Why to fear death?

No one on earth is ready to listen to the dreadful word: Death. No matter how old one may be, yet thinking of dying leaves shudders of fear and one prays to live yet a little longer. But the question is when everyone has to die one day, why then be afraid of it? The simple answer is that we are not really ready to die for we are afraid of entering into our graves with load of sins and wrongdoings. But do we do anything about it it or just keep fearing of dying?

In fact, death is not the worst thing, for it is a reality and will befall at the appointed time. The worst thing is dying without Imaan, dying without righteous deeds, dying without having repented, dying without having your heart attached to Allah, dying without having lived your life upon Islam, dying in a state that is displeasing to Allah. This is the worst thing.

In Islam, the concept of death is approached with a deep spiritual and philosophical understanding, and the fear of it is not seen as something inherently wrong, but rather it depends on one's relationship with Allah (God) and the way they approach life and the afterlife. Let us examine the fear of death in more broader terms:

Fear as a reminder of accountability: 

The Qur'an and the Sunnah emphasize the importance of being mindful of one’s actions because everyone will eventually face judgment after death. A righteous fear of death can serve as a reminder of the inevitable meeting with Allah and the accountability for one's deeds.

The Qur'an mentions: "Every soul will taste death" (Qur'an 3:185). This verse serves as a reminder that death is certain and inevitable for all.

Fear of death as an opportunity for self-reflection: 

Fear of death can motivate a believer to reflect on their life and their relationship with Allah. It encourages one to live in accordance with the teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah, constantly striving to purify their soul, increase their good deeds, and avoid sinful behavior.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Remember often the destroyer of pleasures (death)" (Sunan Ibn Majah). This hadith encourages believers to remember death regularly to inspire them to live with a sense of purpose and mindfulness.

Fear of death due to lack of preparation: 

Those who have not prepared for the afterlife through good deeds, repentance, and striving to follow Allah’s commands may fear death. This fear is often linked to the anxiety over facing the consequences of one’s actions on the Day of Judgment.

Allah says in the Qur'an: "But as for he who feared the position of his Lord and prevented the soul from [its] desire, then indeed, Paradise will be his refuge" (Qur'an 79:40-41). This verse suggests that fear of Allah and striving to live a righteous life is essential for those who desire to attain Paradise.

The believer’s relationship with death: 

For a true believer who has faith in Allah, death is not necessarily something to fear. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) described death as a transition to a better state for the righteous, who will be rewarded in the afterlife. For such a believer, death is seen as a release from the hardships of this world and a step toward eternal peace.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Death is the bridge that connects the believer to his or her reward" (Sahih Muslim).

The non-believer’s fear of death: 

On the other hand, those who disbelieve or live heedlessly without contemplating the afterlife may have a greater fear of death, as they are uncertain about what lies beyond it. The Qur'an highlights that those who reject faith live in fear and uncertainty about the end.

"And those who disbelieve say, 'When we have become dust, will we then be in a creation revived?'" (Qur'an 32:10).

Striking a balance between fear and hope: 

The Qur'an and Sunnah teach that while it’s natural to fear death, believers are also encouraged to balance this fear with hope in Allah’s mercy and forgiveness. The fear of death should not paralyze a person but should encourage them to live rightly. Additionally, they should trust in Allah’s compassion and hope for the best outcome in the afterlife.

Allah says: "Say, 'Indeed, my Lord is the Forgiving, full of mercy. But His punishment is the painful punishment.'" (Qur'an 18:58).

In conclusion, fear of death can be healthy if it drives one to live a life of righteousness and preparation for the afterlife. The Qur'an and Sunnah do not encourage paralyzing fear of death, but rather a mindful awareness of it, which helps in leading a life that is pleasing to Allah and in striving for the eternal rewards that await in the hereafter.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎)  help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

You may like to know more about Islam and its impact on various facets of our lives from our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently Asked Q&A

You may also like to read more posts on similar theme in our series of posts related to: You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Resources: For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

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Prophet Muhammad ﷺ advised against speaking ill of the dead

