By World Assembly of Muslim Youth

How Do Muslims View Death?

Muslims believe that almighty Allah has given them two lives, one which is short lived, temporary and finite, known as worldly life and the other one the life hereafter, which is eternal and infinite. Worldly life is a trial in preparation for the next realm of existence. When a Muslim dies, he or she is washed and wrapped in a clean, white cloth (usually by a family member) and buried after a special prayer, preferably the same day. Muslims consider this a final service that they can do for their relatives and an opportunity to remember that their own existence here on earth is brief. All the Prophets of God called their people to worship God and to believe in life after death. They laid so much emphasis on the belief in life after death that even a slight doubt in it meant denying God and made all other beliefs meaningless. The belief in life after death not only guarantees success in the Hereafter but also makes this world full of peace and happiness by making individuals most responsible and dutiful in their activities. Think of the people of Arabia before the arrival of the Prophet Muhammad . Gambling, wine, tribal feuds, plundering and murdering were their main traits when they had no belief in life after death. But as soon as they accepted the belief in the One God and life after death they became the most disciplined nation of the world. They gave up their vices, helped each other in hours of need, and settled all their disputes on the basis of justice and equality. Similarly the denial of life after death has its consequences not only in the Hereafter but also in this world. When a nation as a whole denies it, all kinds of evils and corruption become rampant in that society and ultimately it is destroyed. The Quran mentions the terrible end of Aad, Thamud and the Pharaoh in some detail: [The tribes of] Thamud and Aad denied the Striking Calamity [i.e. the Resurrection]. So as for Thamud, they were destroyed by the overpowering [blast]. And as for Aad, they were destroyed by a screaming, violent wind which He [i.e. God] imposed upon them for seven nights and eight days in succession, so you would see the people therein fallen as if they were hollow trunks of palm trees. Then do you see of them any remains? And there came Pharaoh and those before him and the overturned cities (i.e. those to which Lot was sent) with sin. And they disobeyed the messenger of their Lord, so He seized them with a seizure exceeding [in severity]. Indeed, when the water overflowed, We carried you [i.e. your ancestors] in the sailing ship (i.e. which was constructed by Noah). That We might make it for you a reminder and [that] a conscious ear would be conscious of it. (Quran, 69:4-12)

Events of the Day of Judgment

God states in the Quran about the events of the Day of Judgment: Then when the Horn is blown with one blast, and the earth and the mountains are lifted and leveled with one blow [i.e. stroke] - Then on that Day, the Occurrence [i.e. Resurrection] will occur, And the heaven will split [open], for that Day it is infirm (i.e. weak, enfeebled and unstable). And the angels are at its edges. And there will bear the Throne of your Lord above them, that Day, eight [of them]. That Day, you will be exhibited [for judgment]; not hidden among you is anything concealed (i.e. any person or any secret you might attempt to conceal).

So as for he who is given his record in his right hand, he will say, Here, read my record! Indeed, I was certain that I would be meeting my account. So he will be in a pleasant life - In an elevated Garden, Its [fruit] to be picked hanging near. [They will be told], Eat and drink in satisfaction for what you put forth (i.e. literally, advanced in anticipation of reward in the Hereafter) in the days past. But as for he who is given his record in his left hand, he will say, Oh, I wish I had not been given my record, and had not known what is my account. I wish it [i.e. my death] had been the decisive one (i.e. ending life rather than being the gateway to eternal life). My wealth has not availed me. Gone from me is my authority. [God will say], Seize him and shackle him. Then into Hellfire drive him. Then into a chain whose length is seventy cubits insert him. Indeed, he did not used to believe in God, the Most Great. (Quran, 69:13-33) The Prophet Muhammad taught that three things continue to benefit a [believing] person even after death - charity which he had given (which continues to benefit others), beneficial knowledge which he had left behind (i.e. authored or taught), and supplication on his behalf by a righteous child (Narrated by Saheeh Muslim). Thus, there are very convincing reasons to believe in life after death: 1) All the Prophets of God have called their people to believe in it. 2) Whenever a human society is built on the basis of this belief, it has been the most ideal and peaceful society, free of social and moral evils. 3) History bears witness that whenever this belief is rejected collectively by a group of people in spite of the repeated warning of the Prophet, the group as a whole has been punished by God even in this world. 4) Moral, aesthetic and rational faculties of man endorse the possibility of the life after death. 5) Gods attributes of Justice and Mercy have no meaning if there is no life after death.
Almighty Allah bestowed the human beings with a lot of Blessings, gifts, skills etc and bestowed him the title Ashraf alMakhlukat (The Supreme Creature or the crown of the creations). Allah revealed His last revelation (holy Quran) to Prophet Muhammad (SAW), the Seal of the prophets. Holy Quran is a comprehensive, authentic and complete book guiding man in every aspect of life, writes TAUSEEF PARRAY Allah has bestowed mankind both with this worldly life and with life hereafter. This worldly life, according to the Quran, is very little small and lasting as compared to the life hereafter which is forever/ everlasting and permanent. In various verses holy Quran declares, on the one side, this worldly life as play, amusement and past time and on the other side, the life hereafter as everlasting, permanent, eternal life that will never end and above all that is the life indeed. Holy Quran regards this worldly life a brief enjoyment (13:26); a deceiving thing (31:185); play and amusement (6:32 & 29:64) and its example is given [in (18:45)] as: It is like the water (rain) which we send down from the sky and the vegetation of the earth mingles with its and becomes fresh and green. But (later) it becomes dry and broken pieces, which the winds scatter (18:45)

