Alhuda Bolton

Summary of Fiqh #40: Remembering Death, issue of Suicide, other matters Surrounding Death

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Saturday 14 Oct 2017

Chapter of Prayer: Lesson 40 Remembering Death, issue of Suicide, other matters Surrounding Death

This lesson will go into Extra details of the Janazaah prayer, using hadiths outside of this book

  • From the book Explanation of Buluughul Maraam
    • Hadith of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said “Remember the Destroyer of Desires often, death”
      • Death is inevitable and We should remember it often, when a person thinks about death you will not be fooled by the desires/glitters of this world. Therefore, a person should not become negligent of this.
      • Remembering death helps one to prepare for the after-life (Akhirah) as it encourages good deeds, and reduces sins
      • Remembering death weakens attachment to the world, removes the worry for the one who has little and removes the satisfaction for the one that has much
    • Hadith of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) “None of you should wish for death due to difficulty afflicting him. If you had to say wish for it then say O Allah let me to live as long as life is better for me and allow me die if death is better for me”
      • This indicates the impermissibility of suicide. A Muslim should not wish for death upon themselves due to difficulties they may face, let alone doing it
      • Secondly, we also learn from this hadith that in times of difficulty a Muslim should remain calm, patient and put their trust in Allah. Remember everything has already been decreed, so you keep your trust in Allah and keep making dua/supplication (being confident and certain in Allah) and this difficulty will be removed and/or you will get reward for your patience
      • Example of the Story of Ibrāhīm (Abraham) may Allah be pleased with him and other Prophets and Messengers (may Allah be pleased with them all)
      • Some scholars mention from this hadith that you should not wish for death
    • Hadith of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said “The hour shall not be established until a man will walk past the grave of another man and he will say ‘if only I was in his place’”
      • This narration is talking about the fitan (trials and tribulations) that will come when the hour is near

  • Hadith of Buraidah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said “A believer dies with sweat upon his forehead”
    • This narration indicates that death is a difficult moment. Scholars say this could mean the actual time of death has hardship within it which wipes away sins.
    • When the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) was in his final illness, Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) mentioned he had a cloth to wipe his head with due to the sweat, and he said indeed death has its pangs
    • However, when the soul exits, the soul of a believer exits easily from the body as water exits a water skin
  • Hadith of Abu Sa’īd and Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said to remind those on the verge of death about the Shahādah
    • Majority of scholars say this is a recommendation instead of an obligation
    • It is possible to say the Shahādah in the presence of the one who is dying to remind them of it
    • What is the wisdom behind this?
    • Related matter: is it sunnah to recite Surah Yasin upon the dying? = NO. There is a hadith from Ibn Hibaan which instructs to do this. However, this hadith is NOT authentic for two reasons. It’s chain of narration has a mismatch within it. Secondly, there is a person in this chain called Abu Uthmān who is unknown/cannot be identified. Therefore, this hadith cannot be authenticated
  • When a person dies what are you supposed to do?
    • Hadith from Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) came when Abu Salamah (may Allah be pleased with him) died and his eyes were open, so the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) closed them and said “when the soul is taken, the eyesight follows the soul”. The family of Abu Salamah became distressed at his death and so the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) calmed them and said “Do not make dua upon yourselves except with goodness for indeed the angels will say Ameen upon what you say”. Then he (صلى الله عليه وسلم) made dua for Abu Salamah that Allah forgive him, raise his rank, make his grave spacious and illuminated, and leave behind for him righteous offspring.
    • An-Niyaahah (screaming and shouting when someone dies) is a major sin and should not be done.
    • Covering the dead. Hadith from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) when died he was wrapped in a garment from Yemen (note: this was done before anything from the washing etc and is separate to the shrouding). Therefore wrapping/covering the dead is to be done. The exception to this is one who is in a state of Ihram who must be left as he/she is.
  • If someone dies, is it permissible to kiss them on the forehead after their death? = Yes. There is a hadith that when the The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) died Abu Bakr As-Siddique (may Allah be pleased with him) kissed him (صلى الله عليه وسلم) on the forehead as related by Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) [Bukhari].
  • Q&A:
    • Is it sunnah to go and see the face in a funeral? Like when the dead have their face uncovered for people to have a look at
    • How to give commiserations/condolences
    • Is it allowed to enter house from back door?

NEXT WEEK Insha Allah: The topic of condolences after death occurs