The Final Day

THE MINOR
RESURRECTION

( What happens After Death)
In the Light of the Qur’an and Sunnah
By ‘Umar S. al-Ashqar
Section-The Grave (3) Examples of Lessons pg.107-109

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem
( In the Name of Allah, The Most Gracious The Most Merciful)

Imaam Qurtubi( raheemahullah-May Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala have mercy upon him) gave the following advice in his Tadhkirah:

“ Where is the wealth that you have gathered and prepared for hardship and terror? There is no money in your hand when you are dying. The wealth and pride that you enjoyed have been replaced with humiliation and poverty. What has become of you, O’ prisoner of your burdens, O’ you who have been taken away from your family and your home?

What was it that concealed the right path from you, and caused you to have no interest in making provision for your long journey and time of difficulty? Did you not know, O’ you who were deceived by this world, that this journey to the Day of intense horror was inevitable, when the time spent in gossip would be to no avail? That is the Day when you are standing before the Sovereign, the Judge, and the blows struck by your hands, the places where your feet took you, the words uttered by your tongue, the actions of all your limbs and faculties, will be counted against you. If Allah has mercy upon you, you will go to Paradise, otherwise you will go to the Fire of Hell.

O’ negligent one who ignores these matters, how long will this negligence last? How long will you delay? Do you think that the issue is insignificant? Do you think that the matter is easy? Do you think that your situation will help you when it is time for you to depart? Or that your wealth will save you when your actions condemn you? Or that your regret will help you when your feet are slipping? Or that your friends will show you any sympathy when you are gathered (for judgement)? No, by Allah, you are wrong in your thinking, and you will inevitably come to know the reality. You are not content with enough, you never have your fill of that which is haraam(i.e. Unlawful), you do not listen to lectures, you are not deterred by warnings. You persist in following your desires and you go about your life without guidance. You are happy with the things that you have accumulated but you do not think of what lies ahead. O’ you who are sleeping unaware, wandering without guidance, for how long will the neglect last? Do you think that you will be left alone and let off, and that you will not be brought to account tomorrow? Or do you think that death can be bribed? Or do you think that death distinguishes between a lion and a gazelle? No, by Allah, wealth and sons can never ward off death from you. Nothing can benefit those who will be forgiven except righteous deeds. So good news to those who listen and understand, who pays heed, and that man will have nothing except that for which he strives, and he will see what he has striven for. So wake up from this negligence, and make righteous deeds the provision with which you equip yourselves. Do not wish to attain the statues of the righteous when you are weighed down with burdens (of sin), doing immoral deeds, when Allah is watching you even when you are alone. Do not be so deceived by hopes and wishes that you neglect to strive. One poet said:

‘ Take provision from this life to help yourself in the Hereafter.

Strive for the sake of Allah and do good deeds.

Do not accumulate too much in this world,

For that accumulation will eventually diminish.

Would you like to accompany people

Who have provision when you do not?”

(Tadhkirat al-Qurtubi, 91)


Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala says in Surah(Chapter) Al Hadid ( The Iron)(20)

Know ye (all) that the life of this world is but playand amusement pomp and mutual boasting andmultiplying (in rivalry) among yourselves richesand children: Here is a similitude: How rain and the growth which it brings forth delight (the hearts of) the tillers; soon it withers; thou wilt see it grow yellow; then it becomes dry and crumbles away. But in the Hereafter is a Penalty severe (for the devotees of wrong) and Forgiveness from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure (for the devotees of Allah). And what is the life of this world but goods and chattels of deception?

Insha’Allah We will need to keep our focus upon the true reality of this world; and not be fooled by the glimmer and beauty that it displays, enticing us to fall in love with it. How could one have such love for the world when it contains “chattels of deception” and is only temporary. On the contrary the Ackhira ( hereafter) is forever lasting; comfort for the believers, and punishment for the disbelievers. So wouldn’t one who realizes this take advantage of what will lead him/her closer to piety with Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala instead of what will lead him/her farther away to the path of punishment?? We seek refuge in Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala from achieving this massive and destructive loss. Ameen !

Write up by: brother Ibrahim

Jazahullahu Khairan Katheera