Death Is A Bridge

Darse Quran by Maulana Rizwan Pasha Quadri at Masjide Shujath, Tolichowki, Hyderabad
Published in Muslim Murasu, September 2011

Surah AlaImran, Rukoo 17, this is Quran’s biggest Rukoo.
Initial verses bring home some realities about death. Subsequent verses draw our attention towards how Prophet was sent as a huge mercy to believers and how he was immensely kind and affectionate.
“O ye who believe! Be not like the unbelievers”. There were many hypocrites in Madinah in those days. They raised concern about Prophet’s companions and warriors getting killed in battles. They are ruining their lives and are running into a certain death. This was the question they raised and created confusion in the minds of the city dwellers and caused distress to the family members of the martyrs. They inspired fear and yearnings in their hearts.
Let us understand the truth. If Allah desires to protect someone, no one will be able to kill him. If it were Allah’s Will that a person must die, then staying safe in Madinah far from the battlefield is not going to save him. We see many such incidents in our day-to-day life. Small kids are rescued safely amidst the ruins of tsunami disaster. There are people who slip from train and stay alive. There are also people who slip from foot-stairs and die. Life and death are in Allah’s hands.
Moomin believes this. Death will follow you wherever you go. Even if you take refuge in fortified palace, death will conquer you. Government, medical experts or any other force will appear hopeless. Allah sees well all that you do. If you are slain or die in the path of Allah, you won’t be in loss.
Allah promises two favors, Makfirath (forgiveness) and Rahmath (mercy). These are far better than all that a man could amass. A person bestowed with mercy will find peace in life even in poor conditions. A person lacking God’s mercy won’t have a peaceful life even if he is rich with wealth.
If you die or are slain, you will be brought unto God. A faithful person’s soul (Rooh) will be covered in silk cloth with fragrant odor. It will be taken past all the seven skies and it will see God without any veil. At once it will fall in Sajda (prostration). God will say that His slave has shown his love for Him. And He will tell angels to take the soul back to grave. Prophet informs that at the same time when we are burying the body in the grave, angels will be injecting soul in the body. Allah will glorify His slave with such honor.
We celebrate when spiritual elders pass away. Usual tradition in world is to offer condolences and observe silence during death anniversaries. But Muslims will arrange lights, apply perfumes, distribute Sarbath and create a joyful atmosphere. Some struggle to understand this.
Why do we celebrate death. It is the day when the soul sees its Lord. It is auspicious, blissful time. Prophet informs in a Hadees, “Death is a bridge that connects two friends”. Devout people do not fear death. They expect it eagerly. This is how Fathima (ral) died. She took bath, wore new clothes and went to bed facing Kibla. She told Ali (ral) that bathing is not needed, she can be directly buried. She pulled bedsheet over her face. She departed in a short while. There was no fear or regrets. There won’t be any pain. Such people don’t have their hearts in this world. They wait eagerly to meet Rasoolullah, Allah and Akhirat. Death will be easy for believers. It will be death for a short while. Later they will meet God amid celebrations and felicitations. They will be given a new life.
There are many incidents recorded in history. We hear about Salaam being heard from graves. I was studying in Madrasa in nineties. Mosque expansion was going on at that time. Some adjacent graves were dug and leveled. Some graves were as many as 400 years old but bodies in them were intact without deterioration. When Hafiz dies, Allah will ask earth will it eat Hafiz body. Earth will reply in negative. The case and place where Quran is kept is considered sacred. Hafiz have Quran in their hearts. They won’t be destroyed.
It is part of the Mercy of God that Prophet was very kind and soft-natured. His tenderness was beyond any comparison. Ayisha (ral) testifies that Prophet never took any revenge for personal reasons. He will give apt reply when God’s commands are disobeyed. But there won’t be any selfish angle to it. If he were harsh hearted, people won’t be circling around him. When he walked in the streets, plenty of them will accompany him. Many will sit with him when he sits. Even children will mix freely with our Holy Prophet. This is God’s mercy that He made our Prophet very kind. ‘Galeez’ word has been used in this verse. In Arabic, it means ‘harsh’. Prophet was not harsh. He faced insufferable tortures in the early days of his mission, but never once did he give a harsh reply.
Ikrama is Abu Jahl’s son. Ummu Hakeem was his wife. She embraced Islam and moved to Madinah. She reported to Prophet about her husband’s idea to elope to Yemen. Prophet forgave Ikrama who actively involved in many battles against him. When Ikrama visited Prophet at the behest of his wife, Prophet stood up and gave him a warm welcome saying “Marhaba! Marhaba!” and hugged him. Ikrama realized his folly and pronounced kalima. Prophet was in touch with five lakh people. Thousands of them used to meet him, greet him and travel with him on a daily basis. This was possible because of Prophet’s sweet temper.
Hinda is Abu Sufyan’s wife. She is Grandmother of Yajeed. After Prophet won over Meccah, Abu Sufyan and Hinda met him and sought forgiveness. Cruel death of Hamza came to Prophet’s mind. Hinda had mangled Prophet’s uncle Hamza’s body in Uhud battle. Prophet forgave her in spite of that. When Prophet’s daugher Jainab was traveling from Meccah to Medinah, her camel was attacked and she fell down and got badly injured. This caused her death after being nearly one month in bed. The person who attacked her later accepted Islam. Prophet announced that no animosity should be shown to this person for killing Jainab. Prophet was incredibly merciful.
Shamama was took as a war prisoner and kept in Masjide Nabavi. First day Shamama implored Prophet, “I will give money. Release me. You are merciful”. Second day also he said the same. When Prophet inquired him on the third day, Shamama told him, “Treat me in whatever way that pleases you”. Prophet smiled and asked him to be set free. After some time Shamama appeared before Prophet in new dress, pronounced kalima and accepted Islam.
Prophet was kind beyond comprehension even to his foes. He was even more kind to his companions. Moomin should not display grouchy behavior.
Allah told Prophet to pray for the forgiveness of his companions. Allah has made Prophet as Vaseela (means). Allah further commands Prophet to consult (Mashoora) his companions in different affairs. It is Moomin quality to take advices and suggestions from others. Even while constructing house, it is wise to take suggestions from sons and daughters. It is actually to take them into confidence. Prophet solicited suggestions from his companions in every battle. Once a decision is taken, put entire trust in God. Decisions should be based on consultations. First tie your camel, then believe God for its safety. One should not abandon planning and working. But trust should be in God for the results. The verse continues with, “God loves those who put their trust (in Him)”. Moomin will never assert that this is result of my talent, hard work, this is my achievement. This is God’s mercy. Praise for God and thanks to God should always be on one’s lips. If Allah helps you, none can overcome you. If He forsakes you, there won’t be anyone to help.
Some things were found to be missing while spoils of Badr battle were accounted for. Some miscreants raised suspicion on Prophet that he had misappropriated some materials. Allah sent down this verse. “No Prophet could be false to his trust. If any person is so false, he shall, on the day of judgement, restore what he misappropriated”. One who desires Allah’s pleasure won’t act like one who draws Allah’s wrath on him.