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Eedul Adhaa Khutbah at The Park 01/09/17-Masjid Al-Furqaan [Stoke On Trent] Based On ‘Some of The Means to Safety For The Ummah’- By Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Brotherhood, Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Innovations In Islam (Bidah), Khutbah (Friday Sermons), Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Some of The Means to Safety For The Ummah

Imaam Maalik [rahimahullaah] said:

لنْ َيصْلُحَ  آخِرُ هَذِهِ الْأمة الَّا مَا أَصْلَحَ  أَوَّلَهَا

The latter part of this Ummah [i.e. those who will come after the Salaf] will not be rectified except by way of that which rectified its earlier part [i.e. the Salaf].’’

Therefore, there can be no return to safety, security and strength unless we return to that which rectified the early generations of Islaam. Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan said, ‘’And from those first and foremost means to safety and security in this life and the next is means to safety in this life and the next, is that the Ummah has to be upon a sound Aqeedah – singling out Allaah in worship and abandoning everything that is worshipped besides Allaah – not invoking tombs, graves, shrines and other false objects of worship, rather worshipping Allaah alone without any partner is the greatest and first and foremost means to safety in this life and next. Allaah [The Most High] said:

 [ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَلَمۡ يَلۡبِسُوٓاْ إِيمَـٰنَهُم بِظُلۡمٍ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ لَهُمُ ٱلۡأَمۡنُ وَهُم مُّهۡتَدُونَ – It is those who believe and confuse not their belief with Zulm (wrong), for them (only) there is security and they are the guided. [‘6:82]

The meaning of [ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ  -Those who believe]: Belief is Tawheed [pure Islamic Monotheism] – to worship Allaah [Alone] and keep away from worshipping others besides Him.

And regarding the statement of Allaah [  وَلَمۡ يَلۡبِسُوٓاْ إِيمَـٰنَهُم بِظُلۡمٍ- And confuse not their belief with zulm]- Meaning: They do not mix their belief in Tawheed with Zulm [i.e. Shirk], because Tawheed is corrupted when mixed with shirk.  Hence, Tawheed can never be actualised with the presence of shirk, because two opposites cannot come together. [Ref 1]

Therefore, Zulm is Shirk, just as the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] explained when this ayah caused some unease for the sahaabah. They [i.e. the sahaabah] said: ”O Messenger of Allaah! Which of us has not committed Zulm [i.e. wrong] against himself?” He [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said: It is not as you think, for indeed Zulm means shirk.  Haven’t you heard the saying of the righteous slave [i.e. Luqmaan]?

[ يَـٰبُنَىَّ لَا تُشۡرِكۡ بِٱللَّهِ‌ۖ إِنَّ ٱلشِّرۡكَ لَظُلۡمٌ عَظِيمٌ۬ – O my son! Join not in worship others with Allaah.  Verily! Joining others in worship with Allaah is a great Zulm (wrong) indeed. [31:13]

Therefore, the intent behind Zulm in this ayah is Shirk. The one safe from shirk will have   safety in this life and the next.  He will receive guidance for being upon the truth.

And Allaah [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] said:

وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مِنكُمۡ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ لَيَسۡتَخۡلِفَنَّهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ ڪَمَا ٱسۡتَخۡلَفَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡ وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمۡ دِينَہُمُ ٱلَّذِى ٱرۡتَضَىٰ لَهُمۡ وَلَيُبَدِّلَنَّہُم مِّنۢ بَعۡدِ خَوۡفِهِمۡ أَمۡنً۬ا‌ۚ يَعۡبُدُونَنِى لَا يُشۡرِكُونَ بِى شَيۡـًٔ۬ا‌ۚ

Allaah has promised those among you who believe and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the land, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practice their religion which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islaam).  And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) that they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me. [24:55]

These great promises [mentioned in the above ayah] cannot be accomplished except by way of this condition that is [يَعۡبُدُونَنِى لَا يُشۡرِكُونَ بِى شَيۡـًٔ۬ا (provided) they (i.e. the believers) worship Me (Allaah) and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me.

