Death - الموت

اعوذ باللہ من الشیطٰن الرجیم
بسم اللہ الرحمٰن الرحیم
الحمد لله رب العالمين ، أرسل رسوله بالهدى و دين الحق ليظهره على الدين كله و كفي بالله شهيدا ، و أشهد ألا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له ؛ له الملك و له الحمد ، يحيى و يميت و هو على كل شئ قدير

In the name of Allah, the most beneficient, the most merciful, majestic and all powerful, master of this world and everything that is contained herein. Salutations be upon prophet Mohammad SAW, who was sent as a guide to this mankind.

My dear respected brothers and sisters,
Assalam o allaikum Wr. Wb.

Many a times we have discussed about this life from Allah SWT to be a blessing and we continue to thank Allah SWT that he created us from Ashraful Makhlooqat… best of the best creations but there is one reality to this life that we often forget. That reality is death which will make us depart from this world so that we can continue the real journey that we had set out on.

Death is a mystery to those who spend time trying to understand it and it is a belief for those who consider it as a transitional necessity in order to move on in this system of Allah SWT.

Allah SWT says in Quran:

الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْغَفُورُ

He who has created death and life, that He may test you which of you is best in deed.[] And He is the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving; [67:2]

In this Ayah Allah SWT tells us that he created death and life. There is a scholarly opinion that death is mentioned first because everything before its creation was dead and Allah SWT gave it life and after this life, death shall come again as Allah SWT says in the Quran:


كَيْفَ تَكْفُرُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَكُنتُمْ أَمْوَاتاً فَأَحْيَاكُمْ ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُحْيِيكُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
How can you disbelieve in Allâh? Seeing that you were dead and He gave you life. Then He will give you death, then again will bring you to life (on the Day of Resurrection) and then unto Him you will return. [2:28]

Also it is emphasized in another ayah where the people will say to Allah SWT on the day of Judgement:

قَالُوا رَبَّنَا أَمَتَّنَا اثْنَتَيْنِ وَأَحْيَيْتَنَا اثْنَتَيْنِ فَاعْتَرَفْنَا بِذُنُوبِنَا فَهَلْ إِلَى خُرُوجٍ مِّن سَبِيلٍ
They will say: "Our Lord! You have made us to die twice and You have given us life twice! Now we confess our sins, then is there any way to get out (of the Fire)?"[40:11]

So my dear brothers and sisters in Islam, it is clear that this life that we are living has to come to an end. In our minds we may feel that we are not there yet or that we may have still some years to live but reality is that this is a comfort we have given to our mind. Death is an absolute reality and it can come any time. A human being regardless of the color, creed or religion will have to face this reality.

Allah SWT says in Quran:
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ وَنَبْلُوكُم بِالشَّرِّ وَالْخَيْرِ فِتْنَةً وَإِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ
Everyone is going to taste death, and We shall make a trial of you with evil and with good, and to Us you will be returned.[21:35]

Allah SWT has told us very clearly that we shall be tested based on our deeds. If our good deeds are more than the bad deeds, then we shall be successful but if our bad deeds are more than the good deeds, then we shall face the punishment but before one reaches the state of this comparison, there is a requirement. The requirement is that the person must have confessed shahadah or the testimony of faith in this world.

It is this reason, that Rasulallah SAW taught us how to deal with death when it comes onto someone dear to us.
Mua’azh Ibn Jabal, RAA narrated that the messenger of Allah PBUH said: “Anyone who has spoken as last words the words: “La-Ilaha-Illa Allah” i.e. there is no deity but Allah SWT, then he shall enter paradise” reported by Abou Dawood.

In another narration, Abou Sa’eed Al-Khudree, RAA said that the messenger of Allah PBUH said: “Teach your dying people to say: “La-Ilaha-Illa Allah” reported by Muslim.

Also we see from the sunnah, that when we hear of the death of someone, we should say:
Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ileyhi Raajioon
We all belong to Allah and to Him we shall return.

Ommo Salamah, RAA, the mother of the believers and the wife of the messenger of Allah PBUH narrated (before she got married of the messenger of Allah PBUH), that the messenger of Allah PBUH said: ”Any servant of Allah when afflicted with a catastrophe says:

إنا لله و إنا إليه راجعون ، اللهم أجرني في مصيبتي ، و اخلف لي خيرا منها ؛

We all belong to Allah and we all shall return to him, O’ Allah help me in my catastrophe and give me better than it; Allah shall help him in this catastrophe and shall give him better rewards and life after it”. She said: when my former husband (Abou Salamah) died I said what the messenger of Allah PBUH told me to say and Allah SWT gave me better than him, I married the messenger of Allah PBUH after elapse of my I’eddah” reported by Muslim.

