At-Tadhkirah the Reminder

By Abu 'Abdullaah Muhammad Al-Qurtubi

This is a brief book written as an admonition in which the author talks of Death in addition to Resurrection, Paradise, and Hell.

 

By reading this book a person will purify his heart and will come out of his heedlessness.

 

He will get to know the real lowly status of the delights of this world and its pursuit.

 

He will rectify himself and start pursuing the lofty status in the Hereafter and the ultimate success of attaining Allaah's pleasure and His Paradise.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Al-Jannat Publications
• Release date: Sep 30, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215150207

Book preview

Introduction

This is a brief book written as an admonition in which the author talks of Death in addition to Resurrection, Paradise, and Hell. By reading this book a person will purify his heart and will come out of his heedlessness. He will get to know the real lowly status of the delights of this world and its pursuit. He will rectify himself and start pursuing the lofty status in the Hereafter and the ultimate success of attaining Allaah’s pleasure and His Paradise.

Chapter 1

The prohibition of wishing, or praying for, al-maut (death) owing to a physical or financial catastrophe

1- On the authority of Anas (Allaah be pleased with him), Muslim narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: Do not wish al-maut (death) if you are exposed to a catastrophe. If necessary, say: "O Allaah! Extend my life span if it is better for me, and let me die if al-maut (death) is better for me." (Authentic by Bukhaari) (Hadeeth Saheeh)

2- On the authority of Anas (Allaah be pleased with him), Muslim also narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Do not wish al-maut (death), and do not pray to die prematurely, for when you die you can no longer carry out charitable actions. Growing old increases the number of a faithful believer's good actions" (Hadeeth Saheeh).

3- Bukhaari added: "Do not wish to die, because you are either a generous believer who would carry out more charitable actions or an evildoer who would seek the satisfaction of at-tawbah (repentance)" (Hadeeth Saheeh).

4- On the authority of Jabir Ibn Abdullaah, Al-Bazzar narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Do not yearn to die because al-maut (death) is horrifying. It is a blessing for a servant to live long enough until Allaah grants him at-tawbah (repentance)" (Hadeeth Hasan).

5- Scholars of Islaam assert that al-maut (death) is not a total nonexistence, but it involves the severance of the unity between body and nafs (soul). It also indicates a change in human’s condition and his transference from this earthly life to the Hereafter. Al-maut (death) is one of the gravest catastrophes. Allaah, the Almighty, calls it a 'catastrophe' as He says: "And the catastrophe of al-maut (death) befalls you (then)." Thus, al-maut (death) is the utmost catastrophe and the most momentous disaster. However, scholars of Islaam maintain that it is graver for a man to be heedless of al-maut (death), to delay at-tawbah (repentance) and to cease contemplation of al-maut (death) and working for it (by doing good deeds or actions).

6- In his famous (Nawader Al-Usul) book, At-Tirmidhi Al-Hakim Abu-Abdullaah states: On the authority of Abdul-Aziz Al-Majshun from Muhammad Ibn Al-Munkader, Qutaiba Ibn Sa'eed and Al-Khatib Ibn Salem narrated that when one of Adam's son (peace be upon him) died he said to Hawwa (peace be upon her): O Hawwa! Your son is dead!' She inquired: What do you mean? He said: He neither eats nor drinks, nor stands nor sits. She suddenly cried. So he said You and your daughters would be ordained to cry, but my sons and I are clear of that. (An Authentic chain of transmitters)

7- The Prophet's above-mentioned phrase: 'to seek the satisfaction of at-tawbah (repentance)' means that a man would be satisfied and received into the favor of Allaah when he repents and gives up sins. Al-Jawhari says that this phrase refers to the fact that the man who seeks satisfaction will get it when he gives up sins. Allaah, the Almighty, says in the Quraan about the polytheists: If they beg to be received into favor, into favor will they not be received.