WORLDLY LIFE

Every soul shall have a taste of death: And only on the Day of Judgment shall you be paid your full recompense. Only he who is saved far from the Fire and admitted to the Garden will have attained the object (of Life): For the life of this world only the enjoyment of deception (a deceiving thing) (3:185). In this verse this worldly life is compared with deception and it becomes clear that worldly life is non permanent, and is a deceiving thing, so one should try his utmost not to be deceived by this worldly life. Another place holy Quran declares this life as play, amusement, pastime etc.

And the life of this world is nothing but play and amusement, but for better is the house and the hereafter for those who are pious, will you not then understand. (6:32) From this verse it is clear that in comparison to the hereafter, the worldly life is nothing but an amusement and a play and in the hereafter to best house (Paradise) will be given/ bestowed to those who are pious and righteous persons, who fear Allah much and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds, which Allah has forbidden.

Know ye (all), that the life of this world is but play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting and multiplying, (in rivalry) among yourselves, riches and children. Here is a similitude: How rain and the growth which it brings forth, delight (the hearts of) the tillers; soon it withers; thou wilt see it grow yellow; then it becomes dry and crumbles away. But in the Hereafter is a Penalty severe (for the devotees of wrong). And Forgiveness from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure (for the devotees of Allah.. And what is the life of this world, but goods and chattels of deception? Holy Quran also warns of the dire punishment to those who sold their hereafter for this worldly life. Holy Quran declares:

Those are they who have bought the life of this world at the cost of price of the hereafter. Their torment shall not be lightened nor shall they be helped. (2:86)

Again holy Quran declares Are you pleased with the life of this world rather than the hereafter. But little is the enjoyment of the life of this world as compared to the hereafter. (9:38) Regarding this verse (9:38) Prophet (SAW) is reported to have said: No body who dies and finds good from Allah (in the Hereafter) would wish to come back to this world, even if he were given the whole world and what ever is in it except the matyr who, on seeing and get killed again (in Allahs cause). (Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol 4, Hadith no. 53; quoted in The Noble Quran) Thus, it is clear from the above mentionied verse (9:38) and hadith, that the value of hereafter can never be compared to this world and whatever is in it. Although human being who intends more and more (as Prophet (SAW) said, If son of Adam is bestowed with two valleys of gold, he will inted/ desire for a third one) after being rewarded good in the hereafter will never wish to come back to world. This clearly shows the value of worldly life as compared to hereafter. This is understood only by those who know, who understand, who think, who parder, who reflect and who are the men of wisdom, understanding and reason. There is also a lesson in it for men of understanding rather for true believers.

LIFE HEREAFTER
About life hereafter holy Quran says: . They will say, we bear witness against ourselves. It was the life of this world that deceive them. And they will bear witness against themselves that they were disbelievers (6:130). In verse 33-35 of chapter 43 and 169 of chapter 7 holy Quran says that life hereafter is better only for those who are al-Mutaqqin (the pious). They will be provided with silver roofs, elavators door (of silver) and thrones (of silver) and adornments of gold (which is only an enjoyment) in the hereafter. Once again in verse (28:83) holy Quran declares that those who rebel against the truth, do oppression and mischief for them is Hell (painful torment) and the home of the hereafter (paradise) is assigned to those who rebel not against the truth, not do oppression and mischief in the land i.e. good end is for those who are pious and righteous,. Quran also clearly declares that disbelievers love this worldly life more and they forget hereafter. Verily, these (disbelievers) love the present life of this world, and put behind them a heavy Day (that will be hard) (76:27). But the disbelievers prefer this worldly life, although the hereafter is better and more lasting (87: 16,17). Also (93:4) declares: And indeed the hereafter is better for you than the present life of the world). If any body is punished by Allah in this world, that punishment is very small/ little in comparison to the punishment of hereafter, as holy Quran says: Such is the punishment (in this life), but truly the punishment of the hereafter is greater if they but know. (68:33) So, keeping in view these Quranic verses and ahadith, this worldly life is nothing but a brief enjoyment, a valueless thing, a play and amusement, past time, a deceiving thing, non permanent, non eternal, an abode for sometime etc. Every Muslim should try his utmost not to remain busy with this worldly life as the life of hereafter is far better, external, a reward, more lasting, better than present etc. for those who are pious, righteous- who fear and love Allah much, abstain from all-kinds of sins and evil-deeds.