Brothers and sisters, our journey after death is also full of challenges, the success of which depends on our life in this world. The circumstances of death can be pleasant or horrifying depending on what the human being had adopted as a religion in this life.

Allah SWT says:

الَّذِينَ تَتَوَفَّاهُمُ الْمَلآئِكَةُ طَيِّبِينَ يَقُولُونَ سَلامٌ عَلَيْكُمُ ادْخُلُواْ الْجَنَّةَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

Those whose lives the angels take while they are in a pious state saying (to them): Salâmun 'Alaikum enter you in Paradise, because of (the good) which you used to do (in the world)." [16:32]

And those who have disobeyed Allah SWT and those who committed shirk and carried out bad deeds, Allah SWT says:

وَلَوْ تَرَى إِذْ يَتَوَفَّى الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ الْمَلآئِكَةُ يَضْرِبُونَ وُجُوهَهُمْ وَأَدْبَارَهُمْ وَذُوقُواْ

عَذَابَ الْحَرِيقِ()۔

ذَلِكَ بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَأَنَّ اللّهَ لَيْسَ بِظَلاَّمٍ لِّلْعَبِيد

If you see the people who are taken by the angels after death, the angels shall beat their faces and their backs and say to them taste the torment of the fire, this is your reward for what you have offered of deeds and Allah is not unjust to His servants [8:50-51]

It is for this reason Rasulallah SAW , on the authority of Uthman bin Affan said:

“Ask Allah to forgive your dead brother’s sins and to have correct answers when he is being asked by the angels in his grave for he is now being asked” reported by Abou Dawood.

In Saheeh Bukhari there is a hadeeth mentioned by Rasulallah SAW regarding how the soul shall be taken from the bodies of pious people and those from the people who disobeyed the commands of Allah. We shall see the mercy and rahmah of Allah SWT for those who live their lives in accordance to His commandments and we see the torment for those who disobey him.

It is reported that al-Bara 'bin 'Azib said: "We went out with the Prophet SAW in order to participate in the funeral rites of a man from the Ansar. We arrived at the grave, but the inner chamber had not been prepared yet; so Allaah's Messenger SAW sat down facing the direction of the Qiblah, and we sat around him so attentively that it was as if birds were sitting upon our heads. He had a stick in his hand with which he sketched upon the ground. Then he began looking alternately to the heavens and to the earth, raising his gaze and then lowering it. Finally, he said two or three times, 'Seek refuge in Allaah from the torment of the grave.' Then he said, 'O Allaah, verily I seek refuge in You from the torment of the grave.' He repeated it three times, then he elaborated,

'Verily, when the believing servant is leaving this world and entering the next, angels from the heavens descend to him - their faces white with brightness like the sun and carrying with them burial sheets and scents from Paradise. They sit before him at a distance as far as the eye can see. Then the Angel of Death (upon whom be peace) comes to the person, sits at his head and says, "O good soul [and in another narration "O confident soul"], come out to your Lord's forgiveness and pleasure. "' [The Prophet SAW continued],

'There upon the soul flows out of the body like water flowing from the mouth of a water skin, and all of the angels between the skies and the earth supplicate for Allahs blessing upon him. The doors of the heavens are opened for him, and the keepers of these doors [i.e., the angels all plead with Allaah that this soul might pass in front of them as it is being carried upward. The Angel of Death barely receives the soul in his hands, whereupon the other angels take it from him and wrap it with fragrant winding sheets. This is what is meant by Allaah's saying,

"Our messengers [i.e., angels] seize his soul, and they do not fall short of their duty."'

Then the Prophet SAW said, 'There exudes from the soul a scent like the most beautiful fragrance of musk that one could find on the face of the earth. The angels ascend with the soul never passing a host of angels without hearing them ask, "Who is this wonderful soul?" They reply, "So and so, the son of so and so," addressing him with the best names he was known by during his earthly life.

