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Friday Talks |
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Friday Talks |
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140 |
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Ready to die
Written by: Sk. Omar Ali
Translated by: Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa.
11 Shaban 1431 h
23 July 2010 ac
Some of the most harmful things on to a human is hoping and believing in the long life. That is getting the sense that one is living in this
life for a long time. Up to the point that the idea overwhelms the heart; and one forgets that he or she is threatened by death at any moment. Slaves of Allah, anything which for definite will happen then be certain it will happen soon enough. Therefore, get ready for the hour of saying goodbye to; and the exit from this worldly life. The Imam quoted a poem which goes to the effect:
Every hour funerals pass me by, yet I still wish to live.
Am I not really just like them, except I have a few extra nights more to give?
Some of the early companions said that this that gets to believe to live longer, then his deeds get more evil. This is because hoping and wishing for the longer life makes the individual cares more about life, and the flourishing and building up of this life, and seeking it. Up to the point of when all his or her time; day and night is used in thinking about it, collecting more of it, fixing and striving for it with the heart and with the deed. Both his heart and body become overtaken by going for this life. Then one forgets about him or herself and forget about working at what would be of benefit to him or herself. One ought to strive in seeking life in the hereafter; which is the eternal life, rather than striving for this worldly life which will for certain come to an end.
The scholars came up with two reasons why people are over taken by the hope for long life. One is ignorance and the other is: love for this worldly life.
Love for this worldly life happens when one becomes accustomed to this life, and accustomed to its desires and relationships; and when it gets difficult for the heart to leave it. Then the heart stops thinking of death and becomes busy with the wrong wishes that suit its desires. Even when death is brought to the attention, one starts making promises to repent soon in the near future. Saying there isn’t much left for me to grow old and then I will truly repent. One keeps on putting repentance off till one grows older, or till one reaches real advanced age, or till one returns from this trip, or from this holiday, or until I finish this arrangement. One keeps on following his own desires, and misrepresents facts and realities, and keeps on imagining lasting in this life, until, to himself, that becomes affirmed. He starts thinking that life is all his. He forgets what Allah says in His book: when the earth has taken its ornaments and is decorated, and its people deem that they are its able masters, Our commandment comes by night or by day and We make it like a demolished reaped harvest as if it had not flourished the day before. 10:24.
While the second reason is Ignorance, as death is not even considered with the health and youth. The human being has accustomed to the death of others, or someone else but not himself. For he has never seen his own death and therefore it is unlikely. While the sane intelligent individual is he who knows life is limited; and that is settled. And one is going towards that end each and every moment. It is one of the ways that Satan gets through to man’s heart is the wishful thinking of longer life. One must be aware of that or it would lead the individual to demise.
Slaves of Allah, there is no treatment for the love of this worldly life, and the love for long lasting in it; (there is no treatment for it) except through faith into Allah and faith into the day after. If one only looks at this life with an eye that can really see and with a foresight, one then would see how despicable and vile this life really is. One would see that this worldly life is not worth a second glance.
Al-Harith Ebn Malik was asked by the messenger ppbu: {How are you this morning Harith?}. Al-Harith said: “This morning I am a true believer”. The messenger ppbu asked him: {See what you say, everything has a truth. What is the true sign of your faith?}. Al-Harith said: “I held my self off this worldly life. I made my nights sleepless, and I made my day associated with thirst, and as if I am looking at the throne of my Lord forming and taking shape. And as if I am looking at the people of paradise visiting each other. And as if I am looking at the people of hellfire despising each other”. The messenger ppbu said: {You have it figured out, stick to it}. The messenger ppbu also said: {This worldly life, in the hereafter, is just like one of you dipping his finger in the sea, then take it out and see what it brings}. The messenger ppbu used to hold Ebn Omar and say to him: {in this worldly life be like a stranger or a passerby}. Ebn Omar used to say: {if the night approaches you, do not expect to see the morning. And if the morning comes then do not expect to see the night. And take from your health to your time of sickness, and take from your life to your death}. The messenger ppbu said: {an individual Muslim who has anything worthy of a will, then by right should not go for two nights without writing a will}. The messenger ppbu said: {if this worldly life to Allah is worth as much as a wing of a mosquito, then Allah would not give a drink of water to an unbeliever}. The messenger ppbu said: {This worldly life is cursed, and everything in it is cursed, except remembering Allah and everything along this line, and a scholar and a learner (or a student)}.
