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The Truth Of Worldly Life

The mind of a person, worn out with age, is occupied with many questions. These are actually important questions to consider and answering them truthfully is essential to understanding all aspects of life: “What is the purpose of this life that passes so quickly? Why should I remain positive with all the age-related problems I have? What will the future bring?”

The possible answers to these questions fall into two major categories: those given by people who trust Allah and those given by disbelievers who do not trust Him.

Someone who does not trust Allah would say, “I spent my life chasing vain pursuits. I have put 70 years behind me, but to tell the truth, I still have not been able to grasp what I lived for. When I was a child, my parents were the centers of my life. I found all happiness and joy in their love. Later in life, as a young woman, I devoted myself to my husband and children. During that time, I set many goals for myself. Yet by the time they were achieved, each of them proved to have been a passing whim. When I rejoiced in my success, I headed toward other goals and they occupied me so that I did not think about the real meaning of life. Now at 70, in the tranquility of old age, I try to find out what was the purpose of my past days. Is it that I lived for people of whom I have only dim memories now? For my parents? For my husband whom I lost years ago? Or my children whom I see rarely now that they have their own families? I am confused. The only truth is that I feel close to death. Soon I will die and I will become a faint memory in people’s minds. What will happen afterwards? I really have no idea. Even the thought of it is frightening!”

There is surely a reason for why a person falls into such hopelessness. That is simply because he or she cannot comprehend that the universe, all living things and human beings have purposes to fulfill in life.

These purposes owe their existence to the fact that everything has been created. An intelligent person notices that plan, design and wisdom exist in every detail of the infinitely varied world. This draws him to recognition of the Creator. He further concludes that since all living things are not the consequences of a random or mindless process they all serve important purposes.

In the Qur’an, the last surviving revealed guide to the true path for humanity, Allah repeatedly reminds us of the purpose of our life, which we tend to forget, and thereby summons us to clarity of mind and consciousness. “And He it is Who has created the heavens and the earth in six days and His Throne was on the waters, that He might try you, which of you is best in deeds….” (11: 7)

This verse provides a full understanding of the purpose of life for believers. They know that this life is a place where they are tried and tested by their Creator. Therefore, they hope to succeed in this test and attain the good pleasure of Allah and hence the Paradise.

Dwellings Of Prophets Which No One Will Be Able To Reach

Dwellings of Prophets which no one will be able to reach”! (Bukhari & Muslim)

Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) said;

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said:-
“The dwellers of Jannah will look at those in the upper abodes above them as you look at a shining star which remains in the eastern or western horizon;
such will be the difference in superiority which some of them have over others.”
The Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) was asked:-

“Will those be the dwellings of the Prophets which no one else will be able to reach?” He (Peace Be Upon Him) replied:-
“Yes, but by Him in Whose Hand my soul is! men who believed in Allah and acknowledged the truthfulness of the Messengers will reach them.”

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim] # 1887.

Commentary:-
In Jannah, people will have different grades according to the strength of their Belief and love of Allah. Some people will be on a position near that of the Prophets.
May Allah grant us such lofty places. Ameen.

“Therefore remember Me I will remember you, &
be Thankful to Me, & do not be Ungrateful to Me “.
“Quran” 2: 152.

The Sinners Among the Believers Will Enter Paradise

(i) They will be brought forth from Hell and will enter Paradise by means of intercession.

