or a sudden, finishing death." This, too, is lying in wait. The moment a person dies his deeds are cut off and he can no longer act. “Finishing” means swift: how many people have died when no one thought they would—young, healthy men perishing in fires, car accidents, a wall collapsing on them, or a heart attack. Countless causes may carry off a human being even in the bloom of youth.

So act at once, for you do not know: you might die while speaking to your family, die in your bed, die at lunch—you step out and tell them, “Lay out the food,” that is, get it ready, yet never return to eat it. You could die in your car or on a journey. Therefore, hasten to good deeds.

The hadith continues: “…or the False Messiah, for he is the worst absentee you are waiting for.” In other words, you may be awaiting al-Dajjal, that wicked, mendacious impostor who will appear at the end of time, summoning people to worship him and beguiling them. The creation will be sorely tested by him, save those whom Allah protects.

For this reason we have been commanded to seek refuge with Allah from him in every prayer. The Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—said: “When one of you completes the final tashahhud, let him say: O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of Hell, from the punishment of the grave, from the trial of life and death, and from the trial of the False Messiah (al-Masih al-Dajjal).”