Death Is Certain

Death Is Certain

It was early in the morning at four
When death knocked upon a bedroom door

”Who is there?” the sleeping one cried
”I am Izra'eel, let me inside.”

At once, the man began to shiver
As one sweating in deadly fever

He shouted to his sleeping wife:
”Don’t let the angel take my life!”

”Please go away, Oh Angel of Death!
Leave me alone, I’m not ready yet."

The Angel knocked again and again
”Friend! I’ll take your life without a pain

Bewildered, the man began to cry
”Oh Angel! I’m so afraid to die

I’ll give you gold and be your slave
Don’t send me to the unlit grave.”

”Let me in, Oh Friend!” the Angel said
”Open the door, get up from your bed

If you do not allow me in
I will walk through it, like a Jinn.”

The man held a gun in his right hand
Ready to defy the Angel’s stand

”I’ll point my gun, towards your head
You dare come in, I’ll shoot you dead.”

By now, the Angel was in the room
And said, “Oh friend! Prepare for your doom

Foolish man, Angels don't die
Put down your gun - no need to sigh.”

”Why are you afraid; tell me Oh man,
To die according to Allah’s plan?

Come, smile at me, do not be grim
Be happy to return to Him.”

”Oh Angel! I bow my head in shame
I had no time to take Allah’s name

From morn till dusk I made my wealth
Not even caring for my own health.”

”Allah’s commands I never obeyed
Nor five times a day I ever prayed

Ramadan came and Ramadan went
But no time had I to repent.”

”The Hajj was already Fardh on me
But I would not part with my money

All charities I did ignore
Taking usury more and more.”

”Sometimes I sipped my favourite wine
With flirting women I sat to dine

Oh Angel! I appeal to you:
Spare my life for a year or two.”

”The Laws of Qur'an I will obey
I’ll begin Salat this very day

My Fast and Hajj, I will complete
And keep away from self-conceit.”

”I will refrain from usury
And give my wealth to charity

Wine and wenches I will detest
Allah’s oneness I will attest.”

”We Angels do what Allah demands
We cannot go against His commands

Death is ordained for everyone
Father, mother, daughter and son.”

”I’m afraid, this moment is your last
Now be reminded, of your past."

”You lived in this world, for decades and more
Never did you, your people adore

Your parents, you did not obey
Hungry beggars, you turned away.”

”Your two forgotten, female offspring
In night-clubs, for livelihood they sing.”

”You ignored the Mu’adhin’s Adhan
Nor did you read the Holy Qur'an

Abusing your wife, all your life
Backbiting friends, and causing strife.”

”From hoarded goods, great profits you made
And your poor workers, you underpaid

Horses and cards were your leisure
Money-making was your pleasure.”

A pint of blood you never gave,
Which could a little baby save.”

”Paradise for you? I cannot tell
Undoubtedly you will dwell in Hell

There’s no time for you to repent
I’ll take your soul for which I am sent.”

The ending, however, is very sad
Eventually the man became quite mad

With a cry, he jumped out of bed
And instantly he dropped down dead

Oh Reader! Take a moral from here
You never know, your end may be near

Assess your living and make amends
For Heaven, on your deeds depends

Allah states, "Every soul shall have a taste of death. And only on the Day of Judgment shall you be paid your full recompense."
(3:185)