Asalaamu alaykum
Since we will all take a final trip to the cemetery, I though it prudent to give this part of our lives a few words. However, rather than in my own words I will use extracts from the ‘The Lives of Man”, by the Great and Wise Mujaddid of the 12 th Islamic Century, Imam Abdullah ibn Alawi al-Haddad (may Allah be pleased with him). Referring to the burial of a Muslim, the Imam continues (on page 43 of the treatise, published by The Quilliam Press Ltd, available in bookshops): “…the people present should remain for a while reading Qur’aan, asking forgiveness and firmness for him, for according to a hadith this is the time when he will be questioned by the two angels, Munkar and Nakīr, who are the grave’s tormentors.”
In his section on how the living may help the dead, the Imam writes on page 45, “Praying for the dead, asking forgiveness for them, and giving charity on their behalf are some of the things God causes the dead in their graves to benefit from and be protected by. […] And the Prophet said, blessings and peace be upon him: “Were it not for the living the dead would have been doomed”; in other words, because of the prayers and requests for forgiveness and for mercy which they receive. […] A dead man was once seen in a dream and, upon being questioned about his state, said that he had been greeted by an angel who attempted to burn his face with a flame held in his hand. But one of the living said: “God have mercy on so-and-so!” – and the flame went out. […] One of the greatest things which one may offer to the dead is to recite Qur’aan and send on the reward for it. […] All the Qur’aan is blessed and beneficial, but the most beneficial thing to offer to the dead is Soorat al-Ikhlaas eleven times, and this has been seen in many blessed dreams. […] He must not forget his dead ones when he prays, asks forgiveness, or gives alms, lest he in turn be forgotten after his death, for the one who remembers is remembered, and the one who forgets is forgotten.”
On visiting graves, the Imam continues: “You should know that it is recommended to visit graves. The Messenger of God, may blessings and peace be upon him, permitted this after having at first forbidden it. It contains benefits both for the living visitor and the dead person who receives the visit. The Prophet said, may blessings and peace be upon him: “Visit graves, for they are a reminder of death.” And: “I used to forbid you to visit graves, but now you should visit them. They render one able to do without the things of the world, and remind one of the Hereafter.” He also said: “No man visits the grave of his brother and sits by it but that he [the dead man] finds solace in this, having his spirit restored to him until the visitor departs.” And he said: “A dead [person] in his grave is never more comforted than when those that he loved in the world pay him a visit.”
It is recommended to visit the cemetery on Thursday night, Friday, Friday night until sunrise, and on Monday, for it is said – and this is supported by various narrations – that the spirits of the dead return to their graves at those times.
The visitor must ask for forgiveness and mercy for them, read whatever Qur’aan he can and make over the reward to them; he should remember that soon he will go to the same end, and learn the lessons to be drawn from their condition.”
In the film 10 Things to do in Denver When You’re Dead, starring Andy Garcia, there is a scene in which an old dying man has tape-recorded a short talk of advice to his grandchildren, or whoever he is leaving behind. In it he tells the viewer that looking back on his life, it has gone by in the blink of an eye. As the Day of Rising brings us closer to the weighing, the flow of time is accelerating. Everyone is feeling this, even the disbelievers I work with at my job and this is still further a proof of the veracity of the Prophet’s message (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). A brother once said to me, “you know, akhi, we’ll be dead before we even know it!”
Till that Day comes the grave will be our home. We should reflect on these words above, and be prepared for that inevitable moment, which is very close for each of us, when we enter it. My recommendation to all is to locate your local cemetery, find out whether it has a section for Muslims, and to go visit it at least once a week even for just literally 5 minutes. Trust me, when we are lying in that grave we will know how precious such a visit is, or how precious and saving a short reading of Qur’aan of which the reward is passed on is.
Ma’salaam
Muhammad Tauseef Tariq Naqshbandi al-Hijazi