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Friday Talks |
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128 |
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Death, The final moments
Written by: A visitor Imam.
Translated by: Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa
4 Rabee Al-Thani 1431h
19 March 2010
All thanks be to Allah, we seek His support and His forgiveness. We fortify our selves with Allah against evil within our selves and against the sins of our deeds. This who is guided by Allah is truly guided, and this who is misguided by Allah will not find a guide.
I testify that there are no other Gods but Allah, with no associates or partners, all belongs to Him, all thanks are to Him, He gives life and brings death, and He has power upon every thing. I testify that Muhammad is His slave and His messenger, and he is the best of all of Allah’s creations; and that he is the most cherished to Allah, May peace and prayers be upon him, and upon his purified family. Please God, grant your satisfaction to all his companions and those who follow him, and those after them who follow him with perfection and kindness to the last day in this worldly life, and make us amongst them to be included into your mercy, You are the most merciful.
Dear brothers in faith, the most truthful of all talk is the book of Allah, and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad ppbu the son of Abdul-Allah. And the worst of deeds are innovations in the faith and each innovation in the faith is a heresy, and each heresy is a misguidance, and each misguidance is in hellfire. May Allah protect us and you from hellfire, and protect us all from all which may bring closer to hellfire either in words or deeds. We ask Allah for paradise and all that brings closer to it in words or deeds.
It is a decisive moment in the life of each individual human being. A moment upon which depends his or her future, either a future of an everlasting happiness after which there will never ever be misery. Or it is going to be an everlasting misery; and there will never ever be happiness afterward. A moment about which Allah says in His honored book: {Why, then, when (the soul) comes up to the throat (when dying) (83) And you are at that moment watching (84) - And We are closer to him than you are, but you do not see (85) Why then, if you are not in bondage (unto Us), (86) Do you not force it back, if you are truthful? (87) Thus if he amongst the close group, (88) Then breath of life, and fragrance, and a Garden of delight. (89) And if he is of those on the right, (90) Then (the greeting) "Peace be unto you" to those of the right. (91) But if he is of the rejecters, the disbelievers, the wrong doers (92) then the welcome will be boiling liquid (93) and roasting at hell-fire. (94) Indeed, this is certain truth. (95) Therefore (O Muhammad) praise the name of your Lord, the Tremendous. (96)} 56:83-96.
Those are the verses which describe the end of life of man kind. People are classed into three groups, one group is given the good news of life and fragrance and the Garden of Eden. And the second group who is given the good news of peace and safety, and the third type, and may Allah protects us from being amongst them, who will settle into hellfire. Those are moments when man will experience the struggles of death. Those struggles are so hard; that to the faithful they will be as penance and atonement for his or her sins. Or those struggles can be the start of the journey of misery that awaits him or her as a punishment for his or her disbelief and stubbornness. If one human being was meant to be spared or pardoned the struggling moments of death then surely the messenger ppbu would have been that human. Aesha said that the messenger ppbu had a bowl of water into which he dipped his hand into the water and wiped off his face and used to say: “(áÇ Åáå ÅáÇ Çááå) No God but Allah. Death has some struggling moments”. Yet, he was the one whose past and future sins were forgiven, he was burdened with this anguish and agony up to the point that Fatimah his daughter felt sorry for him and said: “O my father, what distress and pain he is in”. He said to her: {your father will have no distress after today}.
Despite all this pain and agony, the messenger ppbu gave his advice. It showed how much this great soul of his cared for his nation, and how full his heart was with mercy and caring for his followers. His final testimony in his final moments was: “the prayer, the prayer, and what ever you own through faith”. It is at the final moments that men differ. During the dying moments and gargling of the spirit, remember to say the testimony of faith “No God but Allah áÇ Åáå ÅáÇ Çááå” which can easily be said now, but at the moment of death would be so difficult. The lucky one is that who is made to be lucky by Allah. Allah says: {Allah confirms those who have faith by firm words in this worldly life and in the Hereafter, and Allah sends wrong-doers astray. And Allah does what He will.} 14:27.
At Abu-Baker’s death bed, his daughter Aeshah was overwhelmed and recited some poems. He said: “instead, my daughter, you should recite from the Koran: {And the agony of death comes with the truth. (And it is said unto him): This is that which you have always wanted to avoid} 50:19”. Then he said to Aeshah: “See those two shirts of mine, wash them, and use them as shroud for me. The living is more deserving of the new than the dead”.