8- Abu Ad-Darda (Allaah be pleased with him) said: "Al-maut (death) is better for every true believer. If you do not believe me, read the following verses: 'And that which is in the presence of Allaah is the best (bliss) for the righteous,' and, 'Let not the disbelievers think that Our respite to them is good for themselves: We grant them respite that they may grow in their inequity, but they will have a shameful punishment' (Weak chain of transmitters, and narrated by Ibn Masud).

9- Hayyan Ibn Al-Aswad said: "Al-maut (death) is in fact the bridge between the lover and his beloved."

Chapter 2

The permissibility of wishing or praying for al-maut (death) for fear of being bereaved of one's religiosity

Allaah, the Almighty, says that Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) said: "Take You my nafs (soul) at al-maut (death) as one submitting to Your will as a Muslim, and unite me with the righteous, and that Maryam (peace be upon her) said: Ah! Would that I had died before this! Would that I had been a thing forgotten and out of sight!"

10- On the authority of Abu-Hurairah, Malik Ibn Abu Al Zenad narrated that Al-A'raj said that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: Anticipate the Day of Judgment when men pass by other men's graves and wish to be in their place (Hadeeth Saheeh)

11- My observation is that the detailed explanation of the above Hadeeths shows that there is no difference between this understanding and the former one. As for Yusuf (peace be upon him), Qatada remarked that no person has ever wished al-maut (death), whether he be a Prophet or otherwise, except for him. This is due to the fact that when he felt that Allaah offered him all kinds of bounties and bestowed on him family reunion, he longed to meet his Rabb (Lord), the Almighty, as he says: "O my Rabb (Lord)! You have indeed bestowed on me some power and taught me something of the interpretation of dreams and events." Another interpretation also states that Yusuf (peace be upon him) did not wish to die, but wished to die as a Muslim, that is, he wished to remain a Muslim until the moment al-maut (death) overwhelms him. This is the exegetes' correct interpretation of the verse. And Allaah, the Almighty knows best. (An authentic account)

As for Maryam (peace be upon her) her wish to die can be interpreted in two ways:

The first is that she feared to be suspected and dishonored which might make her fall into turmoil or disbelief. The second is that she feared that some individuals might be ruined by the condemnation of aspersion and the disgrace of infidelity because of her.

Allaah, the Almighty, says about those who defamed A’isha (Allaah be pleased with her): To him who took on himself the lead among them, will be a penalty grievous and also says: You thought it to be a light matter, while it was most serious in the sight of Allaah.

Therefore, directing an untruthful accusation about her is graver and more severely forbidden. Thus explained, it was allowable for her to hope for al-maut (death). And Allaah, the Almighty knows best.

As regards the Hadeeth, it is an account of the severity of the circumstances that will be prevalent during that time. This is because of the corruption of the individuals, the vulnerability of religious faith and the fear of losing it, rather than the physical or financial calamities which might befall individuals and help lessen their sins.

12- Another Hadeeth further explains this issue in which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) prays: O Allaah! I plead to You to guide me to make good turns, to help me avoid sins and to make me love the poor. And if You shall order (it is sometimes narrated as 'administer') a sedition to afflict individuals, let me die unaffected by it (Narrated by Malik - Hadeeth Saheeh).

Chapter 3

The preparation for, and remembrance

of, al-maut (death)

13- Al-Nasai narrated that on the authority of Abu Hurairah, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: Always remember the terminator of pleasures, meaning 'al-maut (death)' (Authentic by Ibn Maaja and At-Tirmidhi) (Hadeeth Saheeh).

14- Ibn Maaja narrated that Ibn Umar said: One day I was sitting with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) of Allaah when one of the Ansaar came and greeted him and inquired: O Prophet of Allaah! Who are the best believers? The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: The best believers are the most well-mannered. The man then inquired: So, who are the most prudent believers? The Prophet said: The most prudent believers are those who remember al-maut (death) most often, and get ready for their Hereafter. Those are the wisest" (Authentic by Malik too). This Hadeeth will be quoted in the chapter dealing with 'seditions', in-sha-Allaah (Allaah willing).

