The Reality of Death

Bismillahir-Rahma-nir-Raheem
Imagine this. You are on your way home from a friend's house. The
streets are deserted and it's dark. All of a sudden, a car from out of
nowhere, smashes into your sideof the car, piercing your ribs into
your heart, killing you instantly. Your whole family, your parents,
your siblings, your friends, are all grief-stricken by this totally
unexpected tragedy. Death has taken you from them. Your money couldn't
buy it off, your popularity, your loved ones--none of it helped you
when you needed it most. Your home now, is the soil; a home of
solitude, a home of poverty, a home of wilderness, the dwelling place
of worms and reptiles, a dungeon for the sinners, a pit of Hell forthe
disbelievers and rejecters of Faith.
When the angel of death takes your soul, you see that he has brought
with him, 500 other angels, each carrying a piece of copper, huge
embers of the fire of Hell, and scourges of burning fire. The leader
of the angels carries a forked mace made of fire, the fire which is
seventy times hotter than that on earth. And they torture the body
with these instruments until the soul is completely extracted from the
body. Your soul says to the body,"Let the Almighty pay you the same
way! Youwere prompt in disobeying the commands of Allah and scorned to
obey Him. You have ruined yourself and have ruined me too!" And the
body utters the same to the soul. Those places where you committed
sins, curse you. The associates of Shaytaan rejoice and bring the news
to their leader, Iblis, that they had caused someone to suffer eternal
torment.
Now that you are dead,your wealth and money walk away. Youhave been
buried six feet under, and your family walks away. All you have with
you are your deeds, good and bad, as narrated by theProphet
(sallallahu alaiyhi wa sallam). Thetwo angels, Munkar and Naakir, who
have twelve eyes that glitterlike lightening, voices as loud as
thunder, teeth as canine as the horns of a cow, hair that drags to
their feet,shoulders as broad as a distance of a journey of several
days, will command you to sit up, holding the heaviest of hammers in
their hands. These hammers are so heavy and full of might that ifall
human beings wereto try to pick it up, theywould be unsuccessful.They
ask you: "Who is your Lord? What is your religion? Who is your
Prophet?" You remain speechless. One, because you're utterly
frightened by the appearance of the angels. Two, in the world, you had
forgotten Allah, disobeyed His Messenger (sallallahu alaiyhi wa
sallam), andlived your life oppositeof what Islam taught. So, you have
an inappropriate answer:"I know nothing about anything! I only
repeated what I heard!" Upon hearing this, the angels strike you with
the mace so violently that the sparks of the mace spread around the
whole grave.
Then the gates of Paradise open and all its riches and adornment and
elegance is visible to you. The angels say,"This was your
originaldwelling place." Then the gates of the Hellfireare opened and
you are told by the angels,"This is your abode because during your
life, you were entertained in doubts and disobedience to Allah." The
grave tells you, "Of all those who visited me, I hated you most!" And
it squeezesyou so hard that your ribs on either side pierce into one
another so much so that only one inch of space is left in your grave.
The torment of the grave appears. It stretches its evil neck and
strives to reach each corner of the dead body. It goes to the right
side of the body; there are no prayers to protect it. It goes to the
left side; there are no sincere fasts to thwart off its attempt to
cause you pain. Then it goes to your head and there is no sign of
recitation of the Holy Qur'an and dhikr (remembrance ofAllah) to repel
the attack. It goes to your feet, but you never made the effort to
stand in congregational prayer and in times of distressand
misfortunes, you never had patience, so it wasn't there to aid you.
You are hopeless and alone. There is none that can help you now. No
one to take away the numerous and various torments you are
experiencing. The animals can hear your horrible cries in the grave
and they, in turn, howl back in terror.
This is the deceit of this wonderful world and if we allow ourselves
to fall into the trap of Satan, this is exactly where we are headed.
Would yousay it's a beautiful place to be?
Lastly, imagine this. You get up in the morning at Fajr, go into the
bathroom, come out with fresh ablution (wudu), and stand in the
worship ofyour Lord, to thank andglorify your Creator, Who loves you
more than your own parents.You hear the adhan caller shout out in a
beautiful tone:"Assalatu khayru minannowm," meaning, "prayer is better
than sleep." Andindeed it is!
