The Four Poisons of the Heart - Part 4.
Ibn Qayyim al Jawziyyah
ISSUE NO. 004 of 2007
ISSUE DATE. Friday 26th January, 2007
Corresponding Islamic Date: 6th Muharram, 1427
A’ oozu Billahi Minash Shaitaan Nir Rajeem Bissmillaah Hir Rahmaan Nir Raheem
I seek refuge in Allah from Satan the Accursed, I begin in the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Assalaamu ‘Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuh
Peace Be Unto You and the Mercy of Allah and His Blessings.
Keeping Bad Company
Unnecessary companionship is a chronic disease that causes much harm. How often have the wrong kind of companionship and intermixing deprived people of Allah’s generosity, planting discord in their hearts which even the passage of time-even if it were long enough for mountains to be worn away-has been unable to dispel. In keeping such company one can find the roots of loss, both in this life and in the next life.
A servant should benefit from companionship. In order to do so he should divide people into four categories, and be careful not to get them mixed up, for once one of them is mixed with another, then evil can find its way through to him:
The first category are those people whose company is like food: it is indispensable, night or day. Once a servant has taken his need from it, he leaves it be until he requires it again, and so on. These are the people with knowledge of Allah - of His commands, of the scheming of His enemies, and of the diseases of the heart and their remedies - who wish well for Allah, His Prophet and His servants. Associating with this type of person is an achievement in itself.
The second category are those people whose company is like a medicine. They are only required when a disease sets in. When you are healthy, you have no need of them. However, mixing with them is sometimes necessary for your livelihood, businesses, consultation and the like. Once what you need from them has been fulfilled, mixing with them should be avoided.
The third category are those people whose company is harmful. Mixing with this type of person is like a disease, in all its variety and degrees and strengths and weaknesses. Associating with one or some of them is like an incurable chronic disease.
You will never profit either in this life or in the next life if you have them for company, and you will surely lose either one or both of your deen and your livelihood because of them. If their companionship has taken hold of you and is established, then it becomes a fatal, terrifying sickness.
Amongst such people are those who neither speak any good that might benefit you, nor listen closely to you so that they might benefit from you. They do not know their souls and consequently put their selves in their rightful place. If they speak, their words fall on their listeners’ hearts like the lashes of a cane, while all the while they are full of admiration for and delight in their own words.
They cause distress to those in their company, while believing that they are the sweet scent of the gathering. If they are silent, they are heavier than a massive millstone-too heavy to carry or even drag across the floor
All in all, mixing with anyone who is bad for the soul will not last, even if it is unavoidable. It can be one of the most distressing aspects of a servant’s life that he is plagued by such person, with whom it may be necessary to associate. In such a relationship, a servant should cling to good behaviour, only presenting him with his outward appearance, while disguising his inner soul, until Allah offers him a way out of his affliction and the means of escape from this situation.
The fourth category are those people whose company is doom itself. It is like taking poison: its victim either finds an antidote or perishes. Many people belong to this category. They are the people of religious innovation and misguidance, those who abandon the sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saw) and advocate other beliefs. They call what is the sunnah a bid’a and vice-versa. A man with any intellect should not sit in their assemblies nor mix with them. The result of doing so will either be the death of his heart or, at the very best, its falling seriously ill.
What Gives the Heart Life and Sustenance
You should know that acts of obedience are essential to the well being of the servant’s heart, just in the same way that food and drink are to that of the body. All wrong actions are the same as poisonous foods, and they inevitably harm the heart.
The servant feels the need to worship his Lord, Mighty and Glorious is He, for he is naturally in constant need of His help and assistance.
In order to maintain the well being of his body, the servant carefully follows a strict diet. He habitually and constantly eats good food at regular intervals, and is quick to free his stomach of harmful elements if he happens to eat bad food by mistake.
The well being of the servant’s heart, however, is far more important than that of his body, for while the well being of his body enables him to lead a life that is free from illnesses in this world, that of the heart ensures him both a fortunate life in this world and eternal bliss in the next.
In the same way, while the death of the body cuts the servant off from this world, the death of the heart results in everlasting anguish. A righteous man once said, “How odd, that some people mourn for the one whose body has died, but never mourn for the one whose heart has died and yet the death of the heart is far more serious!”
Thus acts of obedience are indispensable to the well being of the heart. It is worthwhile mentioning the following acts of obedience here, since they are very necessary and essential for the servant’s heart: Dhikr of Allah (swt), recitation of the Noble Qur’an, seeking Allah’s forgiveness, making du’as, invoking Allah’s blessings and peace on the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and praying at night.
This publication has been researched, published, printed and distributed as a
Community Service through the kind courtesy of Meccan Printers Ltd. #128 Caroni Savannah Road, Charlieville.
Meccan Printers celebrating 25 years of Dedicated Service. (1982-2007)
Dedicated to the Cherished Memories of the late:
Imam Mahmood Ali, Hajjin Khatija Ali, Asgar Ali and Kurban Mohammed of Meccan Printers, Charlieville.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
“Goodbye My Beloved” by Muhammad Al Shareef (PART 1)
“Goodbye My Beloved” by Muhammad Al Shareef (PART 1)
ISSUE NO. 005 of 2007
ISSUE DATE. Friday 2nd February, 2007
Corresponding Islamic Date: 13th Muharram, 1428
A’ oozu Billahi Minash Shaitaan Nir Rajeem Bissmillaah Hir Rahmaan Nir Raheem
I seek refuge in Allah from Satan the Accursed, I begin in the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Assalaamu ‘Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuh
Peace Be Unto You and the Mercy of Allah and His Blessings.
In Bukhari and Muslim, narrated Usaamah ibn Zayd (ra) : A woman sent a message to the Prophet (saw) that her son was dying and that he should come to visit her.
The Prophet (saw) sent back a message to her. In it he (saw) said,
“To Allah belongs whatever he takes, and to Him belongs what He gives. Everything to Him has a decreed life, so be patient and seek the Reward with Allah.”
She sent back with an oath that he (saw) must come in person to visit her. So Allah’s Messenger (saw) stood and with him was Sa’d ibn Ubaadah, Mu’aadh ibn Jabal, Ubayy ibn Ka’b, and Zayd ibn Thabit, as well as others.
At her home, the young boy was given to the Prophet, (saw), it’s breathing faltering. The eyes of the Prophet (saw) welled with tears.
Seeing the Prophet (saw) crying, Sa’d (ra) said to him,
“What is this O Messenger of Allah?”
