WEBVTT 00:00:00.850 --> 00:00:03.850 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:03.850 --> 00:00:09.300 The life of the salaf was defined by the harmony between their words and their deeds. 00:00:09.300 --> 00:00:14.539 Consider the state of the salaf at the time of death. 00:00:14.539 --> 00:00:19.370 The importance of remembering death and preparing for it. 00:00:19.370 --> 00:00:24.489 Safiyyah bint ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) related: 00:00:24.489 --> 00:00:30.489 A woman once complained to ‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) about the hardness of her heart. 00:00:30.489 --> 00:00:34.490 She replied, "Increase your remembrance of death." 00:00:34.490 --> 00:00:36.490 "Your heart will soften." 00:00:36.490 --> 00:00:39.490 She did so, and her heart softened. 00:00:39.490 --> 00:00:43.490 She then came to thank ‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her). 00:00:43.490 --> 00:00:47.969 ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) said: 00:00:47.969 --> 00:00:51.969 "Whoever anticipates death hastens to perform good deeds." 00:00:51.969 --> 00:00:55.350 Abu al-Darda’ (may Allah be pleased with him) said: 00:00:55.350 --> 00:00:58.350 "No servant increases his remembrance of death 00:00:58.350 --> 00:01:02.350 except that his joy diminishes and his envy decreases." 00:01:02.350 --> 00:01:05.670 Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: 00:01:05.670 --> 00:01:07.670 "When a person dies, 00:01:07.670 --> 00:01:09.670 the angels ask, 00:01:09.670 --> 00:01:11.670 'What has he sent ahead?' 00:01:11.670 --> 00:01:13.670 while the people ask, 00:01:13.670 --> 00:01:14.670 'What has he left behind?'" 00:01:14.670 --> 00:01:20.379 It is narrated that Sa‘id ibn Jubayr (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 00:01:20.379 --> 00:01:23.409 "If the remembrance of death were to depart from my heart, 00:01:23.409 --> 00:01:26.409 I would fear that my heart would become corrupted." 00:01:26.409 --> 00:01:30.629 Mutarrif ibn al-Shikhkhir (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 00:01:30.629 --> 00:01:35.629 "Indeed, this death has spoiled the comforts of those who live in luxury. 00:01:35.629 --> 00:01:38.629 Therefore, seek a comfort in which there is no death." 00:01:38.629 --> 00:01:43.109 Malik ibn Dinar (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 00:01:43.109 --> 00:01:46.209 "How strange it is for one who knows that death is his destination, 00:01:46.209 --> 00:01:48.209 and the grave is his final resting place, 00:01:48.209 --> 00:01:51.209 that his eyes find comfort in this world, 00:01:51.209 --> 00:01:54.209 or that he finds life in it pleasant." 00:01:54.209 --> 00:01:56.209 Then he wept. 00:01:56.209 --> 00:01:58.689 A poet said: 00:01:58.689 --> 00:02:01.689 "We go and come for our needs, 00:02:01.689 --> 00:02:04.689 and the needs of the living never cease. 00:02:04.689 --> 00:02:07.689 A person’s needs die with him, 00:02:07.689 --> 00:02:11.689 yet one need remains for him as long as he remains." 00:02:11.689 --> 00:02:16.169 Ma‘ruf al-Karkhi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 00:02:16.169 --> 00:02:18.169 "I saw Ahmad ibn Hanbal, 00:02:18.169 --> 00:02:21.169 and upon him were the signs of devotion. 00:02:21.169 --> 00:02:25.300 I heard him speak words that encompassed all goodness. 