What
does Ulema say about permissibility of Fateha of Imam Jafar Sadiq RA on 22 RAJAB
which is termed as KOONDE? A)
It is definitely permissible to do this Fateha of Imam Jafar Sadiq RA in the holy
month of Rajab. Faqih e Azam e Hind, Khalifa e Alahazrat , Hazrat Sadr
us Sharia RA wrote : "MAH
E RAJAB ME HAZRAT IMAM JAFAR SADIQ RA KO EESAL E SAWAB KELIE POORIO KE KOONDE
BHARE JAATE HAIN OR FATEHA DILA KAR KHILATE HAIN , YE JAAIZ HAI " (Bahar
e Shariat) Which means: In Holy month of Rajab it is permissible to this
specific Fateha Shareef. But Instead of doing this fateha on 22nd , do it on 15
because Hazrat Imam Jafar Sadiq RA demised on 15 Rajab. Whereas Hazrat Amir Muawia
RA demised on 22 Rajab. Shias do this on 22nd and celebrate it as a Day of Happiness
and michievously call it as NIAZ of Hazrat Imam Jafar Sadiq RA. Therefore,
its necessary for Sunnis that try to avoid similarity with Shias. And DO IT ON
15 rather than on 22nd, because 22nd is NOT the date
of Wisaal of Imam Jafar Sadiq RA. Allah
knows Best Fateha
and Esaale Sawaab is permissible in Islam :::
1. All the Ulama-e-Haq and the Buzrugaan-e-Deen hold the belief that to send Esaale
Sawaab to the souls of the deceased is permissible. 2.
It is permissible for a Muslim to send the Sawaab of his deeds, such a Salaah,
Saum, Zakaah, Hajj, Sadaqa, etc. to others. (Hidaya) 3.
If a person kept Fast, performed his or her Salaah, or gave Sadaqa and then sent
this Sawaab to another person, either living or deceased, then to do so is permissible,
and that Sawaab reaches the said person. (Bahrur Raa'iq) 4.
Hazrat Anas (radi Allahu anhu) asked the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam):
"If we send Sawaab to the deceased, give Sadaqa and Khayraat and ask Du'a
for them, does this reach them?" The Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)
said: "Verily it reaches them. Read Salaah for them as you read for yourself
and fast for them as you fast for yourself. In other words, make Esaale Sawaab
of Salaah and Saum for them." The meaning of this Hadith Shareef is that
we should send the Sawaab of our actions to the deceased, since in reality one
cannot perform Salaah and keep fast for another person or on his behalf, but we
can send the Sawaab of our actions to them. 5.
Hazrat Abdullah ibn Abbas (radi Allahu anhu) has stated: "On the Days of
Eid, the 10th of Muharram, the first Friday of Rajab, on Shabbe Baraat, and on
Thursday nights, the souls of the deceased are left free to go to their homes,
wherein they go and ask for Sadaqa and Khayraat. If they do not receive any Du'a
or Fateha, then they return to their graves saddened and disappointed and they
say, 'O Allah! They have deprived us, You deprive them'". 6.
The Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) as said: "When a person passes
away and the family of the deceased gives Sadaqa, Khayraat and makes Du'a for
him, then Sayyiduna Jibraeel (alaihis salaam) takes it to them in their graves
on a tray that is beautifully decorated. When they receive this, they become so
pleased as if someone in the world becomes pleased on receiving a gift, and his
neighbour who has not received any Sawaab becomes sad". 7.
Hazrat Sa'ad ibn Ubaadah (radi Allahu anhu) once came to the Prophet (sallal laahu
alaihi wasallam) and said: "Ya Rasoolallah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)!
My mother has passed away. What can I do for Esaale Sawaab?" The Prophet
(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: "Prepare a well for water". When
the well was prepared, Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) went close to
the well and made Du'a: "This is for the Esaale Sawaab for the mother of
Saad". While making this Du'a, he raised his hands high, and after Du'a,
he turned his hands over his blessed face. 8.