You supplicate (make du'a), asking Him, the All-Mighty, for the
forgiveness of your sins and for His infinitebounty and mercy
withtears gushing out of your eyes. And, in fully depending on Allah,
His mercy, and by crying to Him, you find peace and comfort in your
heart. After your morning prayer, you pick up the words of Allah, the
Guidance, the Holy Qur'an, kiss it, sit facing the Holy Ka'bah and
begin reciting the most beautiful words of Allah, opening the line of
communication between Him and you. You eat breakfast in the name of
Allah, you leave your house and drive off to work or school in the
name of Allah, your Trustee, and you spend every action in the
striving ofAllah's pleasure (refraining from what He has forbidden and
doing what He has permitted). Every moment you obtain, you ponder
about He, Whose hands hold your life. You glorify and praise Him with
love, fear, and hope. Heis your sole Cherisher, Guardian, Master, and
Provider.
Time for the second salah of the day. You make your ablution and stand
in prayer, in the worship of your Lord, with the raging fires of Hell
on your left, the Gardens of Paradise on your right,Allah in front of
you, the angel of death hanging over your head, and the Siraat (bridge
we will cross on the Day of Judgement) under you,at the parking lot of
your work or school. Why there? Because your love, fear, and devotion
to Allah is so strong that nothing and no one can prevent you from
worshipping He, Who is worthy of all worship. In short, you spend your
whole life, whether it is 20 years or 200, in the obedience, worship,
and in the striving of Allah's pleasure, the Owner of the heavens and
the earth.
Death suddenly approaches you, while you are doing the dhikr of Allah
on your way home from your friend's house. The angel of death, in the
company of 500 other angels, approaches you. Each angel carries a
coffin of Paradise and a bouquet of sweet-smelling flowers, containing
twenty different colors, each color diffusing a diverse smell. In
addition, they each carry a white, silky handkerchief, which emits the
fragrance of musk. The angel of death sits by the side of your head
and the others surround you, touching your limbs and keeping the
musk-scented handkerchiefs below your chin and the gate of Paradise is
opened before your eyes. The Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wa sallam)
swore by the Divine Power and Omnipotent that the dead body feels
immense pleasure, which can never return. They keep you amused with
the pleasures of Paradise and elegant garments. The angels then tell
you to look at your feet, where you see a gate of Hell opened and you
see your condition there. The angels say to you, "Youare safe from
that." After that 70 gates open towards Paradiseand the angel says, "O
suspicious soul! Go where there are thornless lote trees, clustered
plantains, spreading shades, and gushing water springs." Your soul
says to the body, "May Allah reward you for your good deeds. You were
prompt in worshipping Him and obeying Him. You scorned to disobey Him.
May this day be good to you! You have escaped the pangs of death and
have kept me safe from it." And the body wishes the soul the same.
Places where you worshippedAllah weep at your loss. And Shaytaan weeps
even more bitterly and curses his legion for sparing you.
Hundreds of Muslims pray for you at your Janazah prayer and thegrave
tells you, "Of all those who visited me, Iloved you most!" And it
extends its boundaries to as far as you can see and the window of
Paradise opens for you to smell its sweet fragrance! Your grave offers
you silken couches and the best treatment. The Prophet (sallallahu
alaiyhi wa sallam) saidthat if the people only knew the
punishmentsthat Allah has in store, they would never feel safe from
the Hellfire and if the people only knew of Allah's mercy, they would
never despair in attaining Paradise.
What did you enjoy imagining more? The life of this deceitful world or
the life of the eternal world? Which one would you choose?
"Beautified for mankind is the love of the joys that come from women
and offspring and stored up heaps of gold and silver and horses
branded with their marks and the cattle and land. That is the comfort
of the world. Allah! With Him, is a more excellent abode. For those
who keep from evil, with their Lord, are Gardens underneath which
rivers flow and pure companions and contentment from Allah. Allah is
Seer of His bondsmen." (Suratul Ali Imran 3:14-15)
The Prophet (sallallahualaiyhi wa sallam) said, "The world was made
for you, but you were made for the Hereafter.