Rasul Allah (saw) replied, “This is mercy which Allah has placed in the hearts of His servants. And indeed it is to only the merciful of His
servants that Allah gives mercy.”
When death hits so closely to home, to ones so young and those old as well, the sick and the healthy, many questions arise
Ibn Al-Qayyim (ra) said in his book Zaad al-Ma’aad about the blessed guidance of the Prophet (saw) at times of death. He writes:
It was from the blessed guidance of Rasulullah (saw) to convey his condolences to the family of the deceased. From his blessed guidance is his tranquility and acceptance of Allah’s decree, thanking Allah and holding back from saying things unbefitting. He (saw) disowned himself from those that rip their clothes due to the calamity, or raise their voices in a wail, or those that shave their head because of the situation.
Where do our youth normally learn about the concept of love? For the answer, all you need to do is look over the top music charts to find out.
I searched the billboard charts to pick up some names as example. I found: “Love don’t cost a thing”, “What’s Luv”, “He loves you not”, as well as others. These are just the titles, not to speak of the content of the other songs, in addition to the TV shows, movies and everything in-between.
Some people in this society want to commit suicide. The problem is that many of them are procrastinators - they keep putting the suicide off. Now, we’ve heard many times in Khutbahs and lectures that procrastination is something bad, but in this case, Alhamdulillah, it saves peoples lives.
Now I ask, when was the last time you heard an Islamic Halaqah about the concept of Love in Islam. Not too recently, I’m sure. Thus, we can safely say that Allah (swt) and His Messenger (saw) do not dictate to us many of the concepts of love that we harbor in our minds.
Allah (swt) says: [Close friends, that Day, will be enemies to each other…] Ch. 43: : Vs.67
[Every time a nation enters, it will curse its sister until, when they have all overtaken one another therein, the last of them (the followers) will say about the first of them (the leaders), “Our Lord, they have misled us, so give them a double punishment of the fire.” He will say, “For each is double, but you do not know.” … Indeed those who deny Our verses and are arrogant toward them - the gates of heaven will not be opened for them, nor will they enter Paradise until a camel enters into the eye of a needle (i.e. never). And thus do We pay back the criminals.]
Surah A’raaf 7/38,40
If a friendship was ever made for other then the sake of Allah, then that friendship ends at death. There is no ‘heart that lives on after death’.
But if you’ve ever loved someone because they said Laa ilaaha illa Allah, Muhammadur Rasul Allah, then I have good news for you: Your friendship will not end at death! It will never end at death. Completing the above verse: Allah (swt) says: [Close friends, that Day, will be enemies to each other, except for the righteous!] 43/67
And on the Day of Judgement, of the seven types of people who will find shade from the horrific heat will be two people who loved one another only for the sake of Allah. Imagine that, in the hardest time of your life, if you’ve loved someone for the sake of Allah, they will be saved hand-in-hand with you.
Do all good things will come to an end? Good question. Summers come to an end, ice creams come to an end, interesting Khutbahs come to an end. So what’s the answer?
Allah (swt) says: [Whatever you have will end, but what Allah has is lasting. And We surely give those who were patient their reward according to the best of what they used to do.] Surah Nahl 16/96
Before the Hijrah from Makkah, there was a famous Qureishi poet by the name of Labeed bin Rabee’ah. In his company, one day, sat the great companion of the Prophet (saw): Uthmaan ibn Madh’oon (ra).
Labeed recited a verse of poetry:
[Indeed everything other then Allah is falsehood…]
Uthmaan ibn Madh’oon (ra) replied, “You have told the truth.”
Labeed continued: [ … And every enjoyment, without doubt, will die.]
“You have lied!” said Uthmaan ibn Madh’oon (ra).
“The enjoyment of paradise shall never end.”
This infuriated the group and one of the ignorant amongst them stood up and slapped Uthmaan ibn Madh’oon (ra) in the face, blackening his eye.
There are things that help us in times of sadness:
One: During times of sadness, Allah wants us to come back and reflect upon the Qur’an. That is what He revealed it for, contemplation. In it, the believer will find tranquility for his or her heart.
Two: Whatever happens, when someone is patient and says the dua that the Prophet (saw) taught us, that person will be blessed with something better.
The Dua is as follows:
“Inna lillaahi wa inna Ilayhi raaji’oon. Allaahumma ‘jurnee fee museebatee, wakhluf lee khayrun minh.”
Allah’s Blessings on the Islamic New Year, 1428
This publication has been researched, published, printed and distributed as a
Community Service through the kind courtesy of Meccan Printers Ltd. #128 Caroni Savannah Road, Charlieville.
Dedicated to the Cherished Memories of the late:
Imam Mahmood Ali, Hajjin Khatija Ali, Asgar Ali and Kurban Mohammed of Meccan Printers, Charlieville.
Meccan Printers celebrating 25 years of Dedicated Service. (1982-2007)
ISSUE NO. 005 of 2007
ISSUE DATE. Friday 2nd February, 2007
Corresponding Islamic Date: 13th Muharram, 1428
A’ oozu Billahi Minash Shaitaan Nir Rajeem Bissmillaah Hir Rahmaan Nir Raheem
I seek refuge in Allah from Satan the Accursed, I begin in the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Assalaamu ‘Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuh
Peace Be Unto You and the Mercy of Allah and His Blessings.
In Bukhari and Muslim, narrated Usaamah ibn Zayd (ra) : A woman sent a message to the Prophet (saw) that her son was dying and that he should come to visit her.
The Prophet (saw) sent back a message to her. In it he (saw) said,
“To Allah belongs whatever he takes, and to Him belongs what He gives. Everything to Him has a decreed life, so be patient and seek the Reward with Allah.”
She sent back with an oath that he (saw) must come in person to visit her. So Allah’s Messenger (saw) stood and with him was Sa’d ibn Ubaadah, Mu’aadh ibn Jabal, Ubayy ibn Ka’b, and Zayd ibn Thabit, as well as others.
At her home, the young boy was given to the Prophet, (saw), it’s breathing faltering. The eyes of the Prophet (saw) welled with tears.
Seeing the Prophet (saw) crying, Sa’d (ra) said to him,
“What is this O Messenger of Allah?”
Rasul Allah (saw) replied, “This is mercy which Allah has placed in the hearts of His servants. And indeed it is to only the merciful of His
servants that Allah gives mercy.”
