"Among the wonders of Allah’s omnipotence is the enormous multitude of creation. You will never see two things that are exactly alike without there being some difference between them. I have asked one who lived for long and whose age was eighty whether he had ever seen an image exactly similar to the one I was showing him; he said to me, ‘No, every image has its own unique aspects.’ This is true throughout the world."
- Shaykh Ibn Hazm
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Death and the Grave
Death, an indispensable reality
HOW often do we remember death? Yes death, a harsh and fearful reality that escapes no living person. None can avoid it. The people around a dying person don’t have the ability to prevent it. Death happens every moment and it does not discriminate between the young and the old, the rich and the poor, the strong and the weak. Everyone is equal in front of death, because no one has any means to escape it or use intercession to avoid it or even delay it. Allah says in the Qur’an: “Say: Indeed, the death from which you flee will surely meet...
Death and the Grave 01 Jan 2012 Hits:88
The Painful Separation (1)
Your time is up; your body lies motionless, within a few seconds the angel of death has seized your soul. How can you describe the painful separation your body underwent as the soul was taken out from the body? The many years you lived in the world, your body and soul had become one and you never realised the difference between the two. As the soul was being extracted from your body, every single vein in your body screamed in pain. You have now come to realise the true impact of the words of the Prophet (sallallahu a’lyhi wa sallam) ,...
Death and the Grave 03 Nov 2009 Hits:2738
Inaudible Pleas (2)
There you lie; within 30 minutes your body temperature has now decreased. Your blood has become stagnant; it misses the days when it would gush forth, pumping from the heart to the rest of the body, adding life to life. The heart that was once a junction, pumping blood around your body, has now cut off all roots and has lost its movement – its very beat. Those tunnels, which we refer to as veins, are now silent: with no life and no energy. Your veins now evidently manifest themselves as they come to the surface, visible for everyone – but...
Death and the Grave 03 Nov 2009 Hits:2507
A Bath Unlike Any Other (3)
The most beloved people to you are the most intent in getting your burial underway. They have organised the place and time to wash you and have prepared the necessary items to shroud you. Do not hate them, since they are only following the command of the Prophet (sallallahu a’lyhi wasallam), “The corpse of a Muslim should not remain withheld among the family (without being buried).”{footnote}Abu Dawud{/footnote} In fact, burying the dead is a natural instinct Allah (azza wa jal) has intrinsically placed in the heart of man – and you are no exception to that rule. Today is that day...
Death and the Grave 03 Nov 2009 Hits:2402
Just Before The Funeral (4)
The hard floor no longer bothers you, nor do the white sheets over your face feel claustrophobic. You are unable to move your limbs so as to gesture towards those around you, to move the sheet from your face and allow you to breathe. For just as your breathing was limited, the time which you stayed on the face of this earth was also limited. This time for you has now run out. All bodily satisfactions and delights of this fleeting abode have now ceased to hold any value. Ah! If only you had come...
Death and the Grave 25 Nov 2009 Hits:2018
Your Funeral Prayer (5)
This day had seemed so far away. In fact, you had never quite come to terms with the idea of being a corpse, nor of the fact that you would be prayed over. Neither had you come to terms with the fact that a day will come when you will be entirely covered in white sheets by your own beloved ones. Now it has come to light. As they carry you towards your funeral prayer, indeed this world was a transient exam that has now ended and bids you farewell… your futile pursuits were a waste and the small good deeds...
Death and the Grave 07 Dec 2009 Hits:1987
Towards Your New Home...Underground (6)
Towards Your New Home...Underground: The trees silently bid you farewell as the path opens way for you and your familiar surroundings surrender you to your fate. Your white shroud is being tossed and blown about by the wind, which pushes you towards your destination. Your loved ones carry you along towards your new home with a keen drive and determination to surrender you to your fate in compliance to the command of the Last Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). Tears incessantly flow down their cheeks, in unison with the falling rain from the heavily laden clouds that also...
Death and the Grave 02 May 2011 Hits:1340
Mud Over You (7)
Recall the sensation of choking. You may have first experienced it as a child when your mother forced a tight jumper over your head. Try to remember as clearly as possible how nauseous and suffocated you felt. A human being feels this way at such a time because we need to breathe. We require good ventilation and light to feel comfortable - unlike a corpse. The raging dark winds which hover around the darkness of the night, the quiet of the living world, the stars which illuminate the way for those who carry you on their shoulders are anything...
Death and the Grave 09 May 2011 Hits:1321
Decomposition (8)
Before we look into the life of al-Barzakh (what it entails and what a believer will face therein) I would like to briefly examine the deteriorating effect of the earth on a human corpse. Currently, as you read this sentence, the process of decomposition of once living creatures is occurring all around you. However, many of us are so engrossed and deluded by the life of this world that we hate to contemplate, reflect, talk or even hear anything about the grave and the decomposition of our bodies within it. Today, when the fear of Allah, His Accountability and Reckoning does...
