Give me death with Iman

At the time of the death of Imam Ahmad Bin Hanbal رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه, when his son inquired after his health, he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه said: ‘This is not the time for answer. Just do Du’a that Allah Almighty makes me face death with Iman. Because Satan the accursed is pouring over soil on his head and is saying to me that you leaving this world in the state of Iman is a means of distress and sorrow for me. And I am saying to him that not yet, until even one breath remains, I am still in danger. I cannot be safe (from you). (Tazkira-tul-Awliya, pp. 199)

O devotees of Awliya! You have heard that what great level of Allah’s fear our righteous predecessors رَحِمَهُمُ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَالٰی possessed. Their entire life was spent according to Shari’ah and Sunnah. Every moment of theirs was spent in the remembrance of Allah Almighty. These sacred individuals were true devotees of the Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and they were well aware of the deceptions of Satan and Nafs. But despite this, they would remain fear-stricken in regards to the protection of their Iman. They would tremble with the fear of losing their Iman and would remain steadfast upon Islam while keeping in view the blessed teachings of the Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. Therefore, we shall also fear the hidden plan of Allah Almighty while acting upon the Seerah of blessed Ambiya عَـلَـيْهِمُ السَّلَام, blessed Sahabah عَـلَيْهِمُ الرِّضْوَانْ and the righteous predecessors رَحِمَهُمُ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَالٰی and enlighten the passion of protecting our Iman in our hearts. Moreover, we should get ready to perform righteous actions with steadfastness and supplicate in the court of Allah Almighty that He saves us from a bad end.

صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلٰى مُحَمَّد                      صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب

Actions that destroy Iman

O devotees of Rasool! Along with being dependent upon the mercy of Allah Almighty, protection of Iman is also under a person’s control. Therefore, a person should supplicate in the court of Allah Almighty for the protection of his Iman. One should refrain from sins and engage himself in virtuous deeds.