No man is born perfect. All of us nothing less than the fictional character of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. We may be good to some but bad to others. And to those we are bad, our very personality is condemned for life and in many cases even they are dead. Generally speaking we condemn the dictators and demagogues and even ordinary people around us. But we forget to understand that those who are no more cannot listen to us what we are saying about them and cannot make make amends and be good.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ too has advised against taking ill against those who are dead. This is mentioned in Sahi al-Bukhārī  (Book 81: To make the Heart Tender (Ar-Riqaq) / كتاب  الرقاق / Chapter 42:  The stupors of death / باب سَكَرَاتِ الْمَوْتِ / as Hadith 6446, given herein under:

Narrated `Aisha:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Do not abuse the dead, for they have reached the result of what they have done."

Arabic Text:

حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْجَعْدِ، أَخْبَرَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ مُجَاهِدٍ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ لاَ تَسُبُّوا الأَمْوَاتَ، فَإِنَّهُمْ قَدْ أَفْضَوْا إِلَى مَا قَدَّمُوا ‏"‏‏.‏

The hadith essentially emphasizes that once someone has passed away, their deeds are concluded, and it is not for the living to judge or criticize them, as the final judgment belongs to Allah.

Explanation of the Hadith in Light of the Quran:

The Quran offers guidance on how to deal with life, death, and judgment, and this hadith aligns with the broader Islamic teachings about the afterlife and the final reckoning. Here are some relevant Quranic verses that support the essence of this hadith:

• Responsibility for Deeds: The Quran reminds us that each person is responsible for their own deeds and will be judged by Allah accordingly. Once someone has passed away, they can no longer alter their deeds or face further consequences from others. Allah says:

"Every soul will be (held) in pledge for what it has gained." (Quran 74:38)

This verse emphasizes individual accountability, meaning that once a person dies, the outcome of their actions is sealed, and no one else can change or pass judgment on that.

• No One Can Judge Except Allah: The Quran also stresses that ultimate judgment belongs only to Allah, and humans are not to judge others beyond their capacity or knowledge. Allah says:

"Indeed, to Us is their return. Then indeed, it is upon Us to count them." (Quran 88:25-26)

This reinforces the concept that Allah will judge everyone according to their actions on the Day of Judgment. Therefore, to speak ill of the dead would be presumptuous and beyond human capacity, as only Allah knows the true state of each individual.

• Encouragement to Speak Well of the Dead: Islam encourages speaking well of those who have passed away, especially those who were righteous. This is not only a sign of respect but also a reminder of the positive aspects of life. The Quran advises in several places to maintain good speech and behavior towards others.

"And speak to people good [words]." (Quran 2:83)

This is a general guideline that can be extended to the dead, where even in death, a person’s reputation should not be harmed by unkind words.

• The Concept of Finality in Death: Death in Islam marks the end of a person's ability to change their fate or circumstances. The deceased cannot amend their wrongs or rectify their mistakes in this life; only Allah can forgive or judge them. As the Quran says:

"And Allah does not wrong anyone, even as much as an atom's weight." (Quran 4:40)

This emphasizes the justice of Allah in His judgment of the deceased, and thus, humans should refrain from making judgments on their behalf.

The Hadith's Moral Lesson:

The hadith reinforces the idea that once someone has passed away, they have already received the consequences of their actions (good or bad). It encourages Muslims to show restraint in their speech and not to speak ill of the deceased. Instead of focusing on criticizing those who are no longer able to defend themselves or amend their actions, the living should focus on their own deeds, striving to earn Allah’s mercy.

In sum, this hadith, when understood in light of the Quran, highlights the importance of humility, respect for the deceased, and the understanding that ultimate judgment belongs only to Allah. It serves as a reminder that the lives of others—especially after death—are not for us to judge, and we should focus on our own conduct, aiming to be mindful of our speech and actions.

Many of us are in the habit of talking ill of others even they are dead. This hadith thus cautions us to shun our difference with the dead or any harm that they may have caused us during their lives. Let us let them proceed to the journey to be judged by Allah on the Day of Judgement. And also let us be good to others so that when we are no more, others speak good of us.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our exclusive reference page Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Morality for more etiquettes attributed to Prophet Muhammad.

