Good Morning dignitaries on the dais and off the dais.

First of all I would like to thank the Almighty GOD, who created earth, heavens and all the living and non-living beings that exists for giving me a great opportunity to address this august gathering. GOD Almighty has infused “life” in all of us and he has endowed us basic necessities of our lives. Let us admit here that our death is certain, our death is in the hands of our CREATOR, one day we have to get back to our CREATOR. We cannot challenge or change HIS decision. HE had destined our day, date, time and place of death. The difference is that no one knows it except the Creator who destined death for us. We cannot change it. It is a bitter reality of our life on this globe.

Let me introduce myself here. I am neither a clergy, nor a scholar but a student of Heavenly Scripture revealed by GOD Almighty 15 centuries back which is unchanged in its original text. It is Holy Qur'an which guides me to welcome you here with a supplication for peace, prosperity and tranquillity. Let me convey this in Arabic. السلام وعليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته May peace and mercy of ALLAH be upon you. It is a very commonly and casually used dialogue, without knowing the spirit behind it, and its meanings. But be sure, I used this dialogue from the depth of my heart.

Today’s topic is dying and death. Respected audience, it is the ultimate and undeniable Truth of life of all those who habituate the universe. I found in chapter 21 verse 35:

“Every soul is bound to pass through the process of death; and O mankind! WE had put you in test through bad and the good things of this life, by way of trial: and unto US, you all must return.”

It is very much obvious that we came from somewhere, we will die one day despite of our choice, we have to go somewhere. It proves that we have a short stay on this globe. We have to go back whether we wish for it or not. Every one of us came here with a confirmed return ticket. Once again it is obvious that, someone has the power on us, and HE had created us, and HE has the power over our death also.

Highlighting the topic, another quotation from Holy Qur'an chapter 2 verse 28, I quote here:

“O mankind! How can you refuse to acknowledge GOD Almighty, while before this you were lifeless and HE gave you life, and that HE will cause you to die, and then will bring you again to a final life, whereupon unto HIM you will be brought back (for accounts)?”

It is well known that a century back we were in life-less condition or we didn’t exist, now we are alive here but we should remember one thing very clearly that we have to pass through the process of death. These are the 3 conditions of our life that we are aware of. The fourth one is resurrection which is also undeniable. So friends, it is very obvious that our life will not end at death, but the process of death is a transition period, and in all such periods of transit, one has to pass with less or more difficulties and pains. I would like to quote a citation from a well known and respected intellectual, Mr Sudheendra Kulkarni who writes: “Awareness of the nearness and immediacy of death can completely re-orient our outlook towards life. It could make us more humane, and less prone to anger and aggressiveness. Yet, humans generally do not like to live with the awareness of the death.”

He further writes about the reasons behind our disremembering of death: “We are deeply and too much attached to this world, to our own hopes, desires, relations and comforts, all rooted in this beautiful world of ours, to entertain the idea that we would one day be separated from all these.”

“It is amazing that, whereas human beings take birth only in one way, which is both predictable and anticipated, we die in countless different ways, which are often unpredictable and unanticipated. Birth is a probability, while death is a certainty. Birth has parentage, death has none. Only one of the million sperms has a chance to find an egg. For the fertilized egg, there is again the inescapable residence in the mother’s womb for nine long months. Death follows no such journey and, often, knows no such waiting."

Friends, we know that the process of birth is very painful. Right from the time of conception and then carrying the foetus for whole nine months in the womb is very painful for a mother. We know that an embryo has a sensation of pains. A human body can handle 45 decibels of pain while a mother has to bear 57 decibels of pain while delivering the baby and the baby comes crying due to pains. We may be helpful only to reduce the pains, but we cannot change the natural course.

So is the case of death. We can only be helpful to the dying one, by helping him whatever is possible for us and within our limits, and within the framework of human ethics. And for our own death, we can ask our Creator just it was asked by Prophet Mohammed (s.a.w.s) which I found in one of his supplications in these words:

“O GOD, make easy for us the process of death.”

Friends, now the question arises in my mind that, what for I am here and what I will face after my death. Here I am not getting any further data from the existing knowledge of science. For this topic, I have to refer the One and only One, who created me, and who has the power upon my death. I found it in the Final Testament chapter 29 verse 64 in these wordings:

“O human beings, beware! The life of this world is nothing but joys and delight,
which will pass away sooner or later! But behold, the life in the hereafter is indeed
the only true and everlasting life: if the humanity could realise it!”

Moreover, friends, a Natural law of degeneration is playing its role. The sorrow and joy, the happiness and sadness, the cheer and gloom, nothing is permanent in nature. My intellect suggests me to be more careful for my upcoming life which is everlasting and permanent in nature. So is the case with Euthanasia. How we can know that our act of Euthanasia will be merciful to the patient or vice versa!! When we cannot put life in anybody, by no virtue we can end his or her life. One who has put life in the patient, will deal his death, and will resurrect him and HE can compensate the pains he or she has suffered here.

The test and trials which we are enduring here in this world, will have a permanent reaction which will reflect in our coming life which is never-ending and everlasting. I would like to refer here a known dialogue which is commonly used. It is from Sanatan scriptures that Shareer Ko Mrutyu Hai, Atmaa Amar Hai. I am alive with two factors, the first one is my body and other is my soul. One can use any word for Soul like life, Aaatma, or Rooh. My body is from this earth, while the soul came from somewhere else. At the time of my death, the body will remain here for the disposal, while the soul will go back to the Originator, the Almighty. And in the coming life, I have to face the consequences of my moral failings, and fruits of my moral and human achievements in this worldly life.

Now at the conclusion, when we are neither the owners of our body nor the soul, we have to follow the moral and human ethics. We may be helpful to the sufferer, but we cannot change the destiny. My body and my soul are like the things given by my Creator in my trust, and I should prove myself loyal and trustworthy to my Creator. I have no ethical authorization to finish or put an end to it, while knowing that every phase will just pass away in its due time after suffering. Nothing is permanent here. This phase of pain will also pass away. Yes, but the life to come after the death is permanent. I should keep up high moral and human ethics to get the ease, joys and pleasure of that ultimate future.

To conclude, I am praying to the LORD of the Universe

"O my Sustainer! YOU are the Originator of the heavens and the earth!
YOU are my protector in this world and in the life to come:
let me die in the state of submission unto YOU, and make me amidst the righteous!"

I supplicate my words with:

“O my LORD, I ask you to grant me sincere repentance, contrition before my death, grant me ease in the process of death, salvation and mercy after death, and forgiveness at the time of accountability in front of You, and keep me away from the hell-fire and grant me the paradise.”

Thank you very much for patiently listening me. May GOD Bless us all.

*****