This human being, who spends his life in magnificent palaces and houses, is moving towards a future home (the grave) where once he lies down, he will not be able to get up. His grave will become a garden of Paradise for him only if he has prepared for it. The grave is a place of admonition for us. A gnostic (Arif) used to say: "O friend! Reflect upon the grave and see how the dust of so many beautiful ones is going to waste." There were so many flawless faces, people raised in luxury and comfort, who lived life according to their own desires in this world, enjoyed a life of ease, scattered bright saffron smiles in gatherings, and people would remain staring at their faces; but death turned them to dust. Worms consumed their flesh, and today their bones lie decayed. If their graves were dug up and seen today, they stand as signs of warning. Where did their glittering garments go that they used to wear? Where did those things go which they used to clean and gather carefully? Where did those matters go for which they were ready to give their lives? Neither that business remained, nor that wealth, nor the relatives; leaving everything behind, they departed alone from this world on the next journey. A young man, while telling someone about his household situation and his father's illness, said: "My father narrowly escaped death (literally: saved while dying)." A wise elder heard this and remarked: "My dear! Your father is narrowly escaping life until he dies (literally: dying while saving)." My friends! Visit the graveyard once a week. The reason for this is that by going there, a person derives lessons of warning from this "City of Silence" (Shahr-e-Khamoshan).