When death hits so closely to home, to ones so young and those old as well, the sick and the healthy, many questions arise
Ibn Al-Qayyim (ra) said in his book Zaad al-Ma’aad about the blessed guidance of the Prophet (saw) at times of death. He writes:
It was from the blessed guidance of Rasulullah (saw) to convey his condolences to the family of the deceased. From his blessed guidance is his tranquility and acceptance of Allah’s decree, thanking Allah and holding back from saying things unbefitting. He (saw) disowned himself from those that rip their clothes due to the calamity, or raise their voices in a wail, or those that shave their head because of the situation.
Where do our youth normally learn about the concept of love? For the answer, all you need to do is look over the top music charts to find out.
I searched the billboard charts to pick up some names as example. I found: “Love don’t cost a thing”, “What’s Luv”, “He loves you not”, as well as others. These are just the titles, not to speak of the content of the other songs, in addition to the TV shows, movies and everything in-between.
Some people in this society want to commit suicide. The problem is that many of them are procrastinators - they keep putting the suicide off. Now, we’ve heard many times in Khutbahs and lectures that procrastination is something bad, but in this case, Alhamdulillah, it saves peoples lives.
Now I ask, when was the last time you heard an Islamic Halaqah about the concept of Love in Islam. Not too recently, I’m sure. Thus, we can safely say that Allah (swt) and His Messenger (saw) do not dictate to us many of the concepts of love that we harbor in our minds.
Allah (swt) says: [Close friends, that Day, will be enemies to each other…] Ch. 43: : Vs.67
[Every time a nation enters, it will curse its sister until, when they have all overtaken one another therein, the last of them (the followers) will say about the first of them (the leaders), “Our Lord, they have misled us, so give them a double punishment of the fire.” He will say, “For each is double, but you do not know.” … Indeed those who deny Our verses and are arrogant toward them - the gates of heaven will not be opened for them, nor will they enter Paradise until a camel enters into the eye of a needle (i.e. never). And thus do We pay back the criminals.]
Surah A’raaf 7/38,40
If a friendship was ever made for other then the sake of Allah, then that friendship ends at death. There is no ‘heart that lives on after death’.
But if you’ve ever loved someone because they said Laa ilaaha illa Allah, Muhammadur Rasul Allah, then I have good news for you: Your friendship will not end at death! It will never end at death. Completing the above verse: Allah (swt) says: [Close friends, that Day, will be enemies to each other, except for the righteous!] 43/67
And on the Day of Judgement, of the seven types of people who will find shade from the horrific heat will be two people who loved one another only for the sake of Allah. Imagine that, in the hardest time of your life, if you’ve loved someone for the sake of Allah, they will be saved hand-in-hand with you.
Do all good things will come to an end? Good question. Summers come to an end, ice creams come to an end, interesting Khutbahs come to an end. So what’s the answer?
Allah (swt) says: [Whatever you have will end, but what Allah has is lasting. And We surely give those who were patient their reward according to the best of what they used to do.] Surah Nahl 16/96
Before the Hijrah from Makkah, there was a famous Qureishi poet by the name of Labeed bin Rabee’ah. In his company, one day, sat the great companion of the Prophet (saw): Uthmaan ibn Madh’oon (ra).
Labeed recited a verse of poetry:
[Indeed everything other then Allah is falsehood…]
Uthmaan ibn Madh’oon (ra) replied, “You have told the truth.”
Labeed continued: [ … And every enjoyment, without doubt, will die.]
“You have lied!” said Uthmaan ibn Madh’oon (ra).
“The enjoyment of paradise shall never end.”
This infuriated the group and one of the ignorant amongst them stood up and slapped Uthmaan ibn Madh’oon (ra) in the face, blackening his eye.
There are things that help us in times of sadness:
One: During times of sadness, Allah wants us to come back and reflect upon the Qur’an. That is what He revealed it for, contemplation. In it, the believer will find tranquility for his or her heart.
Two: Whatever happens, when someone is patient and says the dua that the Prophet (saw) taught us, that person will be blessed with something better.
The Dua is as follows:
“Inna lillaahi wa inna Ilayhi raaji’oon. Allaahumma ‘jurnee fee museebatee, wakhluf lee khayrun minh.”
Allah’s Blessings on the Islamic New Year, 1428
This publication has been researched, published, printed and distributed as a
Community Service through the kind courtesy of Meccan Printers Ltd. #128 Caroni Savannah Road, Charlieville.
Dedicated to the Cherished Memories of the late:
Imam Mahmood Ali, Hajjin Khatija Ali, Asgar Ali and Kurban Mohammed of Meccan Printers, Charlieville.
Meccan Printers celebrating 25 years of Dedicated Service. (1982-2007)
“Goodbye My Beloved” by Muhammad Al Shareef (PART 2)
“Goodbye My Beloved” by Muhammad Al Shareef (PART 2)
ISSUE NO. 006 of 2007
ISSUE DATE. Friday 9th February, 2007
Corresponding Islamic Date: 20th Muharram, 1428
A’ oozu Billahi Minash Shaitaan Nir Rajeem Bissmillaah Hir Rahmaan Nir Raheem
I seek refuge in Allah from Satan the Accursed, I begin in the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Assalaamu ‘Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuh
Peace Be Unto You and the Mercy of Allah and His Blessings.
“Goodbye My Beloved”
by Muhammad Al Shareef
(PART 2)
Whatever happens, when someone is patient and says the dua that the Prophet (saw) taught us, that person will be blessed with something better.
The Dua is as follows:
“Inna lillaahi wa inna Ilayhi raaji’oon. Allaahumma ‘jurnee fee museebatee, wakhluf lee khayrun minh.”
Umm Salamah (ra) the narrator of this dua, loved her husband very much. When he died, she states, “I was firm to say the dua, but I thought to myself, how could I get anything better then Abu Salamah? Allah (swt) answered my dua and I married the Messenger of Allah (saw)! And he is better then Abu Salamah (ra).”
May Allah (swt) make all our brothers good husbands like Rasul Allah (saw) and Abu Salamah.
And for those who have had a child die, take glad tidings in the following Hadith:
Abu Moosa al-Ash’aree (ra) narrates: Allah’s Messenger, (saw) said,
“If the child of a servant (of Allah) dies, Allah questions the angels,
‘Have you taken the life of my servant’s child?’
“The angels reply, ‘Yes.’
“Allah then asks them, ‘Have you taken the fruit of his heart?’
“The angels reply, ‘Yes.’
“Then Allah asks them, ‘What did my servant say?’
