BaKhabar, October 2013, Page-3 [OUR JOURNEY TO THE DAY OF RESURRECTION, Part- XXI (Jannah) + Commentary on hadith No. 4379 of Abu Dawoud

BaKhabar, Vol 6, Issue 9, September 2013

Do You Want a Dignified Place in Jannah?

- By Deana Nassar <deana_nassar1@hotmail.com>

While visiting the ill, for some may be a chore, certain actions may be taken to make your visit memorable, uplifting and pleasing for all concerned.
Have you ever found yourself in an awkward position after you made the conscious decision to go visit an ill person?
What am I doing here and what do I say?
You find yourself in a social situation, maybe even sitting among people you don't really know probably feeling the same as you and thinking maybe I should have thought this out?
Try recalling the hadith which triggered your decision to visit the ill in the first place and the great rewards and benefits you may reap for implementing the duty.
God says in the sacred hadith:
“O son of Adam I was sick and you did not visit Me. He will say: O Lord how can I visit You. You are the Lord of the worlds? He says: Did you not know that My servant so and so was sick yet you did not visit him? Did you not know that if you had visited him you would have found Me with him?” (Muslim)
Remember visiting someone who is ill is a highly rewarded act in Islam; however we can make it even more rewarding simply by including several intentions such as making a fellow human being happy regardless of religion, supporting another person in time of need, and improving relations with family or friends.
The Prophet’s Example
I recall how Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) visited the sick without considering how they treated him indicating his forgiving and kind temperament.
One day the Prophet passed by the house of a Jewish person who had made it a daily event to throw rubbish outside his house and noticed he was not there to throw the rubbish. On asking about him, he was informed that the person was in bed sick. The Prophet politely asked permission to visit the person who on seeing him was afraid that he had come there to take his revenge when he was unable to defend himself because of sickness.
The prophet assured him that he had come to him, not to take any revenge, but to see and to look after his needs, as it was the command of God that if anyone is sick, a Muslim should visit him and should help him if his help is needed. Moved by this kindness and love of the Prophet the ill man accepted Islam at once.
We should take this example and follow the Prophet's lead and be cheerful especially if the person we are visiting is seriously ill. The most important result of our visit may be to raise his or her spirits and give them hope and not be the bearer of bad news (for example don’t say I know someone who had the same illness but they died, some integrity please), but to remind them of the rewards of being patient during these trying times.
Remind them of the story of the Prophet Ayub who despite his terrible illness and many misfortunes was repentant, remembering God with thankfulness, patience and steadfastness. His patience was ultimately the cause of his rescue and the secret of God's praising him.
God says in the Quran:
{Truly! We found him patient. How excellent (a) slave! Verily, he was ever oft returning in repentance (to us).} (Sad 38: 44)
Benefits on All Sides
Whether you are visiting in the home or the hospital, call first to schedule your visit.
Softening of the heart is another reason as there are so many virtues in visiting the sick. It’s often a reality check which helps us to regain focus on our own lives, and be grateful for our own health which helps us put life into perspective as the ill and ailing are often in between life and death; between this world and the Hereafter.
While trying to restrict our conversation to topics that will make those ill feel better, a sense of humor can often put things in perspective. This will double your rewards for making a person smile and smiling to their face which is regarded a charity.
The Prophet says:
"When you smile to your brother's face, it is charity." (At-Tirmidhi)
While visiting the ill, for some may be a chore, certain actions may be taken to make your visit memorable, uplifting and pleasing for all concerned. Remember the whole decision was made to spend some warm, quality time with an ill family member or friend in need while at the same time reviving Prophet Muhammad's glad-tidings:
"Whosoever visits an ailing person or a brother of his to seek the Pleasure of Allah, an announcer (angel) calls out: `May you be happy, may your walking be blessed, and may you be awarded a dignified position in Jannah (Paradise)" (At-Tirmidhi)