15- Abu-Nua'im Al-Hafiz authenticated the Hadeeth with its chain of transmitters as Malik Ibn Anas narrated it from Yahia Ibn Sa'eed who quoted it from Sa'eed Ibn Al Musayyab, who quoted it in turn from Umar Ibn Al Khattab (Allaah be pleased with him). Umar narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: Always remember the terminator of all pleasures, so we inquired: What is the terminator of pleasures, Prophet of Allaah? He said: "It is al-maut (death)" (Hadeeth Saheeh).

16- On the authority of Anas (Allaah be pleased with him) the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Remember al-maut (death) recurrently because so doing wipes out sins and makes you disregard this earthly life" (Hadeeth Saheeh).

17- Thus confirmed, you have to realize that remembering al-maut (death) triggers a sense of disregarding this transient life, which leads you to head for the permanent life in the afterlife. Moreover, man always fluctuates between happiness and sadness. So, if he is in distress, remembering al-maut (death) alleviates his pain because it is harder than any other misery. And if he is in a state of happiness and abundance, remembering al-maut (death) protects him from rolling in the pleasures of life and counting on it as he knows he will part with it.

18- Al-Daqqaq said: "He who enormously remembers al-maut (death) attains three things: 'accelerated at-tawbah (repentance), inner contentment, and effective ibaadah (worship)' and he who forgets it gets three penalties: 'procrastinated at-tawbah (repentance), neediness due to discontentment and sluggish ibaadah (worship)."

So, brother, think of al-maut (death) and its horrors. Think of its sufferings and pains. How truthful the promise of al-maut (death) is! How a fair judge it is! It causes tears to drop and eyes to soar. It separates groups; ends pleasures and disappointments wishes. So, have you, son of Adam, thought of the day of your al-maut (death)? Have you considered how you will move from the wide earth to the constricted grave, after being betrayed by your friends and deserted by your brothers? Have you thought of the day you will be deprived of your bed and comforters to lie naked under the sand? O you who collect wealth and strive to develop your property, I swear by Allaah you will own no more than a coffin. Your wealth will perish and your body will turn to dust. Where then will the wealth you have collected go? Can it save you from these horrors? No! You have left it to others who might not be grateful to you; you have come laden with your sins to Him who will not excuse you anymore. He has done a good job who explained the following verse: But seek, with the wealth which Allaah has bestowed on you, the home of the Hereafter as follows: a true believer should seek Jannah (paradise) in every blessing he is granted in this earthly life. He is entitled to spend his life in whatever will benefit him in the Hereafter rather than in wronging others and oppressing them. It was said: Do not ever forget that you will leave your whole fortune except for your due share, that is, the coffin.

Chapter 4

What reminds individuals of al-maut (death) and the afterlife and helps them disregard life

19- Muslim quoted Abu-Hurairah (Allaah be please with him) who said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) once visited the grave of his mother. He cried so much that all his companions wept, and then he said: "I requested Allaah to forgive her, but He did not permit me, and I inquired Him for a permission to visit her grave, and He permitted me. So, visit graves as they remind you of al-maut (death)" (Hadeeth Saheeh).

20- Ibn Maaja narrated that on the authority of Ibn Masud that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: I have previously forbidden you of going to graves, but now I ask you to do so as they help you disregard this earthly life and reminds you of the afterlife (Hadeeth Saheeh)

21- Some scholars of Islaam, may Allaah rest their souls, said: "The best thing for the hearts, particularly if they are hardened, is to visit graveyards. Those who have hardened hearts can treat them by the following things:

First: Attending religious gatherings to help them repent by listening to religious sermons that remind individuals of Allaah, warn them of Jahannam (hell), provoke them to seek heaven, tell them about the biographies of virtuous persons which softens hearts and cures them.