For those who object to Fateha and Du'a, the following is for their perusal:-
8.1
It is allowed to make Du'a in front of the Niyaz (offering), as this is what the
Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) did by coming close to the well to make
Du'a. 8.2
It is allowed to lift up the hands for Du'a and to end the Du'a by turning the
hands over the face. 8.3
It is preferable to call a pious person to make the Du'a. 8.4
To make Fateha on Niyaz is allowed. If it were not, then the Prophet (sallal laahu
alaihi wasallam) would not have made Du'a near the water, but would have said
that the intention was sufficient. 8.5
For the person to obtain the Sawaab, it is not necessary to feed the Niyaz first,
but Du'a can be made before this since the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)
made Du'a even before any person drank out of the well. 9.
Whosoever makes Khatam of the Holy Quran and then makes Du'a, 4 000 Angels say
Aameen on his Du'a. They then continue making Du'a for him and they continue asking
blessings for him until the morning or afternoon. (Tafseer Roohul Bayaan) 10.
At the time of Khatam Shareef, there is a flow of mercy and to make Du'a after
completing the Quran is Mustahab. 11.
When Hazrat Anas (radi Allahu anhu) used to complete the Holy Quran, then he would
call all his family and friends and make Du'a. (Jila'ul Afhaam) 12.
When making Fateha, one should follow the proceedure of the pious Saints. When
making the Fateha, send the Sawaab to the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam),
the pious servants, the Companions, and then through their blessing, ask for it
to be sent to the soul of the deceased. This is the prescribed method, and this
is the method that the Ahle Sunnah has always followed. 13.
By making Esaale Sawaab, it gives comfort to the deceased, pleases them, saves
them from the torment of the grave, elevates their status and causes benefit to
the sender as well as the receiver.
PROOFS
FROM HOLY QURAN Verse
1 And
those who came after them say, O our Lord! Forgive us, and our brothers
who accepted faith before us, and do not keep any malice in our hearts towards
the believers O our Lord! Indeed You only are the Most Compassionate, Most
Merciful.. (Surah Hashr 59:10) Note
that the above verse is a very strong evidence of the practice of the Sahaba,
which was so loved by Allah that it is part of the Holy Quran. Why would
the Sahaba pray for the deceased people if their prayer was of no benefit? And
to top it all, Allah the Almighty has approved and praised their action! Verse
2 "O
our Lord! And forgive me, and my parents, and all the Muslims on the day when
the account will be established." (Surah Ibrahim 14:41) The
benefit of the above verse is obvious. The prayer of Prophet Syedna Ibrahim (peace
be upon him), includes all believers right from the beginning i.e. those
before him, and till the end of this world i.e. even those who are not yet born.
Al Hamdo Lillah! And this prayer is often made in the last part (Qaadah) of our
Salaat. Verse
3 And
those who believe and whose families follow them in Faith, -- to them We shall
join their families: nor shall We deprive them of the fruit of anything of their
works: yet each individual is in pledge for his deeds. (Surah Toor 52:21).
This
verse says that children will be admitted into Paradise because of the righteousness
of the parents. Verse
4 And
lower your wing humbly for them, with mercy, and pray, "My Lord! Have mercy
on them both, the way they nursed me when I was young." (Surah Bani Israel
17:24) This
verse is in fact a command from Allah for all believers to seek mercy for their
parents. So what is your opinion? Will not the command of Allah hold any benefit
for the deceased parent?? It certainly does. Also
note that there are several other verses from the Holy Quran that teach
us to pray, and the prayer includes all Muslim brothers & sisters (living,
passed away or yet to be borne). Readers
are requested to reflect on the fact that the above verses are part of the Holy
Quran they are read perhaps millions of times every day all over
the world, as part of regular recitation, and also as Qirat within Salaat, and
also as prayer in the last part (Qaadah) of Salaat.
