Death

MuslimSister

Salaam

My Nan passed away last week-we were very close. This has been a difficult time for us all.

The Holy Prophet ﷺ said “people are asleep; when they die they wake up”. IMO the same can be said about those who experience the death of a loved one….I swear, nothing has opened my eyes and made me critically look at my life more than this experience.

Death isn’t a topic I liked to talk or read about….I’d switch off when such a topic was raised, I didn’t like to acknowledge it, so the unexpected death of my Nan hit me hard.

If we remembered death more often we wouldn’t postpone our love or sideline those who are close to us, we would MAKE time for them, despite how busy we may be….. It is said ‘The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone’.

I don't think any type of regret or pain can top this...

Undoubtedly, one does not realize what they have until it is gone.

I learnt that we worry and focus WAY too much on mundane, insignificant issues whilst failing to look at the bigger picture….

Now, suddenly the subject that I was happily ignorant in is something that I REALLY want to know more about….I’ve already ordered Imam Ghazzali’s 'Remembrance of Death'

I’d like to know, what you guys believe in, regarding the hereafter…sometimes, culture/hearsay can delude the facts.

What is said regarding accountability in Ramadan/Friday’s? Can the soul return to Earth to visit loved ones?

Can they hear us by their graveside? Do they really know, 40 days before their deaths that end is near?

What causes them grief and what makes them happy? Can they really visit their other deceased relatives in the hereafter? Why do people say, that crying at their funeral will “hurt” them? What does their appearance at their funeral say about their state? Why MUST the body be buried ASAP?

I’ll inshallah, look into this in more detail…I was just interested in hearing your views.

Wasalaam

Forum

Angel — Sat, 21 Oct 2006 - 20:56

You're first point isnt that stated in Quran/Ahadith when in the night of Shabay-Qadir, that Allah (swt) decides fate, it may have something to do with a leaf fallin off a tree with a specific person's name on it.

As for knowing, my grandfather knew too, he was asking for his watch and said whats the time and he was told the time and then someone said put your watch on, and he replied "there is no point of putting it on now" and he was reciting something and someone put their ears to his lips and he was reciting the kalma, moments later he passed away. I do believe people do know, how earlier before their death? Aint sure of that...I always think its those close to Allah (swt) that are told beforehand I dont knw why, maybe the yearning for the meeting with their Lord, who knows.

Noor — Sat, 21 Oct 2006 - 21:08

[quote="MuslimSister"]Does everyone believe in the fact that when a person's day of death approaches, a leaf with the person's name on it falls from the tree beneath God's throne…..and then after forty days have passed, the angel of death comes to claim that persons soul?

Does the person “know” that that their time is near…? The only reason why I’m asking is cos my Nan really ‘really’ wanted her family to visit this Summer….she didn’t take into consideration our school/uni/work commitments….she also distributed her gold to family a few weeks prior to her death-or maybe I’m reading too much into stuff?[/quote]

[b][color=indigo]Yes i believe that. Sis u aint reading too much into it. My cuzin had so many signs and alot of other people who i know who passed away also gave signs. This one woman gave herself ghousl and she also had a coffin in her attic ready.

I was at the mosque and a brother was doing a talk on death and Allahmdulilah it made everything SO clear. After that my heart was in peace as i was fully aware of why my cousin went and where he is now. In a sense i am kindoff happy for him. He was suffering so much, you wouldnt believe. Now he's in peace Insha'allah with the pious ones. Sinners are only left on the earth to repent.

Before the dead are going to die they recieve signs that they are going to go from Allah. Thats one thing the brother touched upon. Also if the person who was pious the Angel of death would appear to them it the most beautiful form ever and then take away their soul and it would be as if they ahd seen jannah and if they were bad then the Angel would appear to them in a form which would be dreadful and would be like as they just seen hell. Also if the person is sweating from the forehead at the time of death, that is a good sign.

The way in which the prophets were taken away was beautiful, they were either given a flower or a speacial garment to them and at the very second they would return to Allah. When Allah decided to bring back Muhammad s.a.w to him, he s.a.w asked a question why am i going to go now or cant i stay for a bit longer or something (not to sure but i think that was the question) then the Angel said Allah wants to meet with his beloved. SubhanAllah.[/color][/b]

You — Sat, 21 Oct 2006 - 23:38

sometimes people just know. Especially if it is age related or health related.

Apart from that, I would say that mostly no, the person does not know their time is almost up.

It is almost universal for people to read more into it. ('Person looks so peaceful')

Or maybe I am just a cynic.

