Category Archives: Islam
Interval Between Death & Resurrection (Barzakh)
August 16, 2003 / Jamad-uth-Thani 1424
Volume 1, Issue 2 (Part 5)
After death and before the Day of Judgment, between this world and the other, there is an interim world called the “Realm of Barzakh”. All humans and jinn live in this world after death. In this realm of Barzakh, some experience peace and others pain, based on ones actions in this world.
It is our belief that even after death, the soul’s connection with the body remains. If the soul is separated from the body and the body experiences rest or shock, the soul will feel it and be affected by it; just like in this life when the body feels ease or pain, its sensations are experienced by the soul. Similarly, in the realm of Barzakh, whatever reward or punishment the body faces, its pleasure or pain is received by the soul.
It is also our belief that the souls of the believers, according to their levels, rest in different stations. Some stay at their burial site, some at the well of Zamzam (Holy water of Makkah), some between the sky and earth, some in the skies, some in lanterns below the Throne, some in the high ‘Illiyyeen (level of Heaven). Wherever the souls are stationed, they are connected to their bodies. If anyone comes to their burial site, the deceased can see, recognize and hear the words of the visitor.
Similarly, the souls of the disbelievers also stay at their grave or burial site. Some are at a sewer pipeline in Yemen. Some are below the seventh earth. Some are in “sijjeen†(prison). Wherever the souls are, they have a connection with their respective bodies. Therefore, anyone who comes to their grave or burial site, the deceased can see, recognize and hear the words of the visitor.
Some people believe that after death the soul goes into the body of another person or an animal. Believing this takes one into the realm of disbelief as we do not believe in the philosophy of reincarnation.
It is our belief that after death, regardless of where the deceased’s body is, he or she is visited by two angels called Nakeer and Munkar. These angels question the deceased: “Who is your Lord?â€, “What is your Deen?â€, and they ask about the Prophet Muhammad (prayers and peace of Allah be upon Him) , “Who is He ?â€Â If the deceased is a believer, he or she replies correctly that my Lord is Allah, my Deen is Islam and that Hazrat Muhammad (prayers and peace of Allah be upon Him) is Allah Almighty’s Messenger. Then, a window into Heaven opens for him from which cool and fragrant breezes keep coming into his grave. And the deceased rests in comfort and peace and sleeps in happiness in his grave. If the deceased is a disbeliever, then his response to all the questions is that he doesn’t know. Then, a window from Hell is opened for him and hot and foul air blows into his grave. The deceased is made to suffer severe punishments and he remains restless and tormented. The angels beat him with rods. His evil actions punish him in the form of snakes and scorpions.
It is our belief that the deceased talks and his speech is heard by all creation except humans and jinn. If a human hears the talk of a deceased, he will surely lose consciousness.
It is also our belief that the graves of believers and good people expands 70 times. The graves of some people expands to as far as their eyes can see. And the graves of some disbelievers and sinners constricts so much that the ribs of one side moves to the other.
It is our belief that whatever punishment and reward the deceased experiences, only the deceased is aware of them. Alive humans are not aware of these happenings; just like a sleeping person in his dreams sees different things and experiences comfort, pain or pleasure and an awake person next to him is completely unaware of the sleeping person’s experiences.
The deceased can receive the rewards of the good works they did in this world, either through pious children or any other deed they did as a Sadaqa Jariya (ongoing charity). Also, they receive the reward of any good actions anyone does for them, which is why it is essential to remember our dead by reading Quran and doing other good deeds for them. This is called Isaal-e-Sawaab.
One must therefore not consider death as the end of life, but only that the soul has moved onto a different realm where it experiences the realities of that world while waiting for the eternal abode of the Hereafter. May Allah Almighty by the waseela (connection) of His Beloved Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) help us lead a righteous life and grace us with His Mercy in the Barzakh and Hereafter. (Aamin).
The majority of the above article was translated from “Jannati Zewarâ€, an Urdu text written by Allama Abdul Mustafa Azhari Azimi Mujaddidi, who was a prominent scholar of Ahle-Sunnah and Shaykh-ul-Hadeeth at Darul Uloom Amjadia, Karachi, Pakistan. The Shaykh was a Khalifa in the chain of Imam Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi (may Allah have mercy on him). Many well-known Ahle-Sunnah scholars are from among his students. “Jannati Zewar†was published in 1369 Hijri (Islamic calendar) by Mushtaq Book Corner, Lahore, Pakistan.
The Science of Dreams (Part 2)
August 16, 2003 / Jamad-uth-Thani 1424
Volume 1, Issue 2
This is the second in a series of articles on the Science of Dreams. It is hoped that the discussion of the science of dreams can be beneficial to those who wish to interpret dreams of others or of their own.
