Fear: The Descent Of Death

As time passed, the weight of the ages bore down on Adam and Hawwa, so too did Iblis feel the passing of the years. Iblis, like a cursed vermin, clung to humanity, a relentless and malicious parasite, feeding off the weaknesses and desires of the mortal realm.

As Adam neared the end of his life, he began to yearn for the fruits of Jannah, the heavenly paradise from which he had once been expelled. With the wisdom of a prophet, he had glimpsed into the unseen and discovered a place on the peak of a mountain where he sensed an echo of that divine splendor. He decided to send his children to retrieve it for him, hoping to taste a semblance of the paradise he had lost.

However, Iblis, ever present and ever mocking, seized the opportunity to taunt Adam. He sneered at the aging prophet, accusing him of succumbing to delusion and yearning for that which he had willingly relinquished due to the empty promises Iblis had once used to lead him astray in the higher realms.

The tension between Adam, Hawwa and Iblis continued, and the words of iblis became more bitter although he was ignored by the two until they heard a distinct knock on the door. It appeared that Adam's children had returned from their expedition to the mountain. As the door opened, the faces of the two turned pale, although for entirely different reasons.

The door creaked open, and Iblis felt an ominous chill creep up his spine. His legs quivered, and he was overcome by an eerie darkness that enveloped his being. Within this darkness stood a colossal figure, pitch-black and nightmarish, its feet firmly planted upon the earth, its head seemingly piercing the very skies. Dark flames spewed from its orifices, and in its hand, it wielded a sickle of terrifying enormity. If one were to gaze upon it, all they would see was the tip of an iron bar, and that tip, if it struck a mountain, would reduce it to mere dust. Surrounding this fearsome entity were countless grotesque beings, each brandishing weapons of unimaginable destruction.

As the imposing figure stood before Iblis, his heart palpitated with fear, and he could only move his eyes, too terrified to shift even a muscle. Desperately, he glanced at Adam, who remained surprisingly calm, his face adorned with a peaceful smile tinged with an air of surprise as he met the gaze of this terrifying creature. Iblis couldn't fathom how Adam could maintain such serenity when confronted with such malice. Every passing second felt like an eternity to Iblis, and he was paralyzed with dread. In that petrified state, he watched as the embodiment of damnation locked eyes with him, and a deafening thunderous roar echoed in his mind.

Before Iblis could grasp the situation, the colossal being shifted its attention back to Adam, leaving Iblis bewildered and relieved. The oppressive weight that had been pressing upon him was suddenly lifted, and he could move once more. A wave of great relief washed over him as he remembered the promise of the Supreme One to spare him. Filled with joy for this divine amnesty, Iblis hastily fled into the distance. Although he knew that his life had been spared until the end of times, he simply couldn't bear to linger in the presence of such a terrifying being.

The colossal entity, upon witnessing Iblis's cowardly retreat, cast a disdainful glance in the direction Iblis had fled, lamenting on how Iblis would have met his demise had it not been for the Supreme One's command to spare him until the end of days. This encounter left Iblis shaken to his core.

As if recalling something from ancient times, the celestial being turned back to Adam, a warm smile gracing its features, although Iblis whouldn't agree. With great reverence, it greeted Adam with words unfathomable to man saying, "لسَلامُ عَلَيْكُم وَرَحْمَةُ اَللهِ وَبَرَكاتُهُ" (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon You)," as though they were dear old friends, reunited after eons. 

However, what the long-fled Iblis remained ignorant of was that a vastly different scene had unfolded before eyes of Adam and his wife. To them, as the door opened, a handsome and regal figure entered, accompanied by a retinue of magnificent servants. This enigmatic master of unparalleled beauty cast a casual, yet profoundly powerful glance in Iblis's direction. The mere presence of this figure sent Iblis fleeing as though his life depended on it. Following this, the celestial being extended a heart-warming greeting, to which Adam responded in kind. 

Upon hearing the youth introduce himself as the one whose name is not uttered, Hawwa swiftly positioned herself between him and Adam, a subtle unease in her demeanor. It seemed she had intuited something disquieting. And indeed, her instincts were right, for the youth continued to speak, disclosing his role as the angel of death assigned to retrieve Adam's soul.

