The Invisible Wall of Death

In a place somewhere in eastern India there was a coal mine, some 450 feet deep, which had been closed for many years. Gradually, a lot of water had filled up inside. Some years ago, another mine was excavated nearby, at a distance of some 80 feet from it.

On 27th December 1975 a terrible accident occurred. The distance of 80 feet or so between the two mines was thought to be considerably safe. But suddenly, a 60 feet-wide hole formed and water from the old mine rushed into the new mine with such speed that in just three minutes, the new mine filled up. More than 370 labourers and engineers who were working at that time in the mine were drowned in a flood of more than 100 million gallons of water. Only one person survived—he had come out of the mine just a few minutes before the accident occurred.

This shocking incident has strong parallels with our own life. Between the present world and the world of the Hereafter is the thin wall of death. At every moment it is possible that this wall will collapse and the realities of the Hereafter will, like an enormous flood, break upon us. At that time, nothing can save us. An individual will then be brought before his Lord, bereft of any support. Then, those people who were so lost in the deceptions of the world that they refused to heed words of counsel and guidance will stand before God to face judgment. Only those will be saved who had prepared a good account before being presented before the Lord.

Wise is he who puts himself to preparing for that coming day.