Muslim reports from Abu Sa’eed that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said:
“The people of Hell will remain there, never dying, and never living. But there are people who will enter Hell because of their sins, and will be killed therein, so that they become like coals. Permission will be granted for intercession to be made, and they will be brought forth in groups and spread on rivers of Paradise, and it will be said, “O people of Paradise, pour water on them. Then they will grow like seeds in the silt left by a flood”. [Muslim, Kitaab al-Imaan, Baab as-Shafa’ah wa Ikhraaj al-Muwahiddin min an-Naar, 1/172]

Muslim also reports from Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullaah that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said, “Some people will be brought out of the Fire, having been burnt all over except for their faces, and they will enter Paradise”. [Muslim, Kitaab al-Imaam, Baab adna Ahl al-Jannah Manzilatan, 1/178]

The people of Paradise will call these people who are brought out of Hell and admitted to Paradise, al-Jahannamiyyoon. al-Bukhaari reports from ‘Imraan ibn Husayn (ra) that the Prophet (saw) said, “Some people will be brought out of Hell through the intercession of Muhammad (saw). They will enter Paradise and will be known as al-Jahannamiyyoon.” [Sahih al-Bukhaari, Kitaab ar-Riqaaq, Baab Sifaat al-Jannah wan-Naar, Fath al-Baari, 11/418. They are also mentioned in a hadith narrated from Jaabir by Muslim, 1/179 and al-Bukhaari from Anas, Fath al-Baari 11/416]

According to another sahih hadith narrated by Jaabir: “The Prophet (saw) said, “They will be brought out of the Fire through intercession, as if they are tha’areer”. I asked, “What are tha’areer?” He said, “Daghabis [snake cucumbers]”. [al-Bukhaari, Kitaab ar-Riqaaq, Baab Sifaah al-Jannah wan-Naar, Fath al-Baari, 11/416]

Muslim reports a lengthy hadith from Abu Hurayrah, in which the Prophet (saw) describes the Hereafter, and in which he says: “…When Allah (swt) has finished judging mankind, and wants to bring whomever He wills out of Hell by His Mercy, He will order angels to bring forth those upon who He wishes to bestow His mercy of the people who never associated anything in worship with Allah (swt), and who said, “Laa ilaaha illaah Allah”. The angels will recognize them in Hell, and will known them by the mark of sujood on their foreheads. The Fire will consume all of a man except the mark of sujood which Allah (swt) has forbidden the Fire to consume. They will be brought forth, having been burned in the Fire, the water of life will be poured on then, and they will grow like seeds left by still after a flood”. [Saheeh Muslim, Kitaab al-Imaan, Baab ar-Ru’yah, 1/299, no. 182]

Good Deeds That We Can Do Every Day To Increase Our Hasanaat

Praise be to Allah.

If Allah helps him to do righteous deeds, the Muslim can earn a great deal of reward.

There are many different kinds of righteous deeds that can be done by rich and poor, old and young, male and female, depending on each person’s circumstances, ambition and energy, after the help of Allah.

Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Whoever works righteousness — whether male or female — while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter)”

[al-Nahl 16:97]

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Hasten to do good deeds before there come tribulations like pieces of a dark night, when a man will be a believer in the morning and a kaafir by evening, or he will be a believer in the evening and a kaafir by morning, selling his religious commitment for worldly gain.” Narrated by Muslim, 118.

The kinds of good deeds that a person can do every day include the following:

1 – Praying in congregation in the mosque
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever goes to the mosque in the morning and evening, Allah will prepare for him an honorable place in Paradise every time he goes and comes.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 631; Muslim, 669.

2 – Attending funerals and offering the funeral prayer
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever attends a funeral until he offers the (funeral) prayer will have one qiraat (of reward) and whoever attends until the burial is done will have two qiraats.” It was said: “What are the two qiraats?” He said: “Like two great mountains.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1261; Muslim, 945

Muslims Should Strive For Unity

MUSLIMS should strive their best to achieve unity in all aspects. It is against the spirit of Islam to see Muslims divided. It is high time for Muslims to be united and forget about their differences. Unity is a unique feature of Islam.

Allah says: “O you who believe! Be conscious of Allah as you aught to be conscious of Him, and die not except in a state of Islam. And hold fast, all together, by the Rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves…” (Qur’an 3:102-105).