PROOFS FROM THE HADEETH
GENERAL
PERMISSIONS (HADEETH # 1 - 4) Hadeeth
1 Abu
Huraira (Allah be well pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (peace and
blessings be upon him) as saying: When a man dies, his acts come to an end, but
three, recurring charity, or knowledge (by which people) benefit, or a pious son,
who prays for him (for the deceased). (Muslim) Hadeeth
2 The
Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)said, "What is credited to
a believer of his action and good deed after his death is any useful knowledge
he might have taught or spread, a Allah-fearing child he might have left behind,
a copy of the Qur'an he might have left to an heir, a mosque he might have built,
a house he might have dedicated for use by travelers, a stream or river he might
have caused to run, a donation to charity (i.e. sadaqah) he might have set aside
when he was enjoying good health. All that catches up with him after his death."
(Ibn Majah) Hadeeth
3 Narrated
Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-'Aas (Allah be well pleased with him): Al-'As ibn Wa'il
left his will that a hundred slaves should be emancipated on his behalf. His son
Hisham emancipated fifty slaves and his son Amr intended to emancipate the remaining
fifty on his behalf, but he said: I should ask first the Apostle of Allah . He,
therefore, came to the Holy Prophet and said: Apostle of Allah, my father left
in his will that a hundred slaves should be emancipated on his behalf and Hisham
has emancipated fifty on his behalf and fifty remain. Shall I emancipate them
on his behalf? The Apostle of Allah said: Had he been a Muslim and you had emancipated
slaves on his behalf, or given sadaqah on his behalf, or performed the pilgrimage,
that would have reached him. (Abu Daud) Hadeeth
4 Abu
Huraira (Allah be well pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (peace and
blessings be upon him) as saying: He who alleviates the suffering of a brother
out of the sufferings of the world, Allah would alleviate his suffering from the
sufferings of the Day of Resurrection, and he who finds relief for one who is
hard pressed, Allah would make things easy for him in the Hereafter, and he who
conceals (the faults) of a Muslim, Allah would conceal his faults in the world
and in the Hereafter. Allah is at the back of a servant so long as the servant
is at the back of his brother, and he who treads the path in search of know- ledge,
Allah would make that path easy, leading to Paradise for him and those persons
who assemble in the house among the houses of Allah (mosques) and recite the Book
of Allah and they learn and teach the Qur'an (among themselves) there would descend
upon them the tranquility and mercy would cover them and the angels would surround
them and Allah makes a mention of them in the presence of those near Him, and
he who is slow-paced in doing good deeds, his (high) lineage does not make him
go ahead. (Muslim)
FUNERALS (HADEETH # 5 - 9)
When
a Muslim dies, it is a duty on the community of Muslims to offer a special prayer
for him during which they pray Allah to forgive him and admit him into heaven.
The funeral prayer is Fard Kifayah for the living Muslim brothers i.e. if just
one person offers it, the entire community is absolved of this duty. But see the
importance attached to the more and more people joining the prayer. And the benefit
reaching the deceased person is obvious. Hadeeth
5 Syeda
'A'isha (Allah be well pleased with her) reported Allah's Apostle (peace and blessings
be upon him) saying: If a company of Muslims numbering one hundred pray over a
dead person, all of them interceding for him, their intercession for him will
be accepted. (Muslim) Hadeeth
6 'Abdullah
b. 'Abbas (Allah be well pleased with him) reported that his son died in Qudaid
or 'Usfan. He said to Kuraib to see as to how many people had gathered there for
his (funeral). He (Kuraib) said: So I went out and I informed him about the people
who had gathered there. He (Ibn 'Abbas) said: Do you think they are forty? He
(Kuraib) said: Yes. Ibn 'Abbas then said to them: Bring him (the dead body) out
for I have heard Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying:
If any Muslim dies and forty men who associate nothing with Allah stand over his
prayer (they offer prayer over him), Allah will accept them as intercessors for
him. (Muslim) Hadeeth
7 Narrated
Syedna Uthman ibn Affan (Allah be well pleased with him): Whenever the Holy Prophet
(peace and blessings be upon him) became free from burying the dead, he used to
stay at him (i.e. his grave) and say: Seek forgiveness for your brother,
and beg steadfastness for him, for he will be questioned now. (Abu Daud) Hadeeth
8 It
is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that a dark-complexioned woman (or
a youth) used to sweep the mosque. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings
be upon him) missed her (or him) and inquired about her (or him). The people told
him that she (or he) had died. He asked why they did not inform him, and it appears
as if they had treated her (or him) or her (or his) affairs as of little account.