Upon reaching the first heaven, the angels request that it be opened for the soul - which is granted. The soul is then accompanied by the angels of each heaven until it reaches the one above it and finally arrives at the seventh heaven. Then Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, says [to the angels], "Place the record of My servant in 'illiyyun."'

"And what will explain to you what 'illiyyun' is? [it is] a written record, witnessed by those brought near to their Lord." (83:19-21)

The person's record is then placed in 'illiyyun, whereupon a command is heard: "Return him to the earth, for verily I have promised mankind that having created them from the earth, I will return them to it. And l will make them come out of it, yet another time. " Then the soul is returned to the earth back into its body. Verily, the deceased hears the shuffling feet of his companions who attended his burial as they tam away and leave his grave.

Thereupon, two angels, severe in interrogation come to him, and sitting him up, they begin to ask him questions. They say, "Who is your Lord?" He replies, 'Allaah is my Lord. " They continue, "What is your religion?" He answers, 'Islam is my religion " They proceed with the questioning, saying, "Who is this man that has been sent to you?" He responds, 'He is the Messenger of Allaah SAW."

[The Prophet SAW then indicated, 'Upon the believer's answer to these questions], a voice is heard in the heavens, saying, "My servant has told the truth, so clothe him in the clothing of Paradise, spread for him the furnishings of Paradise, and open for him a window with a view of Paradise." Thereupon, he is engulfed by a breeze of fresh air and fragrance, while the expanse of his grave is extended before him as far as the eye can see.

There appears before him a man with a wonderful face and beautiful clothing, emitting a splendid fragrance. He says to the soul, "Rejoice at the news which will gladden you! Rejoice at Allaah's pleasure and His Paradise, whose joys and delights never end. This is the day which you were promised."

The deceased says to him, "And who are you, for your face bears glad tidings.?! " The figure answers, "I represent your good deeds; by Allaah, I've always known you to be quick in obedience to Allaah and slow to His disobedience. So may Allaah award you with good."

Then a door to Paradise is opened, and a door to the Fire is opened, whereupon it is said to him [regarding the Hell fire], "This would have been your final abode had you disobeyed Allaah; however, it has been exchanged for this other abode [i.e., Paradise]. " When the soul sees what is in Paradise, he cries, "My Lord, hasten the arrival of the Hour [i.e., the Resurrection] so that I may be joined with my family and wealth." There upon it is said to him, "Rest in tranquillity. "'

But how many of us can call ourselves true believers? Such that we would be good enough to receive such a reward?

Allaah's Messenger SAW continued, 'When the disbelieving servant and in another narration "sinful servant"] is about to leave this world and enter the next, angels, powerful and severe, descend to him from the heavens - their faces black and carrying with them coarse strips of cloth from Hell. They sit before him at a distance as far as the eye can see.

Then the Angel of Death arrives, and sitting at the head of the disbeliever, he says, "O you foul soul, come out to the anger and wrath of your Lord." The soul inside the disbeliever's body is overcome by terrible fear [and does not want to deliver itself up], whereupon the Angel of Death violently pulls it out like multi-pronged skewers being yanked out of wet wool - tearing with them the arteries and nerves.

Upon this, the soul is cursed by every angel between the earth and the heavens and by those inside the heavens. Then the doors of the heavens are closed to him, and every single guard at these doors begs Allaah that this soul not be carried up in front of him.

'The Prophet SAW continued, 'The Angel of Death barely receives the soul in his hands, whereupon the other angels grasp it from him and wrap it up in coarse cloth. There emits from it the foulest odour that could be found on the face of the earth. They ascend with it, never passing a host of angels without being asked, "Who is this ugly soul?" They reply, "So and so, the son of so and so, " using the worst names by which he was known in this world.

When they arrive at the lowest heaven, they request that it be opened for this soul, but the request is denied. ' At this point Allaah 's Messenger SAW recited the verse from Quran:

"The gates of the heavens will not be opened for them, nor will they enter the Garden of Paradise until a camel goes through the eye of a needle."

After that, he continued, 'Then Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, says [to the angels], "Place his record in sijjeen [a book which contains all of the deeds of the devils and the disbeliever's]- in the lowest earth. Return My servant to the earth, for verily I have promised mankind that having created them from the earth, I will return them to it. And I will make them come out of it, yet another time."

Upon this command, the deceased [disbeliever's] soul is thrown down from the sky until it lands in its body. ' The Prophet SAW then recited the verse:

"And whoever ascribes partners with Allaah, it is as though he had fallen from the sky, such that birds snatch him up or the wind throws him to a remote place."