For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Source of Hadith | Help taken from ChatGPT for expanding meaning of the Hadith

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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A death no believer would ever desire

It is the desire of every believer to die an honourable death. But, unknown to many, there are some pre-requisites for a death which we all long for. Certainly the best death is that of a martyr who lays down his life defending his faith and preserving the life and property of his Muslim brethren. In fact Jihad for defending one's identity as a true believer is the best course for a Muslim to adopt. But if someone who is able bodied and still defies or hides back in order to save him form the harshness of the battle has to ponder over the state of his faith.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has warned such believers in a hadith attributed to him and narrated by Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه), who states:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Whoever dies without having fought in the cause of Allah or having the desire to fight in the cause of Allah will die while having one of the qualities of hypocrisy."

This hadith highlights the importance of sincerity, commitment, and readiness to serve the cause of Allah, particularly in the context of defending the faith and striving in the path of Allah (jihad fi sabilillah). It also warns against complacency or apathy towards one’s responsibilities as a believer.

Explanation of the Hadith:

• "Whoever dies without having fought in the cause of Allah": 
• Fighting in the cause of Allah (jihad fi sabilillah) refers to striving to defend Islam and Muslims, protecting the faith, and upholding justice. In the context of the Prophet’s (ﷺ) time, it often meant participating in battles to protect the Muslim community from aggression or oppression.
• However, this concept is broader and includes any form of sincere struggle or effort for the sake of Allah, such as spreading the truth, defending the oppressed, or working to establish justice and righteousness.

• "Or having the desire to fight in the cause of Allah":
• The hadith also emphasizes the intention or desire to fight in the cause of Allah, even if one does not physically engage in combat. This means that a Muslim should possess the inner commitment and readiness to defend and uphold the truth when needed. It reflects an attitude of responsibility and sincerity toward one's faith. 
• The intention is crucial because circumstances may not always allow a person to physically engage in combat or active struggle (e.g., due to age, health, or lack of opportunity). However, maintaining the sincere intention to act if the need arises is essential. 
• "Will die while having one of the qualities of hypocrisy":
• The hadith warns that someone who lacks both the action and the intention of striving in the cause of Allah possesses a characteristic of hypocrisy (nifaq). Hypocrisy in this sense refers to a person claiming to be a Muslim while lacking the sincerity, commitment, and readiness to defend or uphold their faith.
• This does not mean that the person is a complete hypocrite (munafiq) but that they possess one of the traits associated with hypocrisy. It indicates a weakness or deficiency in their faith, as a true believer should have a sense of duty and commitment to their religion.

Lessons from the Hadith:

• Importance of Intention: The hadith highlights the significance of intention in Islam. Even if one is unable to participate in physical jihad, having the sincere intention to serve and defend the cause of Allah is essential. This intention is a reflection of one's commitment and sincerity toward their faith.
• Striving for the Cause of Allah: Jihad fi sabilillah encompasses various forms of striving, not limited to combat alone. It can include efforts such as educating others about Islam, spreading goodness, standing up for justice, and helping the oppressed. Muslims should be ready to engage in such efforts within their capacity.
• Avoiding Complacency: The hadith serves as a reminder to avoid apathy and complacency in religious duties. True faith requires readiness to act and serve the cause of Allah whenever necessary. Neglecting this sense of duty reflects a weakness in faith that resembles the behavior of hypocrites.
• Sincerity and Self-Reflection: The hadith encourages self-reflection. Believers should assess their level of commitment and sincerity. Do they possess the desire to support and defend their faith, or are they indifferent? Sincere faith involves more than just words; it requires the willingness to act when necessary.

Context and Broader Application of the Hadith:

While the hadith speaks specifically about the readiness for physical jihad, its broader application is relevant for Muslims in all times and circumstances. Muslims today may not face the same situation as in the Prophet’s (ﷺ) time, where physical defense of the Muslim community was often necessary. However, the principle remains:

• Muslims should strive to uphold justice, truth, and the values of Islam in their societies, using the means available to them (e.g., advocacy, charitable work, spreading knowledge, or supporting the oppressed).
• Maintaining a sincere and active intention to serve the cause of Allah, whether through physical, social, or intellectual means, is essential to preserving and demonstrating true faith.

