[b] Our Salaf–Remembrance of Death–Rabee Bin Haytham
It was said to Rabee Bin Haytham (rahimahullaah): If only you sit with us; he said: ”If my heart is isolated from remembrance of death for an hour, it will corrupt me.”
[Hilyatul Awliyaa: 2/116]
[a] Our Salaf and their fear of the consequences of death–Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu-anhu)
When death approached Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu-anhu) he cried; so he was asked: ”What makes you cry?” He said: ”After isolation, the scarcity of provisions (for the hereafter by way of good deeds) and a major obstacle (i.e. the questioning in the grave and the standing on the day of judgment), then the place of descent will either be paradise or hell.” [Source: Sifatus Safwa 1/694]
The Signs of Repentance–Shaqeeq Al-Balkhiy (rahimahullaah)
Shaqeeq Al-Balkhiy (rahimahullaah) said:
”The signs of repentance are: [a] Weeping over what has preceded (of sins); [b] fear of falling into sin, [c] keeping way from evil companions; [d] and accompanying the good people.
[Nazhatul Fudalaa 711]
Fame!
Imaam Dhahabi (rahimahullaah) stated in Siyar from Abdur-Rahmaan Ibn Mahdi (rahimahullaah) from Taawoos (rahimahullaah) who said: I heard Ibraaheem Ibn Adham (rahimahullaah) saying: ”A person who loves fame cannot be truthful to Allaah’’
[Siyar A’laam Nubulaa7/393]
Punishment for the scholar–Al-Hasan Al-Basri
Ibn Abdul Barr (rahimahullaah) said: Al-Hasan (rahimahullaah) said:
”The punishment for a scholar is the demise of the heart; so it was said to him: ”What is the demise of the heart?” He said: ”Seeking the worldly life through actions that are done for (reward) in the afterlife.”
[Jaami Bayaanil Ilm Wa-Fadlihi: 272]
Shaikh bin Baz on “Near-Death Experiences” and that Which is Witnessed
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
It is common to hear of individuals who have had “near-death experiences”, vision of seeing strange lights amongst other strange affairs, the following is regarding the story of an individual written in a newspaper some 30 years ago, however the content is relevant as a generic matter.
The story narrates how a particular individual fell into a coma and it was mistakenly thought that he had actually died, and so he was consequently buried. He was however actually alive, and upon discovering that, he was removed and rescued from his grave 3 days later. That individual then narrated the “strange and fascinating” sights he witnessed whilst buried underground in his grave in the “close-to-death” experience, he makes mentions of Angels etc….[the exact content of the narration is not of importance, however the following response is].
The following statement [summarised] is the response of Shaikh ibn Baz to this individual’s narration of what he apparently witnessed.
“Due to some people believing such false stories I considered it important to highlight and alert the attention of people to the reality of this affair. In reality this is a complete and utter lie falsified by the claimant [narrations of seeing things from the after-life in so called near-death experiences]. It is known in the Legislation of Islam that the 2 Angels do not come to an individual until he actually dies, they do not come to someone who is still alive in this manner [coma or otherwise] for the questionning [!]. [They] invent such stories of [near-death experiences] of seeing all types of strange affairs for other degrading gains [i.e. money from selling the story]”.
[via Shaikh ibn Baz’s official website]
[b] Our Salaf: Ibraaheem Ibn Yazeed–from his supplications
And from his (rahimahullaah) supplications were:
”O Allaah! Safeguard me through your Book and the Sunnah of your Prophet; (Safeguard me) from opposing the truth and from following desires (due to an absence) of guidance from you; (Safeguard me) from the paths of misguidance, from the affairs that resemble truth but are falsehood in reality, from deviation, deception and blameworthy argumentation (in religion).”