Then he commented, 'Verily [when the soul is returned to its body], the deceased hears the sound of his companions' footsteps as they tam away from his grave.' [The Prophet SAW resumed his explanation, saying 'Then two angels, severe in interrogation come to him, and sitting him up, they begin to question him, who is your Lord? He replies, 'Hah! Hah! (an expression describing a state of surprise, shock and pain) I don't know. " They continue by asking him, "What is your religion?" He answers, 'Hah! Hah! I don t know. ' so they ask, "Then what do you say about this man who was sent to you?" [The disbeliever does not appear to understand who they are referring to, so it is said] 'Muhammad. " Again he states, 'Hah! Hah! I don t know. I only heard people talking about him." Then it is said, "You did not know! And you did not read!"

There upon a voice from the heavens is heard, 'He has lied! So spread out for him a place from the Fire and open for him a window to the Fire."

The searing hot winds of Hell engulf him while his grave closes in upon him, crushing him until his ribcage is broken by the force - causing the ribs of one side to intertwine with the ribs of the other Then there appears to him a person with an ugly face and ugly clothing and exuding a foul odour, who says, "Tidings of evil to you, for this is the day which you were promised!" The deceased says to him, 'And you, too; may Allaah give you evil tidings! Who are you, for yours is a face which portends evil."

The person rejoins, 'I represent your wicked deeds. By Allaah, I have always known you to be slow in obedience to Allaah and quick in disobedience to Him. May Allaah reward you with evil!"

Then one who is deaf, dumb and blind and is carrying an iron rod is sent to the deceased. If he were to strike a mountain with it, the mountain would disintegrate into rubble. He strikes the deceased with a blow, which turns him into dust. Allaah returns the deceased to his original form, whereupon he is struck a second time. This causes him to shriek with such violence that it is heard by all of creation except mankind and jinn.

Then a door to the Fire is opened, and beddings of the Fire are spread for him, whereupon he cries, "Lord, do not establish the Hour! "

My dear respected brothers and sisters, Ask Allah SWT to give us the taufeeq to protect our iman and to carry out amalus Saleh in this duniya so that we receive mercy of Allah in the qabr and on the day of Aakhirah. May Allah give us the true understanding of our deen and taufeeq to realize that this life is temporary. May Allah save us from the punishment of qabr and hellfire…. Amiin.

Wakhiru dawaana anil hamdulillahi rabbilaalimeen.

Delivered by Abu Haleema at Fredereicton Islamic Association, Masjid on June 22, 2007

Supplication - الدُّعاء فِی الاِسلام

اعوذ باللہ من الشیطٰن الرجیم

بسم اللہ الرحمٰن الرحیم

الحمد لله رب العالمين ، أرسل رسوله بالهدى و دين الحق ليظهره على الدين كله و كفي بالله شهيدا ، و أشهد ألا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له ؛ له الملك و له الحمد ، يحيى و يميت و هو على كل شئ قدير

In the the name of Allah, the most beneficient, the most merciful, the one who created us to be in His worship, the one who created everything around us so we may recognize Him. Salutations be upon Prophet Mohammad SAW who was sent as a messenger and guide to the mankind.

Whenever a muslim is in the time of need, he asks Allah SWT to ease the suffering and the trial for him. Whenever a muslim is in a state of desparity, he asks Allah SWT to bring happiness to him. This teaching of asking Allah SWT is one of the most powerful teachings of Islam.

We see from the life of Rasulallah SAW, that he taught his companions to rely on Allah SWT for any need, big or small. This concept of supplication wherein there is no intermediatory figure is the most sophisticated form of worship where a servant asks directly from his Creator, Allah SWT.

Allah SWT made Islam as a seal to all religions and faiths that He sent to humanity through out time. Among the most important concepts in Islam is the clarity of relationship between Allah SWT and the Muslim.

If we see other religions around us, they have adopted a system whereby the followers approach their creator through Intermediatories such as a rabbi, a priest or saints. Every Muslim has the ability to have a direct relationship with Allah SWT through different kinds of worship e.g. prayer i.e. “Salah”, supplication i.e. “Du’aa’a”, pilgrimage I.e. Hajj, fasting i.e. Sawm and other means of worship.