“They reply, ‘He praised you and refrained (from saying anything unbefitting)’
“At that Allah will say, ‘Build a home for my slave in Jannah and call it Bayt-ul-Hamd (The Home of Thankfulness).’”
Umar (ra) said, “We found the best of our provision to be patience.”
Part II: Towards Patience
The term Al-Qadaa’ wal Qadr is so easily inadequately translated. Some have translated it as pre-destiny, decree, etc.
Once, however, I was passing through a bookstore in Madinah and there I found a book on this topic. The translated had cleverly translated the term Qadr as: Pre-Recording.
So I thought to myself, for our TV culture, now there is a translation we can all understand. Everything that happens to us is pre-recorded with Allah (swt), nothing can happen except by his Will and knowledge.
When a death befalls someone, it is permissible to cry (without wailing) and to feel sadness in the heart.
When the son of Rasul Allah (saw) was dying, he held his small body in his hand and began crying. The Sahaabah who saw him crying inquired, “What are these tears, O Messenger of Allah.”
He (saw) replied, “The eye cries, and the heart is saddened, but we do not say anything other then that which is pleasing to our Lord, and we, indeed O Ibraheem, are saddened by our separation from you.”
However, we have picked up things from the culture of the non-Muslims, things that we do not find in the tradition dictated to us by the Lord of the worlds. For example:
a. To wear black specifically to honor the deceased.
b. Institutionalizing the placing of flowers at the site of the grave.
c. To lower a national flag in honor of the deceased.
d. There is no mention of a ‘moment-of-silence’ in Islam.
e. There is no mention of Qur’an Khanis (gathering people to recite Qur’an for the deceased) in the Sunnah of Muhammad (saw). All goodness is in
following the guidance of our Prophet (saw).
f. There is no mention of gathering people 40 days after the death to recite Qur’an for the deceased.
g. There is no mention of having an annual gathering where guests recite the Qur’an for the deceased.
h. There is no mention in the Sunnah of collectively reciting Suratul-Fatiha for the deceased.
So then what should we do?
1. We should hasten to pay off the debts of the deceased.
2. We should give our condolences to the family of the deceased. This could be done in the Masjid, at the gravesite, at their homes, etc. But excessively long gatherings at the deceased’s home should not be encouraged.
3. We should make food for the family of the deceased and not burden them with having to make food for the entire community.
4. We should all attend the funeral prayer and, for men, follow the funeral to the gravesite. The women should not follow, as Umm Salamah (ra) said, “We were forbidden from following the funeral processions.”
5. We may give Sadaqah on behalf of the deceased, and we may perform Hajj on their behalf.
6. And above all, we should make Dua, and lots of it, for the deceased. This is how the Prophet (saw) taught us, as in the funeral prayer and the hadith of the servants actions being cut off except from three things - he mentioned, “… a pious child that makes dua for (the deceased).”
Narrated Abu Hurayrah (ra), Allah’s Messenger (saw) said to a group of Ansari women, “There is no woman amongst you who has three children of hers die, yet she is patient, hoping for the reward from Allah, except that she shall enter Jannah.”
So a woman amongst them asked,
“What about two children O Messenger of Allah?”
He replied, “Even two.”
Allah’s Blessings on the Islamic New Year, 1428
This publication has been researched, published, printed and distributed as a
Community Service through the kind courtesy of Meccan Printers Ltd. #128 Caroni Savannah Road, Charlieville.
Meccan Printers celebrating 25 years of Dedicated Service, (1882-2007)
Dedicated to the Cherished Memories of the late:
Imam Mahmood Ali, Hajjin Khatija Ali, Asgar Ali and Kurban Mohammed of Meccan Printers, Charlieville.
ISSUE NO. 006 of 2007
ISSUE DATE. Friday 9th February, 2007
Corresponding Islamic Date: 20th Muharram, 1428
A’ oozu Billahi Minash Shaitaan Nir Rajeem Bissmillaah Hir Rahmaan Nir Raheem
I seek refuge in Allah from Satan the Accursed, I begin in the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Assalaamu ‘Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuh
Peace Be Unto You and the Mercy of Allah and His Blessings.
“Goodbye My Beloved”
by Muhammad Al Shareef
(PART 2)
Whatever happens, when someone is patient and says the dua that the Prophet (saw) taught us, that person will be blessed with something better.
The Dua is as follows:
“Inna lillaahi wa inna Ilayhi raaji’oon. Allaahumma ‘jurnee fee museebatee, wakhluf lee khayrun minh.”
Umm Salamah (ra) the narrator of this dua, loved her husband very much. When he died, she states, “I was firm to say the dua, but I thought to myself, how could I get anything better then Abu Salamah? Allah (swt) answered my dua and I married the Messenger of Allah (saw)! And he is better then Abu Salamah (ra).”
May Allah (swt) make all our brothers good husbands like Rasul Allah (saw) and Abu Salamah.
And for those who have had a child die, take glad tidings in the following Hadith:
Abu Moosa al-Ash’aree (ra) narrates: Allah’s Messenger, (saw) said,
“If the child of a servant (of Allah) dies, Allah questions the angels,
‘Have you taken the life of my servant’s child?’
“The angels reply, ‘Yes.’
“Allah then asks them, ‘Have you taken the fruit of his heart?’
“The angels reply, ‘Yes.’
“Then Allah asks them, ‘What did my servant say?’
“They reply, ‘He praised you and refrained (from saying anything unbefitting)’
“At that Allah will say, ‘Build a home for my slave in Jannah and call it Bayt-ul-Hamd (The Home of Thankfulness).’”
Umar (ra) said, “We found the best of our provision to be patience.”
Part II: Towards Patience
The term Al-Qadaa’ wal Qadr is so easily inadequately translated. Some have translated it as pre-destiny, decree, etc.
Once, however, I was passing through a bookstore in Madinah and there I found a book on this topic. The translated had cleverly translated the term Qadr as: Pre-Recording.
So I thought to myself, for our TV culture, now there is a translation we can all understand. Everything that happens to us is pre-recorded with Allah (swt), nothing can happen except by his Will and knowledge.
When a death befalls someone, it is permissible to cry (without wailing) and to feel sadness in the heart.
When the son of Rasul Allah (saw) was dying, he held his small body in his hand and began crying. The Sahaabah who saw him crying inquired, “What are these tears, O Messenger of Allah.”