TEX — Sun, 22 Oct 2006 - 15:54

[size=29]
إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعون

[/size]

sorry to here about ur nan MS 🙁

its only at times like these that we realise how much the person we lose means to us 😢

it makes us appreciate the miracle of being alive

you never realise what u have until u lose it 😢

take it easy sis,

.... time is a great healer ....

shahid1 — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 - 10:52

My gran died a few months back - we were extremely close, she lived with us. My mother is a working mum so my gran was more of a mother figure to myself and my brothers, when she passed away it came as a blow to all of us. People say time heals pain yet i still find it hard to accept that she's not with us any longer.

I heard as well that righteous, pious souls can roam the earth as they wish and it was upon hearing this that i started reflecting upon my actions.

I'm not perfect, i commit many sins that i know i shouldn't but ever since my gran passed away, i became paranoid that my gran could see what i was doing and upon seeing my actions, her soul would be in anguish and i could bear to cause any pain to my gran. At times i do stray and commit sins that i know my nan would hate to see me do so i really want a clear answer to if the deceased know whats happening to those who they have left.

Seraphim — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 - 13:24

As admin said sometimes with age or with an illness one can sense the end is near. Otherwise a person is usually unaware his death is near... i say usually as there are exceptions to the rule.

'Innaa lillaahi wa innaa ilayhi raaji'oon' (To Allah we belong and to Him we are to return)
May Allah(Swt) forgive our loved ones whom have passed away and have mercy on them and have them join the higher companions. Ameen.

MuslimSister — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 - 13:28

[quote="shahid1"]People say time heals pain yet i still find it hard to accept that she's not with us any longer.

.[/quote]

I agree with you. I also don’t believe that it’s possible for some people to ever get over death….a cousin of mine can’t mention her Nan’s name without bursting into tears…and her Nan passed away five years ago.

When I was a young child, my mum worked full time when dad struggled to find work...during that time my Nan was also a mother figure to me.

I pray that it gets easier for you.

Welcome to the forum brother.

Seraphim — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 - 13:29

Although we are doing Eid tomorrow it will not be much of a celebration as a sister of a close friend of mine has passed away this morning in a car accident.

Im due to go over there in an hour to see him.... i have no idea what im going to say or do... just feel like he should have my support if he needs me.

Noor — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 - 13:30

[quote="Seraphim"]'Innaa lillaahi wa innaa ilayhi raaji'oon' (To Allah we belong and to Him we are to return)
May Allah(Swt) forgive our loved ones whom have passed away and have mercy on them and have them join the higher companions. Ameen.[/quote]

[b][color=indigo]Ameen thum'ameen [/color][/b]

The Great 100 — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 - 14:06

[quote="Seraphim"]Although we are doing Eid tomorrow it will not be much of a celebration as a sister of a close friend of mine has passed away this morning in a car accident.

Im due to go over there in an hour to see him.... i have no idea what im going to say or do... just feel like he should have my support if he needs me.[/quote]

Chayim Aruchim. You can just let him do the talking or just be with him. That is very sad news. Strength to your friend, and to you.

WaddyHussain — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 - 16:39

I couldn't agree more with you Noor. People view death as a bad thing, but what we need to realise thats death means it's time for us to meet our Creator, what could be a better thing for a believing Muslim?

In this day and age we are surrounded by many luxuries that have been provided for by Allah (swt) but instead of being grateful for these blessing we get caught up in worldy affairs (which are only temporary) which leads to us becoming complacent and forgetting Akhira (which is our true home)

May Allah bless us with knowledge in this life and Jannah in the next. And Allah knows best.

The Great 100 — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 - 21:58

[quote="WaddyHussain"]I couldn't agree more with you Noor. People view death as a bad thing, but what we need to realise thats death means it's time for us to meet our Creator, what could be a better thing for a believing Muslim?

In this day and age we are surrounded by many luxuries that have been provided for by Allah (swt) but instead of being grateful for these blessing we get caught up in worldy affairs (which are only temporary) which leads to us becoming complacent and forgetting Akhira (which is our true home)

May Allah bless us with knowledge in this life and Jannah in the next. And Allah knows best.[/quote]

Once dead a person can do no more in this world. That is sad. Of course we take solace in the beautifying of our own existence and the world around us and in our prayers for the departed to have a place in heaven.

TEX — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 - 14:34

Tym is a gr8 healer

only at the tym u feel as tho u will never get over it

anywayz look at the bright side, atleast u is not in sumwhere like iraq, then half ur bloody family will be dead, entire communities wiped out, the death toll is well over half a million

---

ppl please make dua for dem

ws

Snoopz — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 - 14:40

[quote="TEX"]Tym is a gr8 healer

only at the tym u feel as tho u will never get over it[/quote]

tyme is a great healer but u neva truly get ova loosing sum1 you love

Seraphim — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 - 15:00

[quote="Snoopz"][quote="TEX"]Tym is a gr8 healer

only at the tym u feel as tho u will never get over it[/quote]

tyme is a great healer but u neva truly get ova loosing sum1 you love[/quote]

Thats true... you only learn to live with it.