1. Earthquakes: Dreaming of an earthquake indicates a major event taking place in the world or in one’s life. If someone sees mountains shaking, it is a sign of corrupted scholars, which means that scholars will sell out their consciousness, writings, and honor, for the sake of money and worldly resources. It is a bad sign if someone sees a victim of an earthquake; it may indicate impending death or illness. If one sees a house shaking, it indicates trouble in family life.Â
2. Mountains and Hills: To dream of mountains or hills represents meeting men of great worth; the more grand the mountain, the more valuable the person. They may also represent one’s own spiritual power and authority. Climbing up a hill or mountain is gaining elevation in spiritual growth or gaining greater closeness with one’s sheikh. To see yourself on the peak of the mountain means to have authority within society. To possess a mountain means to have control over emotions or society. Destroying a mountain reflects someone’s personality as a killer of a man. Digging up any part of the mountain indicates skill in outmaneuvering someone who is trying to gain control over you. To climb up a very steep mountain side points out difficulties in achieving one’s goals or desires. Powerful men may harm the dreamer if he sees himself moving large stones, crags or mountains.
3. The Earth: Seeing land spreading out before you into the distance indicates a long, peaceful and happy life. Seeing land twisting underneath you may either indicate imminent death, or gaining spiritual power if one is prepared to handle the situation. Hearing the earth speak to you in a dream is a powerful message of obtaining great wealth or power in this world. If one dreams of any inanimate object speaking to him, this signifies Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala has given you power of understanding of secret, hidden matters. To be swallowed up by the earth shows materialism, going after things of this world. Falling into a hole in the earth is a sign of potential harm being done by one’s enemy. Seeing sand, dust, earth or similar elements points to gaining wealth. Eating earth symbolizes consumption of wealth, but if one is covered in dust while eating, it means that they will receive considerable wealth. If one dreams of walking on a dusty road or gravel road, or of carrying earth on one’s back, this symbolizes receiving great reward after accomplishing a very heavy task. Digging in the earth while eating something shows making material gains by using trickery or deceit. Seeing dust in the air or fog shows an uncertain outcome for a business venture or educational aspiration. Dreaming of a vast fertile land covered with greenery, or of a large plain, represents Islam. Following a straight path in the land is synonymous with following the straight path of Islam, while deviating on the path in the dream is also synonymous with going astray in the path of Islam. Â
4. Shops and Houses: Dreaming of markets or shops means an unexpected increase in business or money or a job offer from an unseen source, or an increase in domestic peace. Unfamiliar shops indicate that one will travel somewhere new very shortly. A house with strangers or in an unknown place represents the Hereafter, whether good or bad. If a house is being renovated or expanded, it may indicate increase in honor or increase in family harmony. Seeing a house collapse or being destroyed symbolizes one’s spiritual status being lowered because of misconduct. Building a house shows the coveting of this world, but if it is built in an unknown place it means building up good deeds in this life that will benefit one greatly in the next world. If the house in an unknown place is being destroyed, it is synonymous with one’s good deeds being destroyed in this life through disobedience to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala and His Beloved Prophet Muhammad Sallalahoo Alaihe Wasallum. In the case that the house is in a known place, then destruction may indicate one’s irresponsibility and thoughtlessness in actions, particularly spending.
5. Walls, Stairs, and Doors: Falling from a wall denotes a downfall in business, education, health, or spiritual degradation. Jumping down from the wall however may show one’s ability to face the challenges of society. Standing on top of a wall where you can see most of the city or the roofs of the houses, it reflects one’s intelligence and support from friends and hometown. If the city walls crumble down, this shows the spiritual degradation of a society and may portend its destruction or punishment from Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala. Dreaming of climbing stairs or ladders symbolizes ascension in Islam and in the next world. Brick stairs indicate spending in alms. Staircases of plaster, wood, or clay show ascension in this world. To dream of a door of a house falling down means facing a sickness followed by recovery. If a door of a room is torn off, then there may be a death of a member of one’s family. If a door is open but obstructed by another object, this signifies the possibility of a divorce or separation or any other serious domestic problem. Opening an unfamiliar door means one’s prayers will be granted Insha Allah Ta’ala.Â
Allah and His Beloved Prophet Muhammad Sallalahoo Alaihe Wasallum Know Best.