This revelation prompted Adam, who had reached the remarkable age of 960 years, to furrow his brows with a touch of confusion. He acknowledged his wife, Hawwa, with a reassuring nod, signaling her to stand down. Then, he addressed the youth with a blend of curiosity and determination, explaining that his destined thousand-year lifespan had not yet been exhausted, as he still had a remaining forty years to live. 

The angel of death, his expression gentle and understanding, smiled and kindly reminded Adam of the unique gift of 40 years. He recounted how Adam had selflessly bestowed these additional years upon his beloved descendant, Prophet Daud, at a time when all the descendants of Adam had gathered. However, Adam, in his humility, could not recall the gift and so he denied it.

In the backdrop of Adam's denial, a mystical chorus of voices reverberated, carrying a profound divine doctrine that resonated through the hearts of all creation. It seemed as though these were the celestial voices of angels who governed the rules of the earthly realm. Their words echoed like an eternal truth, underscoring the connection between the father of humanity and his descendants:

"Adam denied, so the children of Adam deny; Adam forgot, and his children forget; Adam made mistakes, and his children make mistakes."

These words served as a timeless reminder of the shared human experience, emphasizing the inherent imperfection and frailty of mankind as humanity grappled with the trials and tribulations of life on Earth.

This sacred encounter marked a profound moment as Adam, with grace and wisdom, would embrace the transition from this world to the hereafter.

Adam, with the weight of realization pressing upon him, bowed his head in submission to the will of the Supreme. In that solemn moment, he understood that the decree of his time had come, and there was no escaping it.

As he accepted his fate, Adam turned his gaze toward his children. They, too, had recognized that the group of celestial beings who they had ascended the mountain's peak for were none other than the angels assigned with the retrieval of their father's soul. It was a somber scene, as the family stood together, witnessing the arrival of the divine messengers, accepting the transition of their beloved patriarch from this world to the next. The presence of the angels, while foreboding, also brought a sense of divine purpose and reassurance to this significant moment in the story of humanity.

Adam, in his final moments, gathered his children around him. He could see the anguish in their eyes, although already predestined, the burden of guilt for having inadvertently brought the angels of death to their father's bedside weighed on their shoulders. With tenderness in his voice and the wisdom of ages, he comforted them and imparted his final pieces of guidance.

"Children," he began, "know that you are destined to inhabit this earthly realm for a purpose. Remember, consult with others before you make a decision. If I had consulted the angels, I would not have eaten from the forbidden tree."

He paused, and his gaze shifted to the horizon. The weight of his choices and their consequences hung heavy in the air. Then, he continued, "Listen to your hearts, for if I had listened to my inner voice, I would not have eaten from the tree."

As Adam felt the moment of his departure drawing near, his eyes brimming with the knowledge of what lay beyond. With a voice that resonated with the weight of his age and experience, he shared his final wisdom.

"Remember, my beloved children, that the Supreme Guardian will never leave you alone or without guidance. He will send forth frequent reminders through Prophets, each with unique names, traits, and miracles, but they will all call to the same sacred truth – the worship of the One True Supreme Deity."

The children listened intently, absorbing his words like precious gems. They understood the gravity of his message, knowing that the Supreme One's guidance would be a constant presence in their lives, even as the Prophets changed with time.

Adam continued, "I hereby reveal to you the appointment of my successor and the next Prophet, Sheeth. He shall carry the divine message forward, guiding you with wisdom and revelations from the Supreme One."

With that, Adam's voice softened, and his eyes sparkled with peace. His soul departed from his earthly vessel like a gentle drop of water flowing from a vessel, and it was lovingly wrapped by the angels in preparation for its journey to the higher realms.

The children were left with the weight of his legacy and the assurance that the Supreme One's guidance would continue to shine upon them through the Prophets who would follow.

With profound reverence, the angels took it upon themselves to carry out the rituals of cleansing and preparing the body of Prophet Adam. They washed his noble form an odd number of times, purifying him as a symbol of his return to the Supreme One in a state of spiritual purity.

Following this sacred purification, they reverently dug a grave, the likes of which the Earth had never witnessed before. The soil yielded to their touch, forming a resting place befitting the father of mankind. 

In this solemn gathering, Adam's beloved wife, Hawwa, and their descendants, stood as witnesses. Their eyes glistened with tears, but their hearts were filled with the knowledge that this was the decree of the Supreme One, and that their beloved Adam would now return to his Creator.