What is more promising and beneficial?
A. Living life as if we will never leave it, meaning, living each day
in the pleasure andpursuits of this world, the dunya?
OR
B. Living life as if we are strangers and travelers in it, who
willleave it some day and return to our original destination, meaning,
living each day as if it were our last, in preparation for the eternal
world?
YOU DECIDE..
Glory be to Allah, Who has created all that is in the heavens and all
that is in the earth, Who causes the night to pass into the day and
the day into the night, Who brings the living from the dead and the
dead from the living. All praise be to Allah, Lord of all the worlds.
"Truly my Lord casts the (mantle of) Truth over (His servants), He
that has full knowledge of all that is hidden. If I am astray, I only
stray to the loss of my own soul, but if I receive guidance, it is
because of the inspirations of my Lord to me; it is He, Who hears all
things and is ever near (34:48, 50). Our Lord! Cause not our hearts
togo astray after You have guided us and bestow upon us mercy from
Your presence. You, only You, are the Bestower (3:9)." And protect us
from the punishment of the grave and from the calamities of the Last
Day and from the Fire prepared for the disbelievers and hypocrites.
"You alone we worship and You alone we ask for help. Show us the
Straight Path, the Path of those of whom you have favored, not those
whoearn your anger, nor those who go astray." (1:6, 7) Ameen.
Alhumdulillahi Rabbil Alameen--All praise be to Allah, Lord of all the
worlds.

Women in Da'wah (Call to Islam) -I

From the very beginning of the Islamic history, Muslim women have
played vital roles in the propagation of the Divine Message (Islam).
From the sacrifices of Sumayyah to the collected Ahadeeth [narrations
ofthe Prophet ] of 'Aa'ishah women have been instrumental in the
flourishing and spreading of this religion, the process which is
called "Da'wah" in Arabic.
Unfortunately, during our presenttimes, the Islamic revival suffers
from weaknesses in its properly qualified personnel, which limits its
spreading and restricts the Da'wah work to an elite group of
activists, with finite and limited efforts of Da'wah and Tarbiyah
(education) being focused on women.
Da'wah amongst women deserves, and should get, far more attention than
it does. So far, except in a few instances, women have been distanced
from the field of Da'wah work. If we consider the situation of Islamic
Da'wah work and the position of women in it today, we can easily find
the following problems:
1- Deficiency in Da'wah capabilities among women.
2- The ill-use of existing limited-resources in combination with a
lack of personal initiative on the part of women.
3- A neglect or omission of women's issues in the planning of Islamic Da'wah.
4- Absence of adequate educationand the lack of fundamental Islamic
knowledge in the Daa'iyaat (female callers) in the field of Da'wah.
Only a few of the wives and daughters of Du'aat (male callers) have
any worthwhile Islamic knowledge.
5- Most women do not possess a proper understanding of the role of
Da'wah made incumbent on their husbands. Because of this, they may not
understand the importance of time given to projects outside the home,
whichin turn, may become a source of tension within the home.
6- The level of general Islamic knowledge among most women is low.
7- Women's Da'wah programs, aswell as overall Da'wah programs and
institutions are rare and not well organized.
Roots of the problem:
Many obstacles and restraints have been the causes behind the weakness
and neglect of Da'wah work amongst women. Once theyhave been
recognized and analyzed, viable solutions can be sought and
implemented.
One major reason is that many men are not convinced about the
importance of women's role and responsibilities in the field of
Da'wah. The Quranic verse (whichmeans) "And abide in your houses..."
[33:33] has been misinterpreted by many, and so has the concept of
"Qawaamah", or the right/responsibility of stewardship. In many
instances, we see men objecting to women's participation in Da'wah and
thus preventing them from fulfilling their role toward their
fellow-Muslims and to the larger society in general. Spreading Islam
has been made incumbent on all Muslims, men and women.
"It is vital that husbands encourage their wives to participate in
Da'wah work," said Dr. 'Aa'ishah Hamdaan, Director of the Islamic
Education Foundation (IEF), based in Minneapolis, Minnesota (USA).
