Narrated Abu Huraira: Some people said, “O Allah’s Apostle (peace be upon him)! Shall we see our Lord on the Day of Resurrection?” He said, “Do you crowd and squeeze each other when looking at the sun when clouds do not hide it?” They replied, “No, Allah’s Apostle.” He (peace be upon him) said, “Do you crowd and squeeze each other on looking at the moon when it is full and not hidden by clouds?” They replied, No, O Allah’s Apostle!” He (peace be upon him) said, “So you will see Him (your Lord) on the Day of Resurrection, similarly Allah will gather all the people and say, ‘Whoever used to worship anything should follow that thing. ‘So, he who used to worship the sun will follow it, and he who used to worship the moon will follow it, and he who used to worship false deities will follow them; and then only this nation ( i.e., Muslims) will remain, including their hypocrites. Allah will come to them in a shape other than they know and will say, ‘I am your Lord.’ They will say, ‘We seek refuge with Allah from you. This is our place; we will not follow you till our Lord comes to us, and when our Lord comes to us, we will recognize Him.
TAG: Day of Resurrection
Your Sustainer Has Willed Upon Himself The Law Of Grace And Mercy
[Quran – 6:12] “Say: “Unto whom belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth?” Say: “Unto God, who has willed upon Himself the law of grace and mercy. He will assuredly gather you all together on the Day of Resurrection, [the coming of] which is beyond all doubt: yet those who have squandered their own selves-it is they who refuse to believe [in Him],”
The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) has said:
[Bukhari, Book #54, Hadith #416] “Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “When Allah completed the creation, He wrote in His Book which is with Him on His Throne, ‘My Mercy overpowers My Anger.”
[Muslim, Book #037, Hadith #6626] “(2) Abu Huraira reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: When Allah created the creation as He was upon the Throne, He put down in His Book: Verily, My mercy predominates My wrath”
[Sunan Abudawud, Book #41, Hadith #4923] “Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-‘As: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: The Compassionate One has mercy on those who are merciful. If you show mercy to those who are on the earth, He Who is in the heaven will show mercy to you.”
[Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith # 1011] The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “It is better for a leader to make a mistake in forgiving than to make a mistake in punishing.”
Life Of This World, A Test For The Believers
[ALLAH’S Quran – 18:7] “We have caused the material world on earth to be of the nature of an embellishment and ornamentation in order to test the peoples’ reaction to the grace of Allah and distinguish those of them who will imprint their deeds with wisdom and piety.”
The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) has said :
[Muslim, Book #007, Hadith #3183] “Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) as saying: For one among my Ummah who shows endurance against the hardships and rigors of Medina, I would be an intercessor or a witness on his behalf on the Day of Resurrection.”
[Sunan Abudawud, Book #35, Hadith #4250] “Narrated Al-Miqdad ibn al-Aswad: I swear by Allah, I heard the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) say: The happy man is he who avoids dissensions: happy is the man who avoids dissensions; happy is the man who avoids dissensions: but how fine is the man who is afflicted and shows endurance.”
Stop Oppression Of Believers
ALLAH’S Warning to Disbelievers: STOP OPPRESSION OF BELIEVERS
[ALLAH’S Quran – 8:38] “Tell those who disbelieve that if they cease (from the persecution of believers) that which is past will be forgiven them; but if they return (thereto) then the example of the men of old hath already gone (before them, for a warning).”
The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) has said :
[Muslim, Book #032, Hadith #6248 ] “Jabir b. Abdullah reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Be on your guard against committing oppression, for oppression is a darkness on the Day of Resurrection, and be on your guard against pettimindedness for pettimindedness destroyed those who were before you, as it incited them to shed blood and make lawful what was unlawful for them.”
Hell In Islam: The Worst Destination
Pictures of Their Punishments
(1) The Punishment of the People of Hell Will Vary in Degree
As Hell has various levels, in some of which the torment and horror are greater than in others, the people of Hell will be given different levels of punishment. According to a hadith narrated by Muslim and Ahmad from Samurah, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said, concerning the people of Hell: “There are some whom the Fire will take up to their ankles, others up to their knees, others up to their waists, and others up to their collarbones”. According to another report, “up to their necks” (Muslim in Kitaab al-Jannah wa Sifaat Na’imihaa, Baab Shiddat Harr an-Naar, 4/2185)
The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) has told us about those who will receive the lightest punishment in Hell. al-Bukhaari reports from al-Nu’maan ibn Basheer who said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) say, “The person who will have the least punishment among the people of Hell on the Day of Resurrection will be a man under the arch of whose feet will be placed a smoldering ember, and his brains will boil because of it.”
