My Last Will
My Last Will
"The first thing Allah created was the pen. He said to it: "Write."
It asked: "What should I write, my Lord?"
He said: "Write what was decreed about everything till the Last Hour comes."
[Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)]
Show Hadith
Sunan Abi Dawud
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud 4700
In-book reference: Book 42, Hadith 105
English translation: Book 41, Hadith 4683
Book: Model Behavior of the Prophet (Kitab Al-Sunnah)
Chapter: Belief In Divine Decree
Grade: Sahih (Al-Albani)
حَدَّثَنَا جَعْفَرُ بْنُ مُسَافِرٍ الْهُذَلِيُّ حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ حَسَّانَ حَدَّثَنَا الْوَلِيدُ بْنُ رَبَاحٍ عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ أَبِي عَبْلَةَ عَنْ أَبِي حَفْصَةَ قَالَ قَالَ عُبَادَةُ بْنُ الصَّامِتِ لِابْنِهِ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنَّكَ لَنْ تَجِدَ طَعْمَ حَقِيقَةِ الْإِيمَانِ حَتَّى تَعْلَمَ أَنَّ مَا أَصَابَكَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِيُخْطِئَكَ وَمَا أَخْطَأَكَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِيُصِيبَكَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ إِنَّ أَوَّلَ مَا خَلَقَ اللَّهُ الْقَلَمَ فَقَالَ لَهُ اكْتُبْ قَالَ رَبِّ وَمَاذَا أَكْتُبُ قَالَ اكْتُبْ مَقَادِيرَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ حَتَّى تَقُومَ السَّاعَةُ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنِّي سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ مَنْ مَاتَ عَلَى غَيْرِ هَذَا فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي
Ubadah b. al Samit said to his son :
Son! You will not get the taste of the reality of faith until you know that what has come to you could not miss you, and that what has missed you could not come to you. I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: The first thing Allah created was the pen. He said to it: Write. It asked: What should I write, my Lord? He said: Write what was decreed about everything till the Last Hour comes. Son! I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say : He who dies on something other than this does not belong to me.
Similar hadith:
Jami` at-Tirmidhi
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2155
In-book reference : Book 32, Hadith 23
English translation : Vol. 4, Book 6, Hadith 2155
Book: Chapters On Al-Qadar
Grade: Sahih (Darussalam)
Musnad Ahmad
Reference: Musnad Ahmad 21647 (Al-Alamiyah version)
I first encountered this tradition of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the collections of Sunan Abi Dawud, Jami` at-Tirmidhi, and Musnad Ahmad. I cite it here as the cornerstone of my last will. As I decided to write about myself, I hold the conviction that this very act is woven into the destiny inscribed by that primordial Pen at Allah’s command. My life’s journey, the knowledge I have gathered, and every soul I have encountered, all serve as witnesses to the magnificence of Allah, the Lord of all worlds.
There is an Indonesian proverb that often comes to mind, ending with the phrase: "...a human dies leaving behind a name." It is a saying of profound depth, suggesting that those who have passed on are remembered solely by their deeds and reputation in this world.
I have pondered this deeply, until a question eventually took root in my mind: If a person is remembered for their deeds, what becomes of the contents of their mind? Do our thoughts perish with us? Throughout my life, it has felt as though the words leaving my lips represent only a fraction of the vast internal dialogue swirling within my brain. Consequently, I have chosen to pour those thoughts into writing. In reading my own words back to myself, I discovered I could better understand who I am and give greater meaning to life. Perhaps this is simply the nature of being what is often called a "deep thinker."
Allah reveals the signs of His greatness specifically so that we might reflect. This divine instruction is an echo heard repeatedly throughout the Quran.
