Fadala b. Dinar said, "I was with Muhammad b.Wasi' when he was very near to death. He began to say, "Welcome to my Lord's angels! There is no strength nor power except by Allah!" I smelled the sweetest fragrance that I had ever smelled. Then his eyes glazed over and he died”.
Ibn Abi'd-Dunya mentions that on the day 'Umar b. 'Abdu'l-'Aziz died, he said to those with him, 'Sit with me.' When they sat down next to him, he said, 'I am the one you commanded and I failed you.You forbade me and I rebelled.' He said this three times. Then he said, 'But there is no god but Allah.' Then he lifted his head and stared. They said, 'You are looking very intently, Amir al-Mu'minin,' He replied, 'I see a presence which is neither man nor jinn.' Then he died.
Thabit al-Bunani said, 'Once I was walking among the graves and I heard a voice behind me, saying, "Thabit! Do not be deceived by their stillness. How many people in them are suffering!" I turned around, but did not see anyone.'
A girl died in the al-Jarif plague. Her father met her in a dream after her death and asked her to tell him about the Next World. She replied, “My father, this is a big subject you have raised. We know but cannot act. You can act but do not know. By Allah, one or two acts of glorification and one or two rak'ats of the prayer in the book of my actions are preferable to me than the world and all it contains.”
When Abdul Azeez b.Sulayman al-abdi died one of his companions saw him in a dream wearing a green garment with a crown of pearls on his head. He asked him how he was and what the experience of the taste of death was like and what things were like where he was. He replied, 'Do not ask about the intensity of the grief and sorrow of death! However, Allah's mercy concealed all our faults and we encountered nothing but His bounty.'
Ibn Abi'd Dunya mentioned that one of his companions said, “ My brother died and I saw him in a dream. I said, "How was it when you were placed in your grave?" He replied, "Someone brought me a fiery flame and if it had not been that someone else made supplication for me, I think he would have hit me with it.”
Bashar b. Ghalib said, “ I saw Rabia on whose half I make frequent supplication, in a dream. She said to me, "Bashar b. Ghalib! Your gifts have been brought to me on plates of light, covered in silken cloths." I asked, "How can that be?" She replied, "That is what the supplication of living believers is like. When they make supplication for a dead person, that supplication is answered for them on plates of light, veiled in silken cloths. Then they are brought to the dead person for whom the supplication was said and they are told, 'This is the gift of so-and-so to you.' "
Amr bin Dinar said “ the sister of one of the men of Medina died and he buried her. When he came back from the burial, he remembered that he had left something in the grave. He asked one of his companions to help him. His companion related that they had dug up the grave and found what they were looking for. Then the man said, "Let us dig further and find out what has happened to my sister."He lifted up one of the stones covering the burial cavity and found the grave filled with fire. He replaced it and filled in the grave again. Then he returned to his mother and asked, "What was my sister really like?" She replied, "Why do you ask about her when she is dead?" He said, "Tell me."She said, "She used to delay the prayer and she also used to go to our neighbors' doors, put her ear to them and then tell other people what they said!"'
One of the early Muslims said, "We passed by a watering-place on the way to Basra. We heard the braying of a donkey and asked the people there what the braying was. They replied that it was one of the men who used to be with them whose mother had asked him for something and he had told her to bray like a donkey. Since his death, this braying had been heard every night from his grave.”
Source: "The Soul journey after death" an abridgement of Ibn al-Qayyim's kitabar-ruh
28 May 2011
Some inspiring events from the life of Haroon Rasheed
One day Ibn Sammak was sitting with Haroon. Haroon felt thirsty and he asked for water and water was brought.
When he wanted to drink Ibn Sammak said, "O Amir al- Muminin! Stop for a moment."
Haroon Rasheed said "Yes"
Ibn Sammak said, "If you can't get water when you are most thirsty how much will you spend to get a bowl of water?"
Haroon Rasheed said," I shall exchange it for half of my realm."
Ibn Sammak said, "Now, you make drink."
When he finished Ibn Sammak said, " O Amir al- Mumineen! if this water remains in the abdomen and does not come out, how much will you spend to take it out."
Haroon Rasheed said,"Half of my realm if need be."
Ibn Sammak said, "Enough. Now you must know that the price of your whole realm is equal to a bowl of water and a bowl of urine. You must not be proud of it."
Haroon Rasheed burst into tears and continued to weep for a long time.
When the Romans deposed their Queen and made commander Nagfoor their king, Nagfoor sent a letter to Haroon Rasheed which says:
"The Queen, because of her natural weakness and too much pressure, came to terms with you and continued to pay you the jizya. This was her foolishness. Now you must repay all the taxes you have collected from us and promise to give payments as a fine or we will punish you with our swords".
When this letter was received and read by Haroon Rasheed, he flew into such a rage that the officials and ministers around him had no courage to remain sitting there and left the court. Haroon wrote on the back of the same letter:
"In the name of Allah Who is most Beneficent and Merciful. From Amir al-Mumineen Haroon Rasheed to the Roman dog. You, the son of unbelief, I read your letter. You will see its reply with your own eyes. You need not read it. That is all".
He wrote the above reply and sent back the letter and on the same day left Bagdhad with the army for the Roman territories, arriving there he besieged its capital Harculah. Nagfoor was at a loss and finding himself powerless to resist, begged him to be excused and promised to pay more jizya than before.
Once Haroon Rasheed requested a righteous and pious man to advise him.
He said, "If your friend is such as makes you fear leading good results he is better than the friend who makes you careless of and indifferent to fear leading to bad results."
Haroon Rasheed requested him to explain what he said.
He replied, "If anybody who tells you that on the day of judgement you will be questioned about your subjects and so you fear Allah much it is better than he who tells you that you are from among the family of Prophet(Peace be upon him) and that the virtue of your proximity to the Prophet(Peace be upon him), all your sins will be forgiven".
Hearing it he wept so much that those sitting near by began to feel pity for him.
When Haroon Rasheed was about to die he ordered a grave to be dug. And he had his cot shifted to the graveside and lying on it he continued to look at the grave and in that state he died.
Information taken form "The history of Islam" by Akbar Shah Najeebabadi
When he wanted to drink Ibn Sammak said, "O Amir al- Muminin! Stop for a moment."
Haroon Rasheed said "Yes"
Ibn Sammak said, "If you can't get water when you are most thirsty how much will you spend to get a bowl of water?"
Haroon Rasheed said," I shall exchange it for half of my realm."
Ibn Sammak said, "Now, you make drink."
When he finished Ibn Sammak said, " O Amir al- Mumineen! if this water remains in the abdomen and does not come out, how much will you spend to take it out."
Haroon Rasheed said,"Half of my realm if need be."
Ibn Sammak said, "Enough. Now you must know that the price of your whole realm is equal to a bowl of water and a bowl of urine. You must not be proud of it."
Haroon Rasheed burst into tears and continued to weep for a long time.
When the Romans deposed their Queen and made commander Nagfoor their king, Nagfoor sent a letter to Haroon Rasheed which says:
"The Queen, because of her natural weakness and too much pressure, came to terms with you and continued to pay you the jizya. This was her foolishness. Now you must repay all the taxes you have collected from us and promise to give payments as a fine or we will punish you with our swords".
When this letter was received and read by Haroon Rasheed, he flew into such a rage that the officials and ministers around him had no courage to remain sitting there and left the court. Haroon wrote on the back of the same letter:
"In the name of Allah Who is most Beneficent and Merciful. From Amir al-Mumineen Haroon Rasheed to the Roman dog. You, the son of unbelief, I read your letter. You will see its reply with your own eyes. You need not read it. That is all".
He wrote the above reply and sent back the letter and on the same day left Bagdhad with the army for the Roman territories, arriving there he besieged its capital Harculah. Nagfoor was at a loss and finding himself powerless to resist, begged him to be excused and promised to pay more jizya than before.
Once Haroon Rasheed requested a righteous and pious man to advise him.
He said, "If your friend is such as makes you fear leading good results he is better than the friend who makes you careless of and indifferent to fear leading to bad results."
Haroon Rasheed requested him to explain what he said.
He replied, "If anybody who tells you that on the day of judgement you will be questioned about your subjects and so you fear Allah much it is better than he who tells you that you are from among the family of Prophet(Peace be upon him) and that the virtue of your proximity to the Prophet(Peace be upon him), all your sins will be forgiven".
Hearing it he wept so much that those sitting near by began to feel pity for him.
When Haroon Rasheed was about to die he ordered a grave to be dug. And he had his cot shifted to the graveside and lying on it he continued to look at the grave and in that state he died.
Information taken form "The history of Islam" by Akbar Shah Najeebabadi
25 May 2011
To the Hell and Paradise because of a fly
Ahmad reports that Tariq bin Shihab narrated that Allah's Messenger (May the peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) said:
"A man entered Paradise because of a fly, and a man entered Hell-fire because of a fly."
They (the Companions) asked, "How was that possible O Messenger of Allah?" (May the peace and blessing of Allah be upon him).
He said,
"Two men passed by the people who had an idol by which they would not allow anyone to pass without making sacrifice to it. They ordered one man to make a sacrifice. He said, 'I have nothing to present as an offering.' The people told him, 'Sacrifice something, even if it be a fly.' So he presented a fly (to their idol). They opened the way for him, and thus he entered the Hell-fire. They said to the other man, 'Sacrifice something.' He said, 'I will never sacrifice anything to any other than Allah, Most Majestic and Glorious.' So they struck his throat and killed him; and he, therefore, entered Paradise." (Ahmad)
"A man entered Paradise because of a fly, and a man entered Hell-fire because of a fly."
They (the Companions) asked, "How was that possible O Messenger of Allah?" (May the peace and blessing of Allah be upon him).
He said,
"Two men passed by the people who had an idol by which they would not allow anyone to pass without making sacrifice to it. They ordered one man to make a sacrifice. He said, 'I have nothing to present as an offering.' The people told him, 'Sacrifice something, even if it be a fly.' So he presented a fly (to their idol). They opened the way for him, and thus he entered the Hell-fire. They said to the other man, 'Sacrifice something.' He said, 'I will never sacrifice anything to any other than Allah, Most Majestic and Glorious.' So they struck his throat and killed him; and he, therefore, entered Paradise." (Ahmad)
22 May 2011
Miscellaneous accounts about death
When al-Hasan ibn Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) was dying, he asked people to take him out to the hall. Then he said: “O Lord, I trust myself in you”.
On his death Muadh ibn Jabal (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “Look if the day has broken? “They looked and answered negative. Later on, he was informed that it was morning. Then he remarked: “I seek refuge in Allah from a night whose morning leads to Hell-fire. Welcome to death, an absent visitor and a beloved returning while we are defected. O Lord, I used to fear you, but now I expect good from you. You know that I never loved this world or long stay in it. I used to observe fasting on extremely hot days, praying at long nights of winter, and joining scholars in their circles of knowledge”.
Abu Muslim said:”I visited Abu Ad-Darda(May Allah be pleased with him) on his death. He said, “Would you get prepared for this day and for this hour? “Then he breathed his last”.
Salman al-Farisi(May Allah be pleased with him) wept on his death. Asked about this, he said: “The Prophet (Peace be upon him) commanded us to have sufficient provisions for the hereafter”.
Al-Mazini said that he visited Ash-Shafi’i on his deathbed. He said, “I asked him, how are you?” He replied,” I am leaving this world, leaving my brothers, meeting my sins, drinking the cup of death, and returning to the Almighty. But I do not know to Hell or Paradise my spirit will be admitted”.
Abu Ad- Darda (May Allah be pleased with him) was once asked about his visit to grave. He said “I visit people who remind me of death. They never back bite me when I depart”.
Maymun ibn Mahran said, “I joined Umar ibn Abdul Azeez in his visit to graves. Beholding them he wept and told me, “Maymun , these are the tombs of the predecessors from the Banu Umayyah. Look, as if they never shared this world’s delight. Do you not see them lying being exemplary to others. They have decayed”. Then he shed tears and said, By Allah I know non better that the dead who have been saved from Almighty’s torture”.
Al-Hasan al-Basri said, “Death has exposed this world, leaving no delight for sensible people therein”
When Ibn Umar remembered death, he trembled like birds. He used to convene with the jurists every night talking about death and the hereafter. Then they shed tears as if they were in funerals.
Hamid al-Qasyrasi said: “Though we know death is certain, we have not prepared ourselves for it. Though we know paradise is definite, we have not worked for it. Though we know the hell fire is sure, we have not feared it. So why are you delighted? What are you waiting for? Death is the first visitor from the Almighty bringing good or evil tidings. Brothers get closer to your Lord”.
Habib Ibn Muhammad’s wife said that Habib used to tell me,”If I die today get so-and-so to bath me”. She was asked if he had seen a dream of his death. She replied that he used to tell her likewise every day.
Source: Mukhtasar Minhaj Al-Qadisin (towars the hereafter) by Ibn Qudamah Al-Maqdisi Translated by Wa'il 'A.Shihab
On his death Muadh ibn Jabal (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “Look if the day has broken? “They looked and answered negative. Later on, he was informed that it was morning. Then he remarked: “I seek refuge in Allah from a night whose morning leads to Hell-fire. Welcome to death, an absent visitor and a beloved returning while we are defected. O Lord, I used to fear you, but now I expect good from you. You know that I never loved this world or long stay in it. I used to observe fasting on extremely hot days, praying at long nights of winter, and joining scholars in their circles of knowledge”.
Abu Muslim said:”I visited Abu Ad-Darda(May Allah be pleased with him) on his death. He said, “Would you get prepared for this day and for this hour? “Then he breathed his last”.
Salman al-Farisi(May Allah be pleased with him) wept on his death. Asked about this, he said: “The Prophet (Peace be upon him) commanded us to have sufficient provisions for the hereafter”.
Al-Mazini said that he visited Ash-Shafi’i on his deathbed. He said, “I asked him, how are you?” He replied,” I am leaving this world, leaving my brothers, meeting my sins, drinking the cup of death, and returning to the Almighty. But I do not know to Hell or Paradise my spirit will be admitted”.
Abu Ad- Darda (May Allah be pleased with him) was once asked about his visit to grave. He said “I visit people who remind me of death. They never back bite me when I depart”.
Maymun ibn Mahran said, “I joined Umar ibn Abdul Azeez in his visit to graves. Beholding them he wept and told me, “Maymun , these are the tombs of the predecessors from the Banu Umayyah. Look, as if they never shared this world’s delight. Do you not see them lying being exemplary to others. They have decayed”. Then he shed tears and said, By Allah I know non better that the dead who have been saved from Almighty’s torture”.
Al-Hasan al-Basri said, “Death has exposed this world, leaving no delight for sensible people therein”
When Ibn Umar remembered death, he trembled like birds. He used to convene with the jurists every night talking about death and the hereafter. Then they shed tears as if they were in funerals.
Hamid al-Qasyrasi said: “Though we know death is certain, we have not prepared ourselves for it. Though we know paradise is definite, we have not worked for it. Though we know the hell fire is sure, we have not feared it. So why are you delighted? What are you waiting for? Death is the first visitor from the Almighty bringing good or evil tidings. Brothers get closer to your Lord”.
Habib Ibn Muhammad’s wife said that Habib used to tell me,”If I die today get so-and-so to bath me”. She was asked if he had seen a dream of his death. She replied that he used to tell her likewise every day.
Source: Mukhtasar Minhaj Al-Qadisin (towars the hereafter) by Ibn Qudamah Al-Maqdisi Translated by Wa'il 'A.Shihab
16 May 2011
Whispers of the night
By Sheikh Abu Yusuf Riyadh ul Haq
I pounded on the door of mecy as the world slept
and humbling myself before my Creator I wept
Hands raised high and head bowed I knelt
and dejectedly began to lament what I felt
With a torn heart I gave a tongue to my woes and fears
and in great anguish and sorrow I let flow my tears
with a poignant emotions raging in me so fierce
I hoped that my prayers would the heavens pierce
Oh Maker of my destiny, Master of my fate I cried
Thou art the only refuge and succor for one so tried
'Tis before Thee alone that I bemoan
Sufferings of mine only to thee known
Pains and torments that I can no longer bear
Hopes and wishes I can entrust only to Thy care
For 'Tis only the ocean of Thine infinite bounty that sustains all
and only Thy Forgiveness that restores those who fall
'Tis to thee alone Oh benevolent that I extend my hands in plea
To whom besides Thee can this wretched soul flee
Forgive my sins and grant me my desires Oh Almighty
Reject me not, for nothing can redeem me save me Thy Mercy
and humbling myself before my Creator I wept
Hands raised high and head bowed I knelt
and dejectedly began to lament what I felt
With a torn heart I gave a tongue to my woes and fears
and in great anguish and sorrow I let flow my tears
with a poignant emotions raging in me so fierce
I hoped that my prayers would the heavens pierce
Oh Maker of my destiny, Master of my fate I cried
Thou art the only refuge and succor for one so tried
'Tis before Thee alone that I bemoan
Sufferings of mine only to thee known
Pains and torments that I can no longer bear
Hopes and wishes I can entrust only to Thy care
For 'Tis only the ocean of Thine infinite bounty that sustains all
and only Thy Forgiveness that restores those who fall
'Tis to thee alone Oh benevolent that I extend my hands in plea
To whom besides Thee can this wretched soul flee
Forgive my sins and grant me my desires Oh Almighty
Reject me not, for nothing can redeem me save me Thy Mercy
15 May 2011
A camel prostrating to the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him)
It is reported on the authority of Anas RadhiyAllah anhu that he said:
There was a family from among the Ansar who had a camel upon which they used to water their crops and the camel became difficult for them to handle and would not allow anything on its back. The Ansar went to the Messenger of Allah (May peace be upon him) and said:
"We have a camel which we used for watering our crops and now it has become difficult for us to handle and refuses to let us put anything on its back,and now the crops and the date-palms have become dry."
The Messenger of Allah (May peace be upon him) said to his companions: "Get up"
So they stood up and he (May peace be upon him) entered the orchard and found the camel in a corner. The Prophet (Peace be upon him)walked toward it and the Ansar said: "Oh ,Prophet of Allah!(Peace be upon him) It has become like a wild dog and we fear that it will harm you."
He(Peace be upon him) said: "It will not harm me."
When the camel looked towards the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him),it approached him and fell down in prostration before him. The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) took hold of its forelock and led it along ,more subdued than it had ever been and put it to work.
His Companions said: "Oh! Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him)! This animal which is without reason or understanding has prostrated to you, while we are rational beings, so we have more right to prostate to you."
He (Peace be upon him) said: "It does not befit any human being that he should prostrate to another human being. If it were right for human being to prostrate to another human being , I would have commanded the wife to prostrate to her husband, due to his great right upon her. By Him in Whose Hand is my soul, if from his feet to the parting of his hair was a boil flowing with pus and she were to face him and lick it up,she would not have fulfilled his right upon her."
Source: "Miracles of the Messenger" (Peace be upon him)prepared by Darussalam Research devision
There was a family from among the Ansar who had a camel upon which they used to water their crops and the camel became difficult for them to handle and would not allow anything on its back. The Ansar went to the Messenger of Allah (May peace be upon him) and said:
"We have a camel which we used for watering our crops and now it has become difficult for us to handle and refuses to let us put anything on its back,and now the crops and the date-palms have become dry."
The Messenger of Allah (May peace be upon him) said to his companions: "Get up"
So they stood up and he (May peace be upon him) entered the orchard and found the camel in a corner. The Prophet (Peace be upon him)walked toward it and the Ansar said: "Oh ,Prophet of Allah!(Peace be upon him) It has become like a wild dog and we fear that it will harm you."
He(Peace be upon him) said: "It will not harm me."
When the camel looked towards the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him),it approached him and fell down in prostration before him. The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) took hold of its forelock and led it along ,more subdued than it had ever been and put it to work.
His Companions said: "Oh! Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him)! This animal which is without reason or understanding has prostrated to you, while we are rational beings, so we have more right to prostate to you."
He (Peace be upon him) said: "It does not befit any human being that he should prostrate to another human being. If it were right for human being to prostrate to another human being , I would have commanded the wife to prostrate to her husband, due to his great right upon her. By Him in Whose Hand is my soul, if from his feet to the parting of his hair was a boil flowing with pus and she were to face him and lick it up,she would not have fulfilled his right upon her."
Source: "Miracles of the Messenger" (Peace be upon him)prepared by Darussalam Research devision
14 May 2011
The great Imam Sufyan bin Unaynah as a young boy
Ziyad ibn 'Ubaidullah ibn Khuzai ibn 'Abdullah ibn Mughaffal said: I heard Sufyan ibn Uyaynah say:
"My father was a money changer in Kufah and he fell into debt,so he brought us to Makkah. When we came to the Masjid for Zuhr prayer , I reached the door of the Masjid and found a Shaykh on a donkey.
He said to me, "O boy, hold on to my donkey until I enter Masjid and pray."
I said to him, " I will not do it unless you narrate to me."
He said, "And what will you do with hadith?".and he deemed me too young.
I said,"Narrate to me."
He said,"Jabir ibn 'Abdullah narrated to us, and ibn 'Abbas narrated to us," so he narrated eight hadiths to me. I then held on to his donkey, and began to memorize what he narrated to me.
Once he had prayed, he came out and said" What benefit did you acquire from what I narrated to you? You held me up."
I said," You narrated such and such." So I repeated to him all that he had narrated to me.
He said," May Allah bless you,come tomorrow to my gathering." And the Shaykh was none other than 'Amr ibn Dinar.
Shu'bah ibn al-Hajjaj said, "I saw ibn 'Uyaynah as a young boy with long tablets in the presence of 'Amr ibn Dinar ,and he was wearing a qurt(a ring place in the ears of the children) in his ear."
Ibn al-Madani said: I heard ibn 'Uyaynah say, "I sat with 'Abdul Karim al-Jazari for two years. He used to say to the people of his town,"Look at this young boy, he asks me while you do not asks me."
Ghayath ibnJafar said: I heard ibn 'Uyaynah saying," The first person to sit me against the pillar was Mis'ar ibn Kidam. I said to him, " But I am still young." He said," But you have narrations from az-Zuhri and 'Amr ibn Dinar."
The biography of Imam Sufyan ibn 'Uyaynah by Salaahud-deen 'Ali Abdul Mawjood
"My father was a money changer in Kufah and he fell into debt,so he brought us to Makkah. When we came to the Masjid for Zuhr prayer , I reached the door of the Masjid and found a Shaykh on a donkey.
He said to me, "O boy, hold on to my donkey until I enter Masjid and pray."
I said to him, " I will not do it unless you narrate to me."
He said, "And what will you do with hadith?".and he deemed me too young.
I said,"Narrate to me."
He said,"Jabir ibn 'Abdullah narrated to us, and ibn 'Abbas narrated to us," so he narrated eight hadiths to me. I then held on to his donkey, and began to memorize what he narrated to me.
Once he had prayed, he came out and said" What benefit did you acquire from what I narrated to you? You held me up."
I said," You narrated such and such." So I repeated to him all that he had narrated to me.
He said," May Allah bless you,come tomorrow to my gathering." And the Shaykh was none other than 'Amr ibn Dinar.
Shu'bah ibn al-Hajjaj said, "I saw ibn 'Uyaynah as a young boy with long tablets in the presence of 'Amr ibn Dinar ,and he was wearing a qurt(a ring place in the ears of the children) in his ear."
Ibn al-Madani said: I heard ibn 'Uyaynah say, "I sat with 'Abdul Karim al-Jazari for two years. He used to say to the people of his town,"Look at this young boy, he asks me while you do not asks me."
Ghayath ibnJafar said: I heard ibn 'Uyaynah saying," The first person to sit me against the pillar was Mis'ar ibn Kidam. I said to him, " But I am still young." He said," But you have narrations from az-Zuhri and 'Amr ibn Dinar."
The biography of Imam Sufyan ibn 'Uyaynah by Salaahud-deen 'Ali Abdul Mawjood
09 May 2011
How some of the pious feared Allah
Abu Bakr Siddiq RadiyAllah Anhu said, “ I wish I were no more than a hair on the side of a believing servant”. Whenever he got up to do the prayer he would be trembling like a leaf out of fear of Allah.
Umar bin Khattab RadiyAllah anhu was once reading Surat-Tur and when he came to the verse
Surely the doom of your Lord will surely come to pass (52: 7)
And he wept so intensely that he fell ill so that people came to see how he was.
When Umar radiyAllah anhu was on his death bed he told his son, “Put my cheek next to the earth so that Allah may forgive me.” Then he said, “ I am doomed if Allah does not forgive me” he repeated the same words three times and then he died.
When Umar used to read the Quran at night and read an Ayah that filled him with fear, he would stay indoors for days on end so that people come to visit him, thinking that he was ill. His frequent weeping etched two dark lines on his face.
Ibn Abbas once told Umar ,”Allah has brought many countries into the Muslim Ummah through you, And through you many victories has been won. Umar replied, “All I desire is to be saved, I desire neither reward nor punishment”.
Uthman bin Affan RadiyAllah anhu used to cry until his beard was soaked each time that he stood at a grave. He used to say , “ If I were standing between the garden and the Fire, not knowing in which one of the two I would end up I would rather be turned into ashes before I learned my fate.”
Abu Darda RadiyAllhu anhu used to say “If you knew what you will encounter after your death you would never eat with any appetite, nor drink thirstily, nor enter houses to shelter but you would go to open spaces and beat your breast and weep at your lot. I wish I were a tree to be cut up and destroyed.
Ibn Abbas RadiyAllah anhu had skin under his eyes which looked like worn out sandal leather , due to his frequent weeping.
Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah honor him, was once overwhelmed with sadness after completing the dawn prayer; He said, " Never did i see anything like the companions of the Messenger of Allah. Their hair was disheveled. Their faces were pale, they were covered in dust, and the space between their eyes looked like the knees of goats. They had spent their night in prayer and in recitation of the Quran either on their feet or in prostration. When the dawn came they would spend it in remembrance of Allah,swaying like a tree on a stormy day, with tears flowing from their eyes till their clothes soaked. By Allah it seem to me the people around me now have passed the night in fast asleep." Then he got up and was never seen laughing until he was stabbed to death by Ibn Muljim.
Musa ibn Mas'ud said: "Whenever we sat in the company of Sufyaan at Tawri, we would feel as if the Fire had surrounded us because of the fear and panic we could see in his eyes."
Al Hasan al Basri was once described as follows "Whenever he aproached us it would seem as if he has only just returned from the burial of his best friend, and when he sat in a company , it was as if he was a prisoner sentenced to death by having his head cut off. And when ever the Fire was mentioned it would be as it had been created especially for him".
It has been related that Zurarah ibn Abu awfa led some people in dawn prayer and recited surah Al-Mudhathir from the Quran. When he reached the words
For when the trumpet sound that will be that day-a Day of distress (74:8-9)
He gasped and fell dead.
Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al- As is reported to have said, “Weep , and if you cannot weep then pretend to weep, I swear by Him in Whose Hand my life is, that if any of you really knew you would plead until your voice went, and pray until your back is broken".
Source : The purification of the soul by Ahmed Farid
Umar bin Khattab RadiyAllah anhu was once reading Surat-Tur and when he came to the verse
Surely the doom of your Lord will surely come to pass (52: 7)
And he wept so intensely that he fell ill so that people came to see how he was.
When Umar radiyAllah anhu was on his death bed he told his son, “Put my cheek next to the earth so that Allah may forgive me.” Then he said, “ I am doomed if Allah does not forgive me” he repeated the same words three times and then he died.
When Umar used to read the Quran at night and read an Ayah that filled him with fear, he would stay indoors for days on end so that people come to visit him, thinking that he was ill. His frequent weeping etched two dark lines on his face.
Ibn Abbas once told Umar ,”Allah has brought many countries into the Muslim Ummah through you, And through you many victories has been won. Umar replied, “All I desire is to be saved, I desire neither reward nor punishment”.
Uthman bin Affan RadiyAllah anhu used to cry until his beard was soaked each time that he stood at a grave. He used to say , “ If I were standing between the garden and the Fire, not knowing in which one of the two I would end up I would rather be turned into ashes before I learned my fate.”