At another place the Qur’an says: “As for those who divide their religion and break up into sects, you have no part in them in the least: their affair is with Allah: He will in the end tell them the truth of all that they did.” (6:159)

Disunity among Muslims is our greatest problem today. We are at present a very fragmented and divided people. We have disunity at every level: within our communities, at the local level, national and international level. We talk about unity and discuss the problem of disunity in our meetings and conferences, but we fail to be united. We fail to work together, although everything in our religion and in our condition demands that we come together and work together.

Unity is our religious obligation. In Islam unity and faith are interrelated. People of faith are united. The more faith they will have, the more united they will be. Allah says in the Qur’an, “Indeed the Believers are brothers to each other … ” (49:10)

Who Will Enter Paradise

First and foremost, I want to remind you that Allah created Paradise and Hellfire, and divided people into believers and disbelievers.

And, He will give paradise to the one who obeys Him, and He will give the Hellfire to the one who disobeys Him.

Allah Says:
“For those who answered their Lord’s call (believed in the oneness of Allah and followed his Messenger Muhammad (P.B.U.H), i.e., Islamic Monotheism) is the best reward (i.e., paradise). But those who answered not His call (disbelieved in the oneness of Allah and followed not His Messenger Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) if they had all that is in the earth together its like, they would offer it in order to save themselves (from the torment, but it will be in vain). For them, there will be the terrible reckoning. Their dwelling place will be Hellfire and worst indeed is that place for rest.”

Narrated Anas bin Malik [May Allah be pleased with him]:
Allah’s prophet (P.B.U.H.) used to say, “A disbeliever will be asked: suppose you had as much gold as to fill the earth, would you offer it to ransom yourself (from the Hell-fire)? He will reply, “Yes”. Then it will be said to him, “You were asked for something easier than that (to join none in worship) with Allah (i.e., to accept Islam, but you refused).”

Allah says:
“Verily, the dwellers of paradise, that day, will be busy with joyful things, they and their wives will be in pleasant shade, reclining on thrones. They will have therein fruits (of all kinds) and all that they ask for. (It will be said to them) salaam (peace be on you) – a word from the Lord (Allah), Most Merciful.”

Allah’s Messenger Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) said;
“When anyone of you dies, his destination is displayed before him both in the forenoon and in the afternoon, so if he is from the people of paradise, he is shown his place in paradise and if he is from the people of Hell, he is shown his place in Hell.”

The Highest And Lowest Positions In Paradise

Muslim reports from al-Mugheerah ibn Shu’bah that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said:

“Musaa asked his Rabb, “Who will have the lowest position in Paradise?” Allah said, “A man who will come after the people of Paradise have entered Paradise. He will be told, “Enter Paradise”, and he will say, “O my Rabb, how? The people have already taken their places.” He will be asked, “Will you not be content if you could have the equivalent of a kingdom on earth?” He will say, “Yes, my Rabb”. So he will be told, “You will have that and as much again, and as much again, and as much again, and as much again.” On the fifth time, he will say, “I am content with that, my Rabb”. He will be told, “You will have all that and ten times more; you will have whatever your heart desires and whatever will delight your eyes.” The man will say, “I am content with that”.

Musaa asked, “My Rabb, who will have the highest status in Paradise?” Allah said, “They are those whom I choose. I establish their honor with My own hand and then set a seal over it, [and they will be blessed with Bounties] which no eye has seen, no ear has heard and no human mind can comprehend.”” This confirmed by the words of Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, “No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do”. [32:17]

Not Every Calamity Is a Punishment

Suffering is not necessarily a punishment for a sin one has committed, but it may be a test and trial for some people. Allah allows some people to suffer in order to test their patience and steadfastness. Even Allah’s Prophets and Messengers were made to suffer. Moreover, Allah sometimes allows some people to suffer to test others, how they react to them.

Whenever we encounter suffering we should ask ourselves, “Have we broken any law of Allah? Is the cause of the problem our own misdeeds?” In that case, we should correct the situation. “Could it be a punishment?” Let us repent and ask forgiveness and reform our ways. “Could it be a test and trial for us?” Let us work hard to pass this test. Believers face sufferings with prayers, patience, repentance and good deeds.

