Hajj: On Blocking Access to the Ka'aba

Ever since the great Sultan Salahauddin Ayyubi (ra) took up the title "Servant of the Two Holy Mosques"  (Khadim Al-Haramain Al-Sharifain) in the medieval ages as a mark of his quest to attain nearness to Allah (swt) while he was fighting the infidels in the Crusades, many other Muslim monarchs who presided over the holy land of Makkah and Madina continued to assume this title in their times. These days, the Saudi Arabian monarchs take pride in describing their official title as the Khadim Al-Haramain Al-Sharifain, pointing to the significance of the Two Holy Mosques and the land of Makkah and Madina in Muslim spiritual and political imagination.The title refers to their important responsibility for the upkeep of mosques and holy sites within Makkah and Madina and protection of pilgrims on the Hajj. 

As the land of Makkah and Madina belong to every Muslim, all Muslims have a right to visit the Holy lands to perform the religious rites. Sectarian differences among Muslim communities and political disputes among Muslim nations are part of the existential condition of the Islamic world today. These disputes and issues should never be used as a pretext to discriminate against specific groups of Muslims or to upset the Divine order that mandates the free flow of pilgrimage into Islam's holiest shrines. Most certainly, the men whom claim to be the "trustees and stewards  of the Holy Places" have no business creating barriers in the sacred journeys of all  or any of God's devotees- regardless of their denominational identity or national origin.  

The Saudi leadership, however, has a dismal record of playing politics with Hajj in more recent times. Recently, in the aftermath of the economic blockade by the Saudi-led four nations against it, the State of Qatar has complained that its nationals are unable to register through the official channels for the Hajj this year as a direct consequence of the blockade measures instituted by the Saudi authorities due to political disputes. Likewise, speaking against the backdrop of Iranian pilgrims facing problems at the hands of the Saudi authorities, the Iranian spiritual leader Ayatullah Khamenei recently made an instructive statement:  

“The land of Mecca belongs to all Muslims. No one should think they can do whatever they want on this land. All Muslims have the same right with regard to Mecca and Medina.

“No one should manipulate and prevent the concepts of Hajj, or the points and rituals that exist in Hajj. The individuals and the government that prevent these concepts are, indeed, “creating an obstacle in the way of God” [Quran: 2:217]. The Ka'aba belongs to all the Muslims. According to the Quran, Holy Mecca belongs to all Muslims and all Muslims have the same right over Mecca and Medina. No one should think they can do whatever they want on this land.

He went on to say: “Unfortunately, the government of Saudi Arabia creates problems for the Hajj pilgrims and prevents some rituals to be performed; even though, it is righteous to allow them perform those rituals. These issues must be regarded as the Muslims’ demands, which should not be forgotten".

In his Eid-ul-Adha Sermon of 22 August 2018 (10 Dhul-Hijjah 1439 AH), Hadhrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius spoke movingly about the plight of the Ahmadi Muslims in our times who are unable to access the land of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) for the purpose of accomplishing their devotional obligations relating to the fifth pillar of Islam. In countries like Pakistan and elsewhere, in passport/visa applications for purposes of Hajj and Umrah visits, all Muslims had been forced to declare statements denying and condemning the Promised Massih (as). Such mindless sectarian prejudices and administrative highhandedness by the authorities smack of Pharoahan tactics. Drawing on Qur'anic teachings and the Holy Prophet (sa)'s instructions, Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) calls for intense soul-searching by those concerned before it is too late for them. 

Read the Extracts from the Eid Sermon: 

Eid-ul-Adha: The Significance of 'Qurbani'

Every religion has certain rituals. They are worn as ornaments and become the very face of religion. It is important to value these rituals in order to situate oneself in religion. Islam is a religion that includes two days of the year that are celebrated ritually and which therefore have more religious significance than others: Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha.