This relationship does not require blood sacrifice or an intermediate person. Islam is built on one principle that has no second, that is Allah, and Allah alone is the one who answers all supplications and prayers directly and fulfils all needs and requirements and a Muslim has no right to ask anyone or anything to provide for him or answer his prayers.

Allah SWT says in the Quran:
أَمَّن يُجِيبُ الْمُضْطَرَّ إِذَا دَعَاهُ وَيَكْشِفُ السُّوءَ وَيَجْعَلُكُمْ خُلَفَاء الْأَرْضِ أَإِلَهٌ مَّعَ اللَّهِ قَلِيلًا مَّا تَذَكَّرُونَ
Translation:
Is not He (better than your gods) Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls Him, and Who removes the evil, and makes you inheritors of the earth, generations after generations. Is there any ilâh (god) with Allâh? Little is that you remember! (27:62)
And in Surah Al-Fussilat:

Whoever works righteousness benefits his own soul; whoever works evil, it is against his own soul: nor is thy Lord ever unjust (in the least) to His Servants


In Islam we understand our Creator Allah SWT to be all-hearing and all seeing. He has the absolute power and he has all knowledge of everything that is shown or that is hidden.

This is the reason why we are commanded by Rasulallah SAW to pay special attention to our salaat when we are in worship infront of Allah SWT. Rasulallah SAW is reported to have said that when one is in salaat, one must be as if he is standing before Allah SWT or if one cannot attain that status then one must know that Allah is watching him at all times.


Incident about saying takbeer while climbing hill:

Abu Musa Al-Asha’aree, RAA narrated that they (the companions) were with the messenger of Allah PBUH riding and every time they went over a hill or a cliff they used to raise their voices with “Takbeer” i.e. by saying: “Allahu-Akbar”. The messenger of Allah PBUH came up to them and said: “O’ People, rest yourselves and lower your voices for you are not calling on someone who is deaf or absent but you are calling on someone who sees and hears everything. The one you are calling on is closer to you than the neck of your ride (horse or Camel). Then he said: “O’ Abdullah Ibn Quayis, do you want me to teach you words from the treasures of Paradise? Say: “La-Hawla wala Qwwata Illa Bi-Llah”, i.e. there is no power or ability but with Allah.” Reported by Al-Bukharee, Muslim and Al-Imam Ahmad.


Allah SWT says in Surah Araaf:
ادْعُواْ رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعًا وَخُفْيَةً إِنَّهُ لاَ يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ
Invoke your Lord with humility and in secret. He likes not the aggressors. [7:55]

We remain in constant contact with Allah SWT because in Islam we have taken the responsibility for our actions. Nobody else can alleviate us of the outcome of these actions. If I have carried out a good task, Allah SWT will reward me for that and if I have committed a sin or mistake, then I shall be responsible for that. It is for this reason that we ask the repentance from Allah SWT for each action that we do against His commandment. We will be questioned on the day of Judgement for every action that we have committed in this life.



Allah SWT says in Quran:
إِن كُلُّ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ إِلَّا آتِي الرَّحْمَنِ عَبْدًا (19:93
لَقَدْ أَحْصَاهُمْ وَعَدَّهُمْ عَدًّا (19:94
وَكُلُّهُمْ آتِيهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَرْدًا (19:95
93. There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes unto the Most Beneficent (Allâh) as a slave. 94. Verily, He knows each one of them, and has counted them a full counting. 95. And everyone of them will come to Him alone on the Day of Resurrection (without any helper, or protector or defender).
And Allah SWT says in Quran:

مَّنِ اهْتَدَى فَإِنَّمَا يَهْتَدي لِنَفْسِهِ وَمَن ضَلَّ فَإِنَّمَا يَضِلُّ عَلَيْهَا وَلاَ تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَى وَمَا كُنَّا مُعَذِّبِينَ حَتَّى نَبْعَثَ رَسُولاً
Whoever goes right, then he goes right only for the benefit of his ownself. And whoever goes astray, then he goes astray to his own loss. No one laden with burdens can bear another's burden. And We never punish until We have sent a Messenger (to give warning) (17:15)

The slaves of Allah supplicate to Him through dua, through salaat, through saum and other forms of worship and seeking mercy, sustenance, wealth, health, children and protection from the punishments of the grave and the hell fire and supplicating to be admitted to Paradise.

Some of us have the idea that the only pillars of Islam like Salaat and Saum are the basics of the religion and that supplication is something that is extra and optional. This is not the case.