Suggestions to the dreamer: An individual who dreams should observe the following principles of dreams:
1. Any dream at the time of reporting must begin with Bismillah Hir Rahmannir Rahim.
2. The dreamer should not mention the dream to a person who does not know about alpha and omega of dreams.
3. Dream should not be reported after sunset.
4. Dua to recite after seeing any dream: Bismillahi Allahu Akbar Hamdan Katheeran
Prof. Dr. Mohammad Ahmed Qadri
Dr. Qadri is Founding Director of IECRC. He is a renowned known scholar from Pakistan, who taught at the University of Karachi for over 20 years. He has expertise in both modern education as well as traditional Islamic sciences, having completed the 18 year Dars-e-Nizami course from Pakistan. Dr. Qadri has studied with eminent scholars from Al-Azhar University, Cairo. He has dedicated his life to spreading the light and love of our Beloved Master Muhammad, prayers and peace of Allah be upon Him.
Manners for Sisters at the Mosque and Gatherings of Remembrance
August 16, 2003 / Jamad-uth-Thani 1424
Volume 1, Issue 2 (Part 7)
Going to the Mosque (Masjid) is a favor from Allah, Glorious and Great. As with all favors from Him, it is what we do with that favor that will turn it into a blessing or a curse for us. There are manners (adab) for attending Friday prayers and other visits to the Masjid and places of remembrance, especially for women. I say especially for women because it is not an obligation for us to attend the Friday prayer, it is a privilege.
Out of respect for the dignity of the occasion, before going to any function at a Masjid, or any building used as a place of worship or remembrance (Zikr), it is recommended to take a shower (ghusl). We should all wear our nicest and most modest clothes as Allah, Glorious and Great said:
Oh Children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer…(Sura A’raf 7; 31)
It is especially important that women avoid wearing see through clothes or clothes that reveal the shapes of their bodies. Women should remember not to wear perfume or scented oils (attar) as it may distract our brothers from their worship and divert their attention towards women instead of towards Allah, Exalted is He! When we enter we should be certain to lower our gaze and guard our modesty:
And say to the believing women that they should Lower their gaze and guard their modesty that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must appear thereof. (Sura An Nur 24; 31)
Remember where we are and what is our intention in being there. We should take a seat next to any sisters who are already there, starting from the side furthest from the entrance. In this way the sisters who arrive after us do not have to climb over us or disturb us.
When arriving at a Masjid, it is recommended to offer two rakats Sunnah prayer as greetings to the Masjid. Then sit quietly, preferably doing silent remembrance (Zikr) or reading the Holy Qur’an. This is not the time for socializing, but an opportunity to contemplate.
At Friday prayer (Jummah), when the Imam begins to speak we are not to say one word. There is Hadith to the effect that any one speaking during the sermon (Khutbah) gets no credit for the entire prayer. Besides losing all credit for that prayer, if our voices disturb anyone, we are accountable for that. Children should use self-restraint or stay home; the Masjid is not a playground.
When the Azan (call to prayer) is called, sit still. When you hear the Iqamah recited, at the line “Hayya ‘ala Salah†rise and quietly form your straight lines, standing shoulder to shoulder with the sisters on either side of you. Our Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings on his sweet soul, warned us the Shaitan (Devil) will fill up the empty space if we are not touching each other in the prayer line. Silently offer your intention to follow the Imam and wait for him to call the Takbir Al Ahram (Allah hu Akbar) before lifting your hands. Each worshipper needs permission from the Imam to change position so do not change your position until you hear “Allah hu Akbar†or “Sami Allah hu liman Hamida†(Allah hears one who praises Him) when returning from ruku (bowing position). Even if you have memorized a particular Sura or Ayah that is being recited, it is best to be quiet and listen as listening is an aid to perfection and has a different effect on us than recitation. Out of respect for Allah, Glorious and Great, the Holy Qur’an and our brothers and sisters, we should remain silent during Recitations, lectures and prayers.
After the completion of the obligatory portion of the prayer, it is recommended to change location with your neighbor to perform the Sunnah prayers, so that more areas of the earth will bear witness for our act of prayer on the Day of Judgement.
After the prayer, it is recommended to greet your sisters with “As Salaamo alaikum†and to warmly embrace one another. Now is the time to speak, remembering where we are and
Lower your voice for the harshest of sounds without a doubt is the braying of an ass.
(Sura Luqman 31; 19)
Many sisters come from countries where women do not go to the Masjid, so it is particularly lovely that here we can. Let’s all enjoy this favor from Allah, Exalted is He, and turn it into a blessing by being grateful and doing our best to have good manners (adab).
May Allah, The Source of all good, reward you with His Good. (Aamin).
Khadija J.C. Locks
Sister Khadija is a resident of Los Angeles, CA. She is the author of “The Wealth of the Inheritorsâ€, published by Nuqoosh Press, Lahore, Pakistan. She is currently working on a book on the subject of Islamic stories for children. She is a regular contributor to the IECRC Newsletter.