Note that these two festivals each have a special prayer. In fact, before the arrival of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) in Medina, its inhabitants celebrated two other days of the year. When the Prophet of Allah (pbuh) arrived there, he said, “You had two days when you would play, but Allah (swt) has given Muslims something instead that is better than them: the day of Al-Fitr and the day of Al-Adha.” (Nasai)

The days of Eid are the only festivals of the Islamic calendar. These two days of celebration each include a special prayer. The Muslim therefore celebrates his festivals with more prayer and fervour in thanking his Lord for all the favours He pours on him. It is therefore with an additional prayer that the Muslim expresses his joy while thanking his Creator.

And on the occasion of the Eid-ul-Adha, it is with the sacrifice of an animal in the name of Allah that he thanks his Lord and shows generosity to the poor.

The term “Qurbani” is derived from the word “Al-Qurban” which means any work that leads to divine proximity. Thus, every religious service is called ‘Qurbah’ or holy work and especially sacrifices. (Inset: a picture from the Hajj of 1953 when the pilgrims were able to choose the animals they wanted for Qurbani and would keep their livestock with them during the Hajj)

The Holy Prophet (pbuh) reports that our Lord (Allah) has said, “My servant constantly approaches me by performing additional acts of devotion until I grant him My affection. Thus, I become his ear by which he hears, his eyes by which he sees ... And if he asks Me something, I grant it to him and if he seeks My protection, I protect him.” (Bukhari).

This day of Eid-ul-Adha leads us to reflect on the sacrifices offered by Ibrahim (as) to his Lord: the hardships of emigration, being thrown into the fire and being separated from his family among others. And moreover, Allah the Exalted ordered him to sacrifice his son Ismail (as). He submitted to the divine will and placed the knife on the neck of his son to slit his throat.

But Allah the Exalted decreed that Hazrat Ismail (as) was not going to be sacrificed and he was thus spared, and this human sacrifice was replaced by the sacrifice of a sheep. By this, Allah the Exalted wanted to fill Muslims with benefits compared to fellow Christians and Jews, but for that it was necessary to offer in sacrifice Ismail (as), father-ascendant (biological ancestor) of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said, “I am the son of two sacrificed people.” (Mustadrak Hakim) Ismail (as), the eldest son of Ibrahim (as) and father of the Arabs, and Abdullah, the biological father of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). Both were about to be sacrificed.

It is to revive the memory of the spirit of sacrifice of Ibrahim (as) that one is called every year to sacrifice animals during the days of Eid-ul-Adha. The sacrifice of animals during the 10^th of Dhul-Hijjah is an integral symbol of Islam. Allah the Exalted said: “And the camels and cattle We have appointed for you as among the symbols of Allah.” (Al-Hajj 22: 37).

Makkah & Madina: 'Hajj' & 'Ziarat'

 Hajj: the Sacrifice of Abraham (as)

Whenever Hajj is evoked, the Sacrifice of Abraham (as) is also evoked. It is reported that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “When anyone of you intends to sacrifice the animal and enter in the month of Dhul-Hijjah (since the first of Dhul-Hijjah), he should not get his hair cut or nails pared till he has offered his sacrifice.” (Muslim).

So it is recommended for all those taking part in the animals (the Qurbani) not to cut their hair from the 1^st of Dhul-Hijjah. Note that the days and nights of Dhul-Hijjah are sacred and therefore fast (maximise this time in fasting) and do good works. Do not have suspicions, and do not make palavers, do not argue because all this is the work of Satan. Allah and His angels do not stay among those categories of people. Respect the elders, have love and obedience for them, supplicate Allah (Duahs) and remember Him (Zikrullah), read the Qur’an, try to transform yourselves, move away from evil deeds, replace all bad deeds with good deeds, so that you can have the love of Allah and that Allah (swt) be pleased with you.

It is Allah Who is the Almighty, the Creator of all things. He does not need our prayers and our actions as He clearly tells us in the Holy Qur’an:

“The first House (of worship) appointed for men was that at Bakkah (i.e. Makkah): Full of blessing and of guidance for all the worlds (for all people): In it are clear signs (such as) the standing place of Abraham. And whoever enters it shall be safe. Pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to Allah - for whoever is able to find thereto a way. And whoever disbelieves, then surely Allah is not in need of (any of His) creation.” (Al-Imran 3: 97-98).