Whether you are visiting in the home or the hospital, call first to schedule your visit. While they will appreciate it, keep in mind that sometimes a patient has had too many visitors, has gone through painful treatments, or just needs to nap. Remember not to take it personally if your call to visit is rejected; be flexible and understanding you will be rewarded anyway because of your intentions and just make plans for another time. Don't forget to be smart and double your reward by asking the sick person to supplicate for you.
Prophet Muhammad has been reported saying:
“If you enter upon a sick person, then ask him to supplicate for you, for his supplication is like the supplications of the angels.” (Ibn Majah)
Seeing another person ill is also a reminder to us of how vulnerable we are and as mentioned before softens our heart and we should try in any way offer to help this person or his or her caretaker. Of course we never want to see our loved ones sick or hurting, and there are things that we can do to help this sick person feel better however small. Believe me it will be both appreciated and remembered.
Equally rewarding is visiting the elderly whether they are parents, families or friends also bringing in good tides for all involved.
We can take them something to eat after finding out what their favorite meal is and make it for the whole family. By taking the meal in an inexpensive disposable container we also save them the worry about returning the dish to us.
Not good at cooking?
Never fear, you can always lend an ear for the sick person to talk to you, whenever they desire especially as that person might feel lonely, scared or worried. Just being there to listen to them can go a long way towards making them feel better and in turn making you feel good too. Also helping them out in their daily chores till they regain strength is an idea. There are many ideas, just make the effort and take the initiative.
Don’t Forget the Elderly
Equally rewarding is visiting the elderly whether they are parents, families or friends also bringing in good tides for all involved.
Unsure what to say or do when you visit an older loved one or worried about running out of things to say sometimes make many people avoid visiting completely simply because they dread awkward moments. We mustn't however let these concerns stop us from visiting. Remember tomorrow this person may very well be you.
Bear in mind that it's not about you. Yes we may feel self-conscious about how we are supposed to act in such a situation especially as some visits dredge up painful sadness and grief. We should set our own feelings aside and consider it a gift to our loved one by focusing on something larger than ourselves in this case enriching part of our relative's or friend's day at a difficult time of life. It's most likely he or she feels sad and awkward, too. Remember (even if you are not comfortable) the rewards you will be harvesting simply for being there.
Even if the outer package of the elderly has considerably changed focus on the person inside after all that is who you want to connect with and he or she is still there.
Respecting the elderly and honoring them are characteristics of a Muslim society.
One story relays that an old man came wanting to see the Prophet and the people did not make way for him. On hearing this, the Prophet said:
“He is not one of us who does not show mercy to our young ones and respect our old ones.” (Ahmad)
And also:
“Part of glorifying God is honoring the grey-haired Muslim.” (Abu Dawud)
While it is unfortunate, some people do forget to visit their elderly parents or relatives and some countries have taken measures to correct this.
In China for example, adults are required to visit their elderly parents where under a newly-amended law elderly parents who feel neglected by their children can take them to court.
In Islam such a law should not need chartering. Visiting the sick and elderly is from the clearest signs of mutual love, mercy and empathy. Moreover, visiting the sick is a major responsibility that every single Muslim is duty-bound to fulfill. The Prophet says:
“The rights of one Muslim over another Muslim are six. When you meet him, you greet him with good tidings, when he invites you, you accept his invitation, when he consults you in a matter, you give him sincere advice, when he sneezes and praises God, you ask God to have mercy on him, when he is sick, you visit him, and when he passes away you accompany him through his funeral.” (Muslim)
Summing up, a touching quote comes to mind which helps keep me personally on the right path serving as a beautiful reminder and like I have with other quotes I post it where I can see it as a reminder to myself above all and to others who care, it reads:
"Respect the old, when you are young, help the weak, when you are strong, confess the fault when you are wrong because one day in life, you will be old, weak, and wrong".
Source: http://bit.ly/1d7Sg2x