Shehas a Ph. D. in Clinical Psychology with a specialty in child and
family issues. She teaches at a private university in the Twin Cities.
The main goal of the IEF is to increase the level of awarenessand
provide training in giving Da'wah amongst Muslim women and men. "They
(husbands) should encourage them to spread the message of this
religion, perhaps by taking them along when they go out, and by
instructing them on the proper ways of giving presentations about
Islam," she added.
A more particular reason is the absence or confusion of prioritiesin
the minds of the callers to Islam. Many of them have been overwhelmed
and distracted by the state of the Ummah (Muslim community), even to
the extent of ignoring to give proper attention to their homes and
families. Their energies having been exhausted in the work outside the
home, leaving them with nothing left for their families. This
imbalance affects not only the families, but also thecommunity as a
whole.
The level of women's education and awareness of their position and
responsibility plays an important role in the field of Da'wah.
A crucial role for the Muslim Women
The reasons women's participation in Da'wah is important are various
and diverse:
1. Women are more capable than men are in communicating with other
women. Women are usually more affected by word, deed, and conduct of
other women, more so than by men. On the other hand, women are more
capable of recognizing the particularities and problems associated
with women's education.
2. Women can better comprehend the direction in which women's Da'wah
work should be geared. They can best discern the order of priorities,
because they are more familiar with this sphere.
3. Women are freer than men in communicating with other women, either
individually for Da'wah activities, or in women's learning and other
forums and places of meeting.
4. Many Muslim women who are in need of guidance, education, and
direction lack the presence ofmen-folk who can provide this service,
therefore it makes sense that qualified women in the community should
do the job.
5. The need of education with women is greater than that with men.
They get pregnant, give birth, and nurse children. The children are
more tied to them than they are to their fathers. Women stay at home
with their sons and daughters, and thus canbring them up as they
please. If they are not allowed to share in the Da'wah efforts of
their husbands, a lot of the much-needed results may not be attained.
6. Women have a great effect on their husbands. If they have strong
Eemaan (faith) and character, they have a very good chance at helping
their husbands become strong as well.
7. Women have a lot of characteristics that stress the importance of
their Da'wah role. They should also be taken into account whenever any
Da'wah work is planned. Some are:
* Women have the innate ability to communicate strongly what they
believe to be true in their hearts. Dr. Hamdaan also points out that,
"Women are also generally stronger in terms of verbal abilities and
emotionality."
* Women sometimes lack will-power and a sense of direction, and
therefore need the assistance of other women to give strength and
motivation .

Women in Da'wah - II

A definite role
The work of the Muslim wom a n in the field of Da'wah (call to Islam)
strengthens the man's work, and expands it into areas where her
effectiveness supersedes that of the man. The woman's role does not
end at door. She can be greatly effective by being a good example to
others, by being good-hearted, kindly spoken, and of friendly conduct.
She can offer assistance,and share concerns as well as joys. She can
also use all appropriate opportunities to educate, guide and call
others through observing the conditionsof those whom she addresses.
Examples are needed
Women, who understood their role, started educating themselves and
achieving their rights to education. Look at the Hadeeth [narration
attributed to Prophet Muhammad ] narrated by Abu Sa'eed that awomen
said to the Prophet "The men are keeping you busy and we do not get
enough attention from you; would you specify a day for us, women? He
promised them a day to meetthem and educate and admonish them."
[Al-Bukhaari]
The fruits of this understanding and concern by the women companions
of the Prophet and the attention he gave them, are shining examples
and a source of pride for Muslim women.
Muslim women played a great role in sacrifice and service for the
religion of Allaah. Sumayyah gave up her life when Abu Jahl , the head
of disbelievers, killed her for becoming a Muslim. She was the first
Muslim, and woman, killed in Islam. Khadeejah the first wife of the
Prophet who was very rich, spent a lot of her money to support the
Da'wah. Umm Salamah left her husband and saw her children persecuted
when she migrated. Umm Imaarah fought in defense ofthe Prophet in the
battle of Uhud. Tending the wounded in battles was the role Muslim
Women played throughout history.