00:02:25.300 --> 00:02:27.300 I heard him say: 00:02:27.300 --> 00:02:30.300 'Whoever knows that when he dies he will be forgotten, 00:02:30.300 --> 00:02:32.300 he will do good and will not do evil.'" 00:02:32.300 --> 00:02:37.280 What has been said regarding death and its awe. 00:02:37.280 --> 00:02:42.780 ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) was asked: 00:02:42.780 --> 00:02:47.780 "Regarding two souls whose death occurred at the exact same moment, 00:02:47.780 --> 00:02:51.780 one in the East and one in the West, 00:02:51.780 --> 00:02:54.780 how is the Angel of Death capable of reaching both?" 00:02:55.780 --> 00:02:56.780 He said: 00:02:56.780 --> 00:03:01.780 "What is the power of the Angel of Death over the people of the East and the West, 00:03:01.780 --> 00:03:04.780 and the darkness, the air, and the seas, 00:03:04.780 --> 00:03:08.780 but like a man with a table before him, 00:03:08.780 --> 00:03:12.259 taking from whichever part of it he wishes?" 00:03:12.259 --> 00:03:15.259 Ka‘b al-Ahbar (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 00:03:15.259 --> 00:03:17.259 "Whoever truly knows death, 00:03:17.259 --> 00:03:21.259 the calamities and sorrows of this world become insignificant to him." 00:03:21.259 --> 00:03:24.810 ‘Umar ibn ‘Abd al-‘Aziz (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 00:03:24.810 --> 00:03:32.810 "This death has disturbed the people of the world in the midst of their worldly splendor and blossoms. 00:03:32.810 --> 00:03:36.870 While they are in the midst of it and occupied by it, 00:03:36.870 --> 00:03:38.870 a herald of death comes to them, 00:03:38.870 --> 00:03:41.870 and snatches them away from what they are in. 00:03:41.870 --> 00:03:46.099 Woe and regret, then, to those who did not fear death 00:03:46.099 --> 00:03:49.099 and remember it during times of ease, 00:03:49.099 --> 00:03:55.099 so that they might send forth good for themselves to find after they depart from this world and its people." 00:03:55.099 --> 00:03:59.099 Then ‘Umar wept until he was overcome by his tears, 00:03:59.099 --> 00:04:01.099 and he stood up. 00:04:01.099 --> 00:04:04.479 ‘Abd al-‘Aziz Abu Marhum said: 00:04:04.479 --> 00:04:09.479 "We entered with al-Hasan al-Basri (may Allah have mercy on him) upon a sick man to visit him. 00:04:09.479 --> 00:04:12.610 When he sat beside him, he said: 00:04:12.610 --> 00:04:14.610 'How do you find yourself?' 00:04:14.610 --> 00:04:18.610 He replied, 'I find that I crave food, 00:04:18.610 --> 00:04:21.610 but I cannot swallow it. 00:04:21.610 --> 00:04:23.610 I crave drink, 00:04:23.610 --> 00:04:26.769 but I cannot gulp it down.' 00:04:26.769 --> 00:04:27.769 He said: 00:04:27.769 --> 00:04:29.769 Al-Hasan wept, 00:04:29.769 --> 00:04:30.769 and said: 00:04:30.769 --> 00:04:35.769 'This abode was founded upon sickness and disease. 00:04:35.769 --> 00:04:39.769 Even if you were to recover from these ailments and be cured of these diseases, 00:04:39.769 --> 00:04:43.769 would you be able to escape death?'" 00:04:43.769 --> 00:04:44.769 He said: 00:04:44.769 --> 00:04:47.769 The house erupted in weeping. 00:04:47.769 --> 00:04:50.220 He (may Allah have mercy on him) also said: 00:04:50.220 --> 00:04:55.379 "The healthy among you is merely awaiting an illness to strike him, 00:04:55.379 --> 00:04:58.379 the youth among you is awaiting old age to consume him, 00:04:58.379 --> 00:05:01.379 and the elder among you is awaiting death to fell him. 00:05:01.379 --> 00:05:04.379 Are these not the ends you hear about? 