What should one do in order to die as a believer at the time of death? Satan tries to remove the belief of a Muslim when he is about to die by disguising. What can we think in that case?

Satan tries to remove the belief of a Muslim when he is about to die by disguising. What can we think in that case? What can we do? We pray but we cannot get rid of that thought. I think, "what if I do not die as a believer?" This makes me fear.

Dear Brother / Sister,

The life of a person is like a mirror that shows his belief, deeds and personality. After we talk for a while to a person that we do not know, after we travel with him or do business with him, we have a certain idea about him; we say he is a good man or a bad man. However, if we know both the good and bad aspects of a person, the criterion about making a decision related to him is certain: If his good aspects are more than his bad aspects, we say he is good but if his bad aspects are more than his good aspects, we say he is bad. In other words, the goodness and badness of a person is measured by his worshipping Allah. If a person lives in accordance with his belief and tries to fulfill his duties toward Allah, he is a good person in the eye of Allah and a person that is wanted. However, if he has some deeds and states that are contrary to Islam though he is a believer, he is a sinner.

What kind of an ending awaits such people when they die? The statement of the Prophet (pbuh) regarding the issue is clear:

“As you live so shall you die; as you die so shall you be resurrected.” (see Aliyyulqari, Mirqatul-Mafatih 1/332, 7/375, 8/431)

This fact is expressed as follows in another hadith::

“Allah resurrects a person in the state that he dies.” (Faydul-Qadir, 6/226)

A person who has a sound belief in Allah and other principles of belief is regarded as a believer and a Muslim when he dies; therefore, he is treated like a Muslim. As for the state of such a person in the hereafter, the Prophet (pbuh) stated the following:

“He who dies knowing (fully well) that there is no god but Allah enters Paradise.” (2 Muslim, Iman: 43)

The witnessing and views of Muslims about a person who dies is also important. There are narrations stating that if Muslims say that a person is a believer and a good person, Allah Almighty will treat him according to their witnessing. If Muslims witness against a person, Allah Almighty will treat him accordingly. 

Thus, a person who lives as a believer and worships in the world will die as a believer inshallah. Yes, it is necessary to live between fear and hope. However, this state should not lead man to despair.

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