Death: The ultimate reality

Close your eyes for a moment.
Imagine yourself at the moment of your death.
What thoughts cross your mind? Memories of family and friends? Panic? Remembrance of Allah? What will happen next? Regret? OR Relief? Happiness? Eager to meet the Lord?
Now imagine yourself alone, in total darkness, the last sound you hear are of the footsteps of those who were close to you. Nobody by your side, nobody to comfort you.
I hope those few moment of thinking woke you up to reality. The reality of death.
We need to remember each person is to meet with death.
Sometimes we may find that we do not want to know the processes that occur after we die because maybe we are afraid, or we will think about it later when old age approaches. However we need to wake up and get rid of such thoughts.
Death can come at anytime. A person living today could not be destined tomorrow. A person waking this morning could not be destined tonight. A healthy fit person could not be destined his next hour. A person who sleeps may not be destined to wake up. So either way, anytime Death is destiny. They say death never takes its eyes of us one moment.
Death is inevitable. It is the one thing we can be certain about in life. WE Are born to die.
Every soul shall have a taste of death, this is confirmed many times in the Qur'an,

"Every soul shall taste death: and only on the Day of Judgement shall you be paid your full recompense." [3:185]

"Every soul shall have a taste of death: in the end to Us you shall be brought back." [29:57]

In this life we must remember we are only travellers passing by, this world is not our home but only our journey. The Prophet (Saw) said,

Prepare before now it is too late.

 "Live in this world as though you are a strange or a traveller passing by." [Muslim]

We must ponder over all the graves and graveyards scattered over the earth. Each death you hear about, each Janaazah you carry forward should remind you of your own death, your own journeys end.
As soon as a child is born to his world the Azhan is read in the child's ear. This is the Azhan for the Janaazah Salah, this is the Azhan that begins this life's journey. This indicates that a person lives to die.
No one knows when or how they will die, this knowledge is with none but Allah. What we can do though is prepare for our death, be ready, and carry good deeds.
In'shaa'Allah make an intention from today to always remember death. Begin a new page, ask for forgiveness of the past and live a new life. In'shaa'Allah Allah will forgive our past sins. Make an intention to do everything solely for Allah and fulfil for your purpose of life. Be Ready For Death, for we do not not know how much longer our journey shall last.

May Allah give us all the ability to remember death at all times. May Allah grant us an easy death and protect us from the punishments of the grave. May He grant us all Jannah. Ameen.

Allah loves you!!

In this world every person will pass through some sort of infliction, problem or difficultys. May it be the death of a close one, loss of wealth and property, illnesses, burdens and so the list is endless. However each person knows that for the hardships to end he will eventually have to pass through.

My dear brothers and sisters in Islam let's take a look at these from an Islamic perspective. Of course you are aware that the One in control of all in the heavens and the earth and each individuals destiny is none but Allah. He is aware of all hardships which befall upon His servants. He knows.
At times of distress and trouble tears may fall from your eyes, you may claim 'Why me?', or such phrases. You may think your life is no more and lose all hope. Your heart may feel burdened and become sad and you may think you cannot go on any longer. But Oh Muslimoon, Is Allah not aware of this condition of yours? Did He not promise that after hardship comes ease? Did He not promise that He will always be there for His servants? Is He not constantly watching over you?
Yes Allah did promise this so 'Do not be sad'. Wipe aways your tears, hold still, stand tall and move on. Have faith, hope and trust in Allah. Be strong for He knows what is best for the believers.
The Prophet (Saw) said,

 'Verily if Allah loves a person, He makes them go through trials. Whoever is satisfied, for him is contentment, and whoever is angry upon him is wrath.' [Tirmidhi]

Be careful Oh believers, do not become angry upon these trials for they are a test from Allah. Sadness does not benefit the heart in any way rather it will give Shaytan more of a chance to reach out to you. A Muslim must repel sadness and remain strong and stand firm against all trials. Keep your Iman high.
Place your trust in Allah, leave your affairs to none other but Him. Have trust in Him, and His promise. Turn to Him and call upon Him. Be pleased with his decree, thank Him for surely your matters could be worse. Depend on Your Lord and you will find care, peace and tranquillity. You will gain protection, victory and help. And so remembering this you shall be at peace concerning future matters In'shaa'Allah.