Many aayaat confirm the different levels of punishment that will be given to the people of Hell:
“The hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire..” (4:145)
“..and on the Day that Judgement will be established: “Cast the people of Pharaoh into the severest Penalty!” (40:46)
“Those who reject Allah and hinder from the Path of Allah, for them will We add penalty to penalty, for that they used to spread mischief “. (16:88)
(2) Roasting of the Skin
The Fire of the Almighty will burn the skin of the kuffaar. The skin is the site of sensation, where the pain of burning is felt, and for this reason, Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala) will replace the burnt skin with a new one, to be burnt anew, and this will be repeated endlessly: “Those who reject Our Signs, We shall soon cast them into the Fire. As often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for fresh skins, that they may taste the penalty. For Allah is Exalted in Power, All-Wise” (4:56)
(3) Melting
One of the kinds of torment will be the pouring of al-Hameem over their heads. al-Hameem is ultra-heated water; because of its extreme heat, it will melt their innards and everything inside:
“… then as for those who disbelieve, garments of fire will be cut out for them, boiling water will be poured down over their heads. With it will melt or vanish away what is within their bellies, as well as skins”. (22:19-20)
at-Tirmidhi reported from Abu Hurayrah (Radiy Allahu Anhu) that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said: “al-Hameem will be poured on their heads and will dissolve through until it reaches their sides and all their innards will drop out, until it comes out of his feet, and everything is melted, then he will be restored as he was.” He (at-Tirmidhi) said, “It is a sahih ghareeb hasan hadith”. (at-Takhweef min an-Naar, p.145, Jaami’ al-Usool, 10/540)
(4) Scorching (the face).
The noblest and most dignified part of a person is the face, hence the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) forbade us to strike the face. One of the ways in which Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala) will humiliate the people of Hell is by gathering them on their faces, blind, deaf and dumb, on the Day of Resurrection: “..We shall gather them together prone on their faces, blind, dumb, and deaf; their abode will be Hell; every time it shows abatement, We shall increase for them the Fierceness of the Fire”. (17:97)
- Then they will be thrown on their faces in the Fire: “And if any do evil, their faces will be thrown headlong into the Fire; “Do you receive a reward other than that which you have earned by your deeds?” (27:90)
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The Fire will burn and cover their faces forever, with no barrier between them and it: “If only the unbelievers knew when they will not be able to ward off the Fire from their faces, nor yet from their backs, and no help can reach them!” (21:39)
- “The Fire will burn their faces and they will therein grin, with their lips displaced” (23:104)
- “Their garments of liquid pitch, and their faces covered with fire”. (14:50)
- “Is then one who has to fear the brunt of the penalty on the Day of Judgement his face, ?” (39:24)
Look at this horrific scene that makes one shudder! - “The Day that their faces will be turned upside down in the Fire, they will say, “Woe to us! Would that we had obeyed Allah and obeyed the Messenger.” (33:66)
(5) Dragging
Another of the painful torments that the Kuffaar will suffer is being dragged on their faces into Hell: “Truly those in sin are the ones straying in mind, and mad. The Day they will be dragged through the Fire on their faces: “Taste the touch of Hell.” (54:47-48)
Their pain at being dragged will be increased by the fact that they will be tied up in chains and fetters: “…But soon shall they know – when the yokes round their necks, and the chains, they shall be dragged along, in the boiling fetid fluid, then shall they be burned”. (40:70-72)
Qataadah said, “They will be dragged once in the Fire, and once in al-Hameem.” (Ibn Rajab, at-Takhweef min an-Naar, p.147)
(6) Blackening of the faces.
Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala) will blacken the faces of the people of Hell in the Hereafter: “On the Day when some faces will be white and some faces will be black; to those whose faces will be black: “Did you reject Faith after accepting it? Taste then the Penalty for rejecting Faith”. (3:106)
This is intense blackness as if the darkness of night had covered their faces “But those who have earned evil will have a reward of like evil, and ignominy will cover their faces. No defender will they have from Allah. Their faces will be covered, as it were, with pieces from the darkness of night. They are Companions of the Fire, they will abide therein [for aye!] (10:27)
(7) The Fire Will Surround the Kuffaar
The people of Hell are the Kuffaar whose sins and disobedience surround them, leaving no hasanah for them. Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala) said, in response to the Jews who claimed that the Fire would only touch them for a certain length of time: “Nay, those who seek gain in evil and are girt round by their sins – they are companions of the Fire; therein shall they abide ” (2:81)
No one will be in such a state unless he is a kaafir and a mushrik. Siddeeq Hasan Khan says, “What is referred to here by evil deeds is a certain type of deed, the reasons for which should be overwhelming, with no way out or means of achieving hasanah. Eternity in Hell is for the kuffaar and mushrikeen, so evil and sin in this aayah has to be interpreted as meaning kufr and shirk. Thus the arguments of the Mu’tazilah and Khawaarij are shown to be false by the proven mutawaatir reports that state that the sinners among the monotheists will eventually be brought forth from Hell.”
Sins and evil deeds surround the Kuffaar like a bracelet around the wrist, so their punishment should fit their crimes. Hence the Fire will surround the Kuffaar on all sides, as Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala) says: “There will be a bed of Hell and over them coverings ” (7:41)
The “bed” is what comes under them, and the “coverings” are what comes over them. What is meant is that fires will surround them from above and below, as Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala) says: “On the Day when the torment shall cover them from above them and from underneath their feet” (29:55)
“They shall have coverings of Fire above them, and coverings of Fire beneath them”. (39:16)
Some of the Salaf interpreted the “Bed” (al-Mihaad) as meaning a mattress and the “cover” (al-Ghawaash) as being a blanket (Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 3/168)
The “surrounding” may be interpreted in another way, which is that Hell will have a wall to surround the kuffaar so that they will never be able to get out or escape from it, as Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala) says: “..Verily We have prepared for the wrongdoers a Fire whose like the walls and roof of a tent, will hem them in; If they implore relief, they will be granted water like melted brass, that will scald their faces. How dreadful the drink! How uncomfortable a couch to recline on!” (18:29)
(8) The Fire Will Leap Up Over Their Hearts
Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala) says: “By no means! He will be sure to be thrown into that which Breaks to Pieces. And what will explain to you what that which Breaks to Pieces is? the Fire of Allah, kindled, that which mourns to the hearts”. (104:4-6)
Muhammad ibn Ka’b al-Qurtubee said, “The Fire eats into him until it reaches his heart, then his body will be created anew. It was reported that when Thaabit al-Bananee read this aayah, he said, “The Fire will burn them until it reaches their hearts, while they are still alive; this is how great their suffering is!” Then he wept.” (at-Takhweef min an-Naar, p.146)
(9) Their entrails will be spilled out in the Fire
al-Bukhaari and Muslim report from Usaamah ibn Zayd that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said: “A man will be brought forth on the Day of Resurrection and thrown into the Fire. Then his entrails will be spilled out into the Fire, and he will be forced to walk around and around like a donkey on a treadmill. The people of Hell will gather around him and say, “O So-and-so, what is wrong with you? Did you not enjoin us to do good and forbid us to do evil?” He will say, “I used to order you to do good, but I did not do it, and I used to forbid you to do evil, but I used to do it.” Then he will walk around and around like a donkey in a treadmill” (al-Bukhaari and Muslim, Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh, 2/642, hadith no. 5139)
One of the people whose entrails will be spilled out in Hell is ‘Amr ibn Lahay who was the first to change the religion of the Arabs. Muslim reports from Jaabir ibn Abdullaah that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said, “I saw ‘Amr ibn ‘Aamir al-Khuza’ee dragging his own entrails in Hell, and he was the first one to introduce as-Saa’ibah (a she-camel turned loose for free pasture for the sake of idols, upon which nothing was allowed to be carried”. (Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh, 2/642)
(10) The Chains, Fetters and Hammers of the People of Hell
Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala) has promised that the people of Hell will have chains fetters and hammers in the Fire:
“For the Rejecters We have prepared iron chains, yokes, and a blazing Fire”. (76:4)
“With Us are fetters and a Fire and a food that chokes, and a penalty grievous”. (73:12-13)
The yokes will be placed around their necks: “…We shall put yokes on the necks of the unbelievers. It would only be a requital for their ill deeds”. (34:33)
