Coping with Grief and Loss

 

The Good Manners/ Deeds When Hearing About the Death of Someone 

Hearing the news of the death of a loved one is certainly not easy for anyone with its share of sadness and grief, in addition to the preparations for the funeral. Having the right reflexes is not always easy in such a situation. I put before you today eight good things to do in these difficult times when someone dies.

Speak Well of the Dead Person

When learning of someone’s death, it is recommended to speak well of that person about the actions he did for the pleasure of Allah. At the same time, one must avoid speaking “good” [so-called good things] about his actions which were not done for the pleasure of Allah [in other words, there are those types of people who speak badly of the actions of a deceased, and they pretend not to know that what they said was not correct. They will say that on the contrary they were saying “good” for the deceased]. 

For example, avoid saying, “What a good card player he was!” Or “This person sang well”. The actions of playing cards and singing [songs that have nothing to do with Islam] are both in themselves Haram (prohibited) actions. So, pretending to flatter the deceased that he was a good card player or a good singer, it is certainly not a good thing or an honour for the deceased. So we must avoid all of this. 

It is reported by Hazrat Anas (ra): “When passing near a funeral procession and hearing the men praising the deceased, the prophet (pbuh) said three times: ‘It is assured [for him]’ [That is to say, the praise on the good deeds of the deceased will have all their importance and honour before the eyes of Allah in his favour]. 

The Signs of 'Qiyamah'- 7

The Signs of the End of Times 

The signs of Qiyamat, both predicted by the founder of Islam Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh), and also by way of divine revelations when I was preparing this sermon, are such words and happenings which, as per the revelations of Allah, despite already existed and known from before, yet their intensity will be much more grievous, much worse in this era than in the previous eras. People will take the Maal-e-Ghaneemat [spoils of war] and Amanat [trust] which are not theirs [i.e. they will take the wealth and properties of others] as their own. Some will consider the Zakaat as tax; others will learn religion only for this temporal world [only for grandeur and to benefit from the contributions of people who are contributing for religion] and they will take religion as a marketplace, as business for their own gain and to fill in their pockets. Now, we all know that this is what is exactly happening in the case of most politicians, those who make politics to garner grandeur, honour, to fill in their pockets – to spend away [waste] the money of the people – and all this is also happening in the realm of religion as well. 

The Signs of 'Qiyamah'

 

The Signs of the End of Times- 6 

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, I continue the 6^th part of my sermon today on this very important subject: “The Signs of the End of Times” - The Qiyamah and its signs, such signs which demonstrate that the Qiyamah is not too far and, is indeed close. 

This will be another great sign of Qiyamah - where the wrath of Allah is manifested - when the evildoers attack and assassinate the Amir-ul-Mumineen [Leader of the Believers]. The wrath of Allah will be upon these people. When that happens, there will be a terrible punishment that will fall from the sky; such a punishment that no one will have time to look at their own children and children will not have time to look at their own parents. 

Destiny on the ‘Bridge of Sirat’

All through history, Prophets and Sages appeared among nations calling people to the one and only God promising felicity in this life and the Gardens of Paradise in the world to come when they die and face God with the record of their deeds. “Every person’s deeds have We fastened firmly to his neck, and on the Day of Judgement We shall bring out for him a book which he will find wide open” (17:14).

Invariably, the Divine messengers also cautioned humanity against the trappings of the Satan- following in his footsteps without any moral restraints for mundane gains and glory will only invite the Fires of Hell in this world and on the Day of Reckoning: “Mutual rivalry in seeking worldly increase diverts you from God. Till you reach the graves. Nay! You will soon come to know. Nay again! You will soon come to know. Nay! If you only knew with certain knowledge, You will surely see Hell in this very life. Aye, you will surely see it with the eye of certainty. Then, on that day you shall be called to account about the worldly favours” (102: 2 - 9)    

Indeed, on the Day of Judgement, every human will face his deeds on the ground of gathering, Arz Al Mahshar.  When records speak and accounts settled on the basis of evidence by none other than Allah (swt), man will pass on the Bridge of Sirat to meet his awaited destiny. True believers, walking in the light of their pious good deeds, will become the dwellers of Paradise: “And think of the day when you will see the believing men and the believing women, their light running before them and on their right hands” (57:13)