"Whoever Allah wishes good, He inflicts them with hardship." [Bukhari]

Remember glad tidings await you, so remain calm, happy and patient with your Lord. Keep in mind these words my dear brothers and sisters and In'shaa'Allah your hardships shall become lighter and you shall find it worth it in the end. Remember ALLAH LOVES YOU!
I pray Allah give us all the ability to pass through hard times with patience. Ameen.

This is what Prophet Ya'qub (As) said when He was being tested by Allah. He was patient. SubhanAllah.

(Remember me and the remaining Ummah in your prayers In'Shaa Allah.)

My Role Model

Each and every person on earth has a person they admire for some reason, a person they look up to. A person whose character and way of life has inspired them. A personality they love, a person whose example is taken and behaviour is emulated by. Each person has a role model.

My role model is my source of inspiration, a person whose character has touched my heart. His way of life, beauty and personality cannot be matched by anyone to ever walk this earth. I find that He is a source of connection to my Lord. I see myself closer to Allah when I read his words and implement his actions into my life. The love I have for him will never be equal to anything in this world, the love I have for him cannot be described in words. Tears fall from my dry eyes when reading and hearing of all the sacrifices he had made for me. He was named AlAmin by the people of Quraysh for his trustworthiness. I have so much to emulate from this great man, he was the best man to ever live. He was blessed with forgiveness, generosity and mercy. When his slippers were full of blood he did not curse the nation that did this rather he had mercy on them and prayed for them. He was respectful to the elders and kind to the young ones. He prayed for all his enemies no matter how much they had hurt him. He spent his nights in worship praying although all his sins were forgiven. His eyes shed tears for the nation he had not even yet seen, he cried 'Ummati, Ummati' night upon night.
I have no other personality or hero in this world. As my life passes my love for him increases. He is the man whom Allah speaks about in the Qur'an,

"Verily you are of the noblest of character." [68:4]

This hero of mine is none other than My Beloved Prophet Muhammad (Saw). The man who deserves all my love, the man who deserves all my tears. The man who is more beloved to me than any other being on earth. Who can ever be greater than my role model? Who can ever deserve more love than the love I have for my Rasool(Saw)? The truth is nobody, not a single human on earth today is worthy of being my role model.
So take for yourself My Beloved (Saw) as your role model too. The greatest man on earth. The mercy to mankind, seal of prophethood, Muhammad (Saw). Do not be misguided oh youth by the role models of people of the world, for I assure you they are nothing in comparison to My Beloved Prophet (Saw).
The Prophet (Saw) has said, 'On the day of judgement you will be raised with those whom you love' [Bukhari].
اللهم ارزقنا حبك وحب رسولك
Oh Allah grant us Your love and the love of Your Rasool (peace and blessings be upon him). Ameen.

Do it for ALLAH!

The Prophet (Saw) has said,

 'Indeed actions are according to intentions, for every person is what he has intended....' [Al Bukhatir and Muslim] 

 Many of the great Scholars of Islam have begun their magnificent books with the above mentioned hadeeth. Take for example Imaam Nawawwi (Ra)  author of Riyadhus Saliheen, the great Imaam Bukhari (Ra) and the author of Zaad Ut Talibeen, each had started their work with this saying of the Beloved Prophet (Saw). Each of them placed this as the very first hadeeth in their kitaab.

The question is why did these great Scholars do this? What is the importance of intentions? 

Imaam Shaf'ii has said that this hadeeth constitutes a third of all knowledge. 

Each and every Scholar beginning with this hadeeth have understood that intentions are the foundations of all actions. Before learning of other matters of Deen it is important for one to correct their intentions. This is why these Scholars placed this hadeeth first, to make the reader understand the importance of intentions.