If this condition is fulfilled, then these noble promises of Allaah will be attained. Certainly, the believers will be granted succession to [the present rulers] in the land. Allaah will grant them authority to practice their religion, which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islaam) and will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear. These great aims [or goals] cannot be achieved except by way of Tawheed, and that is to worship Allaah (alone), and abandon worship of other than Him.

[Ref 1] Major Shirk and Minor Shirk: The Shaikh, Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] stated in his book titled ‘Duroos Minal Qur’aan’ that minor shirk does not expel a person from the Milla (i.e. the religion). Minor shirk is related words uttered by a person, such as one who says, ‘‘Had it not been for Allaah and you’’ or ‘’what Allaah and you will’’. This is minor shirk on condition that the person does not hold it as belief in his heart. The Shaikh also spoke of other types of apparent minor Shirk, such as swearing by other than Allaah, and Hidden Minor Shirk such as Riyaa [showing off in worship]. [See Duroos Minal Qur’aan for further details. Page: 172]. The reader must read the article in this link [http://www.abukhadeejah.com/ahmad-an-najmees-kitaab-at-tawheed-chapter-3-fear-of-falling-into-shirk/] because the subject matter is discussed in more detail, and by the permission of Allaah the reader will be facilitated with a precise understanding.

Adhering to Taqwaa

Towards the end of his life, the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] admonished the people, as occurs in the hadeeth of Irbaad Ibn Saariyah [radiyallaahu anhu], who said:

The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-sallam] led us in prayer one day, then turned his face towards us, and delivered a powerful admonition that made our hearts fearful and our eyes tearful.  So, a man said: ”O Messenger of Allaah, it is as if it were a farewell admonition, so what do you enjoin upon us”?  He said: ”I advise you to fear Allaah and to listen and obey even if a slave is a leader over you.  Verily, the one who lives among you after me will see a lot of differences.  So, stick to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided khulafaa.  Bite onto that with your molar teeth.  And avoid the newly invented matters.  Verily, every newly invented matter is an innovation and every innovation is misguidance.” 

In this command, the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] advised us –[by way of command]- to have Taqwah. It [Taqwah] is a comprehensive word that gathers all good qualities [or characteristics] in it. And the meaning of Taqwah is:  a shield placed as a means of protection between yourself and what you fear will harm you. It is what shields you from danger, such as a shield placed as a means of protection between your foot and the excessive heat on the ground, or a shield placed as a means of protection between you and an injurious thing, or a shield placed as means of protection between you and a weapon, or a placed as a means of protection between you and the cold or the heat.  This is related to physical [or tangible] things.

On the hand, [Taqwah in the Sharee’ah means] to protect yourself from the Anger of Allaah, His punishment and the fire of hell-   by carrying out what He has commanded and avoiding what He has forbidden. You cannot be protected from the punishment of Allaah, His Anger, and the Fire of Hell by fortresses, armies and garments; rather you can only be protected through Fear of Allaah [Glorified and Exalted be He] by carrying out what He has commanded and avoiding what He has forbidden.

Obedience to the Rulers

Irbaad Ibn Saariyah [radiyallaahu anhu] said: The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-sallam] led us in prayer one day, then turned his face towards us, and delivered a powerful admonition that made our hearts fearful and our eyes tearful.  So, a man said: ”O Messenger of Allaah, it is as if it were a farewell admonition, so what do you enjoin upon us”?  He said: ”I advise you to fear Allaah and to listen and obey even if a slave is a leader over you.  Verily, the one who lives among you after me will see a lot of differences.  So, stick to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided khulafaa.  Bite onto that with your molar teeth.  And avoid the newly invented matters.  Verily, every newly invented matter is an innovation and every innovation is misguidance.”