When Omar ebn Al-Khattab was stabbed he was approached by Ebn Al-Abbass who said: “Prince of the faithful, you have become a Muslim when people became infidels. And you fought with the messenger ppbu when people let him down. And no two could have a disagreement about you. And the messenger was pleased with you when he died. And you have been killed as a martyr.” Omar said: “can you repeat all you said?” and he did. Then Omar said: “the arrogant and big headed one is this whom you make him to be big headed. I swear by almighty Allah, if I owned from where the sun rises to where it sets, I would pay it all to avoid the trauma and chock of this exit”.
Imam Ali pbu he was stabbed by Ebn-Sabaa (ÅÈä ÓÈÃ) at his dying moments, when he regained conscious he used to ask: what was done to the man who stabbed me? They said: “We have him”. He said: “feed him out of my food, and give him to drink out of my drink. If I live I’ll decided what comes of him. And if I die then make it easy on him, just one blow and no more.” Then he told them what to do about himself, he told Al-Hassan to give him his final wash (Ghosl) and said: “do not exaggerate in the wrapping shroud, I heard the messenger ppbu say: {do not exaggerate in the shroud, for it will be taken off quick enough}. And walk with me not too fast and too slow. If what is to come is good for me, then you won’t keep me too long from it. And if what is to come is bad, then it will be like you throw me off your shoulders”
Mouawyah at his death said: “Set me up” and they did. He uttered the name of Allah, and praised Allah; then he cried. He talked to himself saying: “Now Mouawyah you remember your God when you are destroyed and knocked down. Shouldn’t this have been better during the freshness of youth”. Then he cried and say: “God, have mercy on a disobedient old man, with a hard heart, God, clear the stumble, and forgive the slip, and be gracious and generous with your forgiveness upon one who begged no one other than you, and put a trust into no one but you.” Then his soul was received.
Moments show how hard and how difficult that situation is. Abu-Adurdaa (ÃÈæÇáÏÑÏÇÁ) at his death bed said: “Is there a man who would work for the likes of this dying moment of mine? Is there a man who would work for such a day like mine today? Is there a man who would work for an hour such as this hour of mine? I say what you hear, and I ask Allah for forgiveness for me and you. Do ask for His forgiveness. The winners are those who are forgiven.”
This moment sums up the long path of life. A moment which Satan cares so much for and makes sure he does not miss. Satan attends that moment; he tries to make sure that the person does not escape him while on faith. The question here is how to be successful at that decisive moment? Being successful and win a good ending is a blessing and a mercy from Allah in the first place. Secondly it is due to the righteousness of the person and the righteousness of his or her heart. The messenger ppbu said: {Allah does not look at your physiques, and not at your looks, but he looks at your hearts}. This does not mean that one is to give up doing good deeds and says I am going to concentrate on and care about my heart. No, this is misguidance. The righteousness of the heart is directly related to the righteousness of the body. The messenger ppbu said: {there is in the body a small lump, if that lump turns good, then the whole body becomes good, and if it turns bad, then the whole body goes bad. It is the heart}. The body depends on the heart, and hearts are in the palm of the most Gracious Allah; and only He knows them.
The problem with being faithful in those days of ours is that faith became so limited or confined to appearances. You may see someone who seems very concerned with the example of the messenger ppbu (Sunnah), and does all his prayers at mosques and on time, yet when he talks about others in their back, and he does not give any considerations to honesty or trust. He would backbite others, and he talks about innocent ladies and that would not bother him the slightest. The strangest thing is that he would wrap all that in a cover of religion and he does that in the name of faith. With some people, if you go into a buying or selling transaction you would see the unbelievable in the form of cheating and dishonesty, and unrightfully taking people’s money. And if they are given a responsibility in a job they would not hesitate in taking bribes.
The messenger ppbu had warned us agaist such behavior when he said: {I swear to Allah, that one of you would do like what the people of paradise do until he is an arm’s distance from paradise. Then he would do some of what the people of hellfire do so he would go into hell fire. And one of you would do like what the people of hellfire do until he is at an arm’s distance from hellfire. Then he would do some of what the people of paradise do so he would go into paradise}. This brings the point that the important is the last deeds one does, and also Allah will guide those who want to be guided and strive for it. Allah says: {And the Book is placed, and you would see the guilty fearful of that which is therein, and they say: What kind of a Book is this that does not leave a small thing nor a great thing but has it counted, And they find all that they did confronting them, and your Lord wrong no-one.} 18:49. Allah is generous who multiplies rewards for good deed many folds. And only rewards the equivalent of bad deeds. It is those who think they do well in public view only but they do not take care of making right their hearts. When they are not seen they tend to their forbidden deed. They do not keep an eye on to them selves, they do not bring themselves to account, and their punishment is that Allah denies them the good ending.