Further, one’s daughter’s/son’s visual impairment may seem a calamity to him/her now, but in time he/she may find that this is offset by other abilities that she/he has. Allah has given one a chance to earn a great reward in Paradise if he/she are patient with her/him and with his/her situation.

In this regard, Sheikh M. S. Al-Munajjid, a prominent Saudi Muslim lecturer and author, states:

Not every sickness or handicap is necessarily a punishment; rather it may be a test for the child’s parents, by which Allah will expiate their bad deeds or raise their status in Paradise if they bear this trial with patience. Then if the child grows up, the test will also include him, and if he bears it with patience and faith, then Allah has prepared for the patient one a reward that cannot be measured. Allah says : “Only those who are patient shall receive their reward in full, without reckoning.” (az-Zumar 10)

Haya

Anas (RA) narrated: Allah’s Messenger (saw) said, “Every Deen has a distinctive quality, and the distinctive quality of Islam is Modesty.”

Abu Hurairah(RA) narrated: The Prophet (saw) said, “Iman (Faith) has more than sixty branches, and Al Haya (modesty) too is a branch of Iman.”

Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated : Allah’s Messenger (saw) said , “Modesty is from Iman and Iman leads to paradise and indecency is from the (useless) scum/froth and the (useless) scum/froth leads to the fire”

Salim bin Abdullah narrated from his father that once Allah’s Messenger (saw) passed by a man of the Ansaar who was admonishing his brother regarding Haya (modesty). Allah’s Messenger (saw) said, “Leave him for modesty is part of Iman.”

Abu Sawaar al- Addavi narrated that he heard Imran bin Husayn (RA) who said :The Prophet (saw) said, “Modesty does not bring anything but good.”

Imran (RA) narrated one day : The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, “Modesty is all good.”

Anas (RA) narrated : Allah’s Messenger (saw)said, “There is no indecency in anything except for it makes it defective, and there is no modesty in anything except for it beautifies it.”

Abu Saeed Al Khudri (RA) narrated : The Prophet (saw) was more shy than a virgin in her private room, and if he saw a thing which he disliked, we would recognize it on his face

Abu Masud(RA) narrated: The Prophet (saw) said, “One of the sayings of the early Prophets which was imparted to the people is, “If you do not feel shame, then do as you like.”

Social And Political Peace

Islam brings social and political peace because submission to Allah requires that a society totally rejects corruption, wrong-doing, deviant and harmful behaviors. Commitment to peace with God and His creation leads to unity, love, harmony, dialogue and respect for others. An ideal society is what human beings have been dreaming of since even before Plato’s ‘Republic’ or Augustine’s ‘Eternal City of God’. With Muhammad (S), the ideal society was constituted of faithful followers called the Sahaaba or the companions, who submitted to the Message in obedience to God and His Prophet and Messenger (S).

The organization of that society started from basic requirements such as the brotherhood between all Muslims. Peace was declared verbally in every daily encounter of two individuals or more. Salutation  – As-Salaamu Alaikum!- in its verbal form means “Peace be upon you!” Allah says in the Qur’an:

“Salute each other a greeting of blessing and purity as from Allah” (Q 24:61).

And He also says:
“When a courteous greeting is offered to you, meet it with a greeting still more courteous, or at least of equal courtesy. Allah takes careful account of all things.” (Q 4:86).

The Prophet (peace be upon him) was once asked:
“Which is the best Islam?” He (peace be upon him) replied: “You feed the hungry and you say Salaam to those you know and those you don’t know.” (Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim).

He (peace be upon him) also said:
“You won’t enter Paradise unless you believe, and you won’t believe unless you love each other. Do you want me to show you something that if you do it you will love each other? Say Salaam to each other- Send messages of peace to each other-” (Related by Muslim).