Al-Nu’oman Ibn Basheer, RAA narrated that the messenger of Allah PBUH said: “Supplication is the true worship, then the messenger of Allah PBUH recited the verse

وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِي سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ

And your Lord said: "Invoke Me, [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islâmic Monotheism)] (and ask Me for anything) I will respond to your (invocation). Verily! Those who scorn My worship [i.e. do not invoke Me, and do not believe in My Oneness, (Islâmic Monotheism)] they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!"
- reported by Al-Imam Ahmad, Al-Tirmizhee, Al-Nasa’iee and Ibn Majah.


Four chacteristics that should be in a muslim’s life.

Anas Ibn Malik, RAA narrated from the messenger of Allah PBUH who narrated from Allah SWT in the Holy Hadeeth of Allah SWT that Allah SWT Said: “Four characteristics, one for my sake and one for your sake and one between me and you and the last is between you and my servants. The first one for my sake is to worship me alone and not to ascribe an equal to me. The second for your sake is that anything good you do I shall reward you for. The third between you and me is for you to supplicate and for me to respond and answer. And the fourth is to wish for others what you wish for yourself” reported by Al-Imam Abou Ya’ala Al-Mousilee.

Some may say: I ask Allah all the time but I don’t see any evidence of response. Does he not like me? Is He ignoring me?

Islam answered these extremely important questions that Allah SWT does not ignore nor forgets the supplications of anyone. Instead Allah SWT may either answer immediately, delay the response, change the request to something better or better suited to the person or denies the request for reasons He SWT may see and we don’t.

Abou Hurayrah, RAA also narrated that the messenger of Allah PBUH said: “Allah shall answer his servant as long as he does not ask for Allah for a sinful thing (like –for example-wishing to win in Gambling, or asks Allah to break a relation with a relative, etc..) and as long as the servant does not act in a hurry for the response” The people then asked the messenger of Allah PBUH: “O’ messenger, what is being in a hurry?” He answered: “it is for the servant to say: I asked Allah over and over and did not see response so he then stops asking Allah”. Reported by Muslim.

A few points that we gather from the Quran and ahadeeth of Rasulallah SAW regarding supplication are:

1) Not everything we ask for is good for us. Allah SWT knows what will benefit us and what will harm us and something that we may ask for that looks good to us, Allah SWT who knows the future, the past and the unseen may know that if he grants us the request it will harm us in the long run.
2) Although you may supplicate to Allah SWT anytime and anywhere, there are times and places that Allah SWT has set aside and favored over other times and places for answering the supplications more than others. Try to supplicate during such chosen times and in those places.
3) For the servant to stay away from disobeying Allah SWT and committing sins and to obey Allah SWT and His messenger PBUH.
4) Remembering Allah SWT all times and not only in the times of the need.
5) The person must no give up on Allah’s answering of his supplications. Giving up is one of the characteristics of the unbeliever who loses hope with Allah SWT and His mercy. Losing hope makes the person lose the spiritual connection between him and Allah SWT and become open to the whisperings of the devil that may drive him away from Allah SWT or even to killing him self in desperation.

May Allah SWt give us the taufeeq to implement in our lives from what has been said and may He give us the istiqama to use the powerful too of supplication so we may have a smooth live in this duniya and a blessed life in aakhirah.

Wa akhiruhu dawana anil hamdulillahi rabbilalimeen.

Delivered by Abu Haleema at Fredereicton Islamic Association, Masjid on June 8, 2007

Purification (Tahharah) - الطّھارۃ

اعوذ باللہ من الشیطٰن الرجیم
بسم اللہ الرحمٰن الرحیم

الحمد لله رب العالمين ، أرسل رسوله بالهدى و دين الحق ليظهره على الدين كله و كفي بالله شهيدا ، و أشهد ألا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له ؛ له الملك و له الحمد ، يحيى و يميت و هو على كل شئ قدير و إليه المرجع و المصير ..و أشهد أن محمدا عبده و رسوله ، و صفيه من خلقه و حبيبه.رب اشرح لي صدري و يسر لى أمري و احلل عقدة من لساني يفقهوا قولي ..

All praises to Allah SWT who is our creator, sustainer and the master of universe. I bear witness that Prophet Mohammad SAW is the last and the final messenger of Allah SWT, a guide sent to this mankind to deliver the message and to show the path of Allah SWT.