Death and the Grave 15 May 2011 Hits:2121
Special Bodies Which Don’t Decompose (9)
Allah (Almighty) is so gracious towards His creation, so much so that His Graciousness abounds to the extent that out intellects can’t even imagine. He is also Just in that He gives those who deserve what they deserve...and truly some deserve much much more than others. From mankind there is a batch that deserves more, a group above the rest. Allah (the Subtle, All-Knowing) chooses them out of His infinite Wisdom and Knowledge. They are chosen in that they are given certain privileges above others, one of which is that many of them are completely saved from all stages of decomposition....
Death and the Grave 20 May 2011 Hits:2920
The Barzakh (Barrier): A Transitional Stage (10)
In the following verse the term “Barzakh” is mentioned. {Until when death approaches one of them (the polytheists), he says, "My Lord! Send me back, so that I may do good in that which I have left behind!" No! It is but just a word that he speaks; and behind them is a barrier (barzakh) until the Day when they will be Resurrected.} (Quran 23:99-100) Literally, “Barzakh” means ‘interval, gap, break, partition, bar, obstruction and isthmus’ (a relatively narrow strip of land (with water on both sides) connecting two larger land areas). The following images give us a clear illustration of...
Death and the Grave 24 May 2011 Hits:1836
The Reality of the Soul (11)
So far we have covered in detail regarding the journey the body takes after death, right up until the grave. Now we are going to move on to a completely different journey, and that is of the soul’s journey up towards the heavens and back, straight after death. It is important to understand that although in this life your body and soul are relatively always together, joint and linked, after death they will separate from each other for some time until the soul is returned to the body later on. A Mystery Unsolved Although scientists have and are spending a...
Death and the Grave 26 May 2011 Hits:2526
Towards the Heavens (12)
For those of you who have witnessed the death of someone, you may have noticed that the eyes face a certain fixed direction while the soul is being taken out at the moment of death. This is a phenomenon, the reality of which people without eemaan fail to understand and explain, regardless of how much they may have excelled in worldly sciences. But once again, Islaam provides the most clear, precise, true and accurate answer. The Prophet (peace be upon him) explained hundreds of years ago, “When the soul is taken, the eyes follow it.” (Saheeh Muslim) If you look carefully, while...
Death and the Grave 28 May 2011 Hits:2254
Can You Smell Something Fishy? (13)
Humans like nice smells. This can especially be seen today in the world around us, where people go out of their way to spend hard earned money on expensive, arousing, sensational and aromatic perfumes of all kinds. Yes, a small bottle with some colored liquid in it (sorry for being so literal and unromantic) costs many of our light pockets a hell of a lot of money. Why? Because humans - aka we - like nice smells. The Daily Mail published an article in 2010, which states: ‘Classic fragrances are making a comeback, with sales of perfumes that evoke nostalgic...
Death and the Grave 28 May 2011 Hits:2392
Remembrance, Even While the Soul Exits (14)
As one sits reciting the Qur’aan, contemplating and pondering over its verses and the meanings and signs found within it, one will find that the natural innate thirst and inquisitiveness found within the heart and mind is quenched by the exquisite, unparalleled, amazing, magnificent and unmatched Words of Allah, the Lord of the heavens and the earth. Each and every human being has a chance to undertake this spiritual journey, a choice to pick up the Qur’aan…if they are willing. Satanic whispers will be abated and ailments of the heart, soul and body can be cured. This is because each...
Death and the Grave 10 Jun 2011 Hits:1738
Your Temporary Visa Will Soon Expire (15)
The nature of this world’s creation is such that it is temporary; therefore, it can only offer a temporary visa to anyone who enters and resides within it. For this reason an appointment is binding upon every single individual who has had a soul breathed into him or her while s/he was in his or her mother’s womb. This appointment is the meeting of death with al-Malakul-Mowt (the Angel of Death) which will inevitably come to pass upon every single individual that has come into this world because the one who has come into it… must one day inevitably depart...
Death and the Grave 17 Jun 2011 Hits:2304
Satan’s Last Chance and Presence at the Time of Death (16)
Many incidences have been related in which people ended their lives on a bad note, i.e. a sin, and so have been recounted as having died in a difficult or infamous way. This is because satan works hard at the time of death, a time which is full of tests, difficulties and infirmity, a time when a person is in-between the life of this world and the life of al-Barzakh. Satan’s intent at this stage is to evilly, sinfully and wickedly influence a dying person’s last deeds and actions. He knows that this is his final chance to make this person...
