Mahzala
فَتَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ الْخَالِقِينَ
22 May 2010
Assalamu'alaykum
I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah and may His peace, mercy and blessings be upon the Prophet Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa sallam and his companions and those who follow their way with sincerity and righteousness until the last day.
Death, indeed, is an inevitable reality that we will all face at our destined times. But before experiencing the pain of death, the loneliness of a grave where silence and darkness are the only harmless companions, Allah bestows other favours upon us, time and time again. He reminds us that we too, one day, will face the same fate as those who pass before us, and to bring us closer to His Glorious Self in order to seek His Pleasure and overcome the pain of that passing. All praise is due to Allah who reminds His slaves that their lives have an appointed time, when He says: "Every soul shall taste death." (Quran 3:185) Allah Almighty also reminds us that death will reach us no matter where we are: "Wheresoever you may be, death will overtake you even if you are in fortresses built up strong and high." (Quran 4:78).
We are all tested in life, either our health, or that of loved ones, through wealth, families, children, people of different faiths, cultures, or external pressures and influences that shatter a household. In them are lessons to be learnt and implemented, and mistakes, avoided. For some, these tests are destructive, for others, reminders and signs. I have seen some deviate from the Path of Allah during adversities, doubt His mercy and question His existence. I have seen people amend their errors and turn (back) to Siraat-al-Mustaqeem, finding peace and happiness in Ibadah. I have also seen those who watch, from a distance, unaffected. Allah guide us all.
Rasulullah salallahu 'alayhi wa sallam said the mere difference between the living and the dead is that the deceased's connection with the world comes to an end and his actions, whether good or bad, cease. And in regards to those who are alive, he salallahu 'alayhi wa sallam sad they are at an advantage as they acquire more knowledge, wisdom and good deeds in the cause and path of Allah. He salallahu 'alayhi wa sallam also tells of us two men, one a shaheed, who passed away a year before the passing of his companion, who had a natural death. He salallahu 'alayhi wa sallam asked the Ashaab which of the two would have entered Jannah first. Their humbleness and respect unabated, they responded: Allah and his Rasul know best. To which Rasulullah salallahu 'alayhi wa sallam replied, the latter man, as he spent more time in this world as opposed to the former and acquired more goodness in the one more year that he was alive.
A few hours ago could have been the end of my life, but Allah the Great hasn't detined my fate as such. I could sense darkness and weight of some sort overcoming me and an uproar of emotions and fear being stirred within. I could feel the earth being taken from under me, and I, away from it. I could hear my screams calling upon Ar Rahman as He tells us to invoke him with His Glorious Asma and Siffat. I lost awareness of my surroundings. I felt alone and scared. I trembled like an Autumn leaf, falling from its branch. I hadn't hit the ground yet, I wasn't meant to either.
My dear brothers and sisters, I write, not to publicise my very close to death experience, but to share this reminder and sign, that we take heed, because a time will come where we will ask for respite to do more good deeds - a request that can never be granted. I come to share that if today was my last, I would surely be among those who Allah makes mention of in the Holy Quran. "And spend of that with which We have provided you, before death comes to one of you and he says: 'My Lord! If only You would give me respite for a little while (i.e. return to worldly life), then I should give Sadaqah of my wealth and be among the righteous.' And Allah grants respite to none when his appointed time comes. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do." (Quran 63:10-11)
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'oun.
... to be continued.
Assalamu'alaykum
I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah and may His peace, mercy and blessings be upon the Prophet Muhammad salallahu 'alayhi wa sallam and his companions and those who follow their way with sincerity and righteousness until the last day.
Death, indeed, is an inevitable reality that we will all face at our destined times. But before experiencing the pain of death, the loneliness of a grave where silence and darkness are the only harmless companions, Allah bestows other favours upon us, time and time again. He reminds us that we too, one day, will face the same fate as those who pass before us, and to bring us closer to His Glorious Self in order to seek His Pleasure and overcome the pain of that passing. All praise is due to Allah who reminds His slaves that their lives have an appointed time, when He says: "Every soul shall taste death." (Quran 3:185) Allah Almighty also reminds us that death will reach us no matter where we are: "Wheresoever you may be, death will overtake you even if you are in fortresses built up strong and high." (Quran 4:78).
We are all tested in life, either our health, or that of loved ones, through wealth, families, children, people of different faiths, cultures, or external pressures and influences that shatter a household. In them are lessons to be learnt and implemented, and mistakes, avoided. For some, these tests are destructive, for others, reminders and signs. I have seen some deviate from the Path of Allah during adversities, doubt His mercy and question His existence. I have seen people amend their errors and turn (back) to Siraat-al-Mustaqeem, finding peace and happiness in Ibadah. I have also seen those who watch, from a distance, unaffected. Allah guide us all.
Rasulullah salallahu 'alayhi wa sallam said the mere difference between the living and the dead is that the deceased's connection with the world comes to an end and his actions, whether good or bad, cease. And in regards to those who are alive, he salallahu 'alayhi wa sallam sad they are at an advantage as they acquire more knowledge, wisdom and good deeds in the cause and path of Allah. He salallahu 'alayhi wa sallam also tells of us two men, one a shaheed, who passed away a year before the passing of his companion, who had a natural death. He salallahu 'alayhi wa sallam asked the Ashaab which of the two would have entered Jannah first. Their humbleness and respect unabated, they responded: Allah and his Rasul know best. To which Rasulullah salallahu 'alayhi wa sallam replied, the latter man, as he spent more time in this world as opposed to the former and acquired more goodness in the one more year that he was alive.
A few hours ago could have been the end of my life, but Allah the Great hasn't detined my fate as such. I could sense darkness and weight of some sort overcoming me and an uproar of emotions and fear being stirred within. I could feel the earth being taken from under me, and I, away from it. I could hear my screams calling upon Ar Rahman as He tells us to invoke him with His Glorious Asma and Siffat. I lost awareness of my surroundings. I felt alone and scared. I trembled like an Autumn leaf, falling from its branch. I hadn't hit the ground yet, I wasn't meant to either.
My dear brothers and sisters, I write, not to publicise my very close to death experience, but to share this reminder and sign, that we take heed, because a time will come where we will ask for respite to do more good deeds - a request that can never be granted. I come to share that if today was my last, I would surely be among those who Allah makes mention of in the Holy Quran. "And spend of that with which We have provided you, before death comes to one of you and he says: 'My Lord! If only You would give me respite for a little while (i.e. return to worldly life), then I should give Sadaqah of my wealth and be among the righteous.' And Allah grants respite to none when his appointed time comes. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do." (Quran 63:10-11)
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'oun.
... to be continued.
