When Humans are Close to Death

By: Maged Taman

هُوَ الَّذِي يُسَيِّرُكُمْ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ حَتَّى إِذَا كُنتُمْ فِي الْفُلْكِ وَجَرَيْنَ بِهِم بِرِيحٍ طَيِّبَةٍ وَفَرِحُواْ بِهَا جَاءتْهَا رِيحٌ عَاصِفٌ وَجَاءهُمُ الْمَوْجُ مِن كُلِّ مَكَانٍ وَظَنُّواْ أَنَّهُمْ أُحِيطَ بِهِمْ دَعَوُاْ اللّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ لَئِنْ أَنجَيْتَنَا مِنْ هَـذِهِ لَنَكُونَنِّ مِنَ الشَّاكِرِينَ (10:22)
10:22 (Picktall) He it is Who maketh you to go on the land and the sea till, when ye are in the ships and they sail with them with a fair breeze and they are glad therein, a storm wind reacheth them and the wave cometh unto them from every side and they deem that they are overwhelmed therein; (then) they cry unto Allah, making their faith pure for Him only; If Thou deliver us from this, we truly will be of the thankful.

Explanation:

In the few times I died and came back, I mean I was close to death I did not call the name of my parents, any of my family or the presidents of the world I just called God. At that time you do not see anything you just pray to God.

At that time you are close to him than anytime in your life. You call him because you know he is the only one able to save you or make people successful in saving you. You feel that what you are in his hand and you are going or not going to the unknown. You do not see him but you feel his presence. For believers we know it, feel it and are longing for to meet the creator who made us.

At one of these few occasions I was pulled down by the strong pulling current that follow big waves in the sea. My breath was almost close to be taken away and before I was being deprived totally of oxygen I prayed sincerely to God. I was saved almost one second before my death.

In this verse of the Quran God give us the common example when humans are close to death. Every thing goes away all materials, all enjoyments, aspirations and memories. Only a simple genuine call to God. If you save us we will be thankful. The latter include every thing related to appreciation: recognition of God, making the connection again, living by his role, praying and worshiping him.

The beauty of the verse is the high control of God. He make us go to land and sea, he makes the sea suitable to our sailing, he allow the gathering of the strong winds and waves. He bring us back to him after we had denied, disobeyed or challenged him. To put the call only to him, not your boss, your financial advisor or your Imam

The sea example is just one. In the period of tribulation all examples are possible. God did not leave us without warning. He mentioned the apocalypse that will be brought over our heads if we to continue to stand against his will and commandments.