This [i.e. obedience to the rulers] is a means to safety. Indeed, the Ummah listens to its leaders and obeys him, so that they can be a united body, a powerful force and a shield of protection against its enemies.  Allaah [The Most High] said: [وَٱعۡتَصِمُواْ بِحَبۡلِ ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعً۬ا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُواْ‌ۚ – ‘And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allaah (i.e. the Qur’aan), and be not divided among yourselves]. [3:103]

This united body cannot be accomplished except by way of Leadership and an Imaam [i.e. a Ruler].  Leadership cannot be accomplished except by way of Sam’i Wat Taa’ah [i.e. to listen to the Ruler and being obedient to him] even if he is an Abyssinian slave and if he does not command a person to disobey Allaah. Therefore, the Leader of the Muslims is to be obeyed because there is an overriding benefit for the Muslims in doing so – in order bring about unity. However, the exception in this [affair] is what the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] stated that ‘There is no obedience to the creation in disobedience to the Creator [Allaah]. Therefore, the is not obeyed in disobedience to Allaah, but he is obeyed in that which is in opposition to sin. However, this does not mean that we come out and rebel if he commands disobedience; rather we do not obey him in sin, but we obey him in those affairs that do not involve sin. [See link: http://www.abukhadeejah.com/the-tyranny-of-the-rulers-a-reason-for-rebellion/].

Holding Onto The Authentic Sunnah of The Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] and the Sunnah of the Khulafaa Ar-Raashideen When Differing Occurs

The Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said: ‘’Verily, the one who live among you after me will see a lot of differing, so stick to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided khulafaa.’’

This is another means to safety – adherence to the Sunnah of the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] and the Sunnah of the Rightly Guided Khulafah: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthmaan and Ali [radiyallaahu anhum].  They are the successors of Allaah’s Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] whose path is to be followed together with the Sunnah of Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam.

And he [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said: ”Ikhtilaafan Kathiirah” [i.e. a lot of differing will occur] and not ”Ikhtilaafan Yaseerah [little or minor differing]; rather it is a lot. The Ummah cannot find safety from this [blameworthy] differing, except by holding fast to the Sunnah of the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi- wasallam] and to that which his Rightly Guided Khulafaah, the Muhaajiroon and the Ansaar were upon.  Allaah [The Most High] said: [ٱلسَّـٰبِقُونَ ٱلۡأَوَّلُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُهَـٰجِرِينَ وَٱلۡأَنصَارِ وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوهُم بِـإِحۡسَـٰنٍ۬ رَّضِىَ ٱللَّهُ عَنۡہُمۡ وَرَضُواْ عَنۡهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمۡ جَنَّـٰتٍ۬ تَجۡرِى تَحۡتَهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَـٰرُ -And the foremost to embrace Islaam of the Muhaajiroon (those who migrated from Makkah to Al Madeena) and the Ansaar (the citizens of Al Madeenah who helped and gave aid to the Muhaajiroon) and also those who followed them exactly (in faith).  Allaah is well pleased with them as they are well-pleased with Him.  He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise) [9:100]

When the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] informed of us of the differing and splitting that will occur, he said: ”The Jews split into 71 sects, and the Christians split into 72 sects.  And my Ummah will split into 73 sects, all of them in the fire except one.  We said: ”Which one is it O Messenger of Allaah”?  He said: Those who are upon that which I and my companions are upon”

So, there is no safeguard against the Fitnah of [blameworthy] differing in every era, especially during the end of time, except by way of holding fast to the Sunnah of the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] and path of his companions.  This is what will protect us from the fire and this why Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah are called ‘The Saved Sect”– the sect that is safeguarded against the fire on the Day of Judgment. And those in opposition will not be saved, due their opposition and splitting away from the saved sect, except those who are firm upon [the Sunnah of the Messenger and the path of the Sahaabah]. And firmness upon the truth, the Sunnah of the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] and the way of the companions cannot be accomplished except by way of beneficial knowledge. How can one be firm upon something, yet he [or she] is ignorant of it?  We must learn the Sunnah of the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] and path his companions were upon, until we become firm upon it and hold fast to it.

The Severe Consequences of Opposing The Messenger’s Commands

Narrated Abu Musa (radiyallaahu-anhu): The Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said, ‘’My example, and the example of what I have been sent with is that of a man who came to some people and said, O people! I have seen the enemy’s army with my own eyes and I am a plain warner; so protect yourselves!’ Then a group of his people obeyed him and fled at night proceeding stealthily till they were safe, while another group of them disbelieved him and stayed at their places till morning when the army came upon them and killed and ruined them completely. So this is the example of that person who obeys me and follows that truth which I have brought (the Qur’aan and the Sunnah), and the example of the one who disobeys me and disbelieves the Truth I have brought.

