Khutbah by Shaykh ibn Humayd

O People! I advise myself and you to fear Allah, for he who does not fear Allah will go astray. Allah says that which means: “O you who have believed, if you fear Allah, He will grant you a criterion,” (Al-Anfaal: 29), to judge between right and wrong.

Servants of Allah! He who fears punishment, then the furthest thing to him becomes within his reach and he who harbours false hopes and wishes to live long, his performance and actions become weak. Indeed, the future is near. Your Lord did not create you in vain and will not leave you unavailing, so take provision from this life by which you can protect yourself tomorrow.

The time of death is concealed and wishes are deceiving. Funerals pass by people, and they prepare them, pray over the deceased, accompany them and carry them to their final abode. You see people viewing them casually and perhaps they might get slightly saddened or grieved, but very soon they become overwhelmed again with the ravishment of this life and the heedlessness of living.

Respected brothers! Life is evidence against those who are heedless and their days lead them to wretchedness. How can one hope for the reward in the Hereafter without righteous deeds? How can someone wish to repent while being heedless and hoping to live longer?

Woe to the people of heedlessness! When they are given something, they are not satisfied and when they are deprived of anything, they become discontent. They enjoin that which they do not do themselves and forbid what they do not refrain from. They continuously criticise others and compromise with themselves.

O people of heedlessness! How many people trusted life but it betrayed them and how many were assured by it, that were let down? How many swindlers got deceived in it? And, how many arrogant people became degraded and honorable ones humiliated by it? Power in this life alternates, it is never stable. Its sweetness soon becomes bitter and its bitterness sweet. People of might become overpowered. Life is short, the great things in it are few in number and this life very soon turns out to be as though it never even existed. Its happiness eventually turns into sorrow, health into sickness, and wealth into poverty. Its days are deceiving and it commands people with evil. It consists of vanishing pleasures, afflicting adversities or death. Its structure is soon destroyed, people unite but soon separate, and everything on earth turns into dust.

People of heedlessness are never satisfied, regardless of how much they may accumulate. They do not achieve all they wish for and are not prepared for what they are approaching. They collect but do not benefit from it, build that which they will not live in and hope for things that they will never achieve. Allah says that which means: “Let them eat and enjoy themselves and be diverted by (false) hope, for they are going to know.” (Al-Hijr: 3)

One who wishes to live long, builds and demolishes and estimates but with a wrong estimation. He says something but does not do it, plans but does not implement them, and things happen which are the opposite to that which has been planned. He does wrong and delays repentance, then death comes and then he will not benefit from his deeds; his family and friends leave him and there are no longer any excuses. Allah says that which means, “Then have you considered if We gave them enjoyment for years. And then there came to them that which they were promised? They would not be availed by the enjoyment which they were provided.” (Ash-Shu’araa’: 205 - 207)

Oh people of heedlessness! O Muslim brothers and sisters! The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said in a Hadith: “Abundantly remember the destroyer of pleasures (meaning death)” (An-Nasaa’i). This is the advice of your Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam which consists of a few words but is concise; short but effective. Indeed, he who remembers death as it should be remembered will hold himself accountable and question himself about his deeds and aspirations. But one who has a heedless heart, as Imaam Al Qurtubi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “Needs long speeches and embellished statements.” Abundantly remember the destroyer of pleasures, which will separate those who are united: “None will remember it (meaning death) while in hardship but will feel ease and while at ease but will feel disturbed”. (Tabaraani)

I swear by Allah! Each one of us will come to an end, and each soul will die. The earth will eat our flesh and drink our blood - just as we walk over it, eat from its fruits and drink from its water. Then it becomes like Allah says, which means: “And the Horn will be blown, and whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth will fall dead except whom Allah wills. Then it will be blown again, and at once they will be standing, looking on.” (Az- Zumar: 68).

Your Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam stood at the edge of a grave and cried as related in a Hadith; he then said: “O my brothers! For this, prepare yourselves”. (Ibn Maajah) A man asked the Messenger sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam: “Who is the most wise of people O Messenger of Allah?” He replied: “The one who remembers death most often and the one who is well-prepared to meet it; these are the wise; honorable in this life and dignified in the Hereafter.” (Ibn Maajah & Tabaraani). In another Hadith, he, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said: “The wise one is he who reproaches himself and acts in preparation for what is after death.” (Ahmad)

Al Hasan, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “Death has exposed the reality of life and left no reason for one with a sound mind to be happy in it.” Yunus Ibn ‘Ubayd said: “The remembrance of death deprived us from enjoying our families and wealth.” Also, Mutarrif said: “Death spoils for the people of pleasure, their enjoyment. So look for pleasure in which there is no death. The people of Paradise do not die, so their lives will become comfortable, and they do not become sick, so they live a pleasant, eternal life.”

O Muslims! Remember death and all its hardships, the rattling of ones soul in the throat and remember the terrifying screams one will give; for he who remembers death often, Allah will bless him with three things: immediate repentance, contentment of the heart, and vigour for worship. Moreover, he who forgets death will be afflicted with three things: delay in repentance, discontentment, and laziness in worship.