In many other verses this concept is clearly exposed to humanity that Allah (swt) has no need of creatures and their prayers. This is also repeated in a Hadith Qudsi (Sacred Hadith) where Allah says:

“O My servants, you will not attain harming Me so as to harm Me, and you will not attain benefiting Me so as to benefit Me. O my servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to become as pious as the most pious heart of any one man of you, that would not increase My kingdom in anything. O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to be as wicked as the most wicked heart of any one man of you, that would not decrease My kingdom in anything. O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to rise up in one place and make a request of Me, and were I to give everyone what he requested, that would not decrease what I have, any more than a needle decreases the sea if put into it.” (Muslim, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah).

‘Days of Noah’ over Kerala

"And indeed, We sent Moses with Our signs: Bring out your people from the depths of darkness into light. Remind them of the Days of God:" (Surah Ibrahim, 14: 5). 

Less than a year back, at the beginning of the present Islamic year AH 1439, Imam Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam, Hadhrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius made a Divinely-inspired Sermon, cautioning the peoples everywhere about the impending calamities that are about to strike around the world, including the Indian Ocean region. In that Friday Sermon of 29 September 2017, Hadhrat Saheb (atba) specifically cautioned against the dangers from looming calamities such as devastating floods in our times:

“Today is the 8th of Muharram of the year 1439 AH… I ask you to listen to all that I am telling you. From this Muharram 1439 AH to the next Muharram 1440 AH - believe me brothers and sisters - there are a lot of happenings/ events/ catastrophes which shall occur: earthquakes, floods, lots of people shall lose their lives, atrocious crimes, wars/ fights (nations against nations), blood of innocents shall be shed... 

I ask you to take this into consideration and start counting - from the 1st Muharram of this New Year 1439 AH till its end. Write down all that which shall happen throughout the world and even small islands and even all that which is found in the Indian Ocean (and its vicinity) shall not be spared from divine punishment, in the form of earthquakes, floods, great wars which shall be very difficult to stop.

Believe in what I am saying. O Muslims and Humanity at large. Take precautions and stock your food- buy, keep, preserve….”

Speaking against the backdrop of the deluge in Mauritius earlier this year, Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) further repeated the Divine reminder: 

“O all of you, you are not safe. No country in the world will be spared, even you who live on the islands. No divinity of your imagination can help you. I see with the eye of my Lord (Allah) many terrifying things that will seize this world....O humanity, the decrees of God will be inevitably executed, and you will see the coming days as the days of Noah...” (Friday Sermon of 26 January 2018---08 Jamad'ul Awwal 1439 AH).

The Kerala Floods

Nature's fury in the form of torrential rains has engulfed most parts of Kerala this week. The land and its people are in profound pain, perplexed by the sudden hardships enveloping them. The magnitude of the disruption of everyday life in the otherwise scenic Indian State is mind-numbing. As one scribbles down this note, the “God’s own country” (as Kerala is known), is battling one of the worst floods in all of its modern history. 

With the India Meteorological Department predicting heavy rains for the next two days as well, the ground situation is being viewed as extremely grave. With heavy rainfalls in the catchment areas of major reservoirs across the State and the opening of all shutters of all major dams including Mullaperiyar, Cheruthoni, part of Idukki reservoir, and Idamalayar, lives of people in downstream areas have been severely affected, for areas and villages where floods had never occurred are witnessing inundation. 

Heavy water-logging has disrupted the road, rail traffic across the State, and even flight operations at the Kochi airport will remain suspended for the next 10 days. With telecommunication lines down, and electricity transmission cut off, thousands of flood victims remain marooned in their own residences/places without access to essential help. The death toll in the ongoing rain-and flood-related incidents (including landslips) has already crossed 150, with more than 2,23,000 people shifted to over 1550 relief camps across the State. Rescue operators fear that due to the heavy inflow of water, the death toll would go up.