[Saheeh Al-Bukhaari. Vol 9. Number: 7283]

Also, others issues were mentioned such as:

Fulfilling our covenants whilst living in the West see link:

[1]Shaikh Uthaymeen [rahimahullaah] stated during a tele-link, on the 28th July 2000:

Likewise I invite you to have respect for those people who have the right that they should be respected, from those between you and whom there is an agreement (of protection) [i.e. Non-Muslims]. For the land which you are living is such that there is an agreement between you and them. If this were not the case they would have killed you or expelled you. So preserve this agreement, and do not prove treacherous to it, since treachery is a sign of the hypocrites, and it is not from the way of the Believers.

And know that it is authentically reported from the Prophet that he said : “Whoever kills one who is under an agreement of protection will not smell the fragrance of Paradise.”

Do not be fooled by those sayings of the foolish people: those who say: ‘Those people are Non-Muslims, so their wealth is lawful for us [i.e. to misappropriate or take by way of murder and killing].’ For by Allaah – this is a lie. A lie about Allaah’s Religion, and a lie in Islamic societies.

O my brothers. O youth. O Muslims. Be truthful in your buying and selling, and renting, and leasing, and in all mutual transactions. Because truthfulness is from the characteristics of the Believers, and Allaah – the Most High – has commanded truthfulness – in the saying of Allaah – the Most High – “O you who believe – fear and keep you duty to Allaah and be with the truthful.”

And the Prophet encouraged truthfulness and said : “Adhere to truthfulness, because truthfulness leads to goodness, and goodness leads to Paradise; and a person will continue to be truthful, and strive to be truthful until he will be written down with Allaah as a truthful person“.

And he warned against falsehood, and said : “Beware of falsehood, because falsehood leads to wickedness, and wickedness leads to the Fire. And a person will continue lying, and striving to lie until he is written down with Allaah as a great liar.”

O my brother Muslims. O youth. Be true in your sayings with your brothers, and with those Non-Muslims whom you live along with – so that you will be inviters to the Religion of Islaam, by your actions and in reality. So how many people there are who first entered into Islaam because of the behaviour and manners of the Muslims, and their truthfulness, and their being true in their dealings. [end of quote][Telelink 28th July 2000]

[2] The Perils of Rebellion

This topic was also discussed in brief during the khutbah, listen to Shaikh Fawzaan here:

http://www.salaficentre.com/2012/11/security-or-sustenance-which-of-the-two-was-asked-for-first-shaikh-salih-al-fawzaan/

[3] Brothers and sisters were reminded about being dutiful to parents; brothers were reminded about kind treatment towards wives and sisters were reminded about obedience to husbands in what is good.

Arabic Booklet here:

http://www.albaidha.net/vb/showthread.php?t=58811

The Means to Safety for The Ummah

Seek The Company of Righteous And Distance Yourself From Those Deceived By The Dunyaa

Written by Masjid Furqan on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

And keep yourself (O Muhammad) patiently with those who call on their Lord (i.e. your companions who remember their Lord with glorification, praising in prayers, etc., and other righteous deeds, etc.) morning and afternoon, seeking His Face, and let not your eyes overlook them, desiring the pomp and glitter of the life of the world; and obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our Remembrance, one who follows his own lusts and whose affair (deeds) has been lost.

The Three Pillars of Gratitude- By Imaam As-Sadi [rahmahullaah]

Written by Masjid Furqan on . Posted in Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Allaah (The Most High) said:

لِتَسْتَوُوا عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِ ثُمَّ تَذْكُرُوا نِعْمَةَ رَبِّكُمْ إِذَا اسْتَوَيْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ وَتَقُولُوا سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ

وَإِنَّا إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ

In order that you may mount on their backs, and then may remember the Favour of your Lord when you mount thereon, and say: ”Glory to Him Who has subjected this to us, and we could never have it (by our efforts).  And verily, to Our Lord we indeed are to return!” (43:13-14)

Mentioned (in the above ayah) are the three pillars of gratitude, and they are:

  1. To acknowledge Allaah’s blessings
  2. To Proclaim Allaah’s Blessings, speak about them and Praise Allah for it.
  3. To Submit to Allah and utilise these blessings to carry out acts of worship for the sake of Allaah (alone).