[Source: Seerah As-Salaf As-Saaliheen of Imaam Ismaa’eel Ibn Muhammad Al-Asbahaanee: section: Those who followed the companions in righteousness]
Virtue of The First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah
The virtues of the first ten days of Dhul Hijja
All praise is due to Allaah The Lord of the Aalameen and may the salaah and salaam be upon the leader of the Messengers. To proceed
Indeed from the favours of Allaah is that He made for His righteous servants fixed days/time periods in which they can increase in the performance of righteous actions. And amongst these fixed days/time periods are the first ten days of Dhul-Hijja. Indeed, the virtues of these first days have been stated in the Qur’aan and the Sunnah
Allaah (The Most High) said
وَالفَجرِ وَلَيَالٍ عَشرٍ
By the dawn; By the ten nights (i.e. the first ten days of the month of Dhul-Hijja
[Soorah al-Fajr: Ayah: 1-2]
Imaam Ibn katheer (rahimahullaah) said that the intended meaning behind this verse is the first ten days of Dhul-Hijja as stated by Ibn Abbaas, Ibn Zubayr, Mujaahid and other than them. And this has also been reported by Imaam Bukhaari
Ibn Abbaas (radiyallaahu-anhumaa) said: The Messenger of Allaah (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said
“There are not any days in which righteous actions are done that are more beloved to Allaah than these ten days.” They said, “Oh Messenger of Allaah, not even jihad in Allaah’s cause?” He said, “Not even jihad in Allaah’s cause, except for a man who left out with his self and his wealth, and he did not return with either
Allaah (The Most High) said
وَيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ فِي أَيَّامٍ مَّعْلُومَاتٍ [الحج: 82]
And mention the Name of Allah on appointed days (i.e. 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th day of Dhul-Hijja); Ibn Abbaas (radiyallaahu-anhu) said: They are the (first) ten days. Tafseer Ibn katheer
Ibn Umar (radiyallaahu-anhumaa) said
The Messenger of Allaah (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: There are no days greater in the (sight) of Allaah nor in which righteous actions are more beloved to Him than these (first) ten days; so increase Tahleel (i.e. Laa-ilaaha-ilal-laah), Takbeer (i.e. Allaahu Akbar) and Tahmeed (i.e. Al-Hamdulil-laah) [reported by Ahmad
And Saeed Ibn Jubayr who narrated the aforementioned hadeeth of Ibn Abbaas used to strive earnestly when the first ten days of Dhul-Hijja starts…. reported by Daarimee
Ibn Hajr (rahimahullaah) said in Al-Fath: What is apparent is that the reason the first ten days of Dhul Hijja are distinguished (with excellence) is because of what it gathers of the main foundational acts of worship, and they are: Salaah, Fasting, Charity and Hajj, which are not found in other them)
What are the recommended acts of worship in these first ten days
Salaah: Give more emphasis and concern to the obligatory prayers and increase in optional prayers, because the prayer is amongst the greatest means of seeking nearness to Allaah
Fasting: fasting is included amongst the righteous deeds. Imaam Nawawi (rahimahullaah) said about fasting the first days of Dhul-Hijja is strongly recommended
[3] The Takbeer, Tahleel and Tahmeed due to what has been reported in the Hadeeth of Ibn Umar (radiyallaahu-anhu) that: ‘’Increase in Tahleel, Takbeer and Tahmeed in it (i.e. during these days). Imaam Al-Bukhaari (rahimahullaah) said: Ibn Umar and Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu-anhumaa) used to go to the market place during the first days of Dhul-Hijja whilst uttering the Takbeer and the people also used to do so alongside them
?How is the Takbeer performed
.الله أكبر. الله أكبر. الله أكبر. لا إله إلا الله. والله أكبر. . الله أكبر ولله الحمد
Fasting on the day of Arafah: Fasting on the day of Arafah is emphasized because of what has been narrated from the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) that the one who fasts the day of Arafah, his (minor) sins of the previous year and the year to come are forgiven by Allaah [reported by Muslim]. However, as for the one who is physically present at Arafah, it is disliked that he should fast, because the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) stood at Arafah whilst he was not fasting
How should the Muslim approach these days of goodness
The Muslim should approach these first days of goodness with sincere repentance to Allaah, keeping away from sins and disobedience; because sins prevents a person from receiving the favours of His Lord and veils his heart from his Protector- Allaah
Likewise, a person should approach these days with all good deeds. He should strive to benefit from them by performing deeds that are pleasing to Allaah. Allaah (The Most High) said
وَالَّذِينَ جَاهَدُواْ فِينَا لَنَهدِيَنَّهُمّ سُبُلَنَا [العنكبوت:69]
As for those who strive hard in Us (Our Cause), We will surely guide them to Our Paths (i.e. Allah’s Religion – Islamic Monotheism). And verily, Allah is with the Muhsinun (good doers).” Soorah Al-Ankaboot: Ayah: 69]
O brothers and sisters in Islaam! Let us be eager to take benefit from the ten days of Dhul Hijja before they elapse and we become regretful. We ask Allaah to benefit us and yourselves in these days of goodness; and we ask Him (The Most High) to aid us to obey Him and perform acts of worship for His sake
This article was abridged and paraphrased from an article posted in the following link: http://www.sahab.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=132815
For more beneficial information on this topic, see the following links
http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=6&Topic=11659
http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=10&Topic=3134