The Laws of Inheritance in Islam-II

In his Friday Sermon of 10 August 2018 (27 Dhul-Qaddah 1439 AH), Hadhrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius provides a magisterial survey of Islamic inheritance law. In this significant discourse, Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) elaborates on the the most important features of the normative framework of Islam on matters of inheritance succession and comprehensively explains the profound obligations on devout Muslims in this regard- of making clear distributive arrangements for smooth transitions in matters of succession. Acknowledging that the subject is vast, complex and delicate, Hadhrat Saheb (atba) underscores the need for careful handling of the question at the various levels "with honesty and Taqwah": individual believers need to draw up clear testamentary declaration (Will); influential/powerful legal heirs need to respect the rights of the vulnerable ones and also serve the pecuniary interests of other non-heir, but close persons of the deceased through gifts; the State/Jamaat officials need to ensure that justice is done to all parties involved. 

The Sahih Al Islam Blog has published the First-part of this vital sermon on August 14, 2018. Reproduced below are the second and final installment of the Two-part series:

THE WIFE’S CHILDREN FROM A PREVIOUS MARRIAGE

If a woman had children with another husband, and after divorce, Talaq, she contracts Nikah with another man, then the children of this woman from her previous marriage are not eligible to receive anything from the inheritance of their mother’s new husband.

INHERITANCE OF A LEGITIMATE CHILD

According to Shariah, a child born in the Nikah of his parents is a legitimate child and thus he shall inherit from his mother and father. Shariah acknowledges the legitimate pregnancy of a woman whose biological child is born between 6 months and two years.

Explanation : If a child is born five months after the date of the Nikah or more than two years after the death of the father (its mother’s husband), then the child shall not be legitimate for the father and thus shall not inherit from him. [But Allah knows best. It may be that Allah manifests exceptions and extraordinary miracles.

The Laws of Inheritance in Islam-I

All that is on earth and in the heavens originally and truly belong to God, and shall finally return to Him, so declares the Qur'an emphatically. Whether the humans like it or not, our moment in the universe is brief and transitory in the onward march of history- to succeed people who go ahead of us and to be succeeded by people who come after us. The riches and affluence of this world is only for a period of time- and the ultimate end of all affairs is with God. Among the attributive Names of God, the Qur'an speaks about "Al Waris", the Supreme Heir: "It is We who give life and death; it is We who inherit (everything)"---(Surah Al-Hijr, 15:24). The Qur’an thus provides an ethical framework for the believers to look at questions of property, wealth and possessions: upon the death of a person, all property returns to God and the portion to legal heirs are apportioned by Divine Decree, leading to the Divine redistribution of the wealth of the deceased. 

Under the Qur'anic framework on succession, both men and women among family relations- children, parents, siblings and spouses- are entitled for a fixed and mandatory share of the wealth of their deceased relatives. “Men have a share in (the assets) that their parents or nearest kin leave behind, and women (also) have a share in the inheritance of their parents and the nearest kin. Be it small or large, the share has been fixed (by Allah)”. (Surah Al-Nisa, 4: 08).  Other verses in the Qur'an (4:12-14;177) identify the specific rules for apportioning the estate by Divine Decree. The prescribed shares of the male and female heirs are to be distributed among them after the payment of debts- including funeral expenses- and the fulfillment of the Will the believer may have made prior to death. 

On the basis of Qur'anic rules of inheritance, the Holy Prophet (sa) issued practical guidance on new issues that emerged in the context of the companions' family lives, especially on matters that the Qur’an did not specifically comment upon. For instance, to strike a balance between a person's right to bequeath his property by will to other than one's legal heirs prior to death and to protect the interests of the legal heirs, it was clarified that not more than one-third of the estate can be given away in such a manner. Through the centuries, by applying reasoning and analogy, Muslims have evolved a vast corpus of jurisprudence (Fiqh) on the distribution of shares in varying contexts of the life of the Ummah. In his Friday Sermon of 10 August 2018 (27 Dhul-Qaddah 1439 AH), Hadhrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius provides a magisterial survey of the most important features of Islamic inheritance law and comprehensively explains the profound obligations on devout Muslims in this regard- of making distributive arrangements for smooth transitions in the wealth and assets they (are to) leave behind, and also to respect the rights of women and other vulnerable legal heirs in matters of succession. 