He (the Holy Prophet) said: Lead me to her (or his) grave. They led him to that
place and he said prayer over her (or him) and then remarked: Verily, these graves
are full of darkness for their dwellers. Verily, the Mighty and Glorious Allah
illuminates them for their occupants by reason of my prayer over them. (Muslim,
Bukhari, Mishkaat) Hadeeth
9 Reported
S. Jaber (Allah be well pleased with him): We came out with the Holy Prophet (peace
and blessings be upon him) to Saad bin Muaz when he expired. When the Holy
Prophet performed his funeral prayer, and he was buried in his grave and the earth
was levelled upon him, the Holy Prophet read Tasbeeh and we also recited
Tasbeeh for a long time. Then he recited Takbeer, so we
too recited Takbeer. It was asked O the Messenger of Allah!
Why have you recited Tasbeeh and Takbeer? He said, The
grave became too narrow for this pious man till Allah made it spacious because
of it (the recitation). (Ahmed, Mishkaat)
VISITING GRAVEYARDS. (HADEETH # 10 - 11)
Hadeeth
10 Sulaiman
b. Buraida (Allah be well pleased with him) narrated on the authority of his father
that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to teach them
when they went out to the graveyard. One of the narrators used to say this in
the narration transmitted on the authority of Abu Bakr:" Peace be upon the
inhabitants of the city (i. e. graveyard)." In the hadeeth transmitted by
Zuhair (the words are):" Peace be upon you, the inhabitants of the city,
among the believers, and Muslims, and Allah willing we shall join you. I beg of
Allah peace for us and for you." (Muslim) Hadeeth
11 Narrated
Abu Huraira (Allah be well pleased with him): The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings
be upon him)said while standing near the graves of the martyrs of Uhud, I
bear witness that you are alive in the sight of Allah. Then turning towards
those present he said, So visit them, and greet them I swear by the
One in whose power lies my life, they will answer back to whoever greets them
until the Last Day. (Hakim, Baihaqi) There
are numerous Ahadeeth about supplications to be made when visiting the graveyard
the benefit of which to ones self and to the deceased, it quite evident.
Also
note that there are several other Ahadeeth that teach us to pray, and the prayer
includes all Muslim brothers & sisters (living, passed away or yet to be borne).
PERFORMING
HAJJ (HADEETH # 12 - 13) Ahadeeth
in support of offering the pilgrimage on behalf of a deceased person or one who
is unable to undertake the journey are numerous. Also note that performing Hajj
includes Umrah, Tawaf of the Kaba, and also Salaat (after Tawaf)
all these are credited to the deceased. Hadeeth
12 "A
woman came to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said, 'I
have given charity on behalf of my dead mother by giving away her female servant.'