Second: Remembering al-maut (death) frequently as it eliminates pleasures, sets groups apart, and renders children orphans as mentioned before. It is narrated that a woman complained to A’isha (Allaah be pleased with her) that her heart is hardened. So, A'isha said to her: "If you remember al-maut (death) frequently, your heart will be softened. The woman did so and her heart became softer, and she came back to thank her, Allaah be pleased with her. Scholars of Islaam said: Remembering al-maut (death) deters one from committing sins, softens rigid hearts, alleviates one's indulgence in this earthly life and decreases the impact of catastrophes.

Third: Seeing individuals who are dying on their al-maut (death) beds. Doing so, together with witnessing their suffering and pondering about their fate after al-maut (death), undermines delight, prevents sleep and relaxation, urges individuals to work and increases diligence and hard work.

22- It is narrated that Al-Hasan Al-Basri went to visit a sick person. He found him on his al-maut (death) bed suffering from the sufferings and pains of al-maut (death). Then, he went back home in a different mood. When his family served food for him, he said: "O my dear family! Do eat your food and drink yourselves. I swear by Allaah, I have seen an unforgettable scene of al-maut (death) for which I shall strive until the day I experience it."

These three things are essential to make use of by those who have hardened hearts due to sins so that they might treat their ills and confront the seductions of Shaitaan. They are helpful for individuals whose sins are not too incalculable; otherwise, they might resort to going to cemeteries as it is more influential than the three points mentioned above. This accounts for the fact that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: Visit graves as this makes you disregard earthly life and reminds you of the afterlife. The first depends on listening by the ear, and the second on revealing the final difficulty to warn man by witnessing the scene of al-maut (death) and going to the graveyards of dead Muslims which are all more compelling than the first and the second. (An authentic account)

Chapter 5

What should be said on entering graveyards and the permissibility of crying there

23- On the authority of Abu Dawud, it is narrated that Buraida Ibn Khaseeb narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: I have previously forbidden you of going to graves, but now I ask you to do so, as they remind you of the afterlife (Hadeeth Saheeh). Al-Nasai also narrated that Buraida narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: He whoever wants to visit a grave, is allowed to do so. And never refer to graves as 'deserted mortuaries', indicating a negative effect. (Hadeeth Saheeh)

24- Muslim narrated that A’isha (Allaah be pleased with her) said to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) Oh Prophet of Allaah! What should I say when I go into a cemetery? He said: Say: peace be upon you, Muslims and believers. May Allaah offer His mercy to all of you: those who died earlier and those who followed them. We will surely follow you as Allaah ordered. (Documented by Muslim based on the Hadeeth narrated by Buraida too, but he added: I ask Allaah, the Almighty to offer you and me safety from all sorts of evil (Hadeeth Saheeh)

25- It is narrated by both Bukhaari and Muslim that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) passed by a woman who was crying out of grief over a grave (her relatives). He said to her: Fear Allaah and be patient (Hadeeth Saheeh)

26- These Hadeeths comprise an important rule, namely the permissibility of going to graves for both men and women. It also shows that it is allowable for individuals to greet and pray for the dead, and that women are allowed to cry over the graves. Should doing so have been forbidden, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would have denounced the crying woman the way he did evildoers. So, it is not true that women are not allowed to visit graves. But they are not allowed to go out to graves to gossip or go without a full hijab (body completely covered).

You are allowed to cry (without wailing loudly) over the graves of your loved ones out of grief for having lost them or pity for what they suffer. You are also allowed to cry over them at the moment of al-maut (death). But, crying is sometimes mingled with shouting, shouting, slapping oneself or shredding one's clothes. All these actions are forbidden according to the consensus of Muslim scholars of Islaam, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) warned us against this saying: "They are not Muslims who shave their hair, shred their clothes or shout loudly upon the al-maut (death) of a dear person" (Narrated by Muslim).

