeply protects the heart from attachment to the world.
Hind b. Abu Hala, who knew him closely, relates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) was often silent and deeply contemplative. Regarding the verse describing the creation of the heavens and the earth, the Prophet said, "Woe to the one who recites it without reflecting on it," and he advised his companions, "Remember often the destroyer of pleasures" — that is, death. Because they recalled death and the afterlife, he used to visit graves, greeting those there and praying for them. Remembering death does not make life meaningless; on the contrary, it makes it more meaningful and more precious.
What is the hadith source of this sunnah?
This sunnah rests on the following hadiths. The reference gives the collection, chapter and number where the hadith appears.
- BM6553 Ebû Nuaym, Ma'rifetü's-sahâbe, V, 2751.
- T2460 Tirmizî, Sıfatü'l-kıyâme, 26.
- M2257 Müslim, Cenâiz, 104
- Sİ620 İbn Hibbân, Sahîh, II, 386.
More sunnahs in Prayer & Worship
As a table with references: Prayer & Worship sunnahs.
- A Supplication on Leaving Home: Reciting a supplication every time you leave home means setting out in Allah's name and trusting in Him.
- Tasbih After Prayer: Saying subhanallah, alhamdulillah and Allahu akbar thirty-three times each after every prayer is a remembrance the Prophet taught.
- Fasting on Monday and Thursday: Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays is a sunnah the Prophet carefully observed.
- Salawat on Friday: Sending abundant salawat on Fridays is a beautiful expression of love and devotion to the Prophet.
- Making Repentance a Habit: Repenting a hundred times a day stands for the heart's constant cleansing and turning to Allah.
- Reading the Qur'an with Understanding: Reading the Qur'an slowly and with understanding carries it not merely to the voice but to the heart.
- Lawful Provision: Eating what is pure and lawful, and keeping away from the doubtful and the forbidden, is required by faith.
- Praying with Humility: Praying with humility and calm is a sunnah the Prophet both practiced and advised.
- Praying the Fajr Sunnah at Home: Praying the sunnah of Fajr at home and the obligatory prayer in congregation at the mosque was the Prophet's practice.