He (saw) replied, “The eye cries, and the heart is saddened, but we do not say anything other then that which is pleasing to our Lord, and we, indeed O Ibraheem, are saddened by our separation from you.”
However, we have picked up things from the culture of the non-Muslims, things that we do not find in the tradition dictated to us by the Lord of the worlds. For example:
a. To wear black specifically to honor the deceased.
b. Institutionalizing the placing of flowers at the site of the grave.
c. To lower a national flag in honor of the deceased.
d. There is no mention of a ‘moment-of-silence’ in Islam.
e. There is no mention of Qur’an Khanis (gathering people to recite Qur’an for the deceased) in the Sunnah of Muhammad (saw). All goodness is in
following the guidance of our Prophet (saw).
f. There is no mention of gathering people 40 days after the death to recite Qur’an for the deceased.
g. There is no mention of having an annual gathering where guests recite the Qur’an for the deceased.
h. There is no mention in the Sunnah of collectively reciting Suratul-Fatiha for the deceased.
So then what should we do?
1. We should hasten to pay off the debts of the deceased.
2. We should give our condolences to the family of the deceased. This could be done in the Masjid, at the gravesite, at their homes, etc. But excessively long gatherings at the deceased’s home should not be encouraged.
3. We should make food for the family of the deceased and not burden them with having to make food for the entire community.
4. We should all attend the funeral prayer and, for men, follow the funeral to the gravesite. The women should not follow, as Umm Salamah (ra) said, “We were forbidden from following the funeral processions.”
5. We may give Sadaqah on behalf of the deceased, and we may perform Hajj on their behalf.
6. And above all, we should make Dua, and lots of it, for the deceased. This is how the Prophet (saw) taught us, as in the funeral prayer and the hadith of the servants actions being cut off except from three things - he mentioned, “… a pious child that makes dua for (the deceased).”
Narrated Abu Hurayrah (ra), Allah’s Messenger (saw) said to a group of Ansari women, “There is no woman amongst you who has three children of hers die, yet she is patient, hoping for the reward from Allah, except that she shall enter Jannah.”
So a woman amongst them asked,
“What about two children O Messenger of Allah?”
He replied, “Even two.”
Allah’s Blessings on the Islamic New Year, 1428
This publication has been researched, published, printed and distributed as a
Community Service through the kind courtesy of Meccan Printers Ltd. #128 Caroni Savannah Road, Charlieville.
Meccan Printers celebrating 25 years of Dedicated Service, (1882-2007)
Dedicated to the Cherished Memories of the late:
Imam Mahmood Ali, Hajjin Khatija Ali, Asgar Ali and Kurban Mohammed of Meccan Printers, Charlieville.
What Happens After Death - Part 1. 007 of 2007
ISSUE NO. 007 of 2007
ISSUE DATE. Friday 16th February, 2007
Corresponding Islamic Date: 27th Muharram, 1428
A’ oozu Billahi Minash Shaitaan Nir Rajeem Bissmillaah Hir Rahmaan Nir Raheem
I seek refuge in Allah from Satan the Accursed, I begin in the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Assalaamu ‘Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuh
Peace Be Unto You and the Mercy of Allah and His Blessings.
What Happens After Death - Part 1.
Rasulullaah (saw)’s saying denote clearly that the dead persons are much alive, although their lives are very different from those of ours. Rasulullaah (saw) said: “Breaking the bones of the dead person is like breaking the bones whilst he was alive.” [Mishkat]
Once Rasulullaah (saw) saw Hadhrat Amr bin Hazm (ra) reclining against a grave and retorted : “Do not trouble the man of the grave.” [Mishkat]
When a person dies , he enters a world called “Barzakh”, even if he might be buried or cremated. His sense and ability of comprehending remains intact. Rasulullaah (saw) stated :
“When the dead body is placed on the bier , and the people carry it towards the graveyard,the virtuous one urges them to move faster, but when, the dead is a sinner, he cries “where is my family members
taking me”
He further added,”Every creature, except human beings, hears to his wailings ; if a human being should hear it, he is bound to fall
unconscious.” [Bukhari]
What happens to a person between his death and the Day of Qiyamaah is called “Barzakh” which literally means screen and fence.
Since dead bodies are generally buried, the term, “Grave” is generally used for all. Hence even those persons who are cremated or drown remain alive in Barzakh. In reality reward and punishment are related and connected to the soul, and Allaah (swt) has the definite power of granting reward and punishment by collecting even the burnt particles and molecules.
Bukhari and Muslim report: A certain person committed numerous sins.
On the verge of death, he bequeathed his sons that after his death his body should be burnt to ashes; half of the ashes be spread on the land and the other half be thrown into the sea. Having left this will (testament)
he remarked:
“If Allaah overpowers me and He restores me life He will render me the worst and severest punishment ever given to anyone.”
When he died, his sons acted as instructed. Then Allaah (swt) ordered the sea to collect all the particles of his body, and the sea complied with His Order, and the land did the same when ordered. After having assembled all the particles He revived him. Later on he was asked:
“Why did you leave such a will?”.
“O Rabb I did so due to your fear,” He submitted.
Thereafter Allaah (swt) forgave him.
In another hadith we are informed that the Believers visit each other and enquire about others from those who meet them.Hadhrat Jubair (ra) said:
“When a person dies his offsprings often welcome him, as was done in the world.”
Hadhrat Thabit Banani (ra) should say:
“When a person dies his kith and kin who died, surround him in
Barzakh and express their joys and delight more than they did when greeting a person from abroad in the world.” [Ibn Abid’duniya]
Hadhrat Qays bin Qabisa (ra) reports that Rasulullaah (saw) stated :
“Unbelievers are not permitted to talk with each other “
Someone enquired whether the dead could speak, he answered :
“Yes, and they also visit each other.” [Ibn Hibban]
Hadhrat Ayesha (ra) reported that Rasulullaah (saw) said:
“One who is not a Believer is not allowed to talk to the dead.”
“Do the dead speak too?” Someone enquired .
“Yes, of course!” said Rasulullaah (saw) and added.
“They also visit each other.”
Hadhrat Umm Basher (ra) reported to have enquired from Rasulullaah (saw):
“O Rasul of Allaah! Do the dead persons recognise each other?”
He replied: “The virtuous souls are embodied in green birds in
Heaven.” “Now if the birds could recognise each other why not the souls?”
Hadhrat Abu Saeed Khudri (ra) reports Rasulullaah (saw) stated :
“One who begins learning the Noble Qur’aan and dies without
completing it, an angel teaches him the Qur’aan in the grave.