“When yokes round their necks, and the chains, they shall be dragged along.” (40:71)
The chains or fetters are something with which Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala) will punish them: “With Us are fetters…” (73:12)
The chains are another kind of punishment, with which the wrongdoers will be tied up, just as criminals are chained up in this world. See how the Qur’aan describes them: “The stern command will say, “Seize him and bind him, and burn him in the blazing Fire, further, make him march in a chain, whereof the length is seventy cubits”. (69:30-32)
Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala) has promised the people of Hell hooked rods of iron which are like hammers with which the evildoers will be beaten when they try to escape from the Fire, and they will be thrown ever deeper into Hell: “And for them are hooked rods of iron. Every time they seek to get away therefrom, from anguish, they will be driven back therein and said to them: “taste the torment of burning!” (22:21-22)
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Clear Guidance Wise Quotes
1) Say, “O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful. [Az-Zumar 39-53]
2) Wealth and children are [but] adornment (attraction) of the worldly life. But the enduring (everlasting) good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one’s] hope. [Al-Kahf 18:46]
3) Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon, the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend. [Fussilat 41:34]
4) And peace will be upon he who follows the guidance. [Ta-Ha 20:47]
5) The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts become fearful, and when His verses are recited to them, it increases their in faith; and upon their Lord they rely.[Al-Anfal 8:2-4]
6) That you not transgress (deceit) within the balance. And establish weight in justice and do not make deficient the balance. [Ar-Rahman 55:8-9] (While selling man should weigh things honestly)
7) Whom Allah leaves astray, you will never find for them protectors besides Him, and We will gather them on the Day of Resurrection [fallen] on their faces – blind, dumb, and deaf. Their refuge is Hell; every time it subsides We increase them in blazing fire. [Al-Isra 17:97]
8) And whoever turns away from My remembrance – indeed, he will have a depressed [i.e., difficult] life, and We will gather [i.e., raise] him on the Day of Resurrection blind.” He will say, “My Lord, why have you raised me blind while I was [once] seeing?” [Allah] will say, “Thus did Our signs come to you, and you forgot [i.e., disregarded] them; and thus will you this Day be forgotten” [Ta-Ha 20:124-126]
9) And when it is said to them, “Follow what Allah has revealed,” they say, “Rather, we will follow that upon which we found our fathers.” Even if Satan was inviting them to the punishment of the Blaze? [Luqman 31:21]
10) And Allah invites to the Home of Peace [i.e., Paradise] and guides whom He wills to a straight path. [Yunus 10:25]
11) They [think to] deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive not except themselves and perceive [it] not. [Al-Baqarah 2:9]
12) O mankind, indeed the promise of Allah is true, So let not the worldly life delude (deceive) you, and let not the chief deceiver [i.e., Satan] deceive you about Allah. [Fatir 35:5]
13) Indeed, As-Salat (prayer) has been enjoined upon the believers at specified times. [Quran Chapter An-Nisa 4:103]
14) Indeed, the Day of Judgement is an appointed time (fixed time). [Quran An-Naba 78:17]
by Amer Aleem
Temptations Of Worldly Life, Diversion From Remembrance Of God
[ALLAH’S Quran – 102:1] “(Mankind! your) vying with one another to excel in multiplying worldly possessions diverts you (from God and true values of life),”
The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) has said :
[Bukhari, Book #59, Hadith#374] “Narrated Uqba bin Amir: Allah’s Apostle offered the funeral prayers of the martyrs of Uhud eight years after (their death) as if bidding farewell to the living and the dead, then he ascended the pulpit and said, “I am your predecessor before you, and I am a witness on you, and your promised place to meet me will be Al-Haud (i.e. the Tank) (on the Day of Resurrection), and I am (now) looking at it from this place of mine. I am not afraid that you will worship others besides Allah, but I am afraid that worldly life will tempt you and cause you to compete with each other for it.” That was the last look which I cast on Allah’s Apostle.”
Death And Grave
It is a well-known reality that everyone has to taste death. Allah Ta’ala says in the Holy Quran: “Every soul shall have the taste of death”. (3:185)
The time of death is fixed for everyone. Every single person’s age is fixed. It cannot increase from its fixed time nor can it decrease. Nothing can save one from death. Wherever you are, death will find you out, even if you are in towers built up high. When the time of death comes, nothing can delay it.
When a person’s life is ending, Hazrat Izraeel (alaihis salaam) comes to extract the dying person’s soul. The person dying looks to his left and right and sees Angels everywhere. The Angels of Mercy come to a Muslim and for the Kaafirs, the Angels of Punishment appear. At this time, even the Kaafirs believe the truth about Islam, but their faith at this time is not counted. This is because faith is the name of believing the Message of Allah Ta’ala and his beloved Messenger (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) without seeing proof. At this time one sees the Angels and then believes and this is, therefore, not accepted as a Muslim.