Dave — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 - 02:53

death is just the final stage of life

Noor — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 - 08:01

[quote="Odysseus"]death is just the final stage of life[/quote]

[color=indigo][b]It's only the beginning of something new. [/b][/color]

Bliss — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 - 12:03

[quote="Noor...*"][quote="Odysseus"]death is just the final stage of life[/quote]

[color=indigo][b]It's only the beginning of something new. [/b][/color][/quote]

indeed.
the reality of our real life just begins.

TEX — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 - 14:02

[quote="Odysseus"]death is just the final stage of life[/quote]

thanks to ur wonderful country over half a million ppl have reached that final stage in Iraq, and over 500 in lebonon

May god bless u all - and thank you very much for turning Iraq into a recruiting ground for al-qaeeda, u have made binladins job much easier,

:evil:

Exquisite — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 - 21:51

[color=magenta]wow, mashaAllah sis that article is breath taking, it really hits home, especially when you lose someone clos to you, keep writing these fab articles and May Allah SWT reward you abunduntly for all your hard work[/color]

TEX — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 - 21:53

prolly the only decent article there is on the site 😛

Snoopz — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 - 11:28

[quote="MuslimSister"]I wrote an article after my Nan passed away.

[url=http://www.therevival.co.uk/?p=710]Life's too short[/url]

I also just learnt what 'introspection' means...which apparently is what this article is all about.[/quote]

gud article sis mashallah

zara — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 - 11:44

really good article. makes you think. but i don't know what ego ment. anyone know?

The Great 100 — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 - 12:01

[quote="zara"]really good article. makes you think. but i don't know what ego ment. anyone know?[/quote]

In the popular sense that MuslimSister used it, which is quite acceptable, ego means the tendency to be focused only on oneself and one's supposed merits, often considered material and shallow.

In psychodynamic theory, ego is the element of mind that controls conscious expression. According to Freud the human psyche is composed of a largely conscious ego, an unconscious id, which exists to attempt satisfaction of needs and base desires, and an unconscious or semi-conscious superego which juggles moral concerns and manners and is broadly at odds with the id. The ego mediates between the two and gives conscious identity. There are many Freudian, Jungian and post-Freudian theories about how they interact. More recent exploration of the concept considers the genesis of this structure and the components of the ego itself, while Kleinian theory is about the effect on the ego of nurture, reassurance and denial. It is high theory and one can be forgiven for thinking it is bull. The clearest message from Freud is that behaviour is not entirely dominated by conscious processes and that unfettered discussion of one's past is a route to understanding behaviour and states of mind and moving on. Most current psychology is a mixture of psychodynamic and behavioural theories, directed at identifying and relinquishing undesirable thoughts and behaviours that have been learned in the past and generating a proactive frame of mind and positive, self-reinforcing habits. ftr.

Noor — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 - 12:47

[b][color=indigo]All articles by MS are TOP! Try reading them, they are wickd![/color][/b]

Omrow — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 - 13:04

Salam

Its a nice article. But dont worry, she will soon grow out of it.

She will get back into all those things that she is against at the moment.

When tragedy strikes, most of us tend to
remember the good things. The important issues.
Things that really matter in life: All of a sudden we become
aware of trivial issue that occupied us for so long.

Thats one of the mysteries of human nature.

However, no sooner than a few months that pass by,
people get back to our "normal" silly little routines.

I pray that she is an exception.

Omrow

Snoopz — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 - 13:10

[quote="Omrow"]Salam

Its a nice article. But dont worry, she will soon grow out of it.

She will get back into all those things that she is against at the moment.

When tragedy strikes, most of us tend to
remember the good things. The important issues.
Things that really matter in life: All of a sudden we become
aware of trivial issue that occupied us for so long.

Thats one of the mysteries of human nature.

However, no sooner than a few months that pass by,
people get back to our "normal" silly routines.

I pray that she is an exception.

Omrow[/quote]

ive lost someone close to me (and not recently) and things since still have never been "normal" and i dont think they ever will

you get on cos you have to and you cant put your life on hold bt it does change your whole thinking well it did with me in everything that i do for the better
alhmadullilah

MuslimSister — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 - 14:31

Thank you for your kind comments guys…I’m just SO grateful that I have a platform where I can view my thoughts.

And Omrow - you underestimate me. As Snoopz rightly pointed out, life does go on, however ones perception of the world changes forever.