In the light of above explanation, this hadith emphasizes the importance of being sincere and committed to defending and promoting the cause of Allah. It warns against the danger of hypocrisy that arises when a person is indifferent to the needs of their faith community. True believers should have an inner readiness and intention to act for the sake of Allah when needed, showing sincerity and dedication to their faith.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Warning and Cautions for more Hadiths on the subject

For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Source of Hadith | Help taken from ChatGPT for expanding meaning of the Hadith

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Foresight in preparation of coming events - even Death

Wise men always take adequate preparations for the forthcoming events and to be well prepared for weather changes and projected life of his children, and even for himself for he is to grow old one day, get retired and live the rest of the life on a paltry pension or social security remittances.

For example, one starts to take out winter clothing when the blowing air outside becomes cooler than what has been days before. While coming home, he makes sure he has bought adequate provisions for the entire family which could serve as a sort of mini reservoir when it would not be easy to go out in blowing blizzards and falling snow.

He also starts buying clothes and feeding arrangements and which is not yet born. He also starts toset aside some sum of money required for child birth hospital charges and miscellaneous expenses. and as the newly born starts to grow, he continues to set aside more money required for education and clothes that are always getting shorter day by day.

A wise man also checks up the oil and fuel levels, air pressure and battery condition of the car before embarking upon a journey. He also updates himself with the weather forecast en route, the travelling conditions, traffic blocks and related unforeseen things. He doesn't forget to keep a first aid box, an umbrella and wind cheaters in case one is caught in traffic jam with falling rain.

In fact, wise men remain well prepared for all events of their lives so that they are not caught ill prepared.

Yet there is one thing no one is ever prepared for: Death, which may befall any moment of our lives. One cannot wait to die when he is in 70s, for death may come even for a newly born, a youngster, an aspiring young man and a thriving businessman. And if someone tries to remind us of our death, we shrug away the warning for we think it is too early to start preparing for one's death.

The life insurance agents often tell their experiences of selling their life insurance policies and contend that in majority of cases people do not feel comfortable when they talk of remaining life span of an intended customer. Reasons why death is scary can be related to fears of the unknown, of non-existence, of eternal punishment, of the loss of control, or fear of what will happen to the people we love.

Yet, despite all precautions to stay health, avoiding accidents as far one can, death, remains hard fact and the greatest reality of our lives. No one has ever been able to evade it and one day we all, when our turn comes up, will be taken to a freshly dug grave, buried, and in some cases forgotten forever. 

It is said in Qur'an, Surah 62 Al Jum'uah, verse 8:

قُلۡ اِنَّ الۡمَوۡتَ الَّذِىۡ تَفِرُّوۡنَ مِنۡهُ فَاِنَّهٗ مُلٰقِيۡكُمۡ​ ثُمَّ تُرَدُّوۡنَ اِلٰى عٰلِمِ الۡغَيۡبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ فَيُنَبِّئُكُمۡ بِمَا كُنۡتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُوۡنَ‏ 

Say, "Indeed, the death from which you flee - indeed, it will meet you. Then you will be returned to the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, and He will inform you about what you used to do."

Eminent Muslim scholar Yusuf Ali while explaining the meaning of the above quoted verse, notes that before Allah's Judgment-Seat, when Judgment is established, we shall see the full inwardness of all deeds in this world. The veil of illusion and delusion will be torn off. All our secret motives will be laid bare. The results of all our little plots and plans and their reactions on our eternal welfare will be clearly visible to us. All make-believe will disappear.

So, while we continue to manage our lives, let us prepare for our final ending. As Muslim believers, we must cling strongly to the rope of Allah, avoid all sorts of Satanic machination and enticements, while doing and speaking good always. Never hurting anyone, apologizing much too often so that we do not leave behind a heart that we have injured either by our tongues or actions. 