Deana Nassar is a published writer, and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce, but freely left a promising career to be a stay-at-home mom. As a mother of four, in her home she’s the sole expert on all things related to marriage, children’s psychology, motherhood and creative survival.
She loves charity work, reading and writing poetry, and is mostly known for writing articles discussing family and social issues, faith, freedom, and purpose that comes through God.

Purification of the Heart and Soul in Islam

- By Abu Amina Elias for FaithinAllah.org

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

The command to purify our hearts from sin was an essential Islamic teaching ever since the early stages of the revelation in Mecca. This is known as “purification of the soul” (tazkiyyat an-nafs). Allah said:

He has succeeded who purifies the soul, and he has failed who corrupts the soul. [Surah Ash-Shams 91:9-10] And Allah said:

A day when there will be no benefit in wealth or children, but only in he who comes to Allah with a pure heart. [Surah Ash-Shu’ara 26:88-89]

We learn from these verses that our success in the Hereafter depends upon the purification of our hearts in this life. We must purify our hearts from spiritual sins such as greed, malice, envy, arrogance, and worldliness. In their place, we must adorn the heart with spiritual virtues such as generosity, compassion, benevolence, humility, and asceticism.
Purification of the heart was one of the first commands with which Moses, upon him be peace, was sent to Pharaoh. Allah said:

Go to Pharaoh, for verily, he is a transgressor. Say to him: Will you purify yourself? [Surah An-Naz’iat 79:17-18]
Purity of heart is also one of the defining characteristics of Abraham, upon him be peace. Allah said:

Verily, among his people was Abraham, when he came to his Lord with a pure heart. [Surah As-Saffat 37:83-84]
One of the primary methods we can use to purify our hearts is to perform sincere supplications and prayers according to the prophetic way (sunnah). Allah said:

He has succeeded who purifies himself, who remembers the name of his Lord and prays. [Surah Al-A’la 87:14-15]
When we exalt Allah and ask for our sins to be forgiven, this removes arrogance from our hearts and makes us humble. When we pray for Allah to guide others, this removes malice and hatred from our hearts and makes us love others for the sake of Allah. When we remember the Hereafter and the Day of Resurrection, this makes us less attached to the world and more inclined to help others.
In this way, the Messenger of Allah would purify his heart every morning and evening by performing supplications and prayers. Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said to me:

O boy, if you are able every morning and evening to remove any rancor from your heart towards anyone, then do so.
Then the Prophet said to me:

O boy, that is my tradition and whoever revives my tradition has loved me, and whoever loves me will be with me in Paradise. [Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2678, Grade: Hasan]
The ritual prayer is meant to prevent us from committing sins and immoral deeds. Allah said:

Verily, the prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. [Surah Al-Ankabut 29:45]
Abu Huraira reported: A man came to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and he said, “Indeed, so-and-so prays in the night but he steals in the morning.” The Prophet said:

Verily, it should prevent him from doing that. [Source: Musnad Ahmad 9486, Grade: Sahih]
The next method we can use to purify our hearts is to give in charity and perform good deeds for others. Allah said:

But the righteous one will avoid Hellfire, who gives from his wealth to purify himself. [Surah Al-Layl 92:17-18] And Allah said:

Take from their wealth a charity by which you cleanse them and purify them, and invoke blessings upon them. [Surah At-Tawbah 92:103]
When we give away our wealth in charity, this removes worldliness from our hearts and envy of what others have and it makes us hope for our good deeds stored in the Hereafter. Charity means not only giving wealth, but also giving people your time, your effort, your work, and even a smile or a kind word. Jabir ibn Abdullah reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

Every good deed is charity. Verily, it is a good deed to meet your brother with a smiling face, and to pour what is left from your bucket into the vessel of your brother. [Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 1970, Grade: Sahih]

Charity is a duty upon every Muslim, for every person can give something from his wealth, time, and energy. At the very least, Muslims can refrain from harming others and that is also charity.
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

Charity is due upon every joint of the people for every day upon which the sun rises. Being just between two people is charity, and helping a man with his animal and lifting his luggage upon it is charity, and a kind word is charity, and every step that you take towards the mosque is charity, and removing harmful things from the road is charity. [Source: Sahih Muslim 1009, Grade: Sahih]

When a Muslim commits a sin, his or her heart is covered by a stain, but it is removed by repentance and good deeds. Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

Verily, when the believer commits a sin, a black spot appears upon his heart. If he repents and abandons the sin and seeks forgiveness, his heart will be polished, but if he increases in sin, the blackness increases. That is the covering which Allah has mentioned in his Book: Nay, but on their hearts is a covering because of what they have earned. (83:14) [Source: Sunan ibn Majah 4244, Grade: Sahih]

Therefore, a Muslim must continue to perform supplications, prayers, charity, and good deeds until the heart is purified from sin.
In conclusion, the salvation of a Muslim depends upon purification of the heart soul from vices and adorning the heart with virtues. Purification is achieved through performing sincere supplications, prayers, and acts of charity toward others. We must remember that we will be judged on the Day of Resurrection according to the purity of our hearts and the righteousness of our deeds.
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

Verily, Allah does not look at your appearance or wealth, but rather He looks at your hearts and actions. [Source: Sahih Muslim 2564, Grade: Sahih]
Success comes from Allah, and Allah knows best.

Source: http://bit.ly/16nJmig

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