The Holy Prophet answered, 'You will have its reward [and so will she] but return
the female servant so that the inheritance [may be properly divided].' The woman
then said, 'She used to owe fasts, can I fast on her behalf?' He answered, 'You
may fast on her behalf.' The woman then said, 'She did not perform Hajj, can I
perform on her behalf?' The Holy Prophet answered, 'Yes. You may perform Hajj
on her behalf." (Tirmizi) Hadeeth
13 A
woman from the tribe of Juhaina came to the Holy Prophet and said, "My mother
had vowed to perform Hajj but she died before performing it. May I perform Hajj
on my mother's behalf?" The Holy Prophet replied, "Perform Hajj on her
behalf. Had there been a debt on your mother, would you have paid it or not? So,
pay Allah's debt as He has more right to be paid." (Bukhari) GIVING
OF CHARITY / SADAQAH (HADEETH # 14 - 18) Hadeeth
14 Abu
Huraira (Allah be well pleased with him) reported that a person said to Allah's
Apostle (peace and blessings be upon him): My father died and left behind property
without making any will regarding it. Would he be relieved of the burden of his
sin if I give sadaqah on his behalf? He (the Holy Prophet) said: Yes. (Muslim) Hadeeth
15 Syeda
A'isha (Allah be well pleased with her) reported that a man said to Allah's Apostle
(peace and blessings be upon him): My mother died all of a sudden, and I think
if she (could have the opportunity) to speak she would have (made a will) regarding
Sadaqah'. Will I be entitled to reward if I give charity on her behalf? He (the
Holy Prophet) said: Yes. (Muslim) Hadeeth
16 Anas
b. Malik (Allah be well pleased with him) is reported as saying: Abu Talha was
the one among the Ansar of Medina who possessed the largest property and among
his property he valued most was his garden known as Bairaha' which was opposite
the mosque, and the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) often
visited it and he drank of its sweet water. When this verse was revealed:"
You will never attain righteousness till you give freely of what you Have"
(iii. 91), Abu Talha got up and, going to Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings
be upon him), said: Allah says in His Book:" You will never attain righteousness
till you give freely of what you love," and the dearest of my property is
Bairaha' so I give it as Sadaqah to Allah from Whom I hope for reward for it and
the treasure with Allah; so spend it, Messenger of Allah, on whatever purpose
you deem it proper. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Bravo! That is profit earning property. I have heard what you have said, but I
think you should spend it on your nearest relatives. So Abu Talha distributed
it among the nearest relatives and his cousins on his father's side. (Muslim,
Bukhari). It is said that Abu Talha donated it on behalf of his mother. Hadeeth
17 Narrated
Sa'd ibn Ubadah (Allah be well pleased with him): Sa'd asked: Apostle of Allah,
Umm Sa'd has died; what form of sadaqah is best? He replied: Water (is best).
He dug a well and said: It is for Umm Sa'd. (Abu Daud, Mishkaat) Hadeeth
18 Narrated
Ibn `Abbas (Allah be well pleased with him): The mother of Sa`d bin 'Ubada died
in his absence. He said, "O Allah's Apostle! My mother died in my absence;
will it be of any benefit for her if I give Sadaqah on her behalf?" The Prophet
said, "Yes," Sa`d said, "I make you a witness that I gave my garden
called Al Makhraf in charity on her behalf." (Bukhari)
SETTLING OF DEBTS. (HADEETH # 19 - 20)
It
is unanimously agreed by scholars that if a person dies without settling an outstanding
debt, leaving no money to settle it, anyone (whether related to him or not) could
pay it on his behalf, and the deceased would be absolved of the burden. The benefit
from a living person to the deceased is very apparent. If the case is such and
the deceased person may benefit by a financial payment, why should he not benefit
by a gift made of the reward for a good action? Hadeeth
19 Narrated
Abu Huraira (Allah be well pleased with him): The Holy Prophet said, "I am
more closer to the believers than their own selves, so whoever (of them) dies
while being in debt and leaves nothing for its repayment, then we are to pay his
debts on his behalf and whoever (among the believers) dies leaving some property,
then that property is for his heirs." (Bukhari) Hadeeth
20 Narrated
Salama bin Al-Akwa (Allah be well pleased with him) : Once, while we were sitting
in the company of Holy Prophet, a dead man was brought. The Holy Prophet was requested
to lead the funeral prayer for the deceased. He said, "Is he in debt?"
The people replied in the negative. He said, "Has he left any wealth?"
They said, "No." So, he led his funeral prayer. Another dead man was
brought and the people said, "O Allah's Apostle! Lead his funeral prayer."
The Holy Prophet said, "Is he in debt?" They said, "Yes."
He said, "Has he left any wealth?" They said, ''Three Dinars."
So, he led the prayer. Then a third dead man was brought and the people said (to
the Holy Prophet), Please lead his funeral prayer." He said, "Has he
left any wealth?" They said, "No." He asked, "Is he in debt?"