Slaves of Allah, it is not strange that the unbelievers love this worldly life and love to last in it. That is because this life is their paradise. What is really strange is for Muslims to have their main concern; day and night; is the love for this life and the long lasting in it. Despite that they know how much it is worth. Allah says: Whoso desires the harvest of the Hereafter, We give him increase in its harvest. And whoso desires the harvest of this world, We give him thereof, and he has no share in the Hereafter42:20
Allah says: Whoso desires this (life) which hastens away, We hasten for him therein that We will for whom We please. And afterward We have appointed for him hell; he will endure the heat thereof, condemned, rejected. (18) And whoso desires the Hereafter and strives for it its necessary effort, while being a believer; for such, their effort finds favour and thanks (with their Lord)17:18-19
Dear Muslims, Two nights let one visualize in his or her mind. One night at his own home, with his family and children, happy and relaxed, and living real well, with health and fitness, playful with his children and all are having fun. And the very next night, when in full health, youth, fitness, happiness, with no sickness or weakness even comes across his mind, nor death is even thought of, that’s when sickness attacks, and weakness approaches, and gloom replaces joy, and no friend, companion or a chat can make things any better. Becoming bored with what he used to wish fo; when he had health. And the thoughts go through his mind of all the wasted youth, and years squandered. He thinks of all the money he collected, and all the homes he built, and the palaces he claimed, and all the property he worked so hard to own. He feels sorry for leaving this life of wealth. And sorry for the weak children he leaves behind who may be lost and misguided after he is gone. He clutches on hard to what may bring him recovery, but it is all in vain. This time, doctors are confused, and medicine is ineffective, and the loved one has given up on him. Allah says: {And the agony of death comes in truth. (And it is said unto him): This is that which you were avoiding} 50:19. He changes in colour, and the eyes sink in deep, and the neck bends, and loveliness and beauty goes off, and the tong becomes silent, and between his family and friends he gazes and stares but does not move, and hears but does not speak. His eyes look round, all the friends, neigbours, and family and children, they see the suffering he goes through, but they are unable to neither help him nor stop what is happening. Allah says: {How about when it (the soul of the dying person) reaches the throat, and you at that moment are looking, and We (i.e. Our angels who take the soul) are nearer to him than you are except for you can not see} 56:83-85. As the time comes, the soul leaves the body. He becomes a motionless corps; and decay starts the rot of the body right when it is still between his people. They no longer can withstand being beside him. The person is dead and the name is dead.
Slaves of Allah, death is the most powerful preacher. Allah commanded that death will befall all creatures. If God had decided an eternal life for anyone then surely He would have granted it to his purified prophets and close messengers. Allah said: {You (Muhammad) shall die, and so will they} 39:30. The messenger ppbu said: {Remember the destroyer of pleasures}. Meaning remember death and question your self, bring to an account your deeds. The messenger ppbu was asked who the best of all the people is. He said: {this who remembers death more, and who is most ready for it. Those are the good people who will take away the honor of the worldly life and the dignity of the next life}
This who remembers death a lot; Allah shall honor him with three: a quicker or earlier repentance, and contentment in the heart and activeness at worship. And this who forgets about death Allah shall plague him with three: putting off repentance, lack of contentment with what is enough, and laziness at worship. Remember that that who are dead now; they had lived over the surface of the earth once, and instead of this tight space; they had spacious living, and instead of the darkness they had light. They came to their death barefooted, with no clothes, and individuals. They can not answer a call, and they do not hear a caller. They lived longer than we did, and they left more behind than we will. That did then no good in avoiding death. Their riches went to their successors, and their partners found others partners.