THE MOMENT OF DEATH

And the pain of death will bring Truth before them.

Yea, when (the soul) reaches to the collar-bone (in its exit), And there will be a cry, "Who is a magician (to restore him)?" And he will conclude that it was (the Time) of Parting; And one leg will be joined with another:Grave is the first step towards hereafter

GRAVE

Allah keeps firm those who believe, with the firm word, in worldly life and in the Hereafter. And Allah sends astray the wrongdoers. And Allah does what He wills. [Ibrahim 14:27] Al-Bara ibn Azib, May Allah be pleased with him, said: this verse is revealed to tell about torment in the grave.

Transliteration: Fainna Lahu Ma` shatan ank an Wa Na shuruhu Yawma Al-Qiy mati A`m Abu Huraira, May Allah be pleased with him, said the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: do you know for whom this verse was revealed: indeed, he will have a depressed life [Taha 20:124] They answered that God and his Messenger Know better. He said: it is revealed to tell about the torment the unbeliever in his grave. By God, NINETY NINE DRAGONS are assigned for him, do you know what a DRAGON IS! It consists of NINETY NINE SNAKES, each snake has SEVEN HEADS THAT BITE AND SNAP HIM TILL THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. Uthman ibn Affan, May Allah be pleased with him, would not weep if paradise or hell were mentioned, but he would shed tears till soaking his beard if the grave was mentioned. He was asked: paradise and hell do not make you cry but mentioning the grave put you into tears, why?. He answered: the grave is the first step to the Hereafter, if you survive the grave what follows is lesser, if you do not survive what follows is more difficult. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: fearing that you would stop burying you dead I would have asked God to allow you to hear the torment of the grave. Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, always asked Gods refuge from the torment of the grave. Did you contemplate the dark grave when closed, the enquiry of the two angles; the inquiry of Munkir and Nakeer?

HORROR OF THE GRAVE Umar Ibn Abdul-Aziz, may God rest his soul, told some of his companions: I have spent the night sleeplessly thinking of the grave and its habitant, if you saw the dead person three days after being buried you would hate being near it after your long lived close relation. You would see a home of vermin, puss, worms instead of good shape, perfumed breath and clean garments.

PIETY A MAIN SUPPORT IN THE GRAVE When Ali Ibn Abi-Talib returned from Seffin and was about the graveyards said: O people of lonely homes and empty places houses have been dwelled, espouses have been married, money has been distributed; this is our news, what about yours? Then he turned to his companions and said: if they had permission to talk they would tell you that the best provision is piety. JOURNEY OF BELIEVER AND DISBELIEVER Al-Barra Ibn Azib said: we went with the Prophet, peace be upon him, to a funeral of a man from al-Ansaar (people of Medina), we reached the grave and the man was not buried yet, the Prophet sat and we sat around him, as silent as dead, He had a small stick in his hand scraping the ground with it. He raised his head and said three times: ask God refuge from the torment of the grave, then he continued: when a true believer is about to die, white faced angles, as bright as the sun, descend from heaven for him till they sit where he can see them, they bring along shrouds from paradise, and (hunut) embalmment of paradise, then the Angle of Death comes and sits by his head and say: O peaceful soul, come out to the forgiveness and blessings of God, it comes out as smoothly as a drop of water flows, the Angle takes the soul and, with a blink of an eye, shrouds and embalms it in the shroud and embalmment of paradise, it comes out bearing the best smell of musk found on earth. The Prophet said: the angles ascend to heaven, whenever they pass by a group of angles they wonder: what is this good spirit? They answer: he is so and so, calling him with his favorable names, until they reach the first heaven and ask permission to enter. He is granted the permission and is accompanied by heavenly people of each heaven to the following one till he reaches the seventh heaven. God Almighty says: record his book of deeds in illiyyun (the highest of the highest), turn him back to earth, I have created them from earth, to earth I return them and from earth I will resurrect them. The Prophet said: so his soul is returned to his body, two angles come and make him sit down, they ask: who is your God? he answers: my God is Allah. They ask: what is your religion? he answers: my religion is Islam. They say: who is this man who is sent for you?, he says: he is the Messenger of Allah. They ask: what is your education?, he answers: I have read the Holy Quran, had believed it and believed in it.. Then a voice from heaven is heard saying: my slave has spoken the truth, furnish him with heavenly furniture, dress him in heavenly garments, and open for him a port to paradise. He feels its smell and goodness, and his grave is widened. A good looking man; well dressed and nice-smelled comes and says: bear the good news; this is the day you had been promised before. The dead man asks the good looking man: who are you? Your face is ambassador of goodwill. He answers: I am your good deeds. The man asks God to be immediately resurrected to return to his family and belongings. Poor soul! Look at unbelievers, so that you heart may soften, and that you repent, consider their state: when an unbeliever is about to die, black faced angles descend from heaven for him till they sit where he can see them, they bring along rags, then the Angle of Death comes and sits by his head and say: O wicked soul, come out to the wrath and anger of God, it sinks in his body, the angle of Death brings it out, tearing veins and nerves just like skewers are separated from wet wool, the Angle takes the soul and, with a blink of an eye, puts it in the rags, it comes out bearing the stink of the most rotten corpse found on earth. The angles ascend to heaven, whenever they pass by a group of angles they wonder: what is this stinking soul? They answer: he is so and so, calling him with his worst names, until they reach the first heaven and ask permission to enter. They are denied the permission. Then the Prophet peace be upon him- recited: the gates of Heaven will not be

