Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim
All praise is due to Allah in His perogative of 'Determinant of death and to His exception. Purposefully in order to exchange men for another creature whose nomenclature is known not (to men).' May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon the soul of the noble Messenger Muhammad (SAW), his household, Companions and righteous followers of his mission till eternity. Part of the coincidence is the Ameer Qamarudeen Ajala's demise and the purported khutbah title on this week's edition. Ameer Ajala was reported to have charted with an Abuja friend on Thursday morning, the latter paid Ameer an outstanding amount but did not fail to ask Ameer Ajala to remember to change his 'Wasiyyah' 'Will' status for him not to be sort after in case death eventual knocks. This matter was laughed off and the two friends were optimistic to live longer on the religious steward (Da'wah). Death's inevitability occured of Ameer Ajala soon after having observed Salatul Maghrib the same day! Allahu Akbar!
The unexpected event though, shocking to the marrow, is the central theme of Qur'an 3:138 which offers: "Here is a plain statement to men, a guidance and instruction to those who fear Allah." It is an admonition, exhortation, indication, guidance and message for men of piety and understanding. In the same vein, a stringent warning is given concerning threading the way of unbelievers in their utter displeasure for they have forgotten about the Last Day (Accountability). "O you who believe! turn not (for friendship) to people on whom is the wrath of Allah. Of the Hereafter they are already in despair, just as the Unbelievers are in despair about those (buried) in graves."
'Where am I coming from?' is the big question begging for answers from well-meaning believers. Seven critical stages are paramount in human sojourn. This sounds philosophical but its reality borders on the fact that man appears not inconsequential. The first stage in life is when all mankind were created enmass and they were as insignificant as atom or molecule (Hayatun Dhariyyah). An order to swallow one another was thus given untill only one single entity was left and it was implanted in the statues of Prophet Adam (AS). This navigates across the period spent by individuals in the body of biological father (Hayatun Sulbiyyah).
The third stage in the life of mankind began with the blessed conjugal affairs between a couple which translates into foetus and later full-fledged new-born creature. It is the period of gestation in the mother's embryo which terminates on the delivery day (Hayatun Janiyyah). The fourth and the middle stage as spectacular as it appears, commenced on the day a child is born amidst joy and pain wherein a baby exhibits human customary traits of avarice and perpetual wants. This is symbolically reptesented by a philosophical poet as: وفي قبض كف الطفل عند ولادة # دليل على حرص المركب في الحي
وفي بسطها عند الممات اشارة # الا فانظروني قد خرجت بلا شيء
meaning: 'A great indication indeed is in new-born's palm-fold; To perpetual avarice and greed of want alive.
And in the hand-spread of dead a great signal for living; A note-taking on sparing but for litigant leaving.
This will eventually terminate one definite day on the platter of death and eventual transition to great beyond (Hayatun Duniyawiyyah). The transitory status of life becomes meaningful here when a man seen yesterday becomes no more. The above instance serves well.
Hayatun Barzakhiyyah begins with death and what follows such as grave (Qabr), questioning (Su'al), and perpetual meadow or threat (Hawd). To avoid threats in the grave an allusion is made to warning against obnocious deeds while alive. To be more exact, Allah (SWT) paints the picture of anxiety and fidgety at the point of death when it becomes clear and open that dying person is made to see the aroma of punishments awaiting him as contrary to varieties of blessing for believers. Allah (SWT) says categorically: "Until, when death comes to one of them, he says: Oh my Lord! send me back (to life), -- In order that I may work righteousness in the things I neglected,' -- By no means! it is but a word he says.' Before them is a partition till the Day they are raised up." This portays procrastination as potent enemy of man and man should be focussed for awaiting him is a transition stage where he dwells in favour or otherwise till the Judgement Day.
Following immediately is the sixth stage where every soul shall be asked to resurrect (Hayatun Qiyamiyyah). Moving towards the senate of judgement follows and the reward of good and evil is occassioned. A big separation between good and evil, righteous and unscrupulous elements now launches mankind to either eternal bliss or torture (Hayatun Ukhrawiyyah). This depends largely on the measures of deeds during the fourth and middle stage of life. Of what benefit is a life lived only to inherit punishment before the Creator Allah? The question: 'Where do I belong to on the Day of Judgement' is a million dollar venture into which every believer must invest wisely. ما احسن الدين والدنيا اذا اجتمعا # لا بارك الله في الدنيا بلا الدين meaning: 'A beautiful life indeed is combined in spiritual and mundane; Allah blesses not the life devoid of spiritual essence.
Part of the answers to 'where do I want to be?' is embeded in the Prophetic Tradition which is often cited. It reads: 'Whenever a man dies he benefits no more from his deeds except three only; revolving charity, benefitting knowledge and admirable children who pray for him.' Diacritical assessment of this statement shows that it is only selective and living charity and enduring knowledge that can benefit the bearer whether alive or dead. The same thing goes for good and well-trained children in the Islamic line that would have effrontery to remember praying for the deceased parents.
It is to this end that contemporary notions of Sadaqatun Jariyyah is better launched alive by parents and mentoring children towards its upkeep. In the event of children working counter-proportion, posterity and of course people living around would challenge children to do just the needful. The reason for this mentoring may not be far-fetched. For parents to leave wealth without proper training and mentoring in this capacity is not only acrimonious but also sitting on kegs of gun-powder waiting for explosion.
From the above narratives, an array of undisputable fact ensues regarding death occuring to people on daily basis according to the above provision of the Glorious Qur'an. It would not only be an end on its own but also that a transition to either glory or torture. Not only that, the regimentation of human life with death offers potential relief, giving room for attending and meeting the needs of humanity with more renewed solution bearer and of course Allah's wisdom behind demand and supply in the scheme of life appears incomprehensible.
More importantly, this edition is better evaluated with
a one hundred million worth exclamation of a Muslim leader on hearing the sudden and mysterious demise of Ameer Qamarudeen Ajala. He said in excerp: 'I learned another lesson of life from the death of Ameer Qamarudeen Ajala. I had made him (Ajala) one of my Will Executors. But he died before me...!' The final remark here submits towards the Qur'an provision which says: 'To Us are known those of you who hasten forward, and those who lag behind.' Truth indeed is the word of Allah.
Till we meet again during the next edition. Stay abundantly blessed. Jumu'at Mubarakah and Ma'as Salaamah.
Dr. Razaq Bolawaye Uthman, Imam Ansar-Ud-Deen Society Ipaja Branch Lagos State.
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