Therefore, while we make shopping lists, let us make a check list for our ensuing death. Some of the Must Do things should include:

• Nominating a Next of Kin (NOK) and keep him informed where all documents of one's property (ies) / bank accounts and everything which will be needed by our heirs in case of our death
• Although, in Islam, writing wills is not necessary as Qur'an explicitly lists down details of disposal of property of of the deceased.  However, in countries, where a will is mandatory by the laws of the land, then a will must be created. 
• Every effort be made to pay one's debts while living. However, the details of debts must be written down and known to the NOK. For debt of a dead has to be paid by the deceased family before the burial, unless waived off by the person to whom money is owed. 
• If someone want to give away part of one's fortune in charity, it should better be done in one's life time to act as Sadqa e Jaria (the recurring charity the reward of which will continue to added in one's balance till the world comes to an end).
• A handsome money to be set aside required for medical bills required in case of emergency and funeral arrangement charges, if doesn't want to burden his remaining family.
• These arrangements must be revisited often to update these.

Today, we share an incredible explanation of preparing for one's death.  Please watch the video:

Let us not be afraid of death for it will come one day and no one knows when that day be. So be prepared for it and make your arrangements well and well in time.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is our duty to convey only to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the video above are those of the scholar concerned. We have shared this view as added information in better understanding of Islam. The reader may or may not agree with the view owing to their own perception. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

Photo | 

For more Scholarly views and videos, please read our reference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on Important Issues Related to Islam. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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None should wish for death because of a befalling calamity or hardship (Hadith Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)

Life is never too easy for most of the people around the world. Many people keep suffering from calamities, natural hazards, lack of means of sustenance or even incurable diseases. Some under such trying conditions become so desperate that they long to be dead rather than living. 

Although the pain of sufferings cannot be felt by other than those undergoing the hardships of life, yet it is least expected of them to long for death rather than having faith in Allah and the promised better days ahead. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has advised believers to stay away from such desires and has suggested a better invocation to be made in testing times.

This Hadith is mentioned in Sahi al-Bukhārī  (Book 75 - Patients /  كتاب المرضى / Chapter 19: The patient's wish for death / باب تَمَنِّي الْمَرِيضِ الْمَوْتَ) as Hadith 5671, given herein under:

Narrated by Anas bin Malik:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "None of you should wish for death because of a calamity befalling him; but if he has to wish for death, he should say: "O Allah! Keep me alive as long as life is better for me, and let me die if death is better for me.' "

Arabic Text:

حَدَّثَنَا آدَمُ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا ثَابِتٌ الْبُنَانِيُّ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ لاَ يَتَمَنَّيَنَّ أَحَدُكُمُ الْمَوْتَ مِنْ ضُرٍّ أَصَابَهُ، فَإِنْ كَانَ لاَ بُدَّ فَاعِلاً فَلْيَقُلِ اللَّهُمَّ أَحْيِنِي مَا كَانَتِ الْحَيَاةُ خَيْرًا لِي، وَتَوَفَّنِي إِذَا كَانَتِ الْوَفَاةُ خَيْرًا لِي ‏"‏‏.‏

This invocation speaks of the wisdom behind it. Instead of plain wish for death, one should ask for a better life as long as one lives. But if death is better for one, then one should pray that it comes to relieve one's sufferings.

Even otherwise, one should long for a living, especially if one has wronged others or committed sins, so that he has time to repent one's misdeeds and sins and seek Divine forgiveness. And if one has never hurt anyone or committed a sin, he should still seek longevity to do better, for one never knows he may have hurt someone unknowingly and for that better is needed for a pardon.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

You may refer to our exclusive page: Collection of Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to read posts written on general matters.

Please also refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about sunnah / Hadith of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given below. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

Photo | Source of Hadith

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

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Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Which of the THREE things that follow the bier of the dead is left with the buried forever

Death is a reality, and every living being is to perish one day and gone forever. While the life of animals and birds ends with their death, the life of man continues after the death, though with a break till the dead are resuscitated on the Day of Resurrection. 

Despite this stark reality, man pays more attention to building a family and amassing as much wealth as he can, and earn the highest possible position of honour in his society and place of work. While doing so, he seldom pays attention to virtues, good deeds and preparing for his real luggage that he would carry along upon his death. 