It is allowable only to cry by the grave and at al-maut (death). It is done out of the pity and mercy of which no human being is void. The Prophet himself (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) cried at the al-maut (death) of his son, Ibrahim. Umar (Allaah be pleased with him) once said: "Let the women cry over the al-maut (death) of Abu Salman as long as they would not shout loudly or put dirt on their heads." And Allaah, the Almighty knows best (Hadeeth Saheeh).

Chapter 6

Believers sweat at al-maut (death)

27- Narrated Ibn Maaja on the authority of Buraida that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Believers' foreheads sweat at al-maut (death)." At-Tirmidhi classified this Hadeeth as Hasan. (Hadeeth Saheeh)

28- Abdullaah said: "Every believer has already committed some sins that still accompany him. So, he is punished for them at the moment of al-maut (death), which consequently results in his sweating. Some scholars of Islaam also explained it saying: A believer sweats out of his great embarrassment of Allaah as he disobeyed Him. His physical body has already died, but what remains is the power and movement of life. Since embarrassment is spotted in the eyes, at the moment of al-maut (death) embarrassment can then be seen. While disbelievers are blind to all these matters, tortured believers are more occupied with their punishment. So, the sweat which appears on those person who is dyings indicates that they enjoy the mercy of Allaah because they are embarrassed of Him as faithful servants often do in the presence of good tidings. (Hadeeth Saheeh)

I said: "The three signs might appear together or only one or two of them according to the actions that were carried out by the person who is dyings. But we might notice only the sweat that covers the forehead. And Allaah, the Almighty knows best.

29- Ibn Masud narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Believers' foreheads sweat at al-maut (death) because of some remaining sins for which they are punished then", meaning that they suffer so severely that they would get rid of their remaining sins. (Hadeeth Saheeh)

Chapter 7

How believers' and disbelievers' souls leave their bodies

30- On the authority of Abu-Nu'aim, quoting the Hadeeth narrated by Al-A'mash, Ibrahim narrated that Algama quoted Abdullaah who said that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "The nafs (soul) of the believer comes out of his body in the shape of sweat, whereas the nafs (soul) of the disbeliever is grabbed like a donkey's. Believers are punished for their sins at al-maut (death) to get rid of them at all, but the disbelievers' al-maut (death) is rendered easy as a reward for the good actions they carried out, so that they also get rid of them at all." (Hadeeth Saheeh)

Chapter 8

Proofs of the pains of al-maut (death) and the condition of dying individuals

31- Allaah, the Almighty, describes the severity of al-maut (death) in four verses. He says in the first: "And the stupor of al-maut (death) comes in truth, and the second: If thou could but see how the wicked do fare in the sufferings of al-maut (death). The third verse says: Then why do you not intervene when the nafs (soul) of the dying man reaches the throat, and the fourth: Nay, when the nafs (soul) reaches to the collar-bone (in its exit)."

Bukhaari narrated that A’isha (Allaah be pleased with her) said that on his al-maut (death) bed, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had beside him a pot of water. He kept inserting his hands in the pot to wet them and daub his face, saying: "There is no god but Allaah. Al-maut (death) does have its pains. Then, he raised his hands and kept saying: To the company of Allaah!" until his hands fell down and he died. (Hadeeth Saheeh)

32- In his famous book titled Alre'ayah (Paying Heed), Al-Mohasabi states that Allaah, the Almighty, inquired Ibrahim, peace and blessings be upon him: "Oh my Companion! How did you find al-maut (death)? Then, Ibrahim said: It is just like violently pulling a blazing metallic bar from some wet woolen threads. Then, Allaah said: We have made it easy for you, Ibrahim."

33- Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (peace be upon him) said: Oh my Companions! Pray for Allaah to smooth this pain, (meaning the pain of al-maut (death)).

34- Oh individuals! It is time for the sleepers to wake up and the heedless to listen and be attentive before they are attacked by the bitterness of al-maut (death); before their breaths come to a standstill and their movements fade away as they are laid in their graves.

35- Umar Ibn Abdul-Aziz is said to have written a letter to