They said, ("Yes! He has to pay) three Diners.', He (refused to pray and)
said, "Then pray for your (dead) companion." Abu Qatadah said, "O
Allah's Apostle! Lead his funeral prayer, and I will pay his debt." So, he
led the prayer. (Bukhari)
FASTING (HADEETH # 21 - 24)
Hadeeth
21 Ibn
Abbas (Allah be well pleased with him) reports that a woman traveled in a boat
and pledged that should Allah save her life, she would fast for a month. She was
saved but she did not fast before she died. Her daughter or her sister asked the
Holy Prophet about that and he ordered her to fast on behalf of the deceased woman.
(Abu-Daud, Nasai, Ahmad and others). Hadeeth
22 "A
woman came to the Holy Prophet (May Allah bless him and give him peace) and said,
'I have given charity on behalf of my dead mother by giving away her female servant.'
The Holy Prophet answered, 'You will have its reward [and so will she] but return
the female servant so that the inheritance [may be properly divided].' The woman
then said, 'She used to owe fasts, can I fast on her behalf?' He answered, 'You
may fast on her behalf.' The woman then said, 'She did not perform Hajj, can I
perform on her behalf?' The Holy Prophet answered, 'Yes. You may perform Hajj
on her behalf." (Tirmizi) Hadeeth
23 Narrated
`Aisha (Allah be well pleased with her): Allah's Apostle said, "Whoever died
and he ought to have fasted (the missed days of Ramadan) then his guardians must
fast on his behalf." (Bukhari) Hadeeth
24 Narrated
Ibn `Abbas (Allah be well pleased with him): A man came to the Holy Prophet (peace
and blessings be upon him) and said, "O Allah's Apostle! My mother died and
she ought to have fasted one month (for her missed Ramadan). Shall I fast on her
behalf?" The Holy Prophet replied in the affirmative and said, "Allah's
debts have more right to be paid." In another narration a woman is reported
to have said, "My sister died..." (Bukhari)
READING OF QURAN AND ZIKR (HADEETH # 25 - 30)
Hadeeth
25 Narrated
Abdullah Bin Umar (Allah be well pleased with him) that our beloved Holy Prophet
(peace and blessings be upon him) has said, "that if anyone dies amongst
you then do not keep it, send it towards the Kabr, and after burying it, Stand
before its head side and recite the first Ruku of "Surah Bakarah", i.e.
from Alif Laam Meem Zaalikal Kitaab to Humul Muflihoon; and recite by it's feet
side the last Ruku of "Surah Bakarah", i.e. From Aamanar rasoolu till
the end of the Surah, Fansurna alal qumil kaafireen. (Mishkaat). Hadeeth
26 The
Holy Prophet said: "Recite Ya Seen [Qur'an 36] over your dead." (Abu
Daud, Nasai, Ibn Majah) Hadeeth
27 Ata'
ibn Abi Rabah (Allah be well pleased with him) said: I heard Ibn `Umar (Allah
be well pleased with him) say: I heard the Holy Prophet say: "When one of
you dies do not tarry, but make haste and take him to his grave, and let someone
read at his head the opening of Surah Baqarah, and at his feet its closure when
he lies in the grave." (Tabarani) Hadeeth
28 The
Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "What is credited to
a believer of his action and good deed after his death is any useful knowledge
he might have taught or spread, a Allah-fearing child he might have left behind,
a copy of the Qur'an he might have left to an heir, a mosque he might have built,
a house he might have dedicated for use by travelers, a stream or river he might
have caused to run, a donation to charity (i.e. sadaqah) he might have set aside
when he was enjoying good health. All that catches up with him after his death."
(Ibn Majah). The
underlined words a copy of the Qur'an he might have left to an heir
are an ample proof that when the heir will read from it, the reward will be passed
on to the deceased.!!! Hadeeth
29 Jaber
reported: We came out with the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
to Saad bin Muaz when he expired. When the Holy Prophet performed his funeral
prayer, and he was buried in his grave and the earth was levelled upon him, the
Holy Prophet read Tasbeeh and we also recited Tasbeeh
for a long time. Then he recited Takbeer, so we too recited Takbeer.