00:05:04.379 --> 00:05:08.699 Is it not tomorrow that the soul will depart the body? 00:05:08.699 --> 00:05:11.699 Tomorrow, the one who is stripped of his family and wealth, 00:05:11.699 --> 00:05:14.699 tomorrow, the one wrapped in his shroud, 00:05:14.699 --> 00:05:17.699 tomorrow, the one left in his pit, 00:05:17.699 --> 00:05:20.730 tomorrow, the one forgotten by the hearts of his loved ones, 00:05:20.730 --> 00:05:24.730 those for whom his efforts and sorrows were intended. 00:05:24.730 --> 00:05:26.819 O son of Adam, 00:05:26.819 --> 00:05:28.819 death has descended upon you. 00:05:28.819 --> 00:05:30.819 You see no one arriving, 00:05:30.819 --> 00:05:32.819 you do not come as a visitor, 00:05:32.819 --> 00:05:35.819 you do not speak to a relative, 00:05:35.819 --> 00:05:37.819 and you do not recognize a loved one. 00:05:37.819 --> 00:05:40.920 You are called, but you do not answer; 00:05:40.920 --> 00:05:43.980 you hear, but you do not comprehend. 00:05:43.980 --> 00:05:45.980 Your homes have been ruined, 00:05:45.980 --> 00:05:47.980 your children have been orphaned. 00:05:47.980 --> 00:05:50.110 Your gaze has become fixed, 00:05:50.110 --> 00:05:52.110 and your soul has departed. 00:05:52.110 --> 00:05:54.110 Your teeth have clenched, 00:05:54.110 --> 00:05:56.110 your knees have weakened, 00:05:56.110 --> 00:05:59.209 and your children have become strangers 00:05:59.209 --> 00:06:01.779 in the care of others." 00:06:01.779 --> 00:06:03.779 He (may Allah have mercy on him) also said: 00:06:03.779 --> 00:06:05.779 "Death has disgraced this world, 00:06:05.779 --> 00:06:07.779 leaving no joy in it 00:06:07.779 --> 00:06:09.779 for any person of intellect." 00:06:09.779 --> 00:06:13.170 Abu Bakr ibn Abi al-Dunya said: 00:06:13.170 --> 00:06:15.170 "I found a note at a funeral 00:06:15.170 --> 00:06:17.170 on which was written: 00:06:17.170 --> 00:06:20.259 'You have given your concern to the world, 00:06:20.259 --> 00:06:23.259 and have forgotten the swift arrival of death. 00:06:23.259 --> 00:06:25.360 By Allah, 00:06:25.360 --> 00:06:26.360 there shall descend upon you 00:06:26.360 --> 00:06:29.360 a dark day of death 00:06:29.360 --> 00:06:32.360 that will make you forget the long enjoyment of worldly blessings. 00:06:32.360 --> 00:06:34.360 You shall surely regret it, 00:06:34.360 --> 00:06:36.360 but regret will not avail you. 00:06:36.360 --> 00:06:38.420 Beware, beware! 00:06:38.420 --> 00:06:41.420 Beware before the suddenness of death 00:06:41.420 --> 00:06:44.420 and dwelling among the people of the graves.'" 00:06:44.420 --> 00:06:47.939 A man said to one of the salaf: 00:06:47.939 --> 00:06:48.939 "Advise me." 00:06:48.939 --> 00:06:52.939 He replied, "The army of death is waiting for you." 00:06:52.939 --> 00:06:55.189 Zayd ibn Aslam 00:06:55.189 --> 00:06:57.189 (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 00:06:57.189 --> 00:06:59.189 "If there remains for a believer 00:06:59.189 --> 00:07:01.189 any of his sins 00:07:01.189 --> 00:07:03.189 that he has not reached through his deeds, 00:07:03.189 --> 00:07:05.189 death is made severe for him 00:07:05.189 --> 00:07:07.189 so that he may reach his rank in Paradise 00:07:07.189 --> 00:07:10.189 through the agonies and hardships of death. 