Death and the Grave 17 Jun 2011 Hits:2170
The Angels Present at the Time of Death (17)
Many people have famously heard about the Angel of Death and that he is in charge of taking out the souls of the children of Adam at the time of death. Yet, many of us have not heard or come across the fact that there will also be other angels present at this crucial and critical time. This is proven by many Prophetic Narrations which mention that angels, other than the Angel of Death, will also come near the dying person. Depending upon whether the soul is good or evil and in accordance with what the dying person deserves, these...
Death and the Grave 27 Jun 2011 Hits:1999
Finally Free (18)
The time will then finally come for the righteous soul to depart from this transient, fleeting and constricted abode, a life polluted and tainted with a mixture of joy and pain, sadness and happiness. Now the time has come for the soul to become separated from the body, for the body to be left lifeless, still without motion or movement, and for the soul…to fly, to fly towards its Lord and towards the eternal abode of the Next, leaving behind a body that was swift in obeying and undertaking the commands of Allah and limbs shining forth with the signs...
Death and the Grave 27 Jun 2011 Hits:2028
A Hellish Unwelcome for the Evil Soul (19)
Just Stop and Think Everything around the disbeliever points out to him that there is Only One Lord Worthy of Worship and that the existence of this world is limited; but still he continues to deny. The sky, the earth and all that is in-between; the darkness of the night as the stars spectacularly glow and shine across its expansive breadth; the brightness of the day and its intricate paths; the coldness of winter; the heat of summer; the cool breezes of spring; the swaying leaves of autumn; the parks full of greenery and blossoming flowers; the lakes full of...
Death and the Grave 03 Aug 2011 Hits:1690
The Return and the Squeeze (20)
Back down, right into the earth. The murky, dark, dirty and inexpensive soil beneath us shall one day be a part of us, engulfing us and freely entering within the openings of our noses and mouths as it becomes one with us. We won’t have any choice but to submit to it, as choice and free-will is something of this world and therefore will no longer be readily available to us in the grave. Towards the grave is our destination; indeed we were created from it, will be buried into it, and then will be resurrected from it. This is the...
Death and the Grave 09 Oct 2011 Hits:1745
The Righteous Soul Responds (21)
The time-span exacted for the soul to be taken up into the heavens is a matter unknown to us as time holds a completely different dimension in the next life. What we do know, however, is that after the person is buried and as his friends and family walk away, the soul is returned back to the body at this stage. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “When a person is placed in his grave and his companions leave him, he can hear their footsteps."{footnote}Agreed upon{/footnote} We also learn from the following Prophetic Narrations that the questioning of the angels will...
Death and the Grave 09 Oct 2011 Hits:1425
The Disbeliever, Hypocrite and Evil Soul Answers (22)
The great blessings bestowed or the painful punishment inflicted by Allah, the High, on the believer in his grave is something that we can’t thoroughly understand, even if all the mechanisms and devices available to us were utilised for this purpose. This is partly due to the fact that we can’t perceive, look at or touch these realities in this world. For example, we can’t see the door that opens for the believer in his grave towards paradise. Furthermore, even if we were to inspect every grave in this world, we can’t hear what the animals can hear from the...
Death and the Grave 09 Oct 2011 Hits:1377
Specific Punishments in the Grave (23)
As Muslims, we believe in the punishment of the grave. There are many narrations which verify its authenticity. One such narration is: The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "Seek Allaah's protection from the Punishment of the Grave, since the Punishment of the Grave is a fact/true."{footnote}Saheeh: At-Tabraanee in 'al-Kabeer' from Umm Khaalid bint Khaalid ibn Sa'eed ibn al-'Aas.{/footnote} Our righteous predecessors have mentioned many stories in this regard, some of which are as follows: Ibn Abi'd Dunya (rahimahullah) mentioned that one of his companions said, “My brother died and I saw him in a dream. I said, "How was...
Death and the Grave 09 Oct 2011 Hits:1670
Miracles of the Martyrs
Miracles of the Martyrs By Scholar/Muhammad Lujain Az- Zain Translated By : Dr. Amaged Amasha Martyrs are among the believers whom Allah (SWT) has chosen because they have fulfilled their promise with Him, their commerce prospered and they eventually have won. Allah, the Ever-Living and Sustainer, bestowed on them everlasting life though we do not perceive this. Allah says in the Holy Qur’an: “And call not those who are slain in the way of Allah “dead.” Nay, they are living, only ye perceive not.” [The Cow 154] They are the ones who come in order after the prophets and the saints and before the righteous...