It was asked O the Messenger of Allah! Why have you recited Tasbeeh
and Takbeer? He said, The grave became too narrow for this pious
man till Allah made it spacious because of it (the recitation). (Ahmed,
Mishkaat) Hadeeth
30 Narrated
on the authority of Ibn Shamasa Mahri : He said: We went to Amr b. al-As and he
was about to die. He said: When I die, let neither female mourner nor fire accompany
me. When you bury me, fill my grave well with earth, then stand around it for
the time within which a camel is slaughtered and its meat is distributed so that
I may enjoy your intimacy and (in your company) ascertain what answer I can give
to the messengers (angels) of Allah. (Muslim part of a longer Hadeeth.) It
is desirable that after burial the people sit at graveside for the duration of
slaughtering a camel and distributing its meat, and that during that time the
sitters busy themselves with reciting Qur'an, supplicating for the deceased, exhortation,
and the stories of the Holy Prophets etc. Imam Shafie said that it is better to
recite the Holy Quran and all those present should also recite and
it is better if the entire Quran is recited. Also documented by Imam Nawawi
in Riyadh-us-Saleheen. It
is the opinion of most scholars that when visiting the graveyard, a person should
recite the following Surahs because of their individual excellence, and then convey
the reward of recitation: Surah Fateha (one of the best prayers), Surah Yaseen
(the heart of the Holy Quran), Surah Ikhlas (equal to one third of Holy
Quran in reward) and Surah Mulk (intercedes for the reader till the reader
is forgiven).
PLANTING OF TREES (HADEETH # 31)
Hadeeth
31 Ibn
Abbas (Allah be well pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace
and blessings be upon him) happened to pass by two graves and said: They (their
occupants) are being tormented, but they are not tormented for a grievous sin.
One of them carried tales and the other did not keep himself safe from being defiled
by urine. He then called for a fresh twig and split it into two parts, and planted
them on each grave and then said: Perhaps, their punishment way be mitigated as
long as these twigs remain fresh.(Muslim) Imam
Nawawi said in commenting on the above in his Sharh Sahih Muslim (al-Mays ed.
3/4:206): "The scholars have declared desirable -- mustahabb -- the recitation
of the Qur'an over the grave due to the above Hadeeth, because if relief from
punishment is hoped for through the glorification of date-palm stalks, then the
recitation of the Qur'an is more deserving yet, and Allah knows best." This
Hadeeth also constitutes a legal basis for the planting of trees at the site of
graves. Among
the Companions Hazrat Abu Barza al-Aslami (Allah be well pleased with him) and
Hazrat Burayda (Allah be well pleased with him) asked to be buried together with
two fresh stalks. Imam Suyuti mentioned this in Sharh al-sudur.
PERFORMING SACRIFICE (HADEETH # 32 - 33)
Hadeeth
32 Reported
S. 'A'isha (Allah be well pleased with her) : Allahs Messenger (peace and
blessings be upon him) commanded that a ram with black legs, black belly and black
(circles) round the eyes should be brought to him, so that he should sacrifice
it. He said to Aisha: Give me the large knife, and then said: Sharpen
it on a stone. She did that. He then took it (the knife) and then the ram; he
placed it on the ground and then sacrificed it, saying: Bismillah, Allah-humma
Taqabbal min Muhammadin wa Al-i-Muhammadin, wa min Ummati Muhammadin (In the name
of Allah, O Allah, accept on behalf of Muhammad and the family of Muhammad
and the Umma of Muhammad). (Muslim) The
Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) slaughtered 100 sheep during his
farewell Hajj and made intention for himself and all those (alive, deceased and
to come) who bring faith on his Holy Prophethood. (Nasbur Raaya, Allama Zailee)
The
evidence here is that the Holy Prophet sacrificed animals and donated its reward
to his entire Ummah which includes both the living and the dead
i.e. all those who existed in his time and to all those who were to come after
him, until the last day.