As the body of Adam was gently laid to rest within the earth, the angels, with their wings outstretched, offered heartfelt prayers for the soul of the father of mankind. These were words of blessing, peace, and supplication, invoking the mercy and forgiveness of the Supreme One upon His devoted servant.

The family of Adam, overwhelmed by the divine presence and the profound significance of this moment, watched in awe and reverence as their patriarch, the first of their kind, was laid to rest in the embrace of the earth. 

With solemn voices, the angels informed the children of Adam that the burial process they had just witnessed would serve as a guiding example for the believers. They explained that this sacred ritual, carried out with utmost respect and reverence, would be a model for the believers who followed in their footsteps.

As the angels departed, leaving the family of Adam to contemplate the profound teachings and legacy he had left behind, the mortal understood the gravity of the moment. They recognized that the lessons they had learned from their father were not only about life but also about the eventual return to the Supreme One.

The family of Adam was now entrusted with preserving the wisdom and guidance passed down to them. They were reminded of their purpose on this earthly realm and the importance of heeding the call to worship the One True Supreme Deity.

In the absence of their patriarch, they found strength in the teachings of Adam, and Sheeth as his successor.

Sheeth, who was known for his unwavering piety and obedience to the Supreme One, took on his role as the next Prophet with great devotion. He was entrusted with the responsibility of upholding the teachings and commands of the Supreme One, guiding the descendants of Adam on the righteous path. Sheeth's leadership was marked by his commitment to righteousness and his determination to ensure that the lessons his father, Adam, had imparted were faithfully followed.

The mountain dwellers, influenced by the wisdom and guidance of Sheeth, were committed to a life of piety and moral uprightness. They held fast to the path of righteousness, recognizing the significance of their Creator's commands.

On the other hand, Qabil and his followers, who had initially succumbed to temptation and sin, found themselves further entangled in a web of disobedience. Their choices led them away from the righteous path, and they continued to deviate from the teachings of the Supreme One.

...

In the realm of Barzakh, the souls in limbo were filled with anxiety and curiosity about the happenings in the earthly realm's simulation. They had observed a consistent decrease in the number of souls in limbo as new humans were born, which was a source of relief for them. However, their yearning for information intensified because no soul that had entered the earthly realm's simulation ever returned to brief them on the ongoing events.

Recently, a peculiar incident occurred when a soul emerged from the simulation. This was a rare occurrence that piqued the interest of the souls in limbo. But before they could approach the returning soul to inquire about the earthly realm, it swiftly ascended beyond the heavens, heading directly to the majestic throne of the Supreme One. There, it transformed into a radiant entity, akin to a luminous lamp hanging in the divine presence.

The mysterious transformation of this soul left the souls in limbo in awe and wonder. They couldn't comprehend the significance of this event or the purpose of a soul's direct journey to the Supreme One's throne. It added to the enigma of the simulation and deepened their longing for understanding and connection with the earthly realm. The souls were perplexed by the sudden appearance of a soul at the Supreme One's throne. They grappled with the obscure nature of this event, attempting to decipher its significance. But if there was one thing they could be certain of, it was that a soul could only ascend to the divine throne if it had successfully completed the challenges presented in the earthly realm's simulation.

As the initial shock and amazement began to settle among the souls in limbo, they tried to convince themselves that this was an extraordinary but isolated incident. Perhaps the first soul had a unique destiny, and the second soul would surely return to share its experiences and enlighten them about the earthly realm. They clung to the hope that they would soon receive news from a recently returned soul.

However, their hopes were soon dashed when, almost as if the heavens were mocking them, yet another soul emerged from the earthly realm's simulation. This soul, too, soared to the Supreme One's throne, joining the first soul in its radiant presence. The sight of the second soul's arrival caused a wave of panic and bewilderment to spread among the souls in limbo.

The situation had taken an even more mysterious turn, and the souls in limbo were left with a multitude of questions and a growing sense of urgency.

The souls in limbo yearned for a way to comprehend the events unfolding in the earthly realm, even though they knew that they would have no memory of it upon their eventual descent. It was as if this desire for understanding and awareness served as a form of self-soothing, a way to find closure and meaning in their existence between worlds.

Their existence in Barzakh was shrouded in uncertainty, and the appearance of souls at the Supreme One's throne had only deepened the mystery. They felt a profound need to bridge the gap between their current selves and their eternal future, even if it meant seeking answers they could never fully retain. The quest for knowledge and insight into the earthly realm remained a profound yearning among these souls in limbo.

............