00:07:10.189 --> 00:07:12.259 And if a disbeliever 00:07:12.259 --> 00:07:14.259 has performed any good deed 00:07:14.259 --> 00:07:16.259 in this world, 00:07:16.259 --> 00:07:18.259 death is made easy for him 00:07:18.259 --> 00:07:21.259 so that he may complete the reward for his good deed in this world, 00:07:21.259 --> 00:07:24.259 then he proceeds to the Fire." 00:07:24.259 --> 00:07:26.610 Ibrahim ibn al-Ash‘ath 00:07:26.610 --> 00:07:27.610 said: 00:07:27.610 --> 00:07:29.610 "When we would go out with al-Fudayl 00:07:29.610 --> 00:07:32.610 (may Allah have mercy on him) to a funeral, 00:07:32.610 --> 00:07:35.610 he would not cease to preach, remind, and weep, 00:07:35.610 --> 00:07:38.610 as if he were bidding farewell to his companions, 00:07:38.610 --> 00:07:41.610 about to depart for the Hereafter. 00:07:41.610 --> 00:07:43.610 When he reached the graveyard, 00:07:43.610 --> 00:07:44.610 he would sit, 00:07:44.610 --> 00:07:47.610 and it was as if he were sitting among the dead, 00:07:47.610 --> 00:07:49.610 such was his grief and weeping, 00:07:49.610 --> 00:07:51.610 until he stood up, 00:07:51.610 --> 00:07:54.610 as if he had returned from the Hereafter 00:07:54.610 --> 00:07:58.720 to tell us about it." 00:07:58.720 --> 00:08:00.720 What has been said regarding funerals, graves, 00:08:00.720 --> 00:08:03.939 and the moment of death. 00:08:03.939 --> 00:08:06.939 Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: 00:08:06.939 --> 00:08:09.939 "When the disbeliever is placed in his grave, 00:08:09.939 --> 00:08:12.939 he sees his seat in the Fire. 00:08:12.939 --> 00:08:13.939 He says, 00:08:13.939 --> 00:08:15.939 'My Lord, send me back, 00:08:15.939 --> 00:08:18.939 that I may repent and do righteous deeds.' 00:08:18.939 --> 00:08:19.939 It is said to him, 00:08:19.939 --> 00:08:23.939 'You were given a lifespan long enough to have done so.' 00:08:23.939 --> 00:08:25.939 Then his grave constricts upon him, 00:08:25.939 --> 00:08:27.939 and he is like one being bitten, 00:08:27.939 --> 00:08:29.939 sleeping and waking in terror, 00:08:29.939 --> 00:08:32.940 while the vermin of the earth swarm toward him, 00:08:32.940 --> 00:08:36.450 its snakes and its scorpions." 00:08:36.450 --> 00:08:40.450 Ibrahim al-Nakha‘i (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 00:08:40.450 --> 00:08:43.450 "They used to attend a funeral 00:08:43.450 --> 00:08:45.450 and remain sorrowful for days, 00:08:45.450 --> 00:08:47.450 and that was evident in them." 00:08:47.450 --> 00:08:49.639 He said: 00:08:49.639 --> 00:08:52.639 "But you, in your funerals, talk 00:08:52.639 --> 00:08:54.639 about the affairs of your worldly life." 00:08:54.639 --> 00:08:58.090 Al-A‘mash (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 00:08:58.090 --> 00:09:01.090 "We used to attend a funeral 00:09:01.090 --> 00:09:04.090 and we would not know whom to console 00:09:04.090 --> 00:09:06.090 because of the grief of the people." 00:09:06.090 --> 00:09:08.250 He (may Allah have mercy on him) also said: 00:09:08.250 --> 00:09:10.250 "I reached the people, 00:09:10.250 --> 00:09:13.250 and when there was a funeral among them, 00:09:13.250 --> 00:09:15.250 they would come and sit in silence, 00:09:15.250 --> 00:09:17.250 not speaking. 00:09:17.250 --> 00:09:19.250 When the body was placed down, 00:09:19.250 --> 00:09:21.250 I would look at every man, 00:09:21.250 --> 00:09:24.250 with his arms folded across his chest, 00:09:24.250 --> 00:09:28.659 as if it were his father, his brother, or his son." 00:09:28.659 --> 00:09:30.659 Salam ibn Abi Muti‘ 00:09:30.659 --> 00:09:32.659 (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 00:09:32.659 --> 00:09:36.659 "I attended a funeral with Qatadah (may Allah have mercy on him), 00:09:36.659 --> 00:09:39.659 He did not speak until he turned away. 00:09:39.659 --> 00:09:43.730 I witnessed al-Hariri, may Allah have mercy on him, at a funeral. 