Before beginning an act a person must ensure he makes a firm intention, to do a deed for Allah's sake only for actions will be judged accordingly. If their is any fault in the intention then one may not gain the full reward. So it can be said that an intention IS the foundation of all actions. 

If someone intends to do good then he will get good and if he intends bad then he will get bad (referring to deeds). The reward and punishment the will be judged according to intentions. Prophet (Saw) has said; 'People will be gathered upon their intentions.' [Ibn Majah] 

Other Scholars would make their intention of eating, drinking and sleeping for Allah too in order to get reward. Zayd As Shami (Ra) has said, 'Verily I like to make an intention for everything I do even if it is eating and drinking.' 

If we are to sleep then make an intention to sleep so we can gain strength to wake and worship Allah the next day, we will be rewarded for all the time we have slept. Similarly when we eat make an intention to eat to gain power so we are able to pray, we will be rewarded for every morsel of food which enters our mouths. SubhanAllah what as easy way to gain reward don't you think?

Ibn Al Mubarak has said, 'Maybe a small action is made great by its intention and maybe a big action is made small by its intention.' Wallahu'A3lam.

So dear Muslims and Muslimahs correct your intentions today. Islam teaches us to perform good deeds and stay away from bad. To ensure we do this we must make an intention before all our actions. Do it to please Allah the Almighty of only. Make your worship solely for Allah and not to show any human, as this could lead to shirk. 

Think before you begin an action:.  Are my intentions correct? Am I doing it solely for Allah? When I look deep deep down inside do I have the correct firm Niyyah??

May Allah help us all correct our intentions. Ameen.

What is YOUR purpose of life?

Everything in existence has a purpose.
When you see a bridge, a building, a tower or any such object you would automatically consider whom it was constructed by.
When you see a large ship, an aeroplane or a rocket you would think about how incredible it is.
When you see an airport, a nuclear station or a satellite you are automatically impressed. Yet these are only things that are manufactured by humans.
 Now think of the human body.
Think about the brain. How it functions, analyses, retrieves and stores information. How it categorises information all in the millionth of a second.
Think about the eye. How it is like a human camera, adjusting to light and distance, focusing, interpreting. How it detects colour naturally.
Think of the heart. How it pumps continuously for a lifetime, maintaining steady pace.
Who created them? Has this ever come to mind? Who mastered their design and function? Did humans do this? Of course not.
Think of the earth. It is one planet in the solar system. Our galaxy is one of the many galaxies. All galaxies are in order, all precise. They are not conflicting with one another. They are each in an orbit set for them.

"Each one is travelling in orbit with its own motion." [2:21]

Did humans set this into motion? Clearly not.
Think of all organisms on earth. The oceans, the fish, the plants, bacteria and other elements scientists have not yet discovered.

 "He is Allah, the Creator, the Evolved, the Bestowed of forms, to Him belong the most beautiful names. Whatever is in the heavens and on earth does not decline his praise and glory. And He is exalted in might. The Wise."[59:24]

Did all of this just happen by chance?? The answer is NO.
The creator of all this, the One responsible for maintaining this is the Almighty Allah. He is the only One that deserves praise and gratitude.
Now the question arises, What is our purpose of life? Why are we here? Why are we part of this creation?
Our purpose can be understood by two words: `Worship Me'. These same words are mentioned in the Qur'an;

"And I did not create the Jinn and Mankind except that they should Worship Me. I do not seek any provision from them, nor do I want them to feed me." [51:56]

So it is known that through the creation we must come to know the Creator. We must honour Him, thank Him, glorify Him, worship Him and Praise Him.

This is our true purpose in life. We must ensure that whatever we do in this life is subject to His orders. The main reason for our creation is to worship Allah.

"Oh Mankind! Worship your Lord Who created you and those before you, that you may become righteous. He has made for you the earth as a bed and the sky as a canopy, and sent down rain and brought forth fruits as provisions for you. [2:21]

If you are in search of the truth bring your minds and hearts to understand this firstly, your purpose on earth. Recognise this as a message of truth. Open your heart and ask Him to guide you and make you true to His way.
Now tell me, What is YOUR purpose of life if it is not this??