Friday Nasiha

Living The Quran

Death is Beautiful
Al-Mulk (The Sovereignty) Sura 67: Verse 2

"He Who has created death and life, so that He may put you to a test to show who of you is best in conduct. He alone is Almighty, Much-Forgiving."

Death is not the end of a life or the removal of life from living things or beings. Rather, it is something that is created, like life. God creates death in a living thing or being and so that thing or being dies. Since God's creation is at all times beautiful, death is also beautiful. This is because all human beings have an intrinsic feeling of eternity, and so feel imprisoned in the narrow confines of the material world as they yearn for eternity. This natural inclination towards eternal happiness comes from an objective reality: the existence of eternal life and our desire for it. Death is the door that opens onto eternity.

Although death seems to bring decomposition, extinguish life, and destroy pleasure, in fact, it represents a Divine discharge from the heavy duties of worldly life. It is no more than a change of residence, a transference of the body, and an invitation to and the beginning of everlasting life. It releases us from the hardships of this worldly life, which is turbulent, suffocating, narrow dungeon that gradually becomes harder with old age and illness, and admits us to the infinitely wide circle of the mercy of Eternal, Beloved One. There we may enjoy the everlasting company of our beloved ones and the consolation of a happy, eternal life.

The world is continually enlivened through acts of creation and death. Death leads to a more perfect life. The dying of plants, the simplest level of life, proves itself a work of Divine artistry, like their lives, but one that is more perfect and better designed. When the seed of a fruit dies in the soil, it seems to decompose and rot away. But in reality, it undergoes a perfect chemical process, passing through predetermined stages of re-formation, and ultimately grows again into an elaborate, new tree. So a seed's death is really the beginning of a new tree, a new, more perfect and elaborate life. Since the dying of plants is so perfect and serves so great a purpose, our deaths, given that we are the highest form of life, must be more perfect and serve a still greater purpose. Once we have gone underground, we certainly will be brought into eternal life. Those who believe and live righteous lives will be greeted with opened windows from the places reserved for them in Paradise.

Nothing, then, comes by blind coincidence or without purpose. Thus, man should always be on the alert, considering every thought and every action. He should not be oblivious to anything. God is certainly Almighty, but He is at the same time Much-Forgiving. When a person's heart is alert, aware that this life is a test, and tries to keep on the right track, he is reassured of God's forgiveness and grace. This gives man all the rest and comfort he needs.

The truth Islam establishes in people's hearts does not depict God as chasing humans to afflict or punish them. He only wants them to be aware of the purpose behind their existence and of their true nature. He wants them to rise to the level worthy of His honour when He blew of His own spirit into them, elevating them above many of His other creations.

Compiled From:
"The Quran: Annotated Interpretation in Modern English" - Ali Unal, pp. 1156, 1157
"In the Shade of the Quran" - Sayyid Qutb, Vol 17, pp. 134, 135

From Issue: 578 [Read original issue]

Understanding The Prophet's Life

Candidacy

Elections require several candidates from whom to choose for a position. Caliph Umar nominated six distinguished persons from whom one might be chosen as a candidate for the caliphate to succeed him. Some argue against such a procedure from an Islamic point of view, arguing that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

"By Allah, we do not appoint in a public position one who had asked for it." [Muslim]

According to scholars in this field and jurists, this is interpreted as a warning against asking for a public position merely for a personal benefit without considering its responsibilities and the required capabilities for fulfilling them. One who is capable for a public position, fully aware of its responsibilities, and thinks that he or she can fulfill them and commits himself or herself to do so, can ask for the position and mention his or her qualifications for it, as the Prophets Yusuf [Joseph] and Sulayman [Solomon] did.

It goes without saying that presenting the candidate's merits and capability for the position, and criticizing other's incapabilities should follow the legal and ethical principles of Islam. The requirements for a candidate, or what may bar a person from a candidacy, can be decided in the light of Islamic legal and moral teachings and according to social circumstances.

Compiled From:
"Islam in a Modern State: Democracy and the Concept of Shura" - Fathi Osman

From Issue: 791 [Read original issue]

Cool Tips!

A Quick Checklist Of Ramadan

• Make a resolve to win the maximum favour of Allah: perform extra voluntary prayers (Nawaafil), make frequent Du'a and increase remembrance (Dhikr).
• Try to recite some Quran after every Prayer. In fact if you read 3-4 pages after every Prayer you can easily finish the entire Quran in Ramadan! Study theQuranic Tafseer (commentary) every morning.
• Invite a person you are not very close with to your home for Iftar, at least once a week. You will notice the blessings in your relationships!
• Bring life to your family! Everyday, try to conclude the fast with your family and spend some quality time together to understand each other better.
• Give gifts on 'Eid to at least 5 people: 2 to your family members, 2 to your good friends, and 1 to a person whom you love purely for the sake of Allah.
• Commit to an Islamic study circles to enhance your Islamic knowledge and practice. Plan to complete reading a book on Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) life in these 30 days.
• Donate generously to the masajid, Islamic organizations, and any where people are in need. "This is a month of sharing!"
• Share Ramadan and its teachings of love & patience with your neighbours. Learn how at http://www.soundvision.com/info/ramadan/
• Initiate a project to promote or revive a ‘forgotten’ social cause in the Muslim and non-Muslim community: fight against racism, AIDS, drugs, cancer, smoking…etc.
• Did you know, our society, which constitutes only 20% of world’s population, actually consumes 80% of world’s resources! Volunteer at food bank or Anti-Poverty campaign, while fasting!
• Seek the rare and oft-neglected rewards of 'the night better than a 1000 months', Laylatul-Qadr.
• Weep in private for the forgiveness of your sins: It is the month of forgiveness and Allah's Mercy! It's never too late.
• Learn to control your tongue and lower your gaze. Remember the Prophet's warning that lying, backbiting, and a lustful gaze all violate the fast! Abandon foul language forever.
• Encourage others to enjoin and love goodness, and to abandon everything evil. Play the role of a Da'ee (one who invites to Allah) with passion and sympathy.
• Experience the joy of Tahajjud prayers late at night and devote yourself purely and fully to Allah in the I'tikaf retreat during the last 10 days of Ramadan.

Compiled From:
"Ramadan: A Time for Revival or Survival?" - Young Muslims Publication [Download and distribute]

From Issue: 592 [Read original issue]