Bihar Anjuman believes in self-help rather than charity

Our Journey to the Day of Resurrection, Part-3

 Our Journey to the Day of Resurrection, Part-3

.... By Gheyas S Mahfoz Hashmi, Jeddah (hgheyas@albatool.com.sa)


In previous issue we have discussed two transiting stops (mother’s womb and this World) of man’s journey to the Day of Resurrection. Now let us take third transiting stop.

Aalam-e- Berzakh: Life is short and the Angel of Death has been awaiting commandment of Allah Almighty to take the man to another world called Aalam-e-Berzakh. Death is the gift for Mumin (Tibrahi, Hakim, Baihaqi, etc). Angel of Death (Azrael  عزرائيلbut neither Quran nor any authentic Hadith confirm this name) comes suddenly to take the spirit of the man at the appointed time/place where no fraction of second will be delayed, nor any request and wish of the man will be entertained. Worldly relations come to an end. We should not come into the trap of Shatan who says there is enough time for repentance. Life is not going to be finished now. So, do whatever you want.

Mumin is the one who remembers always the death and accordingly remains Allah-fearing. The same Mumin will be addressed at the time of death “But ah! The soul at peace! Return to your Lord, content in His good pleasure! Enter among My bondmen! Enter My Garden!” (Alfajr/27-30). According to the scholars of interpenetration it will be said thrice at death, at the day of resurrection and at the day of judgement.

qeyamah

The soul travels to Aalam-e-Berzakh immediately upon death. It will stay there till Qiyamat. The soul has four stations (mother’s womb, world of action, Aalam-e-Barzakh and world of rewards). The later station is bigger from the former. Barzak is a Halt, i.e. an interval place. Like soul the details of Barzak was also not given because the man has nothing to do with it. With the death, the freedom, sovereignty and autonomy that were given in this world are seized as Aalam-e-Barzak is not a place of action. The same man who was helpful and cooperative in this world becomes in need of his Muslim brothers’ (living man) Dua and Charity (to be spent on his behalf), particularly of their children, close relatives and good friends. The prophet (s) says,” When the man gets death his all actions are disconnected except for 3 actions, and they are Sadaqah Jariyah that he did in his life, Knowledge that he has conferred to others, and noble children who pray for him” (Muslim at the authority of Abu Hurairah (r).

About the status of Barzakhi life, Allah Almighty says: Those to whom they call beside Allah created naught, but are themselves created. (They are) dead, not living. And they know not when they will be raised. (Al-Nahal/20 & 21)

The thing that was talking about in this verse is “People of Grave” as Angels are alive and the worlds (أموات غير أحياء) are not applicable on them. The resurrection of idols, etc is also unquestionable as the words (ما يشعرون أيان يبعثون) reject it totally. Hence, the words (والذين يدعون من دون الله) are meant for men (noble, pious, Allah-fearing) who are called for help by giving them the status of rivals to Allah. The usage of the word (أموات) was enough in meaning but Allah Almighty has further elaborated it by bringing (غير أحياء). 

Places in Aalam-e-Berzakh where the soul of Mumin stays are Elleyeen, Jannah and Grave.  As for non-Muslim they are Sijjeen, Hell and Grave. The soul dwells in these places according to its status and grade, i.e. according to actions done in this world. Unlike this world the blessing and punishment go to the soul in Aalam-e-Berzakh, not the body. The body gets something as a result.

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Part-1 || Part-2 || Part-4 || Part-5 || Part-6 
… to be continued, insha-Allah.

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