Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

If a person ahs planned to go to hajj and has paid for their flight and dies before getting there will their sins still be counted for?

Before a person dies is there a sign or an angle who tells you it is time for you to leave this world? 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Angels inform before soul

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: If a person ahs planned to go to hajj and has paid for their flight and dies before getting there will their sins still be counted for?

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 1.1 Narrated by Umar bin Al Khattab

I heard Allah's Messenger (saws) saying, "The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.”

If one has made intentions to perform their obligatory Hajj pilgrimage, and furthermore made all the necessary provision for the pilgrimage….but the Decree of death overtakes them before they are able to fulfill their intention, it is expected that their Lord Most Gracious will accept their intention and their due striving to fulfill their obligatory duty.

Your Question: …..will their sins still be counted for?

Although ‘Hajj Mabrur’ (a Hajj pilgrimage which is accepted by Allah Subhanah) does indeed forgive all of one’s past sins; the process through which Allah Subhanah forgives all the sins of man is sincere repentance and ‘taubah’…and the doors of ‘taubah’ or repentance are open until one meets with one’s appointment of death.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 39 Surah Zumur verses 53-54:

(O Prophet) say: “O My servants who have wronged their own souls….Do not despair of Allah’s Mercy! Surely, Allah forgives all sins. He indeed is the All Forgiving, All Merciful. Return to your Lord and submit to Him before the scourge overtakes you; for then you may get no help from anywhere.”

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 6 Surah Anaam verse 54:

When those come to you who believe in Our Signs, say: "Peace be on you! Your Lord had inscribed for Himself (the rule of) Mercy. Verily if any of you did evil in ignorance, and thereafter repented and amended (his conduct), Lo! He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 2357 Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas'ud

Allah's Messenger (saws) said, "He who repents of a sin is like him who has committed no sin."

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 2338 Narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar

Allah's Messenger (saws) said, "Allah accepts a servant's repentance (taubah) till he gives up his spirit in death."

Provided a person was not involved in the absolute abominations of ‘shirk’ (polytheism), ‘kufr’ (disbelief), or ‘nifaaq’ (hypocrisy)….and died in a state whereby he did not repent for his sins….his case is with Allah Subhanah: if Allah Wills and Pleases He may forgive him his sins, and if the Lord Pleases and Wills, He may hold him accountable.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah An-Nisa Verse 48
Shirk (associating other deities with Allah) is the only sin that Allah does not forgive, and He forgives, whomsoever He pleases, sins other than this, for whosoever associates any other partner with Allah, does indeed forge a big lie and commits the most heinous sin.

Your Question: ….Before a person dies is there a sign or an angle who tells you it is time for you to leave this world? 

What happens precisely at the time and stupor of one’s death is obviously amongst the knowledge of the ‘unseen’, and that knowledge is only with Allah Subhanah Alone.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 50 Surah Qaf verses 16-19:

16 It was We (Allah) who created man and We know what dark suggestions his soul makes to him: for We are nearer to him than (his) jugular vein!

17 Behold two (guardian Angels) appointed to learn (his doings), learn (and note them): one sitting on the right and one on the left.

18 Not a word does he utter but there is a sentinel by him ready (to note it)!

19 And the stupor of death will bring Truth (before his eyes): "This was the thing which thou wast trying to escape!"

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 6 Surah Anaam verse 93:

93 Who can be more wicked than one who invents a lie against Allah or says "I have received inspiration" when he has received none, or (again one) who says "I can reveal the like of what Allah has revealed?" If thou couldst but see how the wicked (do fare) in the flood of confusion at death! The Angels stretch forth their hands (saying) "Yield up your souls. This day shall ye receive your reward a penalty of shame for that ye used to tell lies against Allah, and scornfully to reject of His Signs!"

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 41 Surah Haa Meem verses 30-32:

30 In the case of those who say "Our Lord is Allah" and further stand straight and steadfast, the Angels descend on them: "Fear ye not!" (they suggest) "nor grieve! But receive the glad tidings of the Garden (of Bliss) the which ye were promised!

31 "We are your protectors in this life and in the Hereafter: therein shall ye have all that your souls shall desire; therein shall ye have all that ye ask for!

32 A hospitable gift from One Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful!"

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 79 Surah Naziaat verses 1-2:

1 By the (Angels) who tear out (the souls of the wicked) with violence;

2 (And) By those (Angels) who gently draw out (the souls of the blessed)…

In light of the above quoted guidance of the Glorious Quran, it is safe to assume that the Angels do indeed communicate with the dying person as they draw out its soul. And Allah Alone Knows Best.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan