Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that Abu Qahafa father of 'Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was presented to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) on the day of the conquest of Makkah and his head and his beard were just like snow. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that, 'Change it with something and avoid black.' Meaning dye it with a colour and do not use black.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Usage of Miswak
The use of Miswak is a means of purifying the mouth and is pleasing to Allah (The Exalted).
Sunnah of All The Prophet’s (upon them all be peace)
The Miswak is a stick by which a person cleans the mouth. This is a great Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). It is also a Sunnah of all the Messengers of Allah (upon them all be peace), for they used the Miswak.
Abu Ayyub Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that four things are the Sunnahs of all the prophets (upon them all be peace) 1) Circumcision, 2) To apply fragrance (Itr), 3) To use Miswak, 4) Marriage.
Seventy Extra Rewards For One Salaah
‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) has reported that,
“The prayer before which the Miswak is used is seventy times more excellent than that before which it is not used.”
Ibn Abbas, ‘Ali and Ata (may Allah be pleased with them all) state that,
“But it increases to 99 or 400 times.”
This reward is based on sincerity, the more sincerity you have the more reward you get, it may be that you can get 70, 99 or even 400. Subhanallah!
Many Other Benefits
Abu Darda (may Allah be pleased with him) states that,
“Make Miswak a must do not be headless as there are twenty four benefits in Miswak, the greatest benefit is that Allah (swt), becomes pleased, there is increase in wealth, it freshens the breath, it strengthens the gums, it relieves headaches, it relieves toothache and due to the light from the face and teeth the angles shake hands.”
Ali, Ata and ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be please with them all) state that Miswak strengthens a person’s memory, cures headaches, relieves the veins in the head, it gets rid of phlegm, strengthens the eye sight, keeps the liver healthy and helps digest food, increases intelligence, helps increase in family, lineage stays healthy in an old age, strengthens the stomach, purifies the heart, when exiting the Mosque the angles walk behind the person, the Prophets’ make supplication of forgiveness for the person, the Shaytan is displeased, the difficulties of death become easy and one remembers the Shahadah, when the angel of death comes to take the soul he will come as one of your friends and in some narrations it states he comes in the form when he takes the soul of a Prophet, you will get the book of deeds in the right hand, cross the bridge of Pul-Sirat with the speed of lightening, peace in the grave, if a person forgets to use the Miswak who has a habit will still be rewarded, and the doors of paradise are opened for that person.
‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) states that,
“The Miswak increases the memory and rids phlegm.”
The doctors say that the reasons for spots in the mouth are due to heat and acid from the liver and bacteria that is created in the mouth. One should use a Miswak as the saliva that is created from using the Miswak rids the illnesses.
On Awakening
‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,
“Never woke from sleeping at any time of the day or night without cleaning his teeth with a Miswak before performing ablution.”
To perform Miswak after sleeping when one awakes is a Sunnah. Whilst asleep the bad odours from the stomach comes towards the mouth which is why the mouth smells. With the blessings of this Sunnah the mouth will be cleansed.
On Entering The House
When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), intended to recite the Qur’an or sleep, he would use a Miswak. He did the same when entering the house. ‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said that,
“The first thing that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) did on entering the house, was Miswak.”
Part of Ablution
Hassan bin ‘Atiyya (may Allah be pleased with him) states that,
“Ablution is part of faith and using a Miswak is part of ablution.”
The Emphasis
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), said that,
“If I had not found it hard for my followers or the people, I would have ordered them to clean their teeth with Miswak for every prayer.”
Importance of Miswak
Allama Sha’rani (may Allah have Mercy upon him) states that,
‘Once Abu Bakr Shibli (d.334 A.H.) (may Allah have Mercy upon him) was in need of a Miswak at the time of wudhu, he looked for one but could not find one. He spent a Dinar and bought one and used it, people said, ‘You have over spent, can you buy a Miswak this expensive?’ Abu Bakr Shibli (may Allah have Mercy upon him) replied, ‘This world and all its contents in front of Allah (The Exalted) is not even compared to a mosquito, what answer will I give on the Day of Judgement when Allah (The Exalted) asks me, “Why did you leave the Sunnah of my beloved? The wealth that I gave you which (in front of me) is not equivalent to a mosquito, you did not spend it for this Sunnah?””
Miswak a Great Sunnah
‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said that,
“He passed away in my house, on my day, between my chest and throat. And at death Allah (The Exalted) joined my saliva to his. For when my brother ‘Abd al-Rahman entered carrying a Miswak in his hand, he (the Prophet) began to look at it, and I knew that it pleased him, so I said; “Shall I bring it to you?” Yes, he nodded, so I handed it to him. He put it into his mouth, but it was too hard for him. “Shall I soften it for you?” I asked. Yes, he nodded, so I made it soft. And by him there lay a leather vessel containing water into which he started dipping his hand, saying, “No deity is there except Allah! (The Exalted) truly death has agonies!” then he lifted up his hand and said, “The Highest Companion! The Highest Companion!” and I said, “So by Allah! (The Exalted) he will not prefer us.”” ‘Inna Lil-La-hi Wa-inna Ilay-hi Ra-Jioon.’
Even on the death bed the Miswak was a beloved Sunnah of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), because it pleases Allah (The Exalted). Let us grasp hold fast to this Sunnah, we brush our teeth anyway, why not use the Miswak too as you can carry the Miswak with you as there is no need for paste, as the Miswak comes form a tree which has natural benefits and you can use it whenever you want, after eating, before entering the house, etc.
Cure For Illness
‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) states that,
“There is a cure for every illness in Miswak besides death.”
Allama Amjad ‘Ali writes in Bahar-e-Shariat that, “The scholars state whosoever has a habit of using the Miswak, then at the time of death they will (be blessed with the) reciting of the Shahadah"
How to hold the Miswak
According to ‘Abd Allah ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) hold the Miswak in the right hand so that the small finger is below the Miswak and the thumb is below the tip and the other fingers are on top of the Miswak. Do not hold it in the fist as there is a chance of illness.
Shaykh Ahmad Raza Khan writes; “To keep the teeth healthy, a deed has been practised by the scholars, that is in the first cycle of the Witr prayer recites Surah Nasr , in the second Surah Lahab and in the third Surah Ikhlas .”
Manners of Miswak
1. The Miswak should not be too hard nor too soft.
2. It be from trees such as Zaytoon, Peelu or Neem and not from a fragrant tree.
3. Rub the Miswak on the gums at least three times and dip it in water each time.
4. If the finger is to be used instead of the Miswak, then the upper and lower jaws on the right side are cleaned with the thumb and the left side is cleaned similarly with the index finger.
5. Put the Miswak upright when not in use.
6. There is a chance of becoming insane if placed on the floor.
7. The Miswak should be no thicker than the little finger and longer than the hand span as the devil sits on the end if longer. It is not a problem if less than a hand span but not too short that it is difficult to use.
8. Imam Shafi said, ‘cleansing the teeth increases wisdom’.
9. Use the right hand to perform the Miswak.
10. Clean at least three times.
11. Do not perform the Miswak in a up/down motion but use it from right to left as there is a chance of damaging the gums.
12. It is disliked to use the Miswak in the toilet.
13. Do not use it whilst lying down as there is a chance of bad temper.
14. To perform Miswak in wudhu is an emphasized Sunnah (Sunnat-e-Muakeda).
15. Miswak is Sunnah for ablution and not for Salaah.
16. Do not throw away the Miswak or the bristles away but bury them.
17. Use the Miswak from one end and not both.
18. Women can also use the Miswak.
19. One who uses the Miswak gets five rewards for each tooth.
20. The companions would keep the Miswak on their ears even at the time of journey.
21. Cut the bristles (tip) of the Miswak every 1-2 days and start fresh by biting to make it soft.
22. It is permissible to use Miswak whilst fasting. However, it is not permissible to use a flavoured Miswak nor is it permissible to use toothpaste, when the taste enters the throat breaking the fast and it is wajib (necessary) to be made up. However, if it does not go down the throat it is Makrooh (disliked), but one should abstain if there is no need to do so.
23. It is Sunnah to use a Miswak on the day of Jumu’ah.
24. According to a hadith, the use of Miswak will gain a person the reward equivalent to the number of new Muslims that revert until the day of judgement.
25. To use the Miswak after eating, one will gain the reward of freeing two slaves.
Other times when the usage of Miswak is Sunnah
1. For the recitation of the Holy Qur’an.
2. For the recitation of Hadith.
3. When the mouth emits bad odour.
4. For teaching or learning the virtues of Islam.
5. For making remembrance of Allah (The Exalted).
6. Before intercourse.
7. After entering one’s home.
8. Before entering any good gathering.
9. When experiencing pangs of hunger or thirst.
10. After the time of Suhoor.
11. Before meals.
12. Before and after a journey.
13. Before and after sleeping.
May Allah (The Exalted) give us the ability to practise this beautiful Sunnah with sincerity, Ameen.
Source: www.zikr.co.uk
Sunnah of All The Prophet’s (upon them all be peace)
The Miswak is a stick by which a person cleans the mouth. This is a great Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). It is also a Sunnah of all the Messengers of Allah (upon them all be peace), for they used the Miswak.
Abu Ayyub Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that four things are the Sunnahs of all the prophets (upon them all be peace) 1) Circumcision, 2) To apply fragrance (Itr), 3) To use Miswak, 4) Marriage.
Seventy Extra Rewards For One Salaah
‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) has reported that,
“The prayer before which the Miswak is used is seventy times more excellent than that before which it is not used.”
Ibn Abbas, ‘Ali and Ata (may Allah be pleased with them all) state that,
“But it increases to 99 or 400 times.”
This reward is based on sincerity, the more sincerity you have the more reward you get, it may be that you can get 70, 99 or even 400. Subhanallah!
Many Other Benefits
Abu Darda (may Allah be pleased with him) states that,
“Make Miswak a must do not be headless as there are twenty four benefits in Miswak, the greatest benefit is that Allah (swt), becomes pleased, there is increase in wealth, it freshens the breath, it strengthens the gums, it relieves headaches, it relieves toothache and due to the light from the face and teeth the angles shake hands.”
Ali, Ata and ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be please with them all) state that Miswak strengthens a person’s memory, cures headaches, relieves the veins in the head, it gets rid of phlegm, strengthens the eye sight, keeps the liver healthy and helps digest food, increases intelligence, helps increase in family, lineage stays healthy in an old age, strengthens the stomach, purifies the heart, when exiting the Mosque the angles walk behind the person, the Prophets’ make supplication of forgiveness for the person, the Shaytan is displeased, the difficulties of death become easy and one remembers the Shahadah, when the angel of death comes to take the soul he will come as one of your friends and in some narrations it states he comes in the form when he takes the soul of a Prophet, you will get the book of deeds in the right hand, cross the bridge of Pul-Sirat with the speed of lightening, peace in the grave, if a person forgets to use the Miswak who has a habit will still be rewarded, and the doors of paradise are opened for that person.
‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) states that,
“The Miswak increases the memory and rids phlegm.”
The doctors say that the reasons for spots in the mouth are due to heat and acid from the liver and bacteria that is created in the mouth. One should use a Miswak as the saliva that is created from using the Miswak rids the illnesses.
On Awakening
‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,
“Never woke from sleeping at any time of the day or night without cleaning his teeth with a Miswak before performing ablution.”
To perform Miswak after sleeping when one awakes is a Sunnah. Whilst asleep the bad odours from the stomach comes towards the mouth which is why the mouth smells. With the blessings of this Sunnah the mouth will be cleansed.
On Entering The House
When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), intended to recite the Qur’an or sleep, he would use a Miswak. He did the same when entering the house. ‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said that,
“The first thing that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) did on entering the house, was Miswak.”
Part of Ablution
Hassan bin ‘Atiyya (may Allah be pleased with him) states that,
“Ablution is part of faith and using a Miswak is part of ablution.”