A Muslim’s soul is taken out with ease and is then taken with respect by the Angels of Mercy. A Kaafir’s soul is taken out with great pain and the Angels of Punishment take it with disgrace.
After death, the soul does not go into another body and is then reborn, but it stays in the world of “Barzakh” till the Day of Judgement. “Barzakh” means the interval between death and resurrection.
To believe in reincarnation – that the soul goes into another human body, or into an animal’s body, or into trees or plants, etc. is wrong and is Kufr.
Where Does The Soul Remain After Death?
Death is when the soul comes out of the body. According to the faith and deeds performed by that person, a different place is fixed for the soul to remain. It stays in that place until the Day of Resurrection. Some stay underneath the “Arsh” (above the skies), some remain at “Aala Illiyyeen” (the highest point), some remain at the well of Zam Zam, and some remain in their grave. The souls of infidels are imprisoned. Some are imprisoned in the well of “Barhoot”, some in “Sajeen” (the lowest point on Earth), and some at their place of cremation or burial.
Does The Soul Die?
In any situation, the soul does not die nor does it disintegrate but it remains unchanged. Whatever its position and whatever its state is, it always remains connected to the body. Those who believe that the soul can die and disintegrate are a “Bud Mazhab” (from a deviated sect). If the body experiences pain, the soul also feels the pain. If the body is relaxed, then the soul is also relaxed.
When someone visits the grave, the soul sees the person, recognises him or her and listens to what they are saying. In relation to the Muslim’s soul, it is stated in the Hadith Shareef that when a Muslim dies, the soul’s path is opened and it can go wherever it pleases. The dead also speaks. Animals, etc. except for normal humans and Jinn hear its voice.
What Happens After Burial?
After burial, the grave tightens up and presses the dead. It presses the Muslim like a mother holds a child. It presses the Kaafir (infidel) to the extent of crushing them like the left side bones end up on the right side. When the people leave after burial, the dead hear the footsteps.
At that time, two Angels called Munkar and Nakeer come ripping through the earth. Their faces look very fearful and scary. Their bodies are black in colour. They have green and black eyes, which are very large in size popping out, like the Jinn’s eyes. Their hair is very scary and long from head to toe. Their teeth are very long with which they rip through the earth. They wake up the dead shaking and rattling them.
With great strength with a deep voice, they ask these three questions:
a. “MAN RABBUKA” meaning “Who is your Lord?”
b. “MAA DEENUKA” meaning “What is your religion?”
c. “MAA KUNTA TAQULU FEE HAZIR RAJUL” meaning “What did you use to say about this person?”
If the dead person is a Muslim, he will reply as follows:
a. “RABBI ALLAH” “My Lord is Allah.”
b. “DEENIYAL ISLAM” “My Religion is Islam.”
c. “HUWA RASOOLULLAH-E- SALLALAHO ALAIHI WASALLAM” “This is Allah’s Messenger”
Now, a Voice from the skies will be heard saying: “My servant has said the truth. Lay the tablecloth of Paradise for him. Give him clothes from Paradise to wear and open the doors of Paradise (Jannat) for him.” The cool air and the sweet fragrance of Jannat will continue to come and wherever the eyesight can reach, the grave will be made wide and large. Angels will say: “Sleep like a groom sleeps”. All this will be for the good pious Muslims. For the sinful, there will be punishment according to their sins.
This punishment will continue for a time. Then from the prayers of the pious or from “Esaale Sawaab” (good acts performed by people for the dead’s forgiveness) or from prayers for their forgiveness or simply from the Mercy of Allah Ta’ala, this punishment will stop. Then, there will be relaxation.
If the dead is a Kaafir, then he will not be able to answer the questions and will say “HAA HAA LADRI” meaning “Shame for I know nothing'”. Now a caller will shout: “He is a liar, lay the table-cloth of fire for him, and give him clothes of fire to wear and open the doors of Hell (Dozakh) for him, from which the heat of Hell will reach him.” There will be two Angels allocated to him to give him punishment and will hit him with great big hammers. Big scorpions and snakes will also bite him. All different kinds of punishment will continue until the Day of Resurrection.
Who Will Not Be Asked Question In The Grave?