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has warned man that only three things will accompany him to his burial. While two would return after the burial, only one thing will stay back with him forever. Which are these three things? These have been mentioned in a Hadith, quoted in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: Book (53) as Hadith number 7424, reproduced herein under:

حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى التَّمِيمِىُّ وَزُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ كِلاَهُمَا عَنِ ابْنِ عُيَيْنَةَ قَالَ يَحْيَى أَخْبَرَنَا سُفْيَانُ بْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِى بَكْرٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَنَسَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ -صلى الله عليه وسلم- « يَتْبَعُ الْمَيِّتَ ثَلاَثَةٌ فَيَرْجِعُ اثْنَانِ وَيَبْقَى وَاحِدٌ يَتْبَعُهُ أَهْلُهُ وَمَالُهُ وَعَمَلُهُ فَيَرْجِعُ أَهْلُهُ وَمَالُهُ وَيَبْقَى عَمَلُهُ ».

It was narrated that 'Abdullah bin Abi Bakr said: "I heard Anas bin Malik say: 'Three things follow the deceased; two of them return and one remains. He is followed by his family, his wealth and his deeds. Then his family and his wealth return and his deeds remain (with him).'"

My dear brothers and sisters in Islam, no matter how much you love your family, and how much wealth you amass, these two things will leave you no sooner you are dead. However, it will be your deeds, good or bad, that will stay with you forever till you are presented in the Divine court on the Day of Resurrection and will speak good or bad of you. On that day, no one will be asked about his family and wealth or worldly position, but DEEDS alone. And it will be on the basis of weight of one's deed that the decision will be given of one's future abode: Heaven or Hell.

So, time is now to amass as much goodies in your kitty as you can, repent for the bad deeds and seek forgiveness from Allah before the angel of death strikes you. And he will come unannounced, any second from now onward. No time will then be allowed to make amends and repent. Let us take advantage of the leverage that Allah provides us to repent as soon as we commit a sin or hurt someone, so as be ready for death with a heavy sack of good deeds and no bad deeds at all. Think over it!!

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given below. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

Photo | Source of Hadith

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Death from which you flee will certainly overtake you

Of all the words in vocabularies, the most feared word is Death. No one, even suffering from any serious ailment, hopes to die. But whether one likes or not, death befalls on any living being that is created. Wikipedia describes death as an inevitable process that eventually occurs in all organisms. It is an irreversible cessation of all biological functions that sustain an organism. For organisms with a brain, death can also be defined as the irreversible cessation of functioning of the whole brain, including the brainstem, and brain death is sometimes used as a legal definition of death. The remains of a former organism normally begin to decompose shortly after death. As of 2022, a total of 109 billion humans have died, or roughly 93.8% of all humans to ever live.

Man can attain any age, yet his final call comes despite his urge to live another day. Even some of prophets who lived for many centuries, too have to taste the death. Methusaleh, an Arab prophet sent to the people of Thamud who lived in an area known as Al-Hijr between Hijaz and Tabuk. He was grandfather of Noah (عليه السلام) and son of Enoch (idrees عليه السلام). He is said to have lived at an age of 969, making him the longest living person in the Bible.

No matter where a man could be, he will be taken to his place of death beyond his imagination. The recent death of five adventurous men who paid millions of dollars to go as deep as to the bed of the sea in a small sub called Titan, something like 3500 meters or may be more, to see the wreckage of the ill-fated ship Titanic. They never knew that their death is calling them in that desolate place under the seabed and they were paying for it. 

At many a place in Qur'an, there is mention of death and man has been warned that he will be resurrected at an appointed time to answer for his actions, good or bad, which he took during his worldly life. We have already shared tow verse about death in our previous posts, shared herein under:

• Every soul shall have a taste of death (Surah 3. Al-i'Imran:185)
• Every living being shall taste death - and to Us shall all of you be eventually sent back (Surah 21. Al-Anbiyaa:35)

Today, we share another verse from Qur'an, the eighth verse of Surah 62. Al-Jumu'ah warning men of the impending death which can strike anytime, even the next second from hence. The purpose of sharing death related posts in not to scare away our readers, but to caution them of its imminence so that we pay attention to our deeds and if we are following our evil desires and the path of the Satan, time is now to repent what have we done and seek forgiveness from Allah before time for seeking forgiveness from Allah runs out.