The Emphasis
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), said that,
“If I had not found it hard for my followers or the people, I would have ordered them to clean their teeth with Miswak for every prayer.”
Importance of Miswak
Allama Sha’rani (may Allah have Mercy upon him) states that,
‘Once Abu Bakr Shibli (d.334 A.H.) (may Allah have Mercy upon him) was in need of a Miswak at the time of wudhu, he looked for one but could not find one. He spent a Dinar and bought one and used it, people said, ‘You have over spent, can you buy a Miswak this expensive?’ Abu Bakr Shibli (may Allah have Mercy upon him) replied, ‘This world and all its contents in front of Allah (The Exalted) is not even compared to a mosquito, what answer will I give on the Day of Judgement when Allah (The Exalted) asks me, “Why did you leave the Sunnah of my beloved? The wealth that I gave you which (in front of me) is not equivalent to a mosquito, you did not spend it for this Sunnah?””
Miswak a Great Sunnah
‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said that,
“He passed away in my house, on my day, between my chest and throat. And at death Allah (The Exalted) joined my saliva to his. For when my brother ‘Abd al-Rahman entered carrying a Miswak in his hand, he (the Prophet) began to look at it, and I knew that it pleased him, so I said; “Shall I bring it to you?” Yes, he nodded, so I handed it to him. He put it into his mouth, but it was too hard for him. “Shall I soften it for you?” I asked. Yes, he nodded, so I made it soft. And by him there lay a leather vessel containing water into which he started dipping his hand, saying, “No deity is there except Allah! (The Exalted) truly death has agonies!” then he lifted up his hand and said, “The Highest Companion! The Highest Companion!” and I said, “So by Allah! (The Exalted) he will not prefer us.”” ‘Inna Lil-La-hi Wa-inna Ilay-hi Ra-Jioon.’
Even on the death bed the Miswak was a beloved Sunnah of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), because it pleases Allah (The Exalted). Let us grasp hold fast to this Sunnah, we brush our teeth anyway, why not use the Miswak too as you can carry the Miswak with you as there is no need for paste, as the Miswak comes form a tree which has natural benefits and you can use it whenever you want, after eating, before entering the house, etc.
Cure For Illness
‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) states that,
“There is a cure for every illness in Miswak besides death.”
Allama Amjad ‘Ali writes in Bahar-e-Shariat that, “The scholars state whosoever has a habit of using the Miswak, then at the time of death they will (be blessed with the) reciting of the Shahadah"
How to hold the Miswak
According to ‘Abd Allah ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) hold the Miswak in the right hand so that the small finger is below the Miswak and the thumb is below the tip and the other fingers are on top of the Miswak. Do not hold it in the fist as there is a chance of illness.
Shaykh Ahmad Raza Khan writes; “To keep the teeth healthy, a deed has been practised by the scholars, that is in the first cycle of the Witr prayer recites Surah Nasr , in the second Surah Lahab and in the third Surah Ikhlas .”
Manners of Miswak
1. The Miswak should not be too hard nor too soft.
2. It be from trees such as Zaytoon, Peelu or Neem and not from a fragrant tree.
3. Rub the Miswak on the gums at least three times and dip it in water each time.
4. If the finger is to be used instead of the Miswak, then the upper and lower jaws on the right side are cleaned with the thumb and the left side is cleaned similarly with the index finger.
5. Put the Miswak upright when not in use.
6. There is a chance of becoming insane if placed on the floor.
7. The Miswak should be no thicker than the little finger and longer than the hand span as the devil sits on the end if longer. It is not a problem if less than a hand span but not too short that it is difficult to use.
8. Imam Shafi said, ‘cleansing the teeth increases wisdom’.
9. Use the right hand to perform the Miswak.
10. Clean at least three times.
11. Do not perform the Miswak in a up/down motion but use it from right to left as there is a chance of damaging the gums.