Read the First part of the Two-part Sermon Below:   

According to Quran and Hadith, according to Shariah, it is incumbent on a Muslim to distribute his wealth among his heirs. It is thus his duty to make all necessary procedures so that after his demise, his wealth is distributed as per the commandments of Allah and His Messenger (pbuh). 

The share (fraction/ percentage) that a wife or a husband or a mother or a sister receive is obligatory (Farz) just like Salaat/ Namaz, Sawm/ Roza, Zakaat are Farz. The proportion that we have to distribute in inheritance comes essentially from the Quran. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has said: “Learn the laws of inheritance and teach them to others as they are half of knowledge…” (Mustadrak Al Saheehain).

Pride and Prejudice in the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya

O my Lord! Grant unto us wives and offspring who will be the comfort of our eyes, and give us (the grace) to lead the righteous. (Al-Furqan 25: 75).

Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate now after Thou hast guided us, but grant us mercy from Thine own Presence; for Thou art the Grantor of bounties without measure. (Al-Imran 3: 9).

Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error. (Al-Baqara 2: 287).

Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Blot out our sins, and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. Thou art our Protector; Help us against those who stand against faith. (Al-Baqara 2: 287).

 'Practice' versus 'preaching' in the Nizam-e-Jamaat

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community headed by a man-elected caliph deceives the world with his beautiful speeches about peace and the need to have Love for All and Hatred for None.

As Caliph and Messenger of Allah, it is my duty to put before the world, especially in front of all Ahmadi Muslims around the world, the true face of their present caliph, who certainly does not practice what he preaches.

The Break-up of Ahmadi Families in Mauritius

To hide his face, he tells people who ask him questions about the current situation in Mauritius, a situation that for more than seventeen years has turned sour in the Ahmadiyya Community of Mauritius, [that everything is fine]. With the instructions, directives that come directly from the current caliph, the chiefs of the Jamaat Ahmadiyya in Mauritius are doing whatever they like by implementing what they call, the caliph’s instructions, such instructions that they absolutely must implement, despite the fact that these same instructions are against the vital teachings of the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), and even the teachings of the Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as).

In view of the world, the caliph preaches peace, he is a peaceful man, a man of peace. He insists that there is no problem in Mauritius, that everything is fine in the best of all worlds! But in truth, the more he masks the break-up and massacres in the Jamaat Ahmadiyya in Mauritius and elsewhere in the world within the Ahmadi families, the more the truth turns into a powerful wave to reverse his Machiavellian plans. He takes himself as a gatherer, but in truth he is only a man who wants to divide families and break the Muslim unity and family union.

'Learn to Forgive: Gain God's Mercy'

Many of you (Muslims) do not speak to one another, your brothers and sisters. How many daughters-in-law do not speak to their mothers-in-law anymore? Worse, even between parents and their children, there is no longer the flow of communication. This list unfortunately remains very long.

It goes without saying that a true believer seeks the forgiveness of Allah, but one of the actions we forsake, whether through ignorance or ego, is to forgive the one who has wronged us. It is good to know that Allah forgives whom He wills: “He forgives whom He wills, and punishes whom He wills. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (Al-Imran 3: 130).

A question we can ask ourselves - Why do I have to forgive? If Allah forgives us, despite all our shortcomings, all our faults and bad deeds, how is it so difficult for me to forgive my mother, my father, my own brother or my own sister, my children, in-laws etc.?

It is the quality of the prophets of Allah to forgive. But we are not prophets, you would say to me. But the prophets are the best creatures of Allah that we must take as models. When studying their lives, it will be noticed that they have won people’s hearts by forgiving them. This is the quality of a good servant of Allah. In the Holy Quran, Allah (swt) tells us that among the Muttaqun who will enter paradise, are those who have forgiven their brothers. If we really want to be considered as such, then we must develop in ourselves the will to forgive our brothers and sisters; Allah says concerning the Muttaqi: “(Those) who restrain their anger and forgive others [...]”. (Al-Imran 3: 135).