Notes:
Adhan - The call to prayer.
- The inhabitants of the city of Al-Medina that received and supported the messenger (PPBU) when he immigrated from Mekkah in the very early years of Islam.
Ansar (or Al-Ansar):
Assalam Alaikum - The Islamic greeting, literately means: Peace be with you. Used when approaching or leaving. When used during approaching it will be like saying: I bring no harm to you . and when said during leaving somebody it will mean: No harm will come to you after I leave.
- is a verse of the Koran. It also means a miracle or a sign from God.
Aya (or Ayah):
- is a mountain outside the city of Mecca that represents the climax of the Hajj worship. All doing Hajj must stay at this location on the same day.
Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat):
Badr - The place of the first significant battle between the Muslims and the pagans of the Quraish. It is located in Saudi Arabia.
Caliph - A Muslim ruler. See: (Khalifa)
Dajjal - Antichrist or the False Massiah.
Dawah - The proliferation of Islamic teachings through word and deed.
Deen (Din) - Religion or way of life.
- talking to Allah; praising him and asking him for help.
Duaa: a prayer in the form of
Fatwa - Legal verdict given based on the Qur'an (Koran) and the Sunnah which are the recorded sayings and deeds of Muhammad.
Ferdose: is the highest level of the all the gardens of Eden or paradise.
Fiqh - Religious law.
Hadeeth: is something reported that the messenger have said. It includes all the speeches and ceremonies he gave. It is usually narrated or told by one of his companions. There is a list of hadeeths approximately 14000 that are reported and checked to be genuine. No more hadeeths are acceptably added to this list.
Hajar - The Black Stone set into the corner of the Ka'aba in Mecca. It is said to be a stone from Heaven.
Hajj - The pilgrimage to Mecca which takes place in the last month of the Islamic calendar. One of the five pillars of Islam.
Hasana or hasanas: is the reward for a good deed. a hasana is a point or a merit for a good deed.
Hadith - The sayings and not deeds of the prophet Muhammad recorded by his followers. Considered authoritative and perfect.
Hajj: is the worship of pilgrimage.
Hijra (or Hejrah): the event of the immigration of the messenger from Mekkah to Madina. This event marks the start of the Islamic calendar. the Islamic calendar has 12 months based on the lunar cycle, each is 29.5 days. Hijra is also used as a name for the Islamic dating system.
Ibadah - Worship. All the words and deeds with which Allah is pleased. These deeds could be prayer and charity.
Iblis - (Ibleese): On of Satan's names.
Ibn (Ebn): the son of. Used by Arabs as part of an individual's name. Example: Ali whose father is Omar or the son of Omar, would be called: Ali Ibn Omar.
Imam (or Emam)- The leader for a prayer. In the Shiaa sect, an Imam is the individual who has the religious authority.
Iman: belief or faith
Injil (Enjeel) - The Bible. The book inspired to Jesus for the Christians.
Islam - Submission, the religion of all the prophets of Allah culminating in Muhammad.
Jannah - The heavenly garden, Paradise. The place of the faithful in the afterlife.
Jihad: is striving in the line of Allah in many forms. Includes a very wide scope varying from improving oneself to fighting a defensive war in protection of Allah's word. The greatest Jihad is the fight one's self against temptations. It also means "holy war."
Jinn - Supernatural, invisible beings race of beings, below angels. They were made from fire. Like humans, there amongst them are the faithful and the non beleivers and Jinn shall be judged on Judgment Day.
Ka'aba: A cube shaped building in Mecca containing a stone laid there by Abraham and Ishmael. Some say Ka'aba was first built by Adam, and some say by Abraham. It is the holiest place for Muslims. It is where all Muslims face in their daily prayers. Ka'aba also makes a major part of the pilgrimage in a ritual known as Tawaf.
Khalifa: is the Muslim ruler. Head of the Islamic empire. Exact translation: "Successor".
Khutbah - A sermon given in a Mosque, usually on Friday.
Kufr - Denial or Disbelief. A term Muslims use for anyone who denies existence of Allah or the prophecy of Muhammed.
Koran - Also spelled Qur'an. The holy book of Islam revealed to Muhammad by Allah through the Archangel Gabriel. Koran literally means "the recital." It is the final revelation of Allah given to the prophet Muhammad. It consists of 114 surahs (or chapters.)
