Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Welcome!! O Angels with bright faces!!

DETACHMENT FROM THIS WORLD AND ATTACHMENT TO THE NEXT
Jabir RadiAllahu Anhu (may Allah be pleased with him) related that the Holy Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasalam (may the peace & blessings of Allah be upon him) passed by a dead baby goat whose ears had been cut off. He said, "Who would like to exchange it for a dirham (a dirham is an Arabian currency)?" Those present exclaimed, "We would not like to have it even for the meanest thing, not to speak of a dirham." The Holy Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasalam said, By Allah, the world is more contemptible than what this dead goat is for you." (Muslim, Hayat-ul Muslimeen)

Ibn-Mas'ud RadiAllahu Anhu tells that the Holy Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasalam slept on a mat that left visible impressions on his body. Ibn-Mas'ud requested could he spread some bedding for the Holy Prophet, whose reply was, "I have no concern with this world. My association with the world is like a horseman who whilst on his way stops under a shady tree and then departs again to continue his journey." (Ahmad, Tirmizi, Ibn-Majah)

Abu Hurairah RadiAllahu Anhu related that the Holy Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasalam said, "Remember abundantly the one who cuts off all pleasures (death)." (Tirmzi, Ibn-Majah, Hayat-ul-Muslimeen)

And according to Abdullah bin Umar RadiAllahu Anhu the Holy Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasalam said, "Death is a gift to a Muslim." (Baihaqui)

One should be pleased with this gift. However, if one is worried and apprehensive about punishment in the Hereafter he should seriously consider how to relieve himself of those worries, and that is by observing Allah's Commands and those of His Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasalam, and seeking repentance with all sincerity when one falls into lapses." (Hayat-ul-Muslimeen)

Bara-bin-Azib RadiAllahu Anhu related a very long tradition in which the Holy Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasalam said, "When a true Muslim is about to leave this world and make his journey to the Hereafter two angels with bright faces descend with the shroud and perfumes from paradise. Then decends the Angel of Death who says, 'O pure soul, come forth to Allah's Pardon and Pleasure!' When they take it they place it in the shroud and perfume. The air is permeated with the fragrance of musk. Then they rise and travel upwards and every gathering of angels they pass says, "Who is this pure one?' They reply, 'such and such son or daughter of so and so', giving him graceful names. They then take him to the lowest region of heaven and ask for the door to be opened. It opens. The angels of this heaven then take him to the next and the angels of this heaven take him to the next until he reaches the highest, the seventh heaven. Allah Subhana wa Ta'al (Glory be to He, the Most High) says, 'Write the record of actions or this slave's name in Illiyun and return him to the earth for interrogation.' Therefore his soul is returned to his body but not as it was previously. Now it has knowledge of the state of being after death. Then two angels come to him and say, 'Who is thy Lord?' And he replies, 'My Lord is Allah.' Then they ask, 'What is thy religion? And he answers, 'Islam.' 'Who are these men who have been sent to you?' 'They are the Prophets of Allah.' Then the Voice of Allah is heard, 'My slave gave the right answers. Make for him a bed in Paradise, dress him for Paradise and open a door for him towards Paradise.' Then peace and perfume come for him from paradise." (The tradition then gives details of what happens to the infidel at the moment of death.) (Musnad Ahmad, Hayat-ul Muslimeen)

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