That is because the intent behind the statement of Allah: [وَإِنَّا إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ   – And verily, to Our Lord we indeed are to return] is an acknowledgement of recompense and to prepared for it. The objective behind these favours is that they are an aid by way of which the slave (seeks) to fulfil that which Allah has commanded him (i.e. acts of worship and obedience etc)

And regarding Allaah’s saying: [ثُمَّ تَذْكُرُوا نِعْمَةَ رَبِّكُمْ إِذَا اسْتَوَيْتُمْ – And then may remember the favour of your Lord when you mount thereon]; this is a specific mention of the (favour) in that instance (i.e. at the time in which the person enjoys those favours) because blessings intoxicates many amongst the creation, makes them heedless, evil and ungrateful. Therefore, this state in which Allah commanded (a person to remember Allah for His Favours) is a medication for this destructive ailment.

When the slave recalls that he is completely surrounded by the blessings of Allah and that nothing is from him (or herself), but rather blessings are (from Allah) -its means are facilitated and its obtainment made easy (by Allaah)- he (she) submits to Allah, humbles him (or herself), thanks and Praises Allaah. And by way of this he (or she) is given continuous blessings.

[Source: Fataawa Sadiyyah page: 61.. abridged and slightly paraphrased]

 

Certificates of Graduation and Sincere Intention Or Desire For Worldly Status?!

Written by Masjid Furqan on . Posted in Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Seeking Knowledge, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah) said that some of the people say that sincere intention in this present era of ours is difficult (to achieve) or it may be impossible (to achieve) because those who seek knowledge do so with the aim of receiving a certificate.

The Shaikh replied to this statement saying that one’s intention is regarded to be corrupt if knowledge is sought in order to receive a certificate or a desire for an elevated worldly status by way of it. But a person’s intention is regarded to be good and not in opposition to sincerity if he wants an elevated status in order to benefit the people, for he knows that at present it is impossible for a person to achieve a high and beneficial position for the Ummah unless he has a certificate. And because of this, even if you were to find a scholar who is good in various affairs of knowledge but he has no certificate, it will not be possible for him to teach even in high school and this is the reality. And you will find that the one lesser in knowledge than this scholar will be accepted (as a teacher) at a university as long as he has a certificate.  So in accordance with a person’s (sincere) intention and choices the certificate is not considered harmful and its obtainment enters into the statement of the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam):

وما جاءك من هذا المال وأنت غير مشرف ولا سائل فخذه، وما لا فلا تتبعه نفسك

And what comes to you from this wealth without asking for it or having greed for it, take it; and if not given, do not run for it.” [Saheeh Al-Bukhaari. Number 1473. Vol 2. Book of Zakat]

See Sharh Hilya Taalib Al-Ilm’ page:22

Preserve Your Salaah, Tongue and Heart!

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

A man came to the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) and said: ”Admonish me and be brief’”; so the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said to him:

إِذَا قُمْتَ فِي صَلَاتِكَ فَصَلِّ صَلَاةَ مُوَدِّعٍ

”When you stand for your prayer, then pray a farewell prayer (i.e. as if it is your last Salah before death).”

وَلَا تَكَلَّمْ بِكَلَامٍ تَعْتَذِرُ مِنْهُ غَدًا

”Do not speak with a statement for which you may have to apologize tomorrow.”

وَأَجْمِعِ اليَأسَ مِمَّا فِي يَدَيِ النَّاسِ

  ”And forgo what is in the hands of the people (i.e. do not be desperate for the worldly possessions of the people9).”

Reported by:

[Imaam Ahmad (rahimahullaah) Number: 23498)]

[Imaam Ibn Maajah (rahimahulllaah) Number: 4171]

[Imaam Albaani (rahimahullaah) in As-Saheehah. Number:401]

Amazing Indeed is The Affair of That One Who Faces Different Obstacles, Yet His [or Her] is Attached to Ibaadah and Obedience!