Abu Darda RadiyAllhu anhu used to say “If you knew what you will encounter after your death you would never eat with any appetite, nor drink thirstily, nor enter houses to shelter but you would go to open spaces and beat your breast and weep at your lot. I wish I were a tree to be cut up and destroyed.
Ibn Abbas RadiyAllah anhu had skin under his eyes which looked like worn out sandal leather , due to his frequent weeping.
Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah honor him, was once overwhelmed with sadness after completing the dawn prayer; He said, " Never did i see anything like the companions of the Messenger of Allah. Their hair was disheveled. Their faces were pale, they were covered in dust, and the space between their eyes looked like the knees of goats. They had spent their night in prayer and in recitation of the Quran either on their feet or in prostration. When the dawn came they would spend it in remembrance of Allah,swaying like a tree on a stormy day, with tears flowing from their eyes till their clothes soaked. By Allah it seem to me the people around me now have passed the night in fast asleep." Then he got up and was never seen laughing until he was stabbed to death by Ibn Muljim.
Musa ibn Mas'ud said: "Whenever we sat in the company of Sufyaan at Tawri, we would feel as if the Fire had surrounded us because of the fear and panic we could see in his eyes."
Al Hasan al Basri was once described as follows "Whenever he aproached us it would seem as if he has only just returned from the burial of his best friend, and when he sat in a company , it was as if he was a prisoner sentenced to death by having his head cut off. And when ever the Fire was mentioned it would be as it had been created especially for him".
It has been related that Zurarah ibn Abu awfa led some people in dawn prayer and recited surah Al-Mudhathir from the Quran. When he reached the words
For when the trumpet sound that will be that day-a Day of distress (74:8-9)
He gasped and fell dead.
Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al- As is reported to have said, “Weep , and if you cannot weep then pretend to weep, I swear by Him in Whose Hand my life is, that if any of you really knew you would plead until your voice went, and pray until your back is broken".
Source : The purification of the soul by Ahmed Farid
07 May 2011
Conversation between Ribi bin Amir and the Persian army commander
Before the battle of Qadissiyyah the commander of the Persian army, Rustam sent words to the Muslim Commander sa’d bin abu Waggas to depute one of his trusted men for negotiations.
Sa’d sent rib’i bin Amir. Rustam adorned his court with unwanted splendor and pomp to prepare for the audience with the Muslim ambassador. The entire court was carpeted with cloth of gold, the pillows were of rich silk, while gem bedecked throne was placed in the center.
Rib’i came right up to the richly carpeted floor and dismounting from his horse, attached the reins to a pillow. He then moved on supported by a spear piercing in to the carpet and cutting it and making holes in it with its point and sat beside Rustam. The courtiers made an attempt to pull him down from the throne and disarm him. Thereupon Rib’i thundered. “I have come on invitation and not of my own. Our religion strictly forbids anybody sitting like God and the rest standing before him with their hands folded. Now Rustam intervened and asked them not to do anything against the will of envoy.
However, on second thought rib’i dismounted from the throne, slit a portion of the carpet with his dagger and sat on the earth and said addressing Rustam, “We are not at all need of your carpet. The earth spread by Allah the Almighty is enough for us. Rustam then asked Rib’i through the interpreter, “What is your object in waging war against us.” Rib’i replied, “We intend to bring the slaves of Allah the Almighty to the expanse of the next world from the narrowness of this world and promote justice and Islam in place of atrocities and false religion. Any one who adopts justice and Islam will find us non –interfering in regard to his wealth, property and country. But we shall fight with whoever stands in our way until we go either to paradise or attain victory. If you seek to pay jizyah we shall accept it and will cease to go against you and you will find us standing by you if and when you need us for the safety of your life and property. "
Having heard this Rustam asked,”are you the chief of the Muslims. Rib’i replied “No, I am an ordinary soldier. But each one of us even the most ordinary can speak on behalf of the most powerful person and every person have full power in every matter".
The utterance of Rib’i left Rustam and courtiers dumb founded. Rustam then said,” the scabbard of your sword is quite rotten.” Ribi drew his sword out of the sheath and said “it has been tempered very recently”. Rustam again said, “The blade of your spear is very small. How can it be any use in battles? “ Rib’i replied “ this blade pierces deep in to the chest of the enemy and goes across it. Have you not seen that a spark is enough to burn down an entire city? “Well I shall ponder over your utterance and hold consultation with my men of sound judgment”. Rib’i got up and rode to Sa’d bin abu Waggas.
Source: History of Islam (part 1) by Akbar Shah Najeebabadi
Sa’d sent rib’i bin Amir. Rustam adorned his court with unwanted splendor and pomp to prepare for the audience with the Muslim ambassador. The entire court was carpeted with cloth of gold, the pillows were of rich silk, while gem bedecked throne was placed in the center.