Thus he will meet Allaah in a state as if he has learnt the entire Qur’aan by heart.” [Shauq-e-Watan]
Hence those who spend their lives in performing righteous acts and believe in life after death do not love worldly life and prefer death to this life but those who waste their worldly life in evil are afraid of death.
Suliman bin Abdul Malik once asked Abu Hazim (ra):
“Why are we afraid of death?”
“You are afraid because you have beautified the world and discarded the Aakhiraat; thus you dislike to proceed to wilderness, departing from the habitated and beautified world.” he replied.
“ Definitely you spoke the truth indeed!” Suliman acknowledged.
Virtuous and righteous personal are not worried at the concept of death
because they firmly hope to have a better life in the next world.
Rasulullaah (saw) stated :
“Man loves his life while death is better for him.” [Baihaqi]
Rasulullaah (saw) further added: “Man regards death as detestable,
although death is better than mischiefs. Thus as soon as he dies, he is secure from the mischiefs of the world.” [Ahmad]
In another hadith, Rasulullaah (saw) has denoted death as a gift for the Believer. [Mishkat]
In brief , death is something very desirable provided the person is righteous and has formulated a good relationship with Allaah. Those persons who live doing good acts prefer death to this worldly abode and desire to depart for the permanent life of peace and comfort, away from this world of sorrow and sufferings.
Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (ra) one day enquired from someone:
“Where are you going?”
“To the market,” he replied.
“If able , buy and bring death for me.”
That is, he destested life in the world and hence was even ready to possess death by purchasing it.
Hadhrat Khalid bin Madah (ra) says: “If anyone says that the one who touches a particular object first will die.I shall be the first person to touch it . However, it is a different matter if someone superseded me in running and reaching the object.” [Sharh-us-Sudur]
Hadhrat Anas (ra) reports that Rasulullaah (saw) stated : “Death of a man is like the birth of a child from (the dark and narrow) the womb of a mother to the peace and comfort of the world”. (Tirmidhi).
Allahumma habbibil mauta ilayya wa ila man yalamu anna syedena
Muhammadan sallallahu Ta’aala alaihi wa sallama abduka wa rasulika
This publication has been researched, published, printed and distributed as a
Community Service through the kind courtesy of Meccan Printers Ltd. #128 Caroni Savannah Road, Charlieville. Trinidad W.I.
Dedicated to the Cherished Memories of the late:
Imam Mahmood Ali, Hajjin Khatija Ali, Asgar Ali and Kurban Mohammed of Meccan Printers, Charlieville.
Meccan Printers celebrating 25 years of Dedicated Service. (1982-2007)
ISSUE DATE. Friday 16th February, 2007
Corresponding Islamic Date: 27th Muharram, 1428
A’ oozu Billahi Minash Shaitaan Nir Rajeem Bissmillaah Hir Rahmaan Nir Raheem
I seek refuge in Allah from Satan the Accursed, I begin in the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Assalaamu ‘Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuh
Peace Be Unto You and the Mercy of Allah and His Blessings.
What Happens After Death - Part 1.
Rasulullaah (saw)’s saying denote clearly that the dead persons are much alive, although their lives are very different from those of ours. Rasulullaah (saw) said: “Breaking the bones of the dead person is like breaking the bones whilst he was alive.” [Mishkat]
Once Rasulullaah (saw) saw Hadhrat Amr bin Hazm (ra) reclining against a grave and retorted : “Do not trouble the man of the grave.” [Mishkat]
When a person dies , he enters a world called “Barzakh”, even if he might be buried or cremated. His sense and ability of comprehending remains intact. Rasulullaah (saw) stated :
“When the dead body is placed on the bier , and the people carry it towards the graveyard,the virtuous one urges them to move faster, but when, the dead is a sinner, he cries “where is my family members
taking me”
He further added,”Every creature, except human beings, hears to his wailings ; if a human being should hear it, he is bound to fall
unconscious.” [Bukhari]
What happens to a person between his death and the Day of Qiyamaah is called “Barzakh” which literally means screen and fence.
Since dead bodies are generally buried, the term, “Grave” is generally used for all. Hence even those persons who are cremated or drown remain alive in Barzakh. In reality reward and punishment are related and connected to the soul, and Allaah (swt) has the definite power of granting reward and punishment by collecting even the burnt particles and molecules.
Bukhari and Muslim report: A certain person committed numerous sins.
On the verge of death, he bequeathed his sons that after his death his body should be burnt to ashes; half of the ashes be spread on the land and the other half be thrown into the sea. Having left this will (testament)
he remarked:
“If Allaah overpowers me and He restores me life He will render me the worst and severest punishment ever given to anyone.”
When he died, his sons acted as instructed. Then Allaah (swt) ordered the sea to collect all the particles of his body, and the sea complied with His Order, and the land did the same when ordered. After having assembled all the particles He revived him. Later on he was asked:
“Why did you leave such a will?”.
“O Rabb I did so due to your fear,” He submitted.
Thereafter Allaah (swt) forgave him.
In another hadith we are informed that the Believers visit each other and enquire about others from those who meet them.Hadhrat Jubair (ra) said:
“When a person dies his offsprings often welcome him, as was done in the world.”
Hadhrat Thabit Banani (ra) should say:
“When a person dies his kith and kin who died, surround him in
Barzakh and express their joys and delight more than they did when greeting a person from abroad in the world.” [Ibn Abid’duniya]
Hadhrat Qays bin Qabisa (ra) reports that Rasulullaah (saw) stated :
“Unbelievers are not permitted to talk with each other “
Someone enquired whether the dead could speak, he answered :
“Yes, and they also visit each other.” [Ibn Hibban]
Hadhrat Ayesha (ra) reported that Rasulullaah (saw) said:
“One who is not a Believer is not allowed to talk to the dead.”
“Do the dead speak too?” Someone enquired .
“Yes, of course!” said Rasulullaah (saw) and added.
“They also visit each other.”
Hadhrat Umm Basher (ra) reported to have enquired from Rasulullaah (saw):
“O Rasul of Allaah! Do the dead persons recognise each other?”
He replied: “The virtuous souls are embodied in green birds in
Heaven.” “Now if the birds could recognise each other why not the souls?”
Hadhrat Abu Saeed Khudri (ra) reports Rasulullaah (saw) stated :
“One who begins learning the Noble Qur’aan and dies without
completing it, an angel teaches him the Qur’aan in the grave.