Madinah - (Medinah): A city in the Arabian peninsula (in the country known now as Saudi Arabia). A city where the messenger had to immigrate to. Then it was called Yathrib.
Masjid - A center for Muslim activity. It is referred to as a mosque.
Masiah - A sin, or a sinful act
Mecca or Makkah: is the holiest city for Muslims. It contains the Ka'aba mosque with the famous black cubical shape. Mecca is the birth place of the messenger (PPBU).
Mosque - A Muslim house of worship.
Muhajir - (Muhajireen) Immigrant, one who leaves his home town due to lack of religious freedom. It was first used to describe early Muslims immigrating from Mecca to Median and Ethiopia.
Muhammad - the final messenger and prophet of God whose message abrogated all previous revelations. He received the Koran through the angel Gabriel over a 23 year period. Born in Mecca and died in Medina at the age of 63. His full name: Muhammad ibn Abd-Allah
Muslim - One who holds faith to the religion of Islam.
Nafilah: a voluntary prayer other than the five obligatory prayers; performed at any time.
Nasara - Christians. Nasrani: A Christian individual. Nasraniah: Christianity.
Ommah: is the Arabic word for a nation. It usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise specified.
Paradise - Another word for heaven. A garden of bliss, fruits, rivers and all forms of pleasures imaginable and imaginable. No suffering, disease or death. Service is provided by angels. All live in it an ever lasting youthful life. Promised by Almighty Allah to all faithful, true Jews, true Christians and True Muslims. Paradise is one of two places every person will go to, either Paradise or Hellfire.
PPBU (P.B.U.H.) : Peace and Prayers Be Upon him. A statement Muslims use any time they mention the name of the messenger or make a reference to him.
Qadar - Fate. Preordainment is the teaching that all things, good and bad, are preordained to occur.
Qadr - (night of Qadr): The night when the first revelation of the Koran took place. Most likely it happened during one of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. Or when the Koran was brought down to the nearest heaven in one go, and from there it was brought down in bits and few verses at a time over a period of 23 years. This night is considered the holiest night for Muslims with tremendous advantages.
Qibla - The direction which Muslims turn for daily prayers, towards Mecca.
Quraish - An ancient Arab tribe to which the messenger Muhammad belonged.
Ramadan - The ninth month of the Islamic calendar which is the month of the fast. The holiest month in the Muslim colander.
Salat - Prayers. Generally it covers all forms of worship, but more specifically refers to the Muslim rituals which is performed to worship Allah five times daily.
Shiaa: A sect of Islam that teaches that a religion leader (Imam) should be the political ruler and must be direct descendants of the messenger (PPBU). Therefore, disapproving of all Muslim leaders who ruled After the messenger (PPBU) except Ali, the messenger's grandson.
Shirk - Associating another god with Allah. Or associating anyone or anything with Allah. Or using anyone or anything as a medium to Allah. The opposite of Monotheism or Tawheed.
Siam or Soam- Fasting
Sunni: is a the title of those Muslims who are suppose to be following the life style of the messenger. This differentiates them from the Shiaa of Iran.
Sunna (Sunnah): Is how the Messenger PPBU lived, what he did or said. It includes the way he dressed, ate, drank, prayed, interacted with other people and fought. Basically, sunnah is the life style of the messenger PPBU. It is considered the second source of legislation in Islamic laws and it is considered to be an important reference to be used for concluding arguments and disputes. It is also a title give to the main stream Muslims who make 90% if all Muslims.
Surah - A chapter of the Koran.
Tawaf: part of the pilgrimage (Hajj) ritual. It involves walking round the Ka'aba Mosque in anti-clock wise direction a number of seven circles.
Tauhid - Tawheed - Monotheism, in Islam is the teaching that there is only one God who alone is worthy of worship. The first requirement of becoming a Muslim. It is included in the testimony of faith for new Muslims when declaring that God is one: (No God but Allah)
Taqwah - Proper fear and veneration of Allah. A divine spark that enables the person to understand God.
Taurat: The old Testaments and scriptures of Mosa.
Ummah - the word means: a Nation. Usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise stated.
Umrah - (Amrah): A mini hajj. A Minor form of pilgrimage to Mecca. Unlike Hajj which can only be done on the 12th month of the Islamic year, Umrah can be performed at any time.
Wathoo (wadoo): a washing up ritual done by Muslims before each of the five daily prayers known as ablution.
Zaboor - The Psalms
Zakat - The third pillar of Islam. Alms giving, charity that is given to the poor.
Faheem Bukhatwa, my email address is : faheemfb@gmail.com
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