Rib’i came right up to the richly carpeted floor and dismounting from his horse, attached the reins to a pillow. He then moved on supported by a spear piercing in to the carpet and cutting it and making holes in it with its point and sat beside Rustam. The courtiers made an attempt to pull him down from the throne and disarm him. Thereupon Rib’i thundered. “I have come on invitation and not of my own. Our religion strictly forbids anybody sitting like God and the rest standing before him with their hands folded. Now Rustam intervened and asked them not to do anything against the will of envoy.
However, on second thought rib’i dismounted from the throne, slit a portion of the carpet with his dagger and sat on the earth and said addressing Rustam, “We are not at all need of your carpet. The earth spread by Allah the Almighty is enough for us. Rustam then asked Rib’i through the interpreter, “What is your object in waging war against us.” Rib’i replied, “We intend to bring the slaves of Allah the Almighty to the expanse of the next world from the narrowness of this world and promote justice and Islam in place of atrocities and false religion. Any one who adopts justice and Islam will find us non –interfering in regard to his wealth, property and country. But we shall fight with whoever stands in our way until we go either to paradise or attain victory. If you seek to pay jizyah we shall accept it and will cease to go against you and you will find us standing by you if and when you need us for the safety of your life and property. "
Having heard this Rustam asked,”are you the chief of the Muslims. Rib’i replied “No, I am an ordinary soldier. But each one of us even the most ordinary can speak on behalf of the most powerful person and every person have full power in every matter".
The utterance of Rib’i left Rustam and courtiers dumb founded. Rustam then said,” the scabbard of your sword is quite rotten.” Ribi drew his sword out of the sheath and said “it has been tempered very recently”. Rustam again said, “The blade of your spear is very small. How can it be any use in battles? “ Rib’i replied “ this blade pierces deep in to the chest of the enemy and goes across it. Have you not seen that a spark is enough to burn down an entire city? “Well I shall ponder over your utterance and hold consultation with my men of sound judgment”. Rib’i got up and rode to Sa’d bin abu Waggas.
Source: History of Islam (part 1) by Akbar Shah Najeebabadi
03 May 2011
This life of deception
by Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim
This worldly life is like an unchaste woman, who is not satisfied with one husband. So! be satisfied with whatever Allah grants you from this worldly life.
Walking thereon is like walking in a land that is filled with beasts, and water that teams with crocodiles. That which causes delight, turns to be the source of grief. Pain is found in the midst of pleasures, and delights are derived from its sorrows. As a bird sees the wheat, so does one’s insight perceive polytheism, while vain desires render its holder blind.
Lusts were granted in abundance to humans, but those who believed in the unseen turned away from them, while those who follow their lusts were caused to regret.
The first category, are those, in which Allah says,
(They are on (true) guidance from their Lord, and they are the successful.)(Al-Baqarah, 2:5)
However, the other category, are those to whom Allah says
(0 you disbelievers)! Eat and enjoy yourselves (in this worldly life) for a little while. Verily, you are the Mujrimun (polytheists, disbelievers, sinners, criminals, etc.).(Al-Mursalat, 77:46)
When the successful ones are aware of the reality of this worldly life being sure of the inferiority of its degree, they overcame their vain desires for the sake of the Hereafter. They have been awakened from their heedlessness to remember what their enemies took from them during their period of idleness. Whenever they perceive the distant journey they must undertake, they remember their aim, so it appears easy for them. Whenever life becomes bitter, they remember this verse, in which Allah says,
(This is your Day which you were promised). (Al Anbiya’, 21:103)
Source: Al-Fawaid
This worldly life is like an unchaste woman, who is not satisfied with one husband. So! be satisfied with whatever Allah grants you from this worldly life.
Walking thereon is like walking in a land that is filled with beasts, and water that teams with crocodiles. That which causes delight, turns to be the source of grief. Pain is found in the midst of pleasures, and delights are derived from its sorrows. As a bird sees the wheat, so does one’s insight perceive polytheism, while vain desires render its holder blind.
Lusts were granted in abundance to humans, but those who believed in the unseen turned away from them, while those who follow their lusts were caused to regret.
The first category, are those, in which Allah says,
(They are on (true) guidance from their Lord, and they are the successful.)(Al-Baqarah, 2:5)
However, the other category, are those to whom Allah says
(0 you disbelievers)! Eat and enjoy yourselves (in this worldly life) for a little while. Verily, you are the Mujrimun (polytheists, disbelievers, sinners, criminals, etc.).(Al-Mursalat, 77:46)
When the successful ones are aware of the reality of this worldly life being sure of the inferiority of its degree, they overcame their vain desires for the sake of the Hereafter. They have been awakened from their heedlessness to remember what their enemies took from them during their period of idleness. Whenever they perceive the distant journey they must undertake, they remember their aim, so it appears easy for them. Whenever life becomes bitter, they remember this verse, in which Allah says,
(This is your Day which you were promised). (Al Anbiya’, 21:103)
Source: Al-Fawaid
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