Alexander the Great
Alexander was born around July 20, 356 B.C.
Alexander studied under the great philosopher Aristotle at the age of 13.
Cavalry commander at age eighteen.
King at twenty.
Conqueror of the Persian Empire at twenty-six.
Explorer of the Indian frontier at thirty.
Before he turned 30 years old he conquered an empire stretching over 3,000 miles from Greece to India.
Undefeated in all his battles.
He had it all.
Or did he?
Alexander died before his thirty-third birthday.
He died mysteriously and his cause of death is yet being debated.
A Peculiar Tale
Before passing away, on his deathbed Alexander made three strange wishes.
He said,
“My first wish is to have my physician bring my coffin home alone".
After a gasping for air, Alexander continued: “My second wish is scatter the gold, silver, and gems from my treasure-house along the path to the tomb when you ship my coffin to the grave.”
After wrapping in a woolen blanket and resting for a while, he said: “My final wish it to put my hands outside the coffin.”
People surrounding him all were very curious, but no one dare to ask the reason.
Alexander’s most favored general kissed his hand and asked: “My Majesty, We will follow your instruction. But can you tell us why you want us to do it this way?”
After taking a deep breath, Alexander said: “I want everyone to understand the three lessons I have learned.
To let my physician carry my coffin alone is to let people realize that a physician cannot really cure people’s illness. Especially when they face death, the physicians are powerless. I hope people will learn to treasure their lives.
My second wish is to tell people not to be like me in pursuing wealth. I spent my whole life pursuing wealth, but I was wasting my time most of the time.
My third wish to let people understand that I came to this world in empty hands and I will leave this world also in empty hands.” he closed his eyes after finished talking and stopped breathing.
The Holy Qur'an
"Nor can a soul die except by God as leave, the term being fixed as by writing. Many do desire a reward in this life, we shall give it to him, and if any do desire a reward In the hereafter, we shall give it to him. And swiftly shall we reward those that (serve us with) gratitude. "(3:145)
On the authority of Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with both of them, who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) took hold of my shoulder and said, "Be in the world as if you were a stranger or a traveller along the path.” And ibn Umar would say, “If you survive till late afternoon, do not expect [to be alive in] the morning. If you survive till morning, do not expect [to be alive in] the late afternoon. Take from your health before your sickness and your life before you death.”
Recorded in al-Bukhari)
Desire the truth and strive to seek the truth.
Remember
Death greets everyone.
But knowing the purpose of life, allows you to greet death.
And Allah knows best.