Death and the Grave 06 May 2011 Hits:1199
Just Before She Died
Sister Rehab el Buri passed away on Sunday 6th of March 2011 at the age of 26. She died due to cancer after fighting a courageous battle against it. A section is pasted below from her blog to reflect upon and is really worth the two minute read. *** It took me about three days to accept my death. On the first day, as you read, my mind was in chaos. On the second day, I was numb. And on the third day, my husband and mother began talking sense to me, and I finally came to some important realizations: 1. We...
Death and the Grave 09 Mar 2011 Hits:1490
Indications of a Good End
Firstly: a good end… A good end means when a person was guided before his death to keep away from that which angers the Lord and to repent from sin, and to focus on doing acts of worship and good deeds, and then he died in this good state. One of the indications of this is the saheeh hadeeth narrated from Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “When Allaah wills good for His slave, He uses him.” They said, “How does He use...
Death and the Grave 07 Aug 2011 Hits:730
Just Close Your Eyes and Imagine...
Just close your eyes and imagine,You have just one more day to live;One more day to show Allah,Whether to you Jannah He should give?To say goodbye to your family,And all your closest friends;To ask for forgiveness,And try to make amends; Just close your eyes and imagine,Did you miss a prayer or two?Did you please Allah, and do the things,He asks every Muslim to do? Just close your eyes and imagine,Tomorrow you will be gone;No more second chances,To smell the mist of dawn; Just close your eyes and imagine,The angels are going to come,To take your soul and ask,In...
Death and the Grave 22 Jun 2010 Hits:1710
Signs of a Good End
(Highly recommended audio tapes detailing real life experiences: Tape 1 | Tape 2) The Prophet, salaallaahu `alayhi wa sallam said, "A Muslim who is killed in a battle is a martyr, (dying in) plague is martyrdom, a woman who dies while delivering a baby is a martyr." {footnote} Ahmad, Daarimee, Tiyaalisee, authenticated by Al-Albaanee {/footnote} The Prophet, salaallaahu `alayhi wa sallam said, "The martyrs are seven, other than the one who is killed in the Way of Allaah, ta`aalaa: One who dies of plague, one who drowns, one who dies of pleurisy, one who dies of stomach ache, ...
Death and the Grave 27 Nov 2009 Hits:1837
Prepare For Death
Allaah (az) says, “Everyone shall taste death. And only on the day of Resurrection you shall be paid your wages in full. And whoever is removed away from the fire and admitted to Paradise he indeed is successful. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception (a deceiving thing).”(Aal-‘Imraan 3: 175) Such is the reality of death and what comes after it. Every one of us shall taste it whether poor or rich; healthy or sick, old or young; leader or led and none of us can escape it. Allaah says, “Wheresoever’s you may be, death will...
Death and the Grave 27 Nov 2009 Hits:1377
Moved by Simplicity of Royal Funeral, Priest Embraces Islam
The funeral of King Fahd, which was conducted in a simple manner in Riyadh earlier this month (1995), has encouraged a well-known Christian priest in Italy to embrace Islam, press reports said. The priest, who watched the late king's funeral on satellite television, was impressed by the lack of pomp and pageantry in the royal funeral, Al-Riyadh Arabic daily reported without mentioning his name. King Fahd was buried in Al-Oud graveyard the next day of his death after a solemn funeral ceremony attended by world leaders. Islamic preacher Dr. Abdullah Al-Malik said the simple funeral of the king had a...
Death and the Grave 11 May 2011 Hits:1068
The Stranger is Not
Video {youtube}DV81bAghxBU{/youtube} {youtube}WaqFSn5ZwpE{/youtube} MP3 {mp3remote}http://www.muslimtents.com/idealmuslimah/NasheedsArabic/the stranger is not (www.idealmuslimah.com).mp3{/mp3remote} Download (right click & "save target as") Translation 1) The stranger is not the stranger to Yemen or Shaam But the stranger is the stranger to the grave and the coffin 2) Verily the stranger has rights for his absence Over the residents of the dwellings & homelands. 3) Don’t chase away the outlander in his state of unfamiliarity For time is also chasing him with hardship & distress 4) My travels are far and my provisions will not suffice me My strength has weakened and death is calling unto me. 5) I still have sins which I know not of Allah knows of them;...
Death and the Grave 29 May 2011 Hits:946
The Prophets and the Shuhadaa' Remain Alive With Allah
Normally, a human body would gradually decompose after being put in the grave for quite some time. This is a fact that nobody can disagree with because according to scientific studies, the human corpse begins to decompose after being buried in the ground for seven days. However, by Allah’s Will and Might, there are also corpses that do not decay even though they have been buried in the graves for dozens, hundreds or even thousands of years. In one genuine incident, from the people of Madinah it was related that during the rule of Khalifah Al-Walid bin Abdul Malik, one shocking incident...
Death and the Grave 11 May 2011 Hits:867
Death and the Grave