12. It is disliked to use the Miswak in the toilet.
13. Do not use it whilst lying down as there is a chance of bad temper.
14. To perform Miswak in wudhu is an emphasized Sunnah (Sunnat-e-Muakeda).
15. Miswak is Sunnah for ablution and not for Salaah.
16. Do not throw away the Miswak or the bristles away but bury them.
17. Use the Miswak from one end and not both.
18. Women can also use the Miswak.
19. One who uses the Miswak gets five rewards for each tooth.
20. The companions would keep the Miswak on their ears even at the time of journey.
21. Cut the bristles (tip) of the Miswak every 1-2 days and start fresh by biting to make it soft.
22. It is permissible to use Miswak whilst fasting. However, it is not permissible to use a flavoured Miswak nor is it permissible to use toothpaste, when the taste enters the throat breaking the fast and it is wajib (necessary) to be made up. However, if it does not go down the throat it is Makrooh (disliked), but one should abstain if there is no need to do so.
23. It is Sunnah to use a Miswak on the day of Jumu’ah.
24. According to a hadith, the use of Miswak will gain a person the reward equivalent to the number of new Muslims that revert until the day of judgement.
25. To use the Miswak after eating, one will gain the reward of freeing two slaves.
Other times when the usage of Miswak is Sunnah
1. For the recitation of the Holy Qur’an.
2. For the recitation of Hadith.
3. When the mouth emits bad odour.
4. For teaching or learning the virtues of Islam.
5. For making remembrance of Allah (The Exalted).
6. Before intercourse.
7. After entering one’s home.
8. Before entering any good gathering.
9. When experiencing pangs of hunger or thirst.
10. After the time of Suhoor.
11. Before meals.
12. Before and after a journey.
13. Before and after sleeping.
May Allah (The Exalted) give us the ability to practise this beautiful Sunnah with sincerity, Ameen.
Source: www.zikr.co.uk
Sunnah of Applying Surma/Antimony
To apply Surma is a blessed Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). When he would go to sleep at night he would apply Surma in his blessed eyes. We should also try to practice this Sunnah as we will gain the reward and benefit in following the Sunnah and the worldly benefits too.
Best type of Surma
'Abd-Allah Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that, 'The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that, ''among the best types of collyrium you use is ithmad, it clears the vision and makes the hair sprout.'
When to put Surma on
Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) has related that, 'The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) had a collyrium container out of which he applied collyrium every night, in each eye three times.'
It is the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) to apply Surma when going to sleep. It stays in the eyes for longer and makes it more effective.
Benefit of Surma
Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) has related that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that, 'Apply antimony regularly, as it clears the sight, makes the eye lashes grow and is the best of things beautifying the eyes.'
How to put Surma on
Imran Ibn Abi Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) has related that, 'The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) would apply antimony thrice in the right eye and twice in the left.'
The application of Surma is Sunnah for both men and women and be done at night, three times in each eye.
Imam Shafi (may Allah's mercy be upon him) states that four things that strengthen the eyesight, to sit towards the Qibla, to use Surma before sleeping, to look towards something with green colour, and to keep the clothes clean.
Manners of applying the Surma
Supplication for applying Surma
'Allahumma Mat-Ti'Ni Bissam-e Wal Basar'.
'O Allah (The Exalted) give me benefit in listening and seeing'
Thereafter apply some Surma in the right eye once then the left and so on three times.
Death Fixation
I am surprised at the arrogant as yesterday he was a drop of water and tomorrow he will become a decaying corpse. I am surprised at one who doubts the existence of God while he sees His creation all the time. I am surprised at him who forgets death while he sees the dead. I am surprised at one who having seen this life denies the life to come. I am surprised at him who builds for this transitory world and forgets the world that is eternal –Imam Ali (A.S.)
They only know the palpable life of this world, and are oblivious of the Hereafter. (Surah ar-Rum, 30:7)
The visit to the graves is recommended so that we should be reminded of our death. We all know that during day and night we recite the following Qur'anic verse several times in our obligatory prayers so that we are reminded of the Resurrection day:
Master of the Day of Judgement. (Surah Fateha, 1:4)
Imam Ja'far Sadiq, our sixth Imam, says about the effects of remembering Death and the Resurrection day:
o Remembering of death suppresses the inordinate desires
o It uproots the very foundation of negligence and apathy.
o With the reminding of Allah's promise, it strengthens man's heart.
o It softens the hard mentality of man.
o It demolishes the banners of inordinate desires and transgression.
o It suppresses the evil of greediness and makes the world humble before one's eyes.