Dear Respected Brothers Sisters and Elders in Islam, Assalam o allaikum Wr Wb:

Few weeks ago we touched upon a subject, ‘Cleanliness of the heart’. We said that all our practices in Islam and Iman will not be complete unless we achieve Taharrah of the hearts, the cleanliness of our hearts. Apart from the purity of heart and the soul, a second meaning of Taharrah is the physical cleanliness of our bodies. We had mentioned before how it is important for us to purify our hearts from the sins and evils that surround us in our daily affairs and today we continue the topic towards the completeness of this Taharrah in the form of physical cleanliness.

The physical purity of our body is divided in two parts.
1) Fard Practice of Purity
2) Sunnah and Nafilah Practice of Purity

FARD OF TAHARRAH

For the “Fardh” practices, we have the “Wadu’a” or ablution and Ghusool (also Ghusl or Ightesal) or the full body wash accompanied with an intention. Without “wadu’a” a Muslim man or woman is not permitted to approach any prayer or “Salah” regardless if it is a required prayer or a “sunnah”. A Muslim also may not participate in any of the worship activities such as reading the Holy Quran, prayer, fasting, Hajj, and other practices, without first performing the “Ghusool”.

Ghusool becomes compulsory if the person is Junub. A person can be in the condition of Janaba during the following conditions:
- Man and Women having intercourse,
- If a person has experienced Wet dream
- If a woman is in Menstruation
- If a woman has recently given birth.



Allah SWT says in the Quran:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ لاَ تَقْرَبُواْ الصَّلاَةَ وَأَنتُمْ سُكَارَى حَتَّىَ تَعْلَمُواْ مَا تَقُولُونَ وَلاَ جُنُبًا إِلاَّ عَابِرِي سَبِيلٍ حَتَّىَ تَغْتَسِلُواْ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْضَى أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَاء أَحَدٌ مِّنكُم مِّن الْغَآئِطِ أَوْ لاَمَسْتُمُ النِّسَاء فَلَمْ تَجِدُواْ مَاء فَتَيَمَّمُواْ صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا فَامْسَحُواْ بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُمْ إِنَّ اللّهَ كَانَ عَفُوًّا غَفُورًا

O you who believe! Approach not As­Salât (the prayer) when you are in a drunken state until you know (the meaning) of what you utter, nor when you are in a state of Janâba, (i.e. in a state of sexual impurity and have not yet taken a bath) except when travelling on the road (without enough water, or just passing through a mosque), till you wash your whole body. And if you are ill, or on a journey, or one of you comes after answering the call of nature, or you have been in contact with women (by sexual relations) and you find no water, perform Tayammum with clean earth and rub therewith your faces and hands (Tayammum)[]. Truly, Allâh is Ever Oft­Pardoning, Oft­Forgiving [4:43]

The benefit of making Wudu on our body and soul is mentioned time and again by the messenger of Allah SWT:

Abou Hurairah, RAA narrated that the messenger of Allah PBUH said:

“When the person performs the “wadu’a” and he washes his face then all of the sins and wrongs that he looked at, such as not lowering his gaze and such, will be washed away from his face with the water or with the last drop of water, and if he washes his feet then all the sins that his feet led him to will be washed away with the water or with the last drop of water until he is clean from all sins” [Muslim]

Among the noble “sunnah”, as mentioned in the text of “Fiqh” of Al-Imam Al-Shafe’ee, for the person is to say after the “wadu’a”:

" أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له و أشهد أن محمدا عبده و رسوله ، اللهم اجعلني من التوابين و اجعلني من المتطهرين ؛ سبحانك اللهم و بحمدك ، أشهد أن لا إله إلا أنت ، أستغفرك و أتوب إليك" ..

“I bear witness that there is no one true God but Allah, Who Has no partner nor an equal, and I bear witness that Muhammad PBUH is His servant and last messenger, O’ Allah, make me among those who are oft-repenting and make me among those who are seeking and having purity, Glory to only you O’ Allah, for you only are all praises, I declare no God other than you, I ask you for forgiveness and repent to you”.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلاةِ فاغْسِلُواْ وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ وَامْسَحُواْ بِرُؤُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى الْكَعْبَينِ وَإِن كُنتُمْ جُنُبًا فَاطَّهَّرُواْ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْضَى أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَاء أَحَدٌ مَّنكُم مِّنَ الْغَائِطِ أَوْ لاَمَسْتُمُ النِّسَاء فَلَمْ تَجِدُواْ مَاء فَتَيَمَّمُواْ صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا فَامْسَحُواْ بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُم مِّنْهُ مَا يُرِيدُ اللّهُ لِيَجْعَلَ عَلَيْكُم مِّنْ حَرَجٍ وَلَـكِن يُرِيدُ لِيُطَهَّرَكُمْ وَلِيُتِمَّ نِعْمَتَهُ عَلَيْكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

