We are told in the Qur’an and Sunnah that this life is a passage to the next life, but this is not meant to make us worry all the time about death and leaving this world. Rather, it is intended to motivate us to work harder for a better life and a better reward in the next life. A Muslim is like a bird flying with two wings: fear and hope. One must keep both balanced, and the result of having lots of fear without any hope will be that you can no longer work. You will freeze and be unable to function properly. Likewise, if a person has lots of hope but no fear, he will not obey the command of Allah the Almighty and will fail to do good deeds. It is important that we keep a balance between the two.
To further elaborate on this issue, Sheikh M. S. Al-Munajjid, a prominent Saudi Muslim lecturer and author, states the following: How often we find problems in our daily lives that emerge from the extremes of either concern or negligence! The one who seeks happiness and success in this world must have a balanced approach without allowing one to outweigh the other. In this way, he can strengthen his heart with faith and find peace of mind in doing all that he is required to do. What you are complaining about does not stem from ignorance of the root of the matter, rather it stems from the fact that you are focusing more on fear and the causes of fear while forgetting about the importance of being optimistic. We know that death is inevitable and that it will come to every living thing. No one and nothing will be spared, regardless of how noble his status is before Allah the Almighty who said to His Prophet, the noblest of all creation: [Verily, you (O Muhammad) will die, and verily, they (too) will die.] (Az-Zumar 39:30) Allah the Almighty also says: [Every soul will taste of death. And ye will be paid on the Day of Resurrection only that which ye have fairly earned. Whoso is removed from the Fire and is made to enter paradise, he indeed is triumphant. The life of this world is but comfort of illusion.] (Aal`Imran 3:185)
There is a positive kind of fear of death that makes a person check and watch himself, and bring himself to task for any bad deeds he may have done. This fear is that which makes a person keep away from sin and persist in praying for forgiveness. However, the kind of fear that makes a person panic, expect the worst and feel helpless, while discouraging him from taking any action and preventing him from doing his duties, is a negative and blameworthy kind of fear. The one who feels this must strive hard to be rid of it and put a stop to it. Perhaps this is what the questioner is feeling. Maybe he thinks that these whispers from the devil are a danger warning and a sign that the end is near. However, this is not the case. It is simply a whisper from the accursed Satan that is meant to cause distress to the believer and make his life a misery. There is nothing real behind it.
In order to get rid of these whispers and bad thoughts we advise to do the following:
1– Firmly implant in your heart the belief that whatever Allah the Almighty wills happens, and whatever He does not will, does not happen. Allah the Almighty says: [And ye will not, unless (it be) that Allah wills, the Lord of Creation.] (At-Takwir 81:29)
Death is nothing but the decree of Allah the Almighty and the son of Adam has no way to ward it off or avoid it. Allah the Almighty says: [Say: I have no power to hurt or benefit myself, save that which Allah wills. For every nation there is an appointed time. When their time cometh, then they cannot put it off an hour, nor hasten (it).](Yunus 10:49) Allah the Almighty also says: [Wheresoever ye may be, death will overtake you, even though ye were in lofty towers.] (Al-Nisaa’ 4:78)
As this is the case, fear of death will neither delay it nor bring it forward. All you get from your fear of death is misery and anxiety. Your appointed time will not come until Allah the Almighty wills it. Only He knows when that time will be, and you can never bring it forward, whether or not you fear it, and whether or not you think about how your end will be. This is contrary to living a life of peace, stability and tranquillity that Allah the Almighty wants for the believers. Allah the Almighty says: [Whosoever does right, whether male or female, and is a believer, him verily we shall quicken with good life, and We shall pay them a recompense in proportion to the best of what they used to do.] (Al-Nahl 16:97)
2– Remember the kindness and mercy of Allah the Almighty towards His believing slaves, for He is Loving, Compassionate and Forgiving; the One Whose mercy prevails over His wrath and Who blesses the sinner with abundant forgiveness. Allah the Almighty says: [Why should Allah punish you if you are grateful and faithful? Allah is ever Appreciative, All-Knowing.] (An-Nisaa’ 4:147)
The believer is promised Paradise when he dies. The only thing standing between him and Paradise is death. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [There is no person who bears witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger, but Allah will forbid him to the Fire.] (Muslim)
3– Always put your trust in Allah the Almighty in all your affairs, and know that this trust will ward off the whispers of the devil and put an end to them. Once you have resolved to d
o that, do not look back. If you feel that these whispers are overwhelming you again, then turn to Allah the Almighty and seek refuge in Him. Allah the Almighty says: [And if an evil whisper comes to you from Satan (Satan), then seek refuge with Allah. Verily, He is All-Hearer, All-Knower.] (Al-A`raf 7:200)
4– Lift your head high and look forward; start your daily life with steadfastness and certainty, and approach all your actions with renewed energy and peace of mind. There are many good things in this world that fill the hearts with contentment and tranquility as well as with hope and certain faith.
5– You should make a lot of du`aa’ asking Allah the Almighty to dispel these devilish whispers from you. Pray to Him with all humility, expressing your weakness and need of Him. Then rest assured that He will certainly answer you. Allah the Almighty says: [And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright.] (Al-Baqarah 2:186)