Show Quran Verse
اِنَّمَا مَثَلُ الْحَيٰوةِ الدُّنْيَا كَمَاۤءٍ اَنْزَلْنٰهُ مِنَ السَّمَاۤءِ فَاخْتَلَطَ بِهٖ نَبَاتُ الْاَرْضِ مِمَّا يَأْكُلُ النَّاسُ وَالْاَنْعَامُ ۗحَتّٰٓى اِذَآ اَخَذَتِ الْاَرْضُ زُخْرُفَهَا وَازَّيَّنَتْ وَظَنَّ اَهْلُهَآ اَنَّهُمْ قٰدِرُوْنَ عَلَيْهَآ اَتٰىهَآ اَمْرُنَا لَيْلًا اَوْ نَهَارًا فَجَعَلْنٰهَا حَصِيْدًا كَاَنْ لَّمْ تَغْنَ بِالْاَمْسِۗ كَذٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ الْاٰيٰتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَّتَفَكَّرُوْنَ - ٢٤
The example of [this] worldly life is but like rain which We have sent down from the sky that the plants of the earth absorb - [those] from which men and livestock eat - until, when the earth has taken on its adornment and is beautified and its people suppose that they have capability over it, there comes to it Our command by night or by day, and We make it as a harvest, as if it had not flourished yesterday. Thus do We explain in detail the signs for a people who give thought.
وَهُوَ الَّذِيْ مَدَّ الْاَرْضَ وَجَعَلَ فِيْهَا رَوَاسِيَ وَاَنْهٰرًا ۗوَمِنْ كُلِّ الثَّمَرٰتِ جَعَلَ فِيْهَا زَوْجَيْنِ اثْنَيْنِ يُغْشِى الَّيْلَ النَّهَارَۗ اِنَّ فِيْ ذٰلِكَ لَاٰيٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَّتَفَكَّرُوْنَ - ٣
And it is He who spread the earth and placed therein firmly set mountains and rivers; and from all of the fruits He made therein two mates; He causes the night to cover the day. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.
يُنْۢبِتُ لَكُمْ بِهِ الزَّرْعَ وَالزَّيْتُوْنَ وَالنَّخِيْلَ وَالْاَعْنَابَ وَمِنْ كُلِّ الثَّمَرٰتِۗ اِنَّ فِيْ ذٰلِكَ لَاٰيَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَّتَفَكَّرُوْنَ - ١١
He causes to grow for you thereby the crops, olives, palm trees, grapevines, and of all the fruits. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who give thought.
ثُمَّ كُلِيْ مِنْ كُلِّ الثَّمَرٰتِ فَاسْلُكِيْ سُبُلَ رَبِّكِ ذُلُلًاۗ يَخْرُجُ مِنْ بُطُوْنِهَا شَرَابٌ مُّخْتَلِفٌ اَلْوَانُهٗ ۖفِيْهِ شِفَاۤءٌ لِّلنَّاسِۗ اِنَّ فِيْ ذٰلِكَ لَاٰيَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَّتَفَكَّرُوْنَ - ٦٩
Then eat from all the fruits and follow the ways of your Lord laid down [for you]." There emerges from their bellies a drink, varying in colors, in which there is healing for people. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who give thought.
وَمِنْ اٰيٰتِهٖٓ اَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُمْ مِّنْ اَنْفُسِكُمْ اَزْوَاجًا لِّتَسْكُنُوْٓا اِلَيْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُمْ مَّوَدَّةً وَّرَحْمَةً ۗاِنَّ فِيْ ذٰلِكَ لَاٰيٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَّتَفَكَّرُوْنَ - ٢١
And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.
وَوَهَبْنَا لَهٗٓ اَهْلَهٗ وَمِثْلَهُمْ مَّعَهُمْ رَحْمَةً مِّنَّا وَذِكْرٰى لِاُولِى الْاَلْبَابِ - ٤٣
And We granted him his family and a like [number] with them as mercy from Us and a reminder for those of understanding.
اَللّٰهُ يَتَوَفَّى الْاَنْفُسَ حِيْنَ مَوْتِهَا وَالَّتِيْ لَمْ تَمُتْ فِيْ مَنَامِهَا ۚ فَيُمْسِكُ الَّتِي قَضٰى عَلَيْهَا الْمَوْتَ وَيُرْسِلُ الْاُخْرٰىٓ اِلٰٓى اَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّىۗ اِنَّ فِيْ ذٰلِكَ لَاٰيٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَّتَفَكَّرُوْنَ - ٤٢
Allāh takes the souls at the time of their death, and those that do not die [He takes] during their sleep. Then He keeps those for which He has decreed death and releases the others for a specified term. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.