We read in the Islamic traditions that the most wise and thoughtful are those who keep remembering death all the time. (Biharul Anwar, vol. VI, p. 135)
When the Holy Prophet said that hearts also get rusted like iron, the people asked, "With what substance can it be cleansed?" The Holy Prophet replied: "By remembering death and reciting the Holy Qur'an".
Another tradition that is narrated from the Holy Prophet is this: "Remember death frequently for it has four effects.
o It washes off your sins.
o It reduces your keen fondness for the world.
o It checks your indulgence in bad practices and improper use of wealth during the period of affluence.
o It makes a man content with whatever little quantity of wealth he has as during poverty his remembering of death makes him realize how easily he will account before Allah because he sees that when he has a small quantity of wealth his accountability also would be less". (Nahjul Fasahat, saying, 444)
Imam Ali in connection with a tradition says, "He who remembers death frequently will remain content with whatever little quantity of wealth he has. He never craves for more and he neither becomes greedy nor miser". (Biharul Anwar, vol. VI)
Actually, the world deceives its own lovers. Anyone who after having the thought of death and the Resurrection Day diverts his heart to the next world, this world's hypocrisies, pomp and show do not allure him towards it.
Imam Ali says, "Anyone who remembers death frequently saves himself from the hypocrisies of the world".
In another tradition which is about the impact of remembering death, we read: "Anyone who sees death in front of him and awaits it, will never lay behind in his daily performances because he knows that the time at his disposal is short and death can overtake him any movement. He gets busy in doing the noble deeds as much as is humanly possible".
Imam Ali reminds the people of how death overtook the people of the past generations and prepares them for it and says, "Where are now the kings of Yemen and Hejaz and their offsprings? Where have the Emperors of Iran and Rome gone? Where are the tyrants and their progenies? Where are those people who had built strong fortresses and decorated them with gold? Where are those people, whose life span was greater than that of yours and whose signs were greater than those of yours?"
Actually those mothers, who are anxious for the future of their daughters, prepare their dowries, little by little, from their very childhood. Those traders who think of their future debts and liabilities start saving something from the beginning.
Similarly those people who are concerned about death and the Resurrection day from today give up their bad deeds and start performing noble deeds so as to present them on the Resurrection day.
Some people asked a known religious scholar, who was an erudite scholar of Karbala: "If a credible man tells you that you are going to die in a week's time what will you do in the remaining few days?" He replied, "I will continue doing what I have been doing since my youth, because from the days of my youth whenever I intended to do a thing, I thought of the explanation to give on the Resurrection day and, therefore, for me to die at any moment is no worry at all".
Such people are the dedicated followers of that exalted person, Imam Ali (A.S.), who on the 19th of Ramadan, after receiving the fatal wound of the sword of Ibn Muljam said, "By Allah I have become triumphant". This very exalted personage in his sermon in Nahjul Balaghah advises his son to remember death at all moments so that by the time death overtakes him, his deeds are with him intact and he may not be questioned for his negligence. (Vide, Peak of Eloquence, ISP, 1984)
We read in many Qur'anic verses that when you think that you are a self-made person and you are pious and honorable before Allah, you should not be afraid of death; rather you should be desirous of it.
Remembering of Death in Supplications
Remembering death and the Resurrection day is the integral part of supplications. As for example in the Supplication of Abu Hamza Thamali we read as follows:
O Lord! At the time of my dying bestow Your Mercy on my sorrow and helplessness.
O Lord! Bestow Your Mercy in the loneliness of my grave and in my fear and restlessness.
O Lord! On the Day of Judgement Bestow Your Mercy at the time of the scrutiny of my deeds when I am disgraced for failing to give explanation.