00:09:43.730 --> 00:09:47.759 He did not cease weeping until the people dispersed. 00:09:47.759 --> 00:09:52.860 I witnessed Muhammad Ibn Wasi', may Allah have mercy on him, at a funeral. 00:09:52.860 --> 00:09:55.860 He remained with his head covered and bowed. 00:09:55.860 --> 00:10:00.269 He would not look to the right or to the left. 00:10:00.269 --> 00:10:03.269 It was said to Sufyan Ibn 'Uyaynah, may Allah have mercy on him: 00:10:03.269 --> 00:10:08.269 "Why is it recommended to lower one's voice at funerals?" 00:10:08.269 --> 00:10:10.269 He said: 00:10:10.269 --> 00:10:13.269 "They likened it to the gathering before Allah." 00:10:13.269 --> 00:10:15.269 Have you not heard Him say: 00:10:15.269 --> 00:10:18.269 ﴾And voices have been humbled before the Most Merciful﴿. 00:10:18.269 --> 00:10:21.269 “On that day they follow the summoner who deceiveth not, and voices are hushed for the Beneficent, and thou hearest but a faint murmur.” (20:108) 00:10:21.269 --> 00:10:25.659 Al-Hasan, may Allah have mercy on him, was at a funeral. 00:10:25.659 --> 00:10:29.659 He saw a man speaking to his companion and smiling at him. 00:10:29.659 --> 00:10:30.659 He said: 00:10:30.659 --> 00:10:32.659 "Subhan Allah! 00:10:32.659 --> 00:10:37.690 Is there not enough in what is before you to occupy you from smiling?" 00:10:37.690 --> 00:10:39.779 Al-Hasan said: 00:10:39.779 --> 00:10:43.779 "They used to hold death in such reverence that no voice would be raised in its presence." 00:10:43.779 --> 00:10:47.980 Muhammad Ibn Ka'b al-Qurazi said: 00:10:47.980 --> 00:10:53.009 "I came to 'Umar Ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz, may Allah have mercy on him, while he was Caliph. 00:10:53.009 --> 00:10:57.009 When I entered upon him, I stared at him. 00:10:57.009 --> 00:10:59.009 He said: 00:10:59.009 --> 00:11:04.009 'You are looking at me in a way you did not look at me in Medina.' 00:11:04.009 --> 00:11:07.009 Meaning, when he was the governor there. 00:11:07.009 --> 00:11:09.070 I said: 00:11:09.070 --> 00:11:11.070 'Yes, O Commander of the Faithful. 00:11:11.070 --> 00:11:14.070 I am amazed at how your body has wasted away, 00:11:14.070 --> 00:11:16.070 how your complexion has changed, 00:11:16.070 --> 00:11:18.070 and how your hair has thinned.' 00:11:18.070 --> 00:11:20.230 He said: 00:11:20.230 --> 00:11:23.230 'How would it be if you saw me three days after I am in the grave, 00:11:23.230 --> 00:11:27.230 with my eyeballs fallen onto my cheeks, 00:11:27.230 --> 00:11:31.230 and pus and worms coming out of my nostrils and mouth? 00:11:31.230 --> 00:11:34.230 You would find me even more unrecognizable.'" 00:11:34.230 --> 00:11:38.519 A man said to Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, may Allah have mercy on him: 00:11:38.519 --> 00:11:40.519 "Advise me." 00:11:40.519 --> 00:11:41.519 He said to him: 00:11:41.519 --> 00:11:46.519 "Look for the thing you most desire to have as a neighbor in your grave, and act accordingly." 00:11:46.519 --> 00:11:50.860 [He acted upon it.] 00:11:50.860 --> 00:11:52.860 The grave is the resting place of the believer. 