O you who believe! When you intend to offer As-Salât (the prayer), wash your faces and your hands (forearms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to ankles[]. If you are in a state of Janâba (i.e. had a sexual discharge), purify yourself (bathe your whole body). But if you are ill or on a journey or any of you comes from answering the call of nature, or you have been in contact with women (i.e. sexual intercourse) and you find no water, then perform Tayammum with clean earth and rub therewith your faces and hands.[] Allâh does not want to place you in difficulty, but He wants to purify you, and to complete His Favour on you that you may be thankful.

We see from these ayahs, that Water is a pure substance that Allah SWT has created so that we may purify ourselves from it. Also, we see that Allah SWT has given us a permissibility of Tayammum if we are not able to find clean and pure water to make wudu or Ghusl. Allah SWT has a close relationship with us through the Salaat that we make. This worship is very dear to Allah SWT and it is for this reason, Allah SWT has given us the permission of Tayammum so that we do not break that relationship. In the situation, where there is scarcity of water, we are asked to make tayammum with the clean soil.

On the authority of Huzaifah Bin Yamman, Rasulallah SAW said:

“Allah has given us three favors or advantages over other people before us, He made our lines in the prayer like the that of angels perfectly straight, He made the whole earth a place of worship or Masjid for us, and He allowed us to use soil of the earth for purification if we can not find water” [Muslim]


SUNNAHS OF TAHARRAH:

Among the Sunnah moakkadah of the Taharrah is the use of the Siwak , that is brushing one’s teeth with Miswak. Using miswak refreshes the mouth of the beliver which is not only an ease for a fellow muslim but it is a habit most pleasing to Rasullalah SAW.

Imam Abu Hurairah RA is reported to have said that Rasullalah SAW said:

“If it wasn’t for the difficulty on my nation or “Ummah”, then I would have ordered them to use the “Miswak” before every prayer” [Bukhair & Muslim]

Other sunnahs of Taharrah can be understood from the hadeeth narrated by Aishah RA:
Rasulallah SAW said:

“10 (ten) things that are a part of the “Fitrah” or the built in human nature; clipping the mustache, letting the beard to grow, using the “Miswak” or brushing the teeth, making “Istinshaqu” by water or cleaning the nose by inhaling water, trimming the nails, washing the fingers all the way down to the knuckles, removing or plucking the underarm or armpit’s hair, shaving the pubic hair, and looking for water earnestly after a call of nature i.e. “Istinja’a”. The narrator said: I forgot the tenth but almost sure it was washing or rinsing the mouth” [Muslim]

This is cleanliness of the body is even more emphasised for the Salaatul Jumma. Rasulallah SAW is reported to have said on the authority of Salman Al Farsi:

“If a Muslim person performs “Ghusool” for Jumu’ah, and cleans himself as much as he can, then uses some oil on his hair (for beauty), or puts on some perfume then goes to perform Al-Jumu’ah prayer and he does not separate two people (meaning does not causes them to hate each other or doesn’t intrude between them), then does the “Sunnah”, then listens carefully and humbly to the Imam while giving the Khuttbah without speaking or paying attention to any thing else, then Allah SWT shall forgive his sins from that Jumu’ah to the next Jumu’ah” [Bukhari]

Also, one needs to bear in mind that along with the physical cleanliness, Islamic teachings encourage us to have a clean appearance. Rasulallah SAW encouraged people to wear clean clothes when coming to Jummua Salaat and it was his own noble practice to wear the best clothing when coming for the Salaat ul Jummah.

Our ibaadah depends on our cleanliness, both of our hearts and of are body.
May Allah SWT give us the ability to understand the commandments of Allah SWT and to implement them in our daily life.

Wa ma Taufiqi Illah Billah.

Special thanks to الشیخ احمد الزارع
Delivered at Fredericton Islamic Association, Masjid on June 1, 2007