Written by Masjid Furqan on . Posted in Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said:

It is not amazing when one who is healthy and unoccupied adheres to worship of Allaah and obedience to Him; rather what is amazing is the affair of that one who is weak, sick, hindered by affairs that pre-occupies him [or her] and faced with different circumstances, yet his [or her] heart is attached to the worship of Allaah and obedience to Him, and not in opposition to what he [or she] is able to do.

[Al-Fawaa-id: page: 246]

The Nearest Means of Getting Close to Allaah – By Imaam Ibnul Qayyim

Written by Masjid Furqan on . Posted in Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah) said:

The nearest means of approach to Allaah are: [1] holding onto the Sunnah and strictly remaining upon it outwardly and inwardly; [2] being constantly in need of Allaah; [3] and seeking only His face through speech and actions. No one reaches Allaah except through these three affairs and no one is cut off from Him except due to being cut off from them or one of them. [Al-Fawaa-id: page: 167]

The Death of a Close and Beloved One Reminds Us of The Shortness of This Worldly Life

Written by Masjid Furqan on . Posted in Purification of The Soul.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Allaah (The Most High) said:

أَيْنَمَا تَكُونُوا يُدْرِكْكُمُ الْمَوْتُ وَلَوْ كُنْتُمْ فِي بُرُوجٍ مُشَيَّدَةٍ

‘’Wheresoever you may be, death will overtake you even if you are in fortresses built up strong and high!’ 4:78

Allaah (The Most High) said:

نَحْنُ قَدَّرْنَا بَيْنَكُمُ الْمَوْتَ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمَسْبُوقِينَ

عَلَىٰ أَنْ نُبَدِّلَ أَمْثَالَكُمْ وَنُنْشِئَكُمْ فِي مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

وَلَقَدْ عَلِمْتُمُ النَّشْأَةَ الْأُولَىٰ فَلَوْلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ

‘We have decreed death to you all, and We are not unable. To transfigure you and create you in (forms) that you know not.   And indeed, you have already known the first form of creation (i.e. the creation of Adam), why then do you not remember or take heed?’56:60-62

Allaah (subhaanah) said:

وَهُوَ الْقَاهِرُ فَوْقَ عِبَادِهِ ۖ وَيُرْسِلُ عَلَيْكُمْ حَفَظَةً حَتَّىٰ إِذَا جَاءَ أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ تَوَفَّتْهُ رُسُلُنَا وَهُمْ لَا يُفَرِّطُونَ

‘He is the Irresistible, Supreme over His slaves, and He sends guardians (angels guarding and writing all of one’s good and bad deeds) over you, until when death approaches one of you, Our Messengers (angel of death and his assistants) take his soul, and they never neglect their duty.’ 6:61

Brothers and sisters (may Allaah preserve us upon the Sunnah and grant us a good end…Aameen). Indeed death is a harsh and fearful reality faced by everyone who lives.  No one has the power to avoid it, nor does anyone around the dying person have the ability to prevent it.  It is something which happens every moment and is encountered by the old and the young, the rich and the poor, the strong and the weak.  They are all the same in that they have no plan or means of escaping it, no power, no means of intercession, no way to prevent it, nor to delay it, which shows that indeed it comes from One having tremendous power-so that the human is helpless in this regard and can only submit to it.  People die every day, but when someone close to us dies the shortness of this worldly life becomes a more manifest reality and less attention is given to the worldly aspirations. This is the way it should be whether someone dies or not, in order that we may make more effort in preparing for the meeting with our Lord.  Let our gatherings be that of remembrance of Allaah and the aakhirah, ilm and advice towards that which increases the slaves in taqwah.   The Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: ‘’Make much remembrance of the destroyer of pleasures, it is death.  And let us not be deceived by this worldly life and its glitter.