Allah says: {Every soul shall taste death. And only on the Day of Resurrection shall you be rewarded your earnings in full. And whoever is shoved away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful. The life of this world is only the deceptive enjoyment (a deceiving thing)} 3:185. The messenger ppbu used to make this prayer (duaa): {O Allah, do not make this worldly life be our biggest concern, nor the limit of our knowledge}.
Slaves of Allah, do fear Allah. And let it be known that this worldly life is a life of trouble, hardship, and trials, testing and examination during which Allah has decreed life and death. This worldly life is charged with troubles and filled with calamities. It is overflowing with sorrows and grieves. Pleasure in it will come to pass, and the honorable will be humiliated, and the living shall die. The joy in it is mixed with sadness, and its sweetness is mixed with sourness, and the rest and comfort are mixed with fatigue. No situation remains for ever, and it is never taken for granted. Many powerful kings and rulers have widened their authority and put the fear into the hearts of many of their subjects. They are now laid under the earth and have become ruins and history. And each and every human will follow them to the same end. But each is taken by the flow of this limited and finite life. Ali Ebn Abi Talib said: “this worldly life is departing away, and the next life is approaching. And each of them has children. Be among the children of the next life, and do not be amongst the children of this worldly life. Today there are deeds and no judgment, and tomorrow there will be judgment and no deeds”.
Don’t put full trust and confidence into this life and into living. This worldly life has disappointed many who put their trust into it, and it has stunned many who were assured by it. And it has managed to cheat those who are most deceitful. And it disgraced many who were honorable and respectable. Life in it, is short, and existence in it, will lead to nothing. Health will turn into sickness and riches will turn into needs. Days in this life are deceitful, and they entice to evil. Situations in this life are either riches which will be gone or descending devastations or lethal calamities. And all that is above dust; is just dust.
Allah says: {The resemblance of the worldly life is only as water which We send down from the sky, then the earth's growth of that which men and cattle eat mingles with it till, when the earth has taken on her ornaments and decoration and is embellished, and her people deem that they are its masters, Our commandment comes by night or by day and We make it as reaped harvest as if it had not flourished the day before. Thus we detail the revelations for people who reflect. And Allah summons to the abode of peace, and guides whom He will to a straight path} 10:24-25.
Allah showed how little this worldly life is when He says: {And give example to them the worldly life like water which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it and then becomes crushed dry twigs that the winds scatter. Allah is Able to do all things. Wealth and offspring are an ornament of the worldly life. But the good deeds which endure are better in your Lord's sight for reward, and better in respect of hope} 10:45-46.
Allah also says: {Know that the worldly life is only play, and amusment, and pageantry, and boasting amongst you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children; as the likeness of vegetation after rain, whereof the growth is pleasing to the unbelievers, but afterward it dries up and you see it turning yellow, then it becomes crushed straws. And in the Hereafter there is grievous punishment, and (also) forgiveness and pleasing from Allah, whereas the worldly life is but an illusive enjoyment}57:20.
Allah says: {Beautified for mankind is love of the joys (that come) from women and offspring; and stored-up tons of gold and silver, and branded horses, and cattle and plowed land. That is comfort and joy of the worldly life. Allah! With Him is a more excellent abode. Say: Shall I inform you of something better than that? For those who adhere and fear, with their Lord, are Gardens underneath which rivers flow wherein they will abide, and pure companions, and contentment from Allah. Allah is Seer of His slaves} 3:14-15.
Allah says: {and they rejoice because of the worldly life, whereas the worldly life is only a minor jou as compared with the Hereafter.} 13:26.
Allah gave warnings to those who accept and trust into this worldly life when He says: {those who do not hope and expect to meet with Us but desire the worldly life and feel secure therein, and those who are neglectful of Our revelations. Their home will be the Fire because of what they used to earn.} 10:7-8.
Notes:
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.
Adhan - The call to prayer.
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