هُدًى وَّذِكْرٰى لِاُولِى الْاَلْبَابِ - ٥٤
As guidance and a reminder for those of understanding.
وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمْ مَّا فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَمَا فِى الْاَرْضِ جَمِيْعًا مِّنْهُ ۗاِنَّ فِيْ ذٰلِكَ لَاٰيٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَّتَفَكَّرُوْنَ - ١٣
And He has subjected to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth - all from Him. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.
لَوْ اَنْزَلْنَا هٰذَا الْقُرْاٰنَ عَلٰى جَبَلٍ لَّرَاَيْتَهٗ خَاشِعًا مُّتَصَدِّعًا مِّنْ خَشْيَةِ اللّٰهِ ۗوَتِلْكَ الْاَمْثَالُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُوْنَ - ٢١
If We had sent down this Qur’ān upon a mountain, you would have seen it humbled and splitting from fear of Allāh. And these examples We present to the people that perhaps they will give thought.
وَلَوْ شِئْنَا لَرَفَعْنٰهُ بِهَا وَلٰكِنَّهٗٓ اَخْلَدَ اِلَى الْاَرْضِ وَاتَّبَعَ هَوٰىهُۚ فَمَثَلُهٗ كَمَثَلِ الْكَلْبِۚ اِنْ تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْهِ يَلْهَثْ اَوْ تَتْرُكْهُ يَلْهَثْۗ ذٰلِكَ مَثَلُ الْقَوْمِ الَّذِيْنَ كَذَّبُوْا بِاٰيٰتِنَاۚ فَاقْصُصِ الْقَصَصَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُوْنَ - ١٧٦
And if We had willed, We could have elevated him thereby, but he adhered [instead] to the earth and followed his own desire. So his example is like that of the dog: if you chase him, he pants, or if you leave him, he [still] pants. That is the example of the people who denied Our signs. So relate the stories that perhaps they will give thought.
وَهُمْ يَصْطَرِخُوْنَ فِيْهَاۚ رَبَّنَآ اَخْرِجْنَا نَعْمَلْ صَالِحًا غَيْرَ الَّذِيْ كُنَّا نَعْمَلُۗ اَوَلَمْ نُعَمِّرْكُمْ مَّا يَتَذَكَّرُ فِيْهِ مَنْ تَذَكَّرَ وَجَاۤءَكُمُ النَّذِيْرُۗ فَذُوْقُوْا فَمَا لِلظّٰلِمِيْنَ مِنْ نَّصِيْرٍ - ٣٧
And they will cry out therein, "Our Lord, remove us; we will do righteousness - other than what we were doing!" But did We not grant you life enough for whoever would remember therein to remember, and the warner had come to you? So taste [the punishment], for there is not for the wrongdoers any helper.
Today, I am 28 years old. It occurred to me that one need not wait for old age to draft a last will. Indeed, there is no guarantee that Allah will grant me longevity. My life and death are the absolute property of Allah, and He alone determines them. He may conclude my time in this world at any moment, according to His will. My purpose in writing this is twofold: to serve as a medium for self-reflection, and to stand as a legacy for those who play a vital role in my life, including the generations to come. I hope these writings prove useful to anyone who reads them, particularly the younger generation of my extended family: my siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, and my closest friends.
In closing, perhaps I might take the liberty of appending a few words to that proverb to create my own version: “A human dies leaving a name, and that which they thought (their reflections, ideas, and visions).”
Madiun, December 3, 2025
06.36 (GMT+7)
Wahyu Setyo Nugroho
Note:
I constantly update the location and time of this last will page. If the date above remains unchanged for more than 1 day, it signifies that the time and opportunity granted to me by Allah to live on earth has finally come to an end.