Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
It is reported that once Hadhrat Ibrahim Alaihis salaam asked the angel of death, Hadhrat Izraeel Alaihis salaam to show him the form he takes while extracting the souls of the evil and wicked servants. The angel told him that he would not be able to bear the sight, but Hadhrat Ibrahim Alaihis salaam said that he would manage to bear it. The angel then asked him to turn around and he did so. After a short while the angel said, ‘Now, look towards me.’ and Hadhrat Ibrahim Alaihis salaam turned around and looked at him. What met his gaze was the most horrible giant-like figure dressed in black, dark-complexioned and long-haired, with each hair standing stiffly on end, giving off a most disgusting smell, with flames of fire leaping up from his mouth and nostrils!
Hadhrat Ibrahim Alaihis salaam could not bear the sight and fell unconscious. After regaining consciousness, Hadhrat Izraeel Alaihis salaam had resumed his normal form. Hadhrat Ibrahim Alaihis salaam then said, “Even if there were no other affliction for the evil and wicked servants, the terrible ordeal of facing Hadhrat Izraeel Alaihis salaam at the time of death in such a horrible form would suffice for their punishment. This is the form in which the Angel of Death appears when he visits the evil and wicked servants. However when he comes to take the souls of the pious and the devout servants of Allah Ta'ala, he appears in the most handsome form.
When Hadhrat Ibrahim Alaihis salaam asked Hadhrat Izraeel Alaihis salaam to appear before him in the form that he adopts while visiting the pious servants, he saw standing before him a handsome young man elegantly dressed, with the fragrance of the most exotic perfumes wafting from his body. Hadhrat Ibrahim Alaihis salaam said, "Even if there were no other joy for the believer besides the enjoyment obtained upon seeing the handsome face of Hadhrat Izraeel Alaihis salaam at the hour of death, this would suffice for all other enjoyments and pleasures." (Fazaail Sadaqaat-Urdu-pg. 640)
