A Funeral’s Message: Cultivating the ‘Soul at Peace’ in Imam al-Sadiq’s Counsel 

Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (AS) said: “When you carry a bier [in a funeral procession], imagine that you are the one being carried, and that you have begged your Lord to return you to this world, and He has granted your plea. Now, how will you begin anew?”

It is exceedingly difficult to fathom the moment when a person is taken by surprise by death. Yet, the Holy Quran unveils vivid portrayals of this reality. Among them are the Almighty’s words: [It will be said], “You paid no attention to this [Day]; but today We have removed your veil and your sight is sharp.” [Qaf: 22]. At that moment, the picture becomes agonizingly clear, and the truth intensely painful—the very truth from which man has endlessly fled, trying to feign ignorance as if it did not concern him.

Another profound glimpse is given in His words: “When death comes to one of them, he cries, ‘My Lord, let me return so as to make amends for the things I neglected.’ Never! This will not go beyond his words: a barrier stands behind such people until the very Day they are resurrected.” But can this desperate wish be fulfilled by any means?“No! It is only a word he is saying; and behind them is a barrier until the Day they are resurrected. “ [Al-Mu’minun: 99-100]. When the chance is gone, crying out is of no avail.

Thus, Imam al-Sadiq (AS) advises us—before death catches us unawares and we fall, God forbid, into such a perilous plight—to hasten in our righteous deeds and strive so that we may be among those addressed by the divine call “[But] you, soul at peace: return to your Lord well pleased and well pleasing; go in among My servants; and into My Garden.” [Al-Fajr: 27-30].