O Lord! Bestow Your Mercy at the time when my friends take my coffin to the graveyard.
Imam Ali's Supplication in Masjid Kufa
O Lord! Protect me from that day and put me under Your shelter, when the tyrant will be chewing his own flesh and would be repenting and saying, 'Would that I had not followed those who misguided me to go astray and instead had adopted the path as shown by the Holy Prophet'.
O Lord! Bestow Your Mercy and protection on me on the day when the parents would not be able to help me; when the repentance of the tyrants will be of no avail; when man will run away even from his father, mother, brothers sons and friends when man will be singularly responsible for his own deeds
O Lord ! Protect me on the day when the sinners would wish that their sons, brothers, friends and the entire family might be caught instead of them, and save me from the torment of Hell.
Reciting of these supplications cures the sick and brightens the darkness of the soul. They purify the souls, broaden our mental horizon and enlighten us.
However the sinners and the transgressors are those who do not believe in the accountability and the Resurrection day or if they have belief in it they are spiritually bankrupt.
They only know the palpable life of this world, and are oblivious of the Hereafter. (Surah ar-Rum, 30:7)
The visit to the graves is recommended so that we should be reminded of our death. We all know that during day and night we recite the following Qur'anic verse several times in our obligatory prayers so that we are reminded of the Resurrection day:
Master of the Day of Judgement. (Surah Fateha, 1:4)
Imam Ja'far Sadiq, our sixth Imam, says about the effects of remembering Death and the Resurrection day:
o Remembering of death suppresses the inordinate desires
o It uproots the very foundation of negligence and apathy.
o With the reminding of Allah's promise, it strengthens man's heart.
o It softens the hard mentality of man.
o It demolishes the banners of inordinate desires and transgression.
o It suppresses the evil of greediness and makes the world humble before one's eyes.
We read in the Islamic traditions that the most wise and thoughtful are those who keep remembering death all the time. (Biharul Anwar, vol. VI, p. 135)
When the Holy Prophet said that hearts also get rusted like iron, the people asked, "With what substance can it be cleansed?" The Holy Prophet replied: "By remembering death and reciting the Holy Qur'an".
Another tradition that is narrated from the Holy Prophet is this: "Remember death frequently for it has four effects.
o It washes off your sins.
o It reduces your keen fondness for the world.
o It checks your indulgence in bad practices and improper use of wealth during the period of affluence.
o It makes a man content with whatever little quantity of wealth he has as during poverty his remembering of death makes him realize how easily he will account before Allah because he sees that when he has a small quantity of wealth his accountability also would be less". (Nahjul Fasahat, saying, 444)
Imam Ali in connection with a tradition says, "He who remembers death frequently will remain content with whatever little quantity of wealth he has. He never craves for more and he neither becomes greedy nor miser". (Biharul Anwar, vol. VI)
Actually, the world deceives its own lovers. Anyone who after having the thought of death and the Resurrection Day diverts his heart to the next world, this world's hypocrisies, pomp and show do not allure him towards it.
Imam Ali says, "Anyone who remembers death frequently saves himself from the hypocrisies of the world".
In another tradition which is about the impact of remembering death, we read: "Anyone who sees death in front of him and awaits it, will never lay behind in his daily performances because he knows that the time at his disposal is short and death can overtake him any movement. He gets busy in doing the noble deeds as much as is humanly possible".
Imam Ali reminds the people of how death overtook the people of the past generations and prepares them for it and says, "Where are now the kings of Yemen and Hejaz and their offsprings? Where have the Emperors of Iran and Rome gone? Where are the tyrants and their progenies? Where are those people who had built strong fortresses and decorated them with gold? Where are those people, whose life span was greater than that of yours and whose signs were greater than those of yours?"
Actually those mothers, who are anxious for the future of their daughters, prepare their dowries, little by little, from their very childhood. Those traders who think of their future debts and liabilities start saving something from the beginning.
Similarly those people who are concerned about death and the Resurrection day from today give up their bad deeds and start performing noble deeds so as to present them on the Resurrection day.
