Death. part one

A recent death in my extended family made me realize that a lot of Muslims feel helpless on someones death, since they don't know what dua - prayer- to make or how to go about it. plus, i was prompted by my family to write something on death - what to read and matters relating to it. i am no expert and am myself trying to learn. what ever i can find i will try and post on this subject. suggestions and information are also welcome. i hope this post is helpful inshÁllah.

Islam is a way of life. The Prophet PBUH used to guide the Muslims to visit the ill. firstly the person who is ill feels that there is support for him. people who care about him/her. secondly the family who is suffering also feels the support which others may not realize is much needed. thirdly and importantly the visiting people make dua [ prayer] for the ill and for themselves. it is a reminder to pray to Allah constantly to make ease for them in this world and the hereafter. to ease the suffering of their brethren and be grateful that Allah is not testing them in this manner. it is also a time for humility and generosity - if the healthy can help the ill in any manner they should do so. by supporting financially or any other way. sometimes only a smile and few kind words are enough. helping your Muslim brothers and sisters is like giving a loan to Allah. And only He repays in the best way of all.

It is Islamic etiquette to visit a sick Muslim, to provide him moral support, and to make sure that he or she is well taken care of.

Ibn 'Abbas said: "The first visit to a sick person is sunnah, while any subsequent visit is a voluntary act (a good deed)." Abu Musa reported that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Feed the hungry, visit the sick, and free the captives."

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "A Muslim has six obligations to another Muslim." "What are these?" they asked. He replied: "To greet another Muslim when you meet him; to respond when he invites you; to give him your (sincerest) advice when he seeks it; to say 'may Allah have mercy upon you' when he sneezes and says ' may Allah be praised '; to visit him when he falls ill; and when he dies, to attend his funeral."

Reward for Visiting the Sick

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: "A caller from heaven calls out to the person who visits a sick person, 'You are good and your path is good. May you enter your residence in Paradise'."

Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: "Verily, Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, will say on the Day of Judgement: 'O Son of Adam! I fell ill, but you did not visit Me.' The human will ask, 'O my Sustainer! How could I visit You when You are the Sustainer of the Worlds? And how can You fall sick?' He, the Almighty, will say, 'Did you not know that such and such a servant of Mine was sick. But you did not visit him. Did you not know that, had you visited him, you would have found Me by his side? O Son of Adam! I asked you for food, but you fed Me not?' The man will say, 'O my Sustainer! How could I feed You when You are the Sustainer of the Worlds? And You are free from hunger?' He, the Almighty, will say: 'Such and such a servant of Mine asked you for food, but you refused to give him any. Did you not know that, had you fed him, you would have found it recorded here with Me? O Son of Adam! I asked you for a drink, but you did not give Me any.' The man will say, 'O my Sustainer! How could I give You a drink while You are the Sustainer of the Worlds and are free from thirst?' He, the Almighty will say, ' Such and such a servant of Mine asked you for a drink, but you did not give him any. Had you given him a drink, you would have surely found that recorded with Me."'

http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/law/fiqhussunnah/fus4_59.html

a lot of Muslims sisters especially, on the death of a family member start wailing loudly and start beating themselves up or mourn loudly. this was not the way Our Prophet PBUH had guided us.

Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Umar : Sad bin 'Ubada became sick and the Prophet along with 'Abdur Rahman bin 'Auf, Sad bin Abi Waqqas and 'Abdullah bin Masud visited him to enquire about his health. When he came to him, he found him surrounded by his household and he asked, "Has he died?" They said, "No, O Allah's Apostle." The Prophet wept and when the people saw the weeping of Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) they all wept. He said, "Will you listen? Allah does not punish for shedding tears, nor for the grief of the heart but he punishes or bestows His Mercy because of this." He pointed to his tongue and added, "The deceased is punished for the wailing of his relatives over him." 'Umar used to beat with a stick and throw stones and put dust over the faces (of those who used to wail over the dead). (SAHIH BUKHARI.Book #23, Hadith #391)

Narrated 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud: I visited Allah's Apostle while he was suffering from a high fever. I touched him with my hand and said, "O Allah's Apostle! You have a high fever." Allah's Apostle said, "Yes, I have as much fever as two men of you have." I said, "Is it because you will get a double reward?" Allah's Apostle said, "Yes, no Muslim is afflicted with harm because of sickness or some other inconvenience, but that Allah will remove his sins for him as a tree sheds its leaves." (SAHIH BUKHARI.Book #70, Hadith #564)


Since the topic is vast. i shall be continuing in the next post inshÁllah.