What makes one a Muttaqi is his capacity to control his anger and despite his strength and courage, he forgives those who have wronged him. We are not dishonoured by forgiving. He who forgives his brother, not only does he lose nothing, but is honoured by Allah. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Allah will raise (the status/ degree of) the one who forgives for the sake of Allah.” (Muslim).

Death and the Purpose of Life

"Exalted is He who holds all control in His hands; who has power over all things; who created death and life to test you and reveal which of you does best- He is the Mighty, the Forgiving"-- (Surah Mulk, 67: 2-3).

"God has humbled the son of Adam with death, and has made the world an abode of life, then an abode of death, and made the Hereafter an abode of recompense, then an abode of eternal abiding" --- Prophet Muhammad (sa)  

As a religion, Islam is an appeal to the conscience of the humans to deploy their God-given Free Will to lead a clear and pure life in the path of God. It is an open invitation to everyone to recognize the true purpose of life- the Worship of the Divine to the exclusion of all other so called 'deities'- by purifying their souls, by getting rid of the spiritual and moral diseases that otherwise come in the way of such higher realization. And 'Muslims' are those who subordinate and surrender their personal needs and desires to conform to the Will and commandments of Allah and His Messenger and strive in His cause. The trade-off they have to make is between the chance gains of this life and the enduring rewards of the Hereafter. Hence, to live in obedience to the dictates of religion and to die in that state of submission to the Will of Allah, is a conscious choice that every true believer makes through her belief and practice in every day life. 

In his Friday Sermon of 20 July 2018 (06 Dhul Qaddah 1439 AH), Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius speaks about the transient nature of our worldly life to remind us about the inevitability of our accountability in the world to come. 

In this eloquent discourse steeped in Qur'anic wisdom and illuminating insights, Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) provides a series of practical guidelines that followers of the Divine Path can keep in mind in their everyday life. For, everyone has to be prepared to face the record of their deeds on the Day of Resurrection. As Hadhrat Saheb (atba) notes, a believer can prepare herself for that ultimate reality of Facing God on the Day of Judgement in the following way: by recognizing the truthfulness of the Divine Messages and prophecies chronicled in the Qur'an and the Ahadith; by learning from the exemplary lives of the Divine servants of the past; by recognizing the value of invoking fervent prayers directed to the court of the Almighty for steadfastness and courage to remain in the spiritual path, and also by recalling the fleeting nature of life and the unavoidable journey to the grave after death. It is also instructive to note that embracing the True Path/Faith is a favour that one does to one's own self and nobody else, and it is certainly not a favour to God. Our extolling God cannot add to His glory, nor does our disobedience to His Elects can take away of His grandeur and dignity. On the other hand, when you earnestly strive in the path of glorification and sublime obedience, God bestows purification and radiance to your soul in this very world- indeed happy endings are for the truly devout. Whether to remain in obedience to God and receive the benefits of enduring blessings, or to disobey the Divine commands in search of fleeting pleasures that will only bring ultimate loss- that is the choice that every human has to make in life, reminds Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba).  

Read the Friday Sermon Below: 

Recall Death

For all of us, our journey on earth is limited. Sooner or later we will have to return to our Creator and present ourselves before Him. Those who fear Allah the most have only one wish, which is, to stay in His obedience - the obedience of Allah - throughout their lives. This, in order to prevent them from dying while they were in disobedience of Allah because the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, “Every slave will be resurrected in the state upon which he died” (Muslim)

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) here speaks of our state when we die either as a disbeliever or as a believer. Each individual must therefore seek by all means to hold firm to his faith, the true faith (i.e. Islam), throughout his life on earth so that when he dies, despite that his family may be crying over losing a loved one, but the person (now dead), will be happy to join his Creator. For this, he must:

(1) Believe in the word of Allah and Muhammad (pbuh).

It is so easy for us to believe in the words of people like us. If we are told that tomorrow there will be an increase in the price of fuel, how many of us will rush today itself to the gas stations to refuel?

In the fourth chapter of the Holy Quran, Allah says: “Allah! There is no god but He: He will surely gather you together on the Day of Judgment, about which there is no doubt. And whose word can be truer than Allah’s?” (An-Nisa, 4: 88)