قُلۡ اِنَّ الۡمَوۡتَ الَّذِىۡ تَفِرُّوۡنَ مِنۡهُ فَاِنَّهٗ مُلٰقِيۡكُمۡ​ ثُمَّ تُرَدُّوۡنَ اِلٰى عٰلِمِ الۡغَيۡبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ فَيُنَبِّئُكُمۡ بِمَا كُنۡتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُوۡنَ

(62:8) Tell them: “The death from which you flee will certainly overtake you. Then you will be returned to Him Who fully knows what is hidden and what is manifest. Thereupon He will let you know all that you used to do.”

At another place (Surah 2. Al Baqarah, verse 96) it is said: And you will surely find them the greediest of people for life – [even] more than those who associate others with Allah. One of them wishes that he could be granted life a thousand years, but it would not remove him in the least from the [coming] punishment that he should be granted life. And Allah is Seeing of what they do.

Yusuf Ali Explanation: 

Before Allah's Judgment-Seat, when Judgment is established, we shall see the full inwardness of all deeds in this world. The veil of illusion and delusion will be torn off. All our secret motives will be laid bare. The results of all our little plots and plans and their reactions on our eternal welfare will be clearly visible to us. All make-believe will disappear.

Tafsir Qur'an Wiki:

A statement follows that establishes the nature of death and what comes after it. It shows them that their attempts to escape from death are of little use. It will inevitably overtake them. After death, all will return to God where they will have their deeds reckoned and where they will face the consequences of the same.

So, my brothers and sisters in Islam, be ready for the inevitable that may knock at your door any time from hence. Make arrangements for the Day when you will be presented in front of Allah and asked to explain your actions in worldly life, especially the evil ones. Repent now and seek forgiveness from Allah of your bad / misdeeds, for this opportunity will never come again.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

For more Selected Verses, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Tafsir References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Wikipedia: | 1 | 2 |

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs of the Qur'ān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In order to augment and add more explanation as already provided, additional input has been interjected from the following sources: 

• Tafsir Ibn Khatir
• Muhammad Asad Translation
• Yusuf Ali Translation
• Translation Javed Ahmad Ghamidi / Al Mawrid
• Qur'an Wiki
• Verse by Verse Qur'an Study Circle
• Towards Understanding the Quran

In addition, references of other sources which have been explored have also been given above. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Why Prophet Muhammad ﷺ forbade people from Longing for Death

Anything created by the Lord of the Universe is borrowed time, for everything present in this universe has to come to an end. Death is more applicable to all living beings including man, who will one day become a thing of the past. 

But before we talk of the end of our lives, let us ponder for a while as to why we have been created. Although a very simple question, yet very difficult to answer for it is on Allah Almighty Who knows the why of our creation and time period allowed for our existence. So, one should not long for death, rather one must cash on what days one is left with and make up for the lost opportunities to earn favours of Allah.

The Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ being shared today is based on the same theme, which is mentioned in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī  (Book 94 - Wishes /  كتاب  التمنى / Chapter 6: What kind of wishing is disliked / باب مَا يُكْرَهُ مِنَ التَّمَنِّي ) as Hadith 7235, given herein under:

حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامُ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي عُبَيْدٍ ـ اسْمُهُ سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَيْدٍ مَوْلَى عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَزْهَرَ ـ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ لاَ يَتَمَنَّى أَحَدُكُمُ الْمَوْتَ إِمَّا مُحْسِنًا فَلَعَلَّهُ يَزْدَادُ، وَإِمَّا مُسِيئًا فَلَعَلَّهُ يَسْتَعْتِبُ ‏"‏‏.

Narrated by Sa`d bin Ubaid: (the Maula of `Abdur-Rahman bin Azhar) Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "None of you should long for death, for if he is a good man, he may increase his good deeds, and if he is an evil-doer, he may stop the evil deeds and repent."

So, instead of longing for death, increase your good deeds as much as possible. And one has been following evil all along one's life, should make amends, repent and seek forgiveness of Allah, for one never knows when the clock stops.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given below. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

Photo | Source of Hadith

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More