Allaah (The Most High) said:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُلْهِكُمْ أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُكُمْ عَنْ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ۚ وَمَنْ يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ

وَأَنْفِقُوا مِنْ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ يَأْتِيَ أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ فَيَقُولَ رَبِّ لَوْلَا أَخَّرْتَنِي إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ فَأَصَّدَّقَ وَأَكُنْ مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ

وَلَنْ يُؤَخِّرَ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِذَا جَاءَ أَجَلُهَا ۚ وَاللَّهُ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ

”O you who believe! Let not your properties or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allaah.  And whosoever does that, then they are the losers.   And spend (in charity) of that with which We have provided you, before death comes to one of you and he says: “My Lord! If only You would give me respite for a little while (i.e. return to the worldly life), then I should give Sadaqah (i.e. Zakaat) of my wealth, and be among the righteous [i.e. perform Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah)].  And Allaah grants respite to none when his appointed time (death) comes. And Allaah is All-Aware of what you do.” [63:9-11]

Allaah (The Most High) said:

أَلْهَاكُمُ التَّكَاثُرُ

حَتَّىٰ زُرْتُمُ الْمَقَابِرَ

كَلَّا سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ

ثُمَّ كَلَّا سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ

كَلَّا لَوْ تَعْلَمُونَ عِلْمَ الْيَقِينِ

لَتَرَوُنَّ الْجَحِيمَ

ثُمَّ لَتَرَوُنَّهَا عَيْنَ الْيَقِينِ

ثُمَّ لَتُسْأَلُنَّ يَوْمَئِذٍ عَنِ النَّعِيمِ

 ‘The mutual rivalry for piling up of worldly things diverts you, until you visit the graves (i.e. till you die).  Nay! You shall come to know!  Again, Nay! You shall come to know!  Nay! If you knew with a sure knowledge (the end result of piling up, you would not have occupied yourselves in worldly things)  Verily, You shall see the blazing Fire (Hell)!  And again, you shall see it with certainty of sight!  Then, on that Day, you shall be asked about the delight (you indulged in, in this world)!’ 102:1-8

Brothers and sisters! There is no cure for death. A cure for cancer exists, a cure for AIDS exists and a cure for every other disease exists, except death. The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) said: ‘Allaah has not created a disease except that He has created a cure for it, except for a single disease… old age’

O brothers and sisters- let us do those actions which will be the cause of love and affection to develop between us.  Many people do not truly understand the Religion of Islaam.  Indeed many people think that the Religion of Islaam includes certain bad traits even though Islaam in reality objects to them because some Muslims portray a false image of Islaam.

Death is that harsh reality which is faced by every human who lives. It is the one thing which we will all experience – be we men, women, Muslims, Christians, Blacks, Whites or any other type of person on this earth. It is something which does not discriminate. It is that long journeys end by which the righteous will benefit from, and the unrighteous will suffer from. It is the return to the One who has created this phenomenon so that He, may judge us all for what we have done, as He says in His book:

الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْغَفُورُ

‘It is He who has created life and death, so that He may test which of you is best in deed’ (Surah Al- Mulk 67:2).

However, death is no longer remembered amongst mankind, unless a relative or a loved one passes away. And even then, tears are shed for a brief time before we forget again about this reality. How many people has this state of forgetfulness caught unaware? Some of us believe that we will die according to the life expectancy of our nation, which the statisticians give us. We believe that it is something which will only hit us when we are old and frail. We see it as something far off in the horizon, which will not touch us for a long time to come. But whilst we enjoy the pleasures and comforts of life, death comes ever nearer to the soul. It creeps up on us like a shadow in the night, when we least expect it.