Building successful Dawah Programs
There are conditions that must be met for women's Da'wah work to
succeed and achieve its expected outcome:
First: important guidelines
There are important points that should be used as guidelines when
planning or doing Da'wah work:
Typically, the woman's main job is at home. This is clearly stated in
Qur'an and Hadeeth. Allaah Almighty Says (what means), "And abide in
your houses..." [Quran 33:33] Of course women can go out for Salaah
(prayer) in the Masjid (mosque), participate in any other activities
she may need and to do Da'wah. However,none of these activities should
conflict with her essential duties at home as wife and mother.
2- There are special injunctions regarding women, such as the mixing
of men and women that must be observed in any Da'wah activity and
under any circumstances.
a) Proper Hijaab (Islamic woman dress) must be observed at all times.
b) Woman cannot travel without a male companion who is her Mahram (her
husband or a man with whom marriage is unlawful).
c) Woman cannot intermix freely with men who are not directly related to her.
d) Women cannot exit from their homes except by permission of those
who are in charge of them and care for them, i.e. their husbands or
fathers, etc.
3- The enemies of Islam usually exploit these injunctions and use them
to defame Islam as demeaning to women. Some Du'aat (callers to Islam)
get affected by these allegations and they are thereby led to be lax
andunmindful. The true Du'aat guided by the Sunnah (the way/ tradition
of the Prophet ) must be mindful, lest they be affected by the lusts
and whims of society.
4- Men have the original right in Da'wah activities to take the lead
as was the case in the age at the Prophet and the excellent
generations that followed. Women's role in Da'wah work is undeniable,
provided the appropriate guidelines are adhered to.
Second: Objectives of the program:
Any Da'wah program directed towards women should strive to,at least,
serve the following ends:
1- Strengthening Eemaan (faith): This comes about by increasing
worship, remembrance of Allaah (Thikr), and reflection on Allaah's
names, His power and creation inourselves and in the universe. There
is great power in reflection. And its positive impacton one's heart
and Eemaan is almost limitless. This, however, would not be possible
without the inculcation of the right understanding of certain issues
related to our Aqeedah (Belief); the emphasis has to be on Tawheed
(Monotheism).
2- Increasing knowledge: One cannot achieve much without knowledge.
Special emphasis has to be put on the basics of Islam and on subjects
that the Daa'iyah (caller to Islam) needs in her environments.
Knowledge shouldbe spread about deviant thoughts, ideas, groups and
sects. Awareness must be raised concerning those who do not liketo see
the spreading of Islam andwho are gaining grounds in the hearts and
minds of people.
3- Building of the Da'wah personality: Da'wah requires sacrifices and,
therefore, women must be prepared to bear the burdens of calling to
Islam. This comes through awakening them to the conditions of the
Muslims and the endeavors of the enemies of Islam. Leadership,
responsibility and individual initiative should be taught. Theoretical
and practical educational faculties must be nurtured. The Daa'iyah
must be taught the necessary social skills and the importance of
Da'wah through good example and conduct. They also must be taught the
value of time, its management and how to use Halaal (lawful) fun
activities during their times of leisure.
4- Building up immunity to sin: This includes recognizing the ills of
sins, particularly those relatingto women, and blocking the way to
them by shunning the means leading to them and the places where they
exist.

Women in Da'wah - III

Training
On the theoretical side of this step, training women to work in the
field of Da'wah (call to Islam) may need to consider the following
aspects:
- Educational preparation through providing a good presentation of
appropriate materials.
- Psychological preparation by ensuring that the women callers have
faith in Allaah, sincerity, hopefulness, pride in Islam, patience, and
knowledge of the conditions and environments of those they are
addressing.
- Social preparation by having the women Daa'iyaat (callers to Islam)
live an Islamic life in the family and society in a practical
application of Islam. They should abide by the ethics of Islam and of
the Da'wah.
Adequate practical training and preparation is a must
This involves training female callers in speaking and writing tobe
able to bring Allaah's religion to the people through speeches,
lessons, lectures, and writing.
