They went to the angel and pleaded, “Instead of taking the soul of our master, take the soul of someone else.! May Allah grant you great blessings.”

The angel of death responded: “I will not do as you ask.”

The angel entered the home and addressed the wealthy man; “Make your will. I will not be leaving until I have taken your soul.”

The man’s family started to scream and cry. Hurriedly, he turned to his relatives and servants. “Open these chests of silver and gold!”, he burst out, “Bring me all of my wealth!”

His entire treasure was collected and placed on the ground in front of him. He stood over it and shouted, “O wretched wealth! Curse upon you! You made me negligent from the remembrance of Allah, and prevented me from preparing for the hereafter!”

Suddenly, the wealth itself began to speak. “Do not blame me”, it said, “was it not you who was considered lowly by the wealthy of this world? I gave you honour. It was due to me your influence reached the court of the kings, an extent to which no poor or pious man could reach. It was due to me you married wealthy princesses. Otherwise, how can the poor marry such people? It is your misfortune that you spent me in evil ways. If you spent me in the way of Allah, you would not be facing such embarrassment and disgrace. Did I tell you not to spend me for good purposes? You deserve to be blamed and cursed more than me.”

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                 صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Dear Islamic brothers! Your life is indeed precious and an immense blessing! It is also an excellent period of time allotted to us by Allah, for us to perform virtuous deeds and make our hereafter better. Keeping