On the other hand, the wrongdoers will have no Protective Friend, nor any help of light in that dungeon of darkness, in the way to the Valley of Hell: Like the Qur’an says: ‘On that Day, We shall seal their mouths. Their hands will speak to Us, and their feet will bear witness to that which they used to earn. And had We willed, We would have blotted out their eyes. Then they would race to Al -Sirat, yet how would they see?’ (36: 66- 67)

The Signs of 'Saa'at'- 5

 

Allah (swt) is Most Subtle, All Aware. He knows what lies in the breasts of humans in all that they say and do, whether they disclose their purpose publicly, or keep the intention, in  all secret. Allah (swt) rejects vain-glorious or vanity projects where boasting and earthly glory drive people into action, whereas Allah (swt) rewards pious works, those deeds executed solely for the purpose of seeking the approval and pleasure of Allah by respecting His Law as taught by the Prophet (sa) and following His deputies/Caliphs of Allah in every era.  

Along with showing the true Path of Life, profound Islamic teachings warn humanity against the tentacles of evil in all its manifestations in religious and secular life, especially in turbulent times when fluid conditions prevail in society, and blurring of lines are easier than ever before. That is why in seeking material riches, professional glory, societal eminence; man needs to keep in mind the true values of life as taught through Divine commandments. In the wider pursuit of pleasure and ecstacy in this world and the world to come,  he needs to be mindful of the Shariah, and discriminate between what is lawful and forbidden; while embracing what is Halal, keeping distance from the Haram. Indeed, Divine Law expects, man needs to keep all his deeds- as well as the intentions behind them- pure and lawful at all times.  

In this fascinating and perceptive discourse, delivered as the Friday Sermon of 22 October 2021~15 Rabi’ul Awwal 1443 AH, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (aba) of Mauritius continues his eloquent exposition on the Signs of the End Times- explaining sacred Qur'anic teachings and Prophetic traditions that caution and warn believers about the different types of tests and trials of Faith that they will face in the End Times. 

Read the Friday Sermon Below: 

The Signs of Holy Prophet (sa)

 

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, the month of Rabi’ul Awwal marks the month in which our beloved prophet Muhammad (pbuh) blessed this world with his physical and spiritual presence, such presence which would convert the world to the Religion of Allah. Alhamdulillah.

Books of Islamic history record many events which happened prior to, during and after the birth of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Visions were seen and miracles happened, not only in Pre-Islamic Arabia but also around the world. Today, for our Sirat-un-Nabi Programme, I would like to present you a few of these signs and miracles.

Celebrating 'Sirat-un-Nabi'

 

Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (sa), the holy founder of Islam and the greatest Prophet of all times,  left behind enduring teachings for the benefit of humankind for all times.  The Qur’an, and the sacred Prophetic Sunnah remain amongst us, to guide us from the darkness of selfish pleasures to the illumination of souls in remembrance of God. It is by striving to follow in the footsteps of the holy Prophet (sa) that true believers can lead a life that attracts the approval and pleasure of Allah (swt); a  balanced life that recognizes our duties to Allah (swt) and the responsibilities we owe to fellow human beings in society, pursuing goodness in this world and the world to come, Insha Allah.  

The Holy Prophet (sa) had penetrating insights into the future conditions of the world, especially of the events that will unfold among his people, the Muslims of the Later Days. A close reading of sacred Ahadith would leave no one in doubt about the fulfilment of those Prophetic words in the stark realities being obtained in our own times-in many different ways. While warning the Ummah about the times in which knowledge of Deen will be taken away from the society of the Muslims, it was also reassured that to renew the spiritual path of Islam, true heirs of the Holy Prophet (sa) would be raised by Allah (twt) Himself. Among the believers, it was foretold, there would be one or more savants of Faith- the pole stars of the Faith in morally-darkened times, and that these individuals and their followers would seek to revive and renew the values of Islam and Prophetic Aqidah in turbulent times.