opened for them, nor will they enter Paradise until a camel enters into the eye of a needle [Al-A'raf 7:40] God Almighty says: record his book of deeds in sijiin (the lowest of the lowest), turn him back to earth, I have created them from earth, to earth I return them and from earth I will resurrect them. The Prophet said: so his soul is dropped fiercely. He recited: And he who associates other deities with Allah it is as though he had fallen from the sky and was snatched by the birds or the wind carried him down into a remote place. [22:31] Transliteration: Wa Man Yushrik Bill hi Fakaannam Kharra Mina As-Sam i Fatakh afuhu A - ayru Aw Tahw Bihi Ar-R u F Mak nin Sa qin Then his soul is returned to his body, two angles come and make him sit down, they ask: who is your God? he answers: ah ah I do not know. They ask: what is your religion? he answers: ah ah I do not know. Then a voice from heaven is heard saying: furnish him with hell furniture, dress him in hell garments, and open for him a port to hell fire. He feels its smell and heat, and his grave is narrowed so that his ribs mingle together. An ugly looking man; bad dressed and stinky-smelled comes and says: bear the bad news; this is the day you had been promised before. The dead man asks the good looking man: who are you? Your face is ambassador of evil. He answers: I am your bad deeds. The man asks God that the Day of Judgment would never take place. [Declared Authentic by Al-Albany] Al-Barra Ibn Azib commented on this Quranic verse:Allah keeps firm those who believe, with the firm word, in worldly life and in the Hereafter [Ibrahim 14:27] { } Transliteration: Yuthabbitu All hu Al-Ladh na man Bil-Qawli Ath-Th biti F Al- ay ati Ad-Duny Wa F Al- khirati Wa Yu illu All hu A - lim na Wa Yaf`alu All hu M Yash u That keeping firm in worldly life is when the two angles come in the grave and ask the believer: who is your God? he answers: my God is Allah. They ask: what is your religion? he answers: my religion is Islam. They say: who is your Prophet?, he says: he is Muhammad the Messenger of Allah. The Prophet, peace be upon him said: the deceased is followed by three: his money, his folks and his deeds, two leave him and return and one stays with him; his money and folks leave, and his deeds stay. [Narrated by Bukhari] So, you must visit the graveyards. Whenever your heart falls asleep emerging in worldly matters, go and visit those lying in graves. They were, not long ago, as alive as you are; eating, drinking and enjoying life. Where are they now? They are under the mercy of their deeds, whether good or evil. It is the every Muslims duty to ask God refuge from the torment of the grave. It is our duty to get prepared for the grave by good deeds before entering it; when you are still alive it is easy, once you are inside the grave you would yearn for only one hasanah (good deed) but alas! Whenever death was mentioned Umar Ibn Abdul-Aziz would tremble, it was narrated that one day he read: And, [O Muhammad], you are not [engaged] in any matter or recite any of the Quran and you [people] do not do any deed except that We are witness over you when you are involved in it[Yunus 10:61] Transliteration: Wa M Tak nu F Shanin Wa M Tatl Minhu Min Qur nin Wa L Ta`mal na Min `Amalin Ill Kunn `Alaykum Shuh d an Idh Tuf na F hi He cried so emotionally that his family heard him, his wife, Fatima came and cried with him, his son, Abdullah saw them crying, he asked: O father! What makes you cry! he answered: son, your father would rather have never been born, by God I fear that I am of the dwellers of hell.