00:11:52.860 --> 00:11:59.389 Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, may Allah be pleased with him, said: 00:11:59.389 --> 00:12:01.419 "When the soul of a servant is taken, 00:12:01.419 --> 00:12:05.419 he is met by the people of mercy among the servants of Allah, 00:12:05.419 --> 00:12:08.419 just as they meet a bearer of good news in this world. 00:12:08.419 --> 00:12:11.490 They approach him to ask him, 00:12:11.490 --> 00:12:14.490 and some say to others: 00:12:14.490 --> 00:12:17.490 'Wait for your brother so he may rest, 00:12:17.490 --> 00:12:20.580 for he was in great distress.' 00:12:20.580 --> 00:12:24.580 Then they approach him and ask, 'What did so-and-so do? 00:12:24.580 --> 00:12:26.580 What did so-and-so do? 00:12:26.580 --> 00:12:28.580 Did she get married?' 00:12:28.580 --> 00:12:32.580 If they ask about a man who died before him, 00:12:32.580 --> 00:12:33.580 he says to them: 00:12:33.580 --> 00:12:35.620 'He has already perished.' 00:12:35.620 --> 00:12:37.620 They say: 00:12:37.620 --> 00:12:40.620 “Who say, when a misfortune striketh them: Lo! we are Allah's and lo! unto Him we are returning.” (2:156) 00:12:40.620 --> 00:12:43.620 'He was taken to his mother, the Abyss (Hawiyah). 00:12:43.620 --> 00:12:45.620 What a wretched mother, 00:12:45.620 --> 00:12:47.620 and what a wretched guardian!' 00:12:47.620 --> 00:12:48.710 He said: 00:12:48.710 --> 00:12:51.710 'Then his deeds are presented to them. 00:12:51.710 --> 00:12:53.710 If they see good, 00:12:53.710 --> 00:12:55.710 they rejoice and are glad, 00:12:55.710 --> 00:12:57.710 and they say: 00:12:57.710 --> 00:12:59.710 'This is Your favor upon Your servant, 00:12:59.710 --> 00:13:01.710 so complete it.' 00:13:01.710 --> 00:13:03.710 And if they see evil, they say: 00:13:03.710 --> 00:13:06.710 'O Allah, return Your servant to the right path.'" 00:13:06.710 --> 00:13:10.000 Masruq, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:14.000 "There is no house better for the believer than a niche in the grave, 00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:18.000 in which he has rested from the worries of the world 00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:20.000 and is secure from the punishment of Allah." 00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:25.720 Instructing the dying person to testify to the faith. 00:13:25.720 --> 00:13:29.899 'Umar Ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said: 00:13:29.899 --> 00:13:33.899 "Attend to your dying ones and remind them, 00:13:33.899 --> 00:13:36.899 for they see what you do not see. 00:13:36.899 --> 00:13:38.899 And instruct them to testify: 00:13:38.899 --> 00:13:40.899 'There is no god but Allah.'" 00:13:41.899 --> 00:13:45.320 Al-Hasan Ibn al-Rabi' said: 00:13:45.320 --> 00:13:48.320 "I heard Ibn al-Mubarak, may Allah have mercy on him, 00:13:48.320 --> 00:13:50.320 when death was upon him. 00:13:50.320 --> 00:13:52.320 Nasir came to him and said: 00:13:52.320 --> 00:13:55.320 'O Abu 'Abd al-Rahman, 00:13:55.320 --> 00:13:58.480 say: There is no god but Allah.' 00:13:58.480 --> 00:13:59.480 He said to him: 00:13:59.480 --> 00:14:01.480 'O Nasir, 00:14:01.480 --> 00:14:04.580 you see how difficult speech is for me. 00:14:04.580 --> 00:14:06.580 If you hear me say it, 00:14:06.580 --> 00:14:08.580 do not prompt me again 00:14:08.580 --> 00:14:10.580 until you hear me 00:14:10.580 --> 00:14:13.639 speak something else after it.' 00:14:13.639 --> 00:14:16.639 For they used to love 00:14:16.639 --> 00:14:19.639 that this be the last of a servant's speech."