Thus he will meet Allaah in a state as if he has learnt the entire Qur’aan by heart.” [Shauq-e-Watan]
Hence those who spend their lives in performing righteous acts and believe in life after death do not love worldly life and prefer death to this life but those who waste their worldly life in evil are afraid of death.
Suliman bin Abdul Malik once asked Abu Hazim (ra):
“Why are we afraid of death?”
“You are afraid because you have beautified the world and discarded the Aakhiraat; thus you dislike to proceed to wilderness, departing from the habitated and beautified world.” he replied.
“ Definitely you spoke the truth indeed!” Suliman acknowledged.
Virtuous and righteous personal are not worried at the concept of death
because they firmly hope to have a better life in the next world.
Rasulullaah (saw) stated :
“Man loves his life while death is better for him.” [Baihaqi]
Rasulullaah (saw) further added: “Man regards death as detestable,
although death is better than mischiefs. Thus as soon as he dies, he is secure from the mischiefs of the world.” [Ahmad]
In another hadith, Rasulullaah (saw) has denoted death as a gift for the Believer. [Mishkat]
In brief , death is something very desirable provided the person is righteous and has formulated a good relationship with Allaah. Those persons who live doing good acts prefer death to this worldly abode and desire to depart for the permanent life of peace and comfort, away from this world of sorrow and sufferings.
Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (ra) one day enquired from someone:
“Where are you going?”
“To the market,” he replied.
“If able , buy and bring death for me.”
That is, he destested life in the world and hence was even ready to possess death by purchasing it.
Hadhrat Khalid bin Madah (ra) says: “If anyone says that the one who touches a particular object first will die.I shall be the first person to touch it . However, it is a different matter if someone superseded me in running and reaching the object.” [Sharh-us-Sudur]
Hadhrat Anas (ra) reports that Rasulullaah (saw) stated : “Death of a man is like the birth of a child from (the dark and narrow) the womb of a mother to the peace and comfort of the world”. (Tirmidhi).
Allahumma habbibil mauta ilayya wa ila man yalamu anna syedena
Muhammadan sallallahu Ta’aala alaihi wa sallama abduka wa rasulika
This publication has been researched, published, printed and distributed as a
Community Service through the kind courtesy of Meccan Printers Ltd. #128 Caroni Savannah Road, Charlieville. Trinidad W.I.
Dedicated to the Cherished Memories of the late:
Imam Mahmood Ali, Hajjin Khatija Ali, Asgar Ali and Kurban Mohammed of Meccan Printers, Charlieville.
Meccan Printers celebrating 25 years of Dedicated Service. (1982-2007)
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
“Goodbye My Beloved” by Muhammad Al Shareef (PART 2)
“Goodbye My Beloved” by Muhammad Al Shareef (PART 2)
ISSUE NO. 006 of 2007
ISSUE DATE. Friday 9th February, 2007
Corresponding Islamic Date: 20th Muharram, 1428
A’ oozu Billahi Minash Shaitaan Nir Rajeem Bissmillaah Hir Rahmaan Nir Raheem
I seek refuge in Allah from Satan the Accursed, I begin in the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Assalaamu ‘Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuh
Peace Be Unto You and the Mercy of Allah and His Blessings.
Whatever happens, when someone is patient and says the dua that the Prophet (saw) taught us, that person will be blessed with something better.
The Dua is as follows:
“Inna lillaahi wa inna Ilayhi raaji’oon. Allaahumma ‘jurnee fee museebatee, wakhluf lee khayrun minh.”
Umm Salamah (ra) the narrator of this dua, loved her husband very much. When he died, she states, “I was firm to say the dua, but I thought to myself, how could I get anything better then Abu Salamah? Allah (swt) answered my dua and I married the Messenger of Allah (saw)! And he is better then Abu Salamah (ra).”
May Allah (swt) make all our brothers good husbands like Rasul Allah (saw) and Abu Salamah.
And for those who have had a child die, take glad tidings in the following Hadith:
Abu Moosa al-Ash’aree (ra) narrates: Allah’s Messenger, (saw) said,
“If the child of a servant (of Allah) dies, Allah questions the angels,
‘Have you taken the life of my servant’s child?’
“The angels reply, ‘Yes.’
“Allah then asks them, ‘Have you taken the fruit of his heart?’
“The angels reply, ‘Yes.’
“Then Allah asks them, ‘What did my servant say?’
“They reply, ‘He praised you and refrained (from saying anything unbefitting)’
“At that Allah will say, ‘Build a home for my slave in Jannah and call it Bayt-ul-Hamd (The Home of Thankfulness).’”
Umar (ra) said, “We found the best of our provision to be patience.”
Part II: Towards Patience
The term Al-Qadaa’ wal Qadr is so easily inadequately translated. Some have translated it as pre-destiny, decree, etc.
Once, however, I was passing through a bookstore in Madinah and there I found a book on this topic. The translated had cleverly translated the term Qadr as: Pre-Recording.
So I thought to myself, for our TV culture, now there is a translation we can all understand. Everything that happens to us is pre-recorded with Allah (swt), nothing can happen except by his Will and knowledge.
When a death befalls someone, it is permissible to cry (without wailing) and to feel sadness in the heart.
When the son of Rasul Allah (saw) was dying, he held his small body in his hand and began crying. The Sahaabah who saw him crying inquired, “What are these tears, O Messenger of Allah.”
He (saw) replied, “The eye cries, and the heart is saddened, but we do not say anything other then that which is pleasing to our Lord, and we, indeed O Ibraheem, are saddened by our separation from you.”
However, we have picked up things from the culture of the non-Muslims, things that we do not find in the tradition dictated to us by the Lord of the worlds. For example:
a. To wear black specifically to honor the deceased.
b. Institutionalizing the placing of flowers at the site of the grave.
c. To lower a national flag in honor of the deceased.
d. There is no mention of a ‘moment-of-silence’ in Islam.
e. There is no mention of Qur’an Khanis (gathering people to recite Qur’an for the deceased) in the Sunnah of Muhammad (saw). All goodness is in
following the guidance of our Prophet (saw).
f. There is no mention of gathering people 40 days after the death to recite Qur’an for the deceased.
g. There is no mention of having an annual gathering where guests recite the Qur’an for the deceased.
h. There is no mention in the Sunnah of collectively reciting Suratul-Fatiha for the deceased.
So then what should we do?