Some people asked a known religious scholar, who was an erudite scholar of Karbala: "If a credible man tells you that you are going to die in a week's time what will you do in the remaining few days?" He replied, "I will continue doing what I have been doing since my youth, because from the days of my youth whenever I intended to do a thing, I thought of the explanation to give on the Resurrection day and, therefore, for me to die at any moment is no worry at all".
Such people are the dedicated followers of that exalted person, Imam Ali (A.S.), who on the 19th of Ramadan, after receiving the fatal wound of the sword of Ibn Muljam said, "By Allah I have become triumphant". This very exalted personage in his sermon in Nahjul Balaghah advises his son to remember death at all moments so that by the time death overtakes him, his deeds are with him intact and he may not be questioned for his negligence. (Vide, Peak of Eloquence, ISP, 1984)
We read in many Qur'anic verses that when you think that you are a self-made person and you are pious and honorable before Allah, you should not be afraid of death; rather you should be desirous of it.
Remembering of Death in Supplications
Remembering death and the Resurrection day is the integral part of supplications. As for example in the Supplication of Abu Hamza Thamali we read as follows:
O Lord! At the time of my dying bestow Your Mercy on my sorrow and helplessness.
O Lord! Bestow Your Mercy in the loneliness of my grave and in my fear and restlessness.
O Lord! On the Day of Judgement Bestow Your Mercy at the time of the scrutiny of my deeds when I am disgraced for failing to give explanation.
O Lord! Bestow Your Mercy at the time when my friends take my coffin to the graveyard.
Imam Ali's Supplication in Masjid Kufa
O Lord! Protect me from that day and put me under Your shelter, when the tyrant will be chewing his own flesh and would be repenting and saying, 'Would that I had not followed those who misguided me to go astray and instead had adopted the path as shown by the Holy Prophet'.
O Lord! Bestow Your Mercy and protection on me on the day when the parents would not be able to help me; when the repentance of the tyrants will be of no avail; when man will run away even from his father, mother, brothers sons and friends when man will be singularly responsible for his own deeds
O Lord ! Protect me on the day when the sinners would wish that their sons, brothers, friends and the entire family might be caught instead of them, and save me from the torment of Hell.
Reciting of these supplications cures the sick and brightens the darkness of the soul. They purify the souls, broaden our mental horizon and enlighten us.
However the sinners and the transgressors are those who do not believe in the accountability and the Resurrection day or if they have belief in it they are spiritually bankrupt.
The Appeal of Graveyards
1) It is a quiet place which lends itself to introspection and reflection on what life is about and what is important. It puts us in touch with our own mortality. If we understand the fragility of life, we are better able to appreciate it. We get away from TV, computers, stress, responsibility, superficiality and the unimportant things that invade our lives. A graveyard promotes a level of introspection and reflection that not many other places can.
2) Graveyards are beautiful.
3) The mystery and supernatural atmosphere that surrounds graveyards is alluring. People often feel a spiritual or supernatural presence there. We generally tend to focus on the supernatural.
4)
a) It reminds one of death and afterlife, and makes him draw a lesson from it for his afterlife. (Muslim, Janaiz, 108; Tirmidhi, Janaiz, 59; Ibn Majah, Janaiz 47-48; Ahmad b. Hanbal, Musnad, I, 145).
b) It directs one to asceticism and taqwa (God-Consciousness). It prevents over-ambitiousness for worldly life and committing harams. It directs one to commit good deeds. (Ibn Majah, Janaiz, 47).
c) Visiting graves of saintly people - especially that of our Prophet’s - refreshes one’s soul and helps to evoke supreme feelings in them. It is mandoob to travel to the graves of our Prophet and Allah’s saintly slaves in order to visit them. The Prophet states in a hadith: “Whoever visits me after I die, it is as if he visited me when I was alive.” (Mansur Ali Nasif, at-Taj, al-Jamiu’l Usul, II, 190).
d) Visiting graves helps the strengthening of one’s relations with his past, religious culture and history.
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