The Prophets will not be asked questions in their graves nor will their graves tighten. Many followers will also not be asked the questions, like those Muslims who die on a Friday or in the month of Ramadan. The situation of relaxation and punishment in the grave is a fact. This punishment or reward is for both the body and the soul. Whether the body disintegrates or burns or mixes in the soil, its original parts remain until the Day of Resurrection. It will receive a reward or punishment. On the Day of Judgement, it will be reformed back to a body. These original parts are actually situated in the spine and cannot be seen by humans.
It also cannot be eaten by the soil nor can they be burned. These are the seeds of the body and from these Allah Ta’ala joins the rest of the parts of the body, which have been spread by either being turned into ashes or soil and are reformed into the original body. The soul then comes back into that body and is presented in the field of Resurrection. This day is known as “Hashr”. The questions will be asked about the place at which a person has been buried or has been left to rot. Punishment will also occur there. For example, if a tiger has eaten a person, the questions will be asked inside the tiger’s stomach, and the punishment and reward will also happen there. A person who rejects the fact of the punishment and reward of the grave is a misguided person.
Whose Body Cannot Be Eaten By The Soil?
The Prophets, the Awliya (Friends of Allah Ta’ala), the Shuhada (Martyrs), a Hafiz of the Quran who also acts upon the instructions of the Holy Quran, a person who has never committed a sin and those who pray the Durood Shareef at all times, their bodies are not eaten by the soil. Those who say that the Prophet’s bodies “have died and eaten by the soil” is a misguided people.
Contemplations On Hajj
You are set to depart to accomplish a great obligation. Make this journey to Allah’s House as Allah wants. Think of the next journey that is surely coming, the one that leads to the meeting of Allah, the Highest. This raises questions like What did I prepare for that Day? Am I following Allah’s Commands? Am I a follower of the Sunnah? Allah says: “And invoke not any other ilaah (god) along with Allah, none has the right to be worshipped but He, everything will perish save His Face, His is the Decision, and to Him (all) shall be returned.” [Soorah al-Qasas (28): 88]
When you equip yourself with enough provision to reach the sacred land of Makkah – remember your journey to Allah and the Hereafter where you will require the provision of your good deeds to reach your desired goal. Before you are death and grave, accounting and scales and al-Siraat followed by either Paradise or Hell. The blessed one will be he whom Allah saves, therefore follow the Command of Allah “and whatever good you do, (be sure) Allah knows it. And take a provision (with you) for the Journey, but the best provision is at-Taqwa.” [Soorah al-Baqarah (2): 197]
Putting on the two garments of Ihram should remind you of the moment of shrouding when your body will be wrapped and put in a grave. This prompts you to give up disobedience and sins, just as you abandoned your expensive clothes and dressed in two clean, white garments. Clean and purify your heart from all stains of sins and disobedience.
When you stand in meeqat, remember that there is still another meeqat that is sure to come soon. It is the meeqat (appointed meeting) on the Day of Resurrection: “Say (O Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam): Verily, those of old, and those of later times. All will surely be gathered together for an appointed Meeting of a known Day.” [(57): 49-50]
Upon entering Makkah remember you are in a secure sanctuary: “Have We not established for them a secure sanctuary (Makkah), to which are brought fruits of all kinds, a provision from Ourselves, but most of the men know not.” [Soorah (28): 57]
Remember the sanctuary on the Day of Resurrection, which none can achieve except those who truly believe in Allah and avoid all kinds of Shirk because “It is those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah and worship none but Him Alone) and confuse not their Belief with Zulm (wrong, i.e. by worshiping others besides Allah), for them (only) there is security and they are guided.” [al-An’aam 6:81]
“If you were to join gods with Allah, truly fruitless will be your deeds.” [Soorah az-Zumar (39): 65] So, commit yourself to repentance, having a good opinion of Allah, hoping that Allah will grant you security from His Punishment.
When you enter al-Masjid al-Haraam, from one of the gates, now you see what you hoped to see for a long time. Thank Allah for making this possible and hope that He will grant you the greatest reward of seeing His Majestic Face on the Day of Reckoning. This thankfulness is not just to say ‘Al-Hamdulillah’, but also to obey His Commands during the Hajj and all your life through.
