A wise and pious rich man, sensing his
approaching death, called his son to his side and
gave him these instructions: "My son, I shall be
leaving you very shortly. On the day when I die,
and they have washed my body and come to
wrap it in the shroud, I want you to put one of my
socks on my foot. This is my final request of
you."




Soon after this, the old man did indeed die,
leaving behind his goods and property, his
children and his dependents. Family, friends,
acquaintances and neighbors attended his
funeral. The body had been washed and was
almost completely wrapped in the shroud, when
the son remembered his father's wish. Finding
one of his old socks, he handed it to the washer
of the dead, saying, "In accordance with my
father's last request, please put this sock on his
foot."




"That is quite impossible,” said the man. "Such a
thing is utterly impermissible in Islam. I cannot
act against the Sacred Law." Despite this valid
objection, the son insisted, "That was my father's
final request; it must certainly be carried out."
The washer of the dead was unmoved. "If you
won't take my word for it," he said, "go and ask
the mufti. He will confirm what I tell you, that it is
not permissible." Holding up the funeral, they
consulted the mufti, preachers and scholars, all of
whom declared that this was not permissible in
Islam. Just then, an aged friend of the deceased
interrupted the debate with these words to the
son: "My boy, your late father entrusted me with a
letter which I was to hand over to you after his
departure. Here, this letter belongs to you." So
saying, he gave him an envelope. Taken by
surprise, the boy opened the envelope and read
out the contents of his father's letter:



"My son, all this wealth and property I have left
to you. Now you see: at the last moment, they
won't even let you give me an old sock to wear.
When you yourself come one day to be in my
condition they will also refuse to let you keep
anything but your shroud. Few yards of shroud
are all you will be able to carry over from this
fleeting world into the Hereafter. So pull yourself
together and be prepared. Spend the fortune I
have left you, not for the satisfaction of vain
desires, but in ways pleasing to Allah, that you
may achieve honor in both worlds."




Oh Allah make us die not except in a state that is most preferred by you.

Amin Yaa Rabbil Aalamin.