When news broke that Mohammad Hijab was rushed to the hospital after suffering a pulmonary embolism, it sent shockwaves through the Muslim community. A young man of just 29 years old, full of energy and dedication to the dawah, suddenly found himself coughing up blood, struggling to breathe, and being told by doctors that the first five days would determine whether he would survive. His near-death experience is a profound reminder that none of us are guaranteed tomorrow, and that Islam provides the most powerful framework for understanding death, preparing for the afterlife, and living each day with true purpose and faith.
What Happened to Mohammad Hijab
Mohammad Hijab developed multiple blood clots that traveled through his segmental arteries, causing a lung infarction, which is the permanent death of lung tissue. Doctors informed him that had the clots passed through his primary pulmonary artery, it would have meant sudden death. He was hospitalized, monitored closely, and told to prepare for the worst. During those critical days, he began writing his will, a practice deeply rooted in Islamic tradition. As he reflected on the experience, Mohammad Hijab shared a lesson that every Muslim should carry in their heart:
“You have to make sure you have the will ready. The Muslim community especially, you’ve got to be ready to die. If you’re not ready to die, you’re not living.”
Islamic Lessons on Death and the Afterlife
- Death is closer than you think. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Paradise is closer to one of you than the strap of his sandal, and so is the Hellfire.” This hadith reminds us that our eternal destination is shaped by the choices we make right now.
- Every soul will taste death. No amount of wealth, fitness, or youth can shield us. Mohammad Hijab was a young, healthy, active man, and within days he was fighting for his life.
- Preparation is not optional. Writing a will, maintaining prayer, giving charity, and seeking knowledge are not tasks to delay. They are urgent obligations that define a believer’s readiness for the inevitable departure.
- Only three deeds survive you. The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught that when a person dies, all good deeds end except ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, and a righteous child who prays for them.
- Repentance is always open. The best of sinners are those who constantly turn back to Allah in tawbah. No matter what mistakes we have made, the door of mercy remains open for those who sincerely return.
The Departure Date No One Can Set
“Live as long as you want, for eventually you will die. Love whomever you wish, for you will be separated. Work as you wish, for you will be repaid accordingly.” — Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
Many of us celebrate birthdays and plan years ahead, yet we forget about the one appointment that is absolutely certain: our departure from this world. Mohammad Hijab’s experience is a wake-up call for every believer. The intelligent person, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught, is the one who frequently remembers the destroyer of pleasures, which is death. This is not meant to bring despair. Rather, Islam encourages us to seek the best of this life and the best of the Hereafter, to live fully yet with our sight set firmly on the eternal prize of Jannah. May Allah grant us all a good end, protect us from heedlessness, and gather us among those who enter Paradise through His infinite mercy.