Kissing the Black Stone should install in your love for the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam), remember the saying of Umar (radhi allahu anhu), “I know that you are a mere stone that can neither harm nor do any good. If I had not seen the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) kissing you, I would have never kissed you.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee (1520) and others]
You start your Tawaaf; know that Tawaaf is a great time for magnifying Allah. Remember Him and busy yourself in Du’aa. Reflect upon the time when the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) was prevented from doing the same what you are performing!! Then think how Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) cleansed the House of Allah from every symbol signifying worship to others besides Allah. All idols were demolished! Ask Allah to make you steadfast on the correct belief and Path of the Salaf and make you die on the Deen al-Hanifiyyah.
Drink the water of Zam-Zam and supplicate to Allah and Glorify Him. Remember the blessing of Allah, which He has bestowed upon mankind in the form of this blessed water.
When you are in the Sa’ee (running between al-Safa’ and al-Marwa), contemplate on Hajrah, the mother of Isma’eel alaihis-salaam, when she asked her husband, Ibraheem alaihis-salaam: “Did Allah order you to do this (meaning leave me and my baby in the deserted area of Makkah)? When he (Ibraheem alaihis-salaam) replied in the affirmative, her strong belief, trust, and reliance on Allah was seen when she responded to him saying: “Then He (Allah) will not neglect us!!” This great statement of Haajar exemplifies the robust endurance, perseverance, and trust a Muslim should have in Allah. Here in the deserted Makkah was Hajrah with full conviction in Allah and there on the mountains was Ibraheem alaihis-salaam invoking Allah: “O our Rabb! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in a valley with no cultivation, by Your Sacred House, in order, O our Rabb that they may offer prayers perfectly, so fill some hearts among men with love towards them, and (O Allah) provide them with fruits so that they may give thanks.” [Soorah Ibraheem (14): 37] Allah answered the Du’aa of Ibraheem alaihis-salaam and valued the firm belief of Hajar – Men and fruit came to Makkah from different places and their son grew up to be a Prophet of Allah.
The Sa’ee and the struggle of Hajrah convey the lessons of Patience in adversity, and that man should turn to Allah, Who alone is the source of help. When a man remembers the struggle and patience of this woman, it makes it easier for him to bear his own problems.
Standing in Arafat (Wuqoof) and the crowd should remind you of the Day of Resurrection when all men from first to the last will stand in front of their Lord, barefooted, naked, and uncircumcised for fifty thousand years. Humble yourself to Allah and manifest your worship to Him alone. Determine to abandon all sins, rush to perform good deeds, and free yourself of all pride and arrogance.
Gather pebbles and when you are about to embark on stoning the jamaraat, remember the Hadeeth of Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam): “When you cast the small pebbles (i.e. at the jamaraat), it will be a light for you on the Day of Judgment.” [(Saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee in Silsilah al-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah vol: 6, no: 2515] This stoning at the Jamaraat is a manifestation of Uboodiyyah because even if a man does not understand the complete reason and wisdom behind the stoning, he follows the Command of Allah in submission.
Before you perform the sacrifice, purify your intention because: “It is neither their meat nor their blood which reaches Allah, but it is your devotion that reaches Him.” [Soorah al-Hajj (22): 37] When you slaughter your Hady (sacrifice), remember the event when a father (Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam) submitted to the Command of Allah and willingly agreed to sacrifice his only son (Isma’eel alaihis-salaam) who had grown and become a help for his old age. This teaches us to respond to the Command of Allah, just as Isma’eel did: “O my father! Do that which you are commanded Insha’Allah you will find me from the Saabireen (the patient ones).” [Soorah as-Saffat (37): 102]
After the completion of your Hajj, do not think that the remembrance of Allah has ended, carefully read what Allah says: “So when you have accomplished your Manaasik (i.e. the rites of Hajj) remember Allah as you remember your forefathers or with a far more remembrance.” [Soorah al-Baqarah (2): 200]
Allah, The Exalted, Commands Endurance
[ALLAH’S Quran – 3:200] “O believers! Patiently endure, persevere, stand on guard, and be mindful of Allah, so you may be successful.”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) has said:
[Muslim, Book #007, Hadith #3181] “Yuhannis, the freed slave of Zubair, narrated that when he was sitting with Abdullah b. ‘Umar (Allah be pleased with him) during the days of turmoil, his freed slave-girl came to him. After saluting him she said: Abu Abd al-Rahmin, I have decided to leave (Medina) for the time is hard for us, whereupon Abdullah said to her: Stay here, foolish lady, for I have heard Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: For one who shows endurance on the hardships and rigor of it (of Medina) I would be an intercessor or a witness on his behalf on the Day of Resurrection.”