Hadeeth 33
Hazrat
Hanash (Allah be well pleased with him) said: I saw Ali (Allah be well pleased
with him) sacrificing two rams; so I asked him: What is this? He replied. The
Apostle of Allah enjoined upon me to sacrifice on his behalf, so that is what
I am doing. (Abu Daud) Whilst
most Muslims do offer sacrifice for themselves, their relatives (alive and deceased)
etc., they should also remember the above Hadeeth, and offer a sacrifice on behalf
of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). May Allah grant us Tawfeeq
- Aameen.
GATHERING FOR QURAN RECITATION & ZIKR (HADEETH # 34 - 36)
Reciting
the Holy Quran carries great reward, is one of the best Sunnahs, and the
number of Ahadeeth describing its merits are numerous. The intention here is to
list only the merits of gathering to recite the Quran and supplicate
not to list the merits of reading the Holy Quran itself. Hadeeth
34 Abu
Huraira (Allah be well pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (peace and
blessings be upon him) as saying: He who alleviates the suffering of a brother
out of the sufferings of the world, Allah would alleviate his suffering from the
sufferings of the Day of Resurrection, and he who finds relief for one who is
hard pressed, Allah would make things easy for him in the Hereafter, and he who
conceals (the faults) of a Muslim, Allah would conceal his faults in the world
and in the Hereafter. Allah is at the back of a servant so long as the servant
is at the back of his brother, and he who treads the path in search of know- ledge,
Allah would make that path easy, leading to Paradise for him and those persons
who assemble in the house among the houses of Allah (mosques) and recite the Book
of Allah and they learn and teach the Qur'an there would descend upon them the
tranquility and mercy would cover them and the angels would surround them and
Allah makes a mention of them in the presence of those near Him, and he who is
slow-paced in doing good deeds, his (high) lineage does not make him go ahead.
(Muslim) It
is mentioned in Tafseer Rooh-ul-Bayan that when the recitation of the Quran
is completed, 4000 angels say Aameen on the supplication after it, and they pray
for the forgiveness of the reader(s). Imam
Nawawi mentions in Al Azkaar that the famous Sahabi Syedna Anas (Allah
be well pleased with him) used to call people to his house to attend the supplication
after the completion of Holy Qurans recitation. Hadeeth
35 Abu
Huraira (Allah be well pleased with him) reported Allah's Apostle (peace and blessings
be upon him) as saying that Allah has mobile squads of angels, who have no other
work (to attend to) but to follow the assemblies of Zikr and when they find such
assemblies in which there is Zikr (of Allah) they sit in them and some of them
surround the others with their wings till the space between them and the sky of
the world is fully covered, and when they disperse (after the assembly of Zikr
is adjourned) they go upward to the heaven and Allah, the Exalted and Glorious,
asks them although He is best informed about them: Where have you come from? They
say: We come from Your servants upon the earth who had been glorifying You (reciting
Subhan Allah), uttering Your Greatness (saying Allah o-Akbar) and uttering Your
Oneness (La ilaha ill Allah) and praising You (uttering al-Hamdu Lillah) and begging
of You. He would say: What do they beg of Me? They would say: They beg of You
the Your Paradise. He (Allah) would say: Have they seen My Paradise? They said:
No, our Lord. He would say: (What it would be then) if they were to see My Paradise?
They (the angels) said: They seek Your protection. He (Allah) would say: Against
what do they seek My protection? They (the angels) would say: Our Lord, from the
Hell-Fire. He (Allah) would say: Have they seen My Fire? They would say: No. He
(Allah) would say: What it would be if they were to see My Fire? They would say:
They beg of You forgiveness. He would say: I grant pardon to them, and confer
upon them what they ask for and grant them protection against which they seek
protection. They (the angels) would again say: Our Lord, there is one amongst
them such and such simple servant who happened to pass by (that assembly) and
sat there along with them (who had been participating in that assembly). He (Allah)
would say: I also grant him pardon, for they are a people the seat-fellows of
whom are in no way unfortunate (Muslim, Bukhari, Tirmizi, and Nasa'i) Hadeeth
36 Reported
Abu Huraira (Allah be well pleased with him), that the Holy Prophet (peace and
blessings be upon him) said, When you pray for a dead man, make your prayer
sincere for him (Abu Daud, Ibn Majah)
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