1. We should hasten to pay off the debts of the deceased.
2. We should give our condolences to the family of the deceased. This could be done in the Masjid, at the gravesite, at their homes, etc. But excessively long gatherings at the deceased’s home should not be encouraged.
3. We should make food for the family of the deceased and not burden them with having to make food for the entire community.
4. We should all attend the funeral prayer and, for men, follow the funeral to the gravesite. The women should not follow, as Umm Salamah (ra) said, “We were forbidden from following the funeral processions.”
5. We may give Sadaqah on behalf of the deceased, and we may perform Hajj on their behalf.
6. And above all, we should make Dua, and lots of it, for the deceased. This is how the Prophet (saw) taught us, as in the funeral prayer and the hadith of the servants actions being cut off except from three things - he mentioned, “… a pious child that makes dua for (the deceased).”
Narrated Abu Hurayrah (ra), Allah’s Messenger (saw) said to a group of Ansari women, “There is no woman amongst you who has three children of hers die, yet she is patient, hoping for the reward from Allah, except that she shall enter Jannah.”
So a woman amongst them asked,
“What about two children O Messenger of Allah?”
He replied, “Even two.”
Allah’s Blessings on the Islamic New Year, 1428
Dedicated to the Cherished Memories of the late:
Imam Mahmood Ali, Hajjin Khatija Ali, Asgar Ali and Kurban Mohammed of Meccan Printers, Charlieville.
Meccan Printers celebrating 25 years of Dedicated Service.
ISSUE NO. 006 of 2007
ISSUE DATE. Friday 9th February, 2007
Corresponding Islamic Date: 20th Muharram, 1428
A’ oozu Billahi Minash Shaitaan Nir Rajeem Bissmillaah Hir Rahmaan Nir Raheem
I seek refuge in Allah from Satan the Accursed, I begin in the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Assalaamu ‘Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuh
Peace Be Unto You and the Mercy of Allah and His Blessings.
Whatever happens, when someone is patient and says the dua that the Prophet (saw) taught us, that person will be blessed with something better.
The Dua is as follows:
“Inna lillaahi wa inna Ilayhi raaji’oon. Allaahumma ‘jurnee fee museebatee, wakhluf lee khayrun minh.”
Umm Salamah (ra) the narrator of this dua, loved her husband very much. When he died, she states, “I was firm to say the dua, but I thought to myself, how could I get anything better then Abu Salamah? Allah (swt) answered my dua and I married the Messenger of Allah (saw)! And he is better then Abu Salamah (ra).”
May Allah (swt) make all our brothers good husbands like Rasul Allah (saw) and Abu Salamah.
And for those who have had a child die, take glad tidings in the following Hadith:
Abu Moosa al-Ash’aree (ra) narrates: Allah’s Messenger, (saw) said,
“If the child of a servant (of Allah) dies, Allah questions the angels,
‘Have you taken the life of my servant’s child?’
“The angels reply, ‘Yes.’
“Allah then asks them, ‘Have you taken the fruit of his heart?’
“The angels reply, ‘Yes.’
“Then Allah asks them, ‘What did my servant say?’
“They reply, ‘He praised you and refrained (from saying anything unbefitting)’
“At that Allah will say, ‘Build a home for my slave in Jannah and call it Bayt-ul-Hamd (The Home of Thankfulness).’”
Umar (ra) said, “We found the best of our provision to be patience.”
Part II: Towards Patience
The term Al-Qadaa’ wal Qadr is so easily inadequately translated. Some have translated it as pre-destiny, decree, etc.
Once, however, I was passing through a bookstore in Madinah and there I found a book on this topic. The translated had cleverly translated the term Qadr as: Pre-Recording.
So I thought to myself, for our TV culture, now there is a translation we can all understand. Everything that happens to us is pre-recorded with Allah (swt), nothing can happen except by his Will and knowledge.
When a death befalls someone, it is permissible to cry (without wailing) and to feel sadness in the heart.
When the son of Rasul Allah (saw) was dying, he held his small body in his hand and began crying. The Sahaabah who saw him crying inquired, “What are these tears, O Messenger of Allah.”
He (saw) replied, “The eye cries, and the heart is saddened, but we do not say anything other then that which is pleasing to our Lord, and we, indeed O Ibraheem, are saddened by our separation from you.”
However, we have picked up things from the culture of the non-Muslims, things that we do not find in the tradition dictated to us by the Lord of the worlds. For example:
a. To wear black specifically to honor the deceased.
b. Institutionalizing the placing of flowers at the site of the grave.
c. To lower a national flag in honor of the deceased.
d. There is no mention of a ‘moment-of-silence’ in Islam.
e. There is no mention of Qur’an Khanis (gathering people to recite Qur’an for the deceased) in the Sunnah of Muhammad (saw). All goodness is in
following the guidance of our Prophet (saw).
f. There is no mention of gathering people 40 days after the death to recite Qur’an for the deceased.
g. There is no mention of having an annual gathering where guests recite the Qur’an for the deceased.
h. There is no mention in the Sunnah of collectively reciting Suratul-Fatiha for the deceased.
So then what should we do?
1. We should hasten to pay off the debts of the deceased.
2. We should give our condolences to the family of the deceased. This could be done in the Masjid, at the gravesite, at their homes, etc. But excessively long gatherings at the deceased’s home should not be encouraged.
3. We should make food for the family of the deceased and not burden them with having to make food for the entire community.
4. We should all attend the funeral prayer and, for men, follow the funeral to the gravesite. The women should not follow, as Umm Salamah (ra) said, “We were forbidden from following the funeral processions.”
5. We may give Sadaqah on behalf of the deceased, and we may perform Hajj on their behalf.
6. And above all, we should make Dua, and lots of it, for the deceased. This is how the Prophet (saw) taught us, as in the funeral prayer and the hadith of the servants actions being cut off except from three things - he mentioned, “… a pious child that makes dua for (the deceased).”
Narrated Abu Hurayrah (ra), Allah’s Messenger (saw) said to a group of Ansari women, “There is no woman amongst you who has three children of hers die, yet she is patient, hoping for the reward from Allah, except that she shall enter Jannah.”
So a woman amongst them asked,
“What about two children O Messenger of Allah?”
He replied, “Even two.”
Allah’s Blessings on the Islamic New Year, 1428
Dedicated to the Cherished Memories of the late:
Imam Mahmood Ali, Hajjin Khatija Ali, Asgar Ali and Kurban Mohammed of Meccan Printers, Charlieville.
Meccan Printers celebrating 25 years of Dedicated Service.
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