It is something which is in the hands of Allaah.  Ever since the advent of time, people have sought to ‘cheat death’. However, this unachievable feat was something which was first inspired by Iblis, the Devil. In the Qur’an we find the story of the father and mother of humanity, Adam and Hawwa (Eve). Allaah informs us how He placed these two beings in the gardens of Paradise when they were created. In these gardens Allaah let them taste of any tree they wished to, except for one tree which He specifically forbade them from. Iblis then came to them and was the first of creation to initiate this quest for immortality:

فَوَسْوَسَ لَهُمَا الشَّيْطَانُ لِيُبْدِيَ لَهُمَا مَا وُورِيَ عَنْهُمَا مِنْ سَوْآتِهِمَا وَقَالَ مَا نَهَاكُمَا رَبُّكُمَا عَنْ هَٰذِهِ الشَّجَرَةِ إِلَّا أَنْ تَكُونَا مَلَكَيْنِ أَوْ تَكُونَا مِنَ الْخَالِدِينَ

‘Then shaytan (devil) whispered suggestions to them both … he said; ‘Your Lord only forbade you this tree so that you don’t become Angels or of those who live forever”‘ (Surah Al- A’raaf 7:20)

We can thus see how this quest to cheat the command of Allaah, is truly a devilish deception which has confused humanity. Even after this event which occurred at the dawn of time, many people still believed that they could achieve eternal life on this earth.

The Ancient Egyptians and Chinese are two classical examples of this. Both of these cultures had been blessed by Allaah with many favours, yet they still chose to try and avert His command. The Egyptians, who had their kings and queens wrapped up, believed that this was the way that they could preserve their bodies and one day come back to life.

Whilst it is true that the wrapping up of these people has preserved their bodies, who can say that their souls have also been preserved after Allaah had taken them out? And how did these people eventually turn out? After their ‘sacred’ tombs had been raided from the 19th century onwards, they are now stuck in different museums all over the world, being viewed by thousands of people each day as common entertainment on a day out.

With the ancient Chinese, they too had themselves, their riches and hundreds of clay soldiers buried with them so that they could return once again to rule the Earth. When the Forbidden City in Beijing, China, was unearthed and opened, such dreams of immortality went flying out of the window.

Such ancient dreams of living forever have been continued into the modern age. People believe that modern technology can find for them a cure for death. Death is ridiculed as being a mere fantasy, with the character of the grim reaper being something used only to scare the children with.

Thus millions are spent on preserving people’s bodies after they die (by freezing them) and they hope that a cure will one day be found which will bring them back to life. The famous cartoonist Walt Disney is one such example of this. Others like the singer Michael Jackson have been known to do ridiculous things such as sleep in an oxygen chamber (with his pet chimp Bubbles!) so that he can enhance his life and live forever. Such dreams are spurned by the wealth which these people have amassed. But it is as Allaah (The Most High) said:

يَحْسَبُ أَنَّ مَالَهُ أَخْلَدَهُ

كَلَّا ۖ لَيُنْبَذَنَّ فِي الْحُطَمَةِ

‘He thinks that his wealth will make him immortal. No! But indeed he will be thrown into the crushing Fire'(Surah Al-Humaza 104:3-4).

This is the reality of what will happen to all those who think that they can buy their way out of death.    Allaah (The Most High) said:

قُلْ إِنَّ الْمَوْتَ الَّذِي تَفِرُّونَ مِنْهُ فَإِنَّهُ مُلَاقِيكُمْ ۖ ثُمَّ تُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰ عَالِمِ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ فَيُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

‘Say (O’ Muhammed); ‘Indeed the death from which you flee will surely meet you. Then you will be sent back to (Allaah), the All-knower of the unseen and the seen, and He will tell you what you used to do’ (Surah Al-Jum’ah 62:8)

This life and all its desires and pleasures will indeed be cut off by death.  And which desire can be greater, than the false desire which all these people have of living forever on this earth.   So how does Islam view this reality? As Muslims we have been told by our Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) that this world is a transitionary period. The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) said:

‘Live in this world as if you are a stranger or a traveller.’ This life is not meant to be an abode of settlement by which we gather all the pleasures possible and make plans for a permanent residence. Rather, it should be like a long journey on which we gather all that we need to get to our destination. This destination being the Hereafter and death the journeys end.

Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَمَا هَٰذِهِ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا لَهْوٌ وَلَعِبٌ ۚ وَإِنَّ الدَّارَ الْآخِرَةَ لَهِيَ الْحَيَوَانُ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ

‘But truly the home of the hereafter is the actual life, if only they knew'(Surah Al-Ankabut [29:64]

[Abridged and edited: For further details, see: http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=6&Topic=6557