Writing and publishing must not be neglected in an age when people are
easily reached by and engrossed in all sorts of books, booklets,
newspapers, and articles. Writings should both be eloquent and
convincing, through sincere, sound and documented arguments. Writing
is the form of Da'wah which is, in many ways, one of the most
appropriate and important means for women. They can write at home and
thus make useof their spare time. They can in this way reach all
classes of society.
Areas of Da'wah for women
The educational fields: These are related to the ennoblement of the
spirit and the purification of the soul through faith. The mindsand
souls can thus be touched. These fields are to be found in mosques,
schools, associations, Da'wah groups, and others.
The social fields: These relate to bodily and psychological health as
well as to social development and interaction between people that
reflect positively on the realization of spiritual education and the
formation of Muslim character.
Both sides, spiritual and physical, are tied together and they
shouldboth be fulfilled in balance. To give the upper hand to the soul
would be asceticism, and to the body would be hedonism. Fulfilling the
physical needs has often been cause for many people embracing the
guidance of Islam. Preachers of Christianity today, concentrate on
this approach. It is difficult for the hungry, the naked, or the sick
and homeless to listen to sermons.
More specific examples of what women can take part in as Da'wah are:
1. The Home: This is surely the most fertile and most effective
channel. Almighty Allaah has ordained both husbands and wives as
nurturers for each other and the family. The mother shares with the
father the responsibilities of educating and nurturing each other and
their children in all physical, moral, psychological, social, and
external aspects. Members of the family are gathered together in the
home for many hours and this creates harmony among them as well as
affords an opportunity for presenting good examples and guidance.
2. The Muslim Community: Charity, advice, and direction can be offered
to relatives, neighbors,and the needy.
3. The Islamic School: Educationalactivities and curriculums can be
used for the guidance of girl students as well as women teachers and
staff.
4. The Masjid (Mosque): Women should be allowed to go to the Masaajid
(pl. of Masjid) to benefit from the lessons held there. The Masjid is
a suitable place for some of the women activities likeQuran study
groups and other training.
5. Hospitals, Prisons, and Social Welfare Institutions, Women's
Colleges or Universities: "Women-only conferences can also be
incorporated into already scheduled major conferences, thus providing
them with someone to travel with,"
What we sow we reap
1. Banishing ignorance, increasing intellectual broad-mindedness, and
the creation of qualified women Da'wah cadres. These results have a
lasting and beneficial influence, not only on women and the Muslim
community, but also on the whole society at large.
2. Rectifying conduct and restitution of many erroneous practices that
have come to be social phenomenon in many societies.
3. Women's place and status in Islam would be highlighted and Muslim
women would attain a better awareness of their rights and duties.
4. Efforts would be geared toward the cultivating of our young people,
in order to ensure the Ummah (Muslim community) virtuous Muslims in
the generations to come.
5. A sense of belonging to Islam would be fostered, and the key Muslim
rite of enjoining good andforbidding evil would be upheld.
6. An important financial tributary for Da'wah work would be secured;
i.e., women's charitable spending.
It is time that Muslims who profess to follow the Sunnah (Tradition of
Prophet Muhammad, [ ] rethink the issue of Da'wah among women and by
women. We should remember Khadeejah, 'Aa'ishah, Sumayyah and many
Muslim women throughout our history, and what they did for Islam and
learn from it.
We also have to realize that meretalk and emotionalism are useless. We
need to do something about our immediate situation now. Education,
preparation, and qualification of women will be the key to our future
success.
Throughout history, the yardstickused to measure the well-being of any
society has been the condition of its women. Let us therefore, strive
to improve the intellectual, spiritual and emotional condition of the
Muslim woman by allowing her to fulfill all the Allaah-given abilities
and responsibilities made incumbent on her.
As mentioned in the article, women Da'wah is very important.We have to
be careful not to fall in what a lot of Muslims they fell into with
the good intentions of giving Da'wah (intermingling men and women,
people with lack of knowledge altering the Deen and thinking that they
have the authority since they are calling to Islam, etc..). Women who
work in the field of Dawah should be away from men's environment.
Women don't need to be part of a the board members of a masjid for
exampleto be active in Da'wah!. So it needs to be stressed that things
are done in the environment of women and women alone.