Death is enough of a reason to break hearts, shed tears, destroy pleasures, divide people and ruin all hopes. The dead are made to be lonely after having lived with their families; they live in darkness after having been in the light; in tightness after having lived in wide space, and under the soil after having walked the earth. They become bare-footed, naked and alone. The grave is their dwelling, dust is their shroud, and mortal remains are their neighbors, who cannot hear a call nor respond to it. They lived long and owned much, but it did not benefit them when the command of their Lord came. So their homes became graves and what they collected was lost. Their money went to their inheritors, their wives re-married and what they were promised came to them. Allah says that which means: “Then did you think that We created you uselessly and that to Us you would not be returned?” (Al-Mu’minoon: 115)

Have you ever thought, O servant of Allah, about the day that you will die? - The day that you cannot delay and in which regret will not benefit you? Remove the cover of heedlessness from your heart for you will soon be standing before the One who knows the whims and whispers of the hearts, Who asks about the actions of the eyes and holds one accountable for what he hears. Allah says that which means: “That Day, you will be exhibited (for judgment); not hidden among you is anything concealed..” (Al-Haaqqah: 18)

Contemplate death, for it prevents one from disobedience, softens a hard heart, stops one from trusting this life and makes one feel ease at the time of hardships. Remember death so that you may be saved at the time of regret. Al Hasan, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “O son of Aadam! Fear Allah, and let two things not happen to you at the same time: the hardships and agony of death, plus sorrow and regret. Beware of agonies and regrets, for death will come to you suddenly and no one can describe to you what you will face and see. Beware, so as not to die while in a state of disobedience, otherwise you will meet Allah with no excuse.”

Respected brothers! Where are those who are afraid of not having enough provision? Where is he who is terrified of the lengthy distance of the journey and hostility of the road? All he took from this life is an old garment and a morsel of food. He was chaste through life, guided, and so little provision sufficed him. He was ashamed of himself in front of his Lord, remembered death, and therefore preserved his head (meaning his senses: eyes, ears and tongue) and stomach (meaning did not eat or drink except that which is lawful). He sought the reward of the Hereafter and gave up the adornments of this worldly life. He favoured that which is everlasting over that which is vanishing - this is indeed the wise and clever one.

So fear Allah, may Allah have mercy on you, and be aware of Allah, and watchful of that which He entrusted you with. Remember that you will be standing before your Lord, being judged according to your deeds and you will regret your negligence. Allah says that which means: “Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your (full) compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained (his desire). And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.” (Aal ‘Imraan: 185)

O Muslims, repent to Allah before death. The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said: “Hasten to do good deeds before you become busy. Are you waiting for such penury which will make you unmindful of devotion? Or such prosperity which will make you corrupt? Or such disease which will disable you? Or such senility which will make you mentally unstable? Or sudden death? Or the Dajjaal (Anti-Christ), who is the worst apprehended (sign of the hour)? Or (are you waiting) for the Hour? - that will be most grievous and bitter”. (At-Tirmidhi)

Now that you are aware of the suddenness of death, do not be like those who hoped for the reward of the Hereafter without performing righteous deeds, and who delayed repentance, due to the false hope of living longer.

Visit the graveyards frequently for it reminds one of the Hereafter, and take a lesson from those who are under the earth and have lost connection with their families and loved ones; death came to them at a time which they did not expect and horror came to them in a way which they did not anticipate. Let he who visits the graves ponder and think of the situation of those who have passed away from his friends. They gathered money and had a high hopes, but suddenly they lost all their wishes and their wealth did not benefit them. The soil of the earth changed the nice appearance of their faces and their bodies became scattered in their graves. Their wives became widows and their wealth and homes were all distributed.

Allah said, which means: “(It will be said to them), “And you have certainly come to Us alone (i.e., individually) as We created you the first time, and you have left whatever We bestowed upon you behind you.”(Al-An’aam: 94)

So, fear Allah, may Allah have mercy on you, and work for the Hereafter, for it is a dwelling in which there is no death for its inhabitants. Its structure does not wear out, youth does not age and its pleasure is never-ending. Its beauty, enjoyment, and women do not change and its people live under the mercy of the Most Merciful. Allah says that which means: “Their call therein will be, “Exalted are You, O Allah,” and their greeting therein will be, “Peace.” And the last of their call will be, “Praise to Allah, Lord of the worlds!” (Yunus: 10)

 

What we must believe, follow and prepare for

One must believe, beyond any doubt, that only Allah Almighty is worthy of worship and The Creator of the universe and the Handler of all things in Heavens or on Earth. He has the best names and the highest characteristics. He Almighty is The Creator and The Sustainer, He is the Benefactor, The Giver and the Taker, The Most Able. This belief is given the term ‘the unification of divinity’ (tawheed ar-rooboobiyyah).

The unification of divinity alone would not admit one into the fold of Islam. Together with that, faith must be shown that Allah Almighty alone is deserving of worship and no one else, and that is the meaning of “Laa ilaaha illa Allah.” This is the unification of worship (tawheed al-’ibaadah) with the faith in the unification of the names and the characteristics (tawheed al-asmaa was-sifaat). One must have faith that Allah Almighty is The Most Perfect in Himself, in His Names, in His Characteristics and in His Deeds. He has the Absolute perfection who has no partner and none similar and there is none like unto Him.

The two worlds, that of men and that of jinns must believe in the names and the characteristics of Almighty Allah mentioned in the Holy Qur’an such as the Almighty, The Wise, Who hears all things, the Creator, The Sustainer, The Benevolent and The Most Gracious and all the other names and characteristics. Faith must also be in what is affirmed in the Sunnah about the names of Almighty Allah as they were revealed with no increase or decrease. One must also believe that Allah Almighty is not like any of His creatures, and there is no similarity in shape or in entity. All the prophets unanimously had faith in all that and all the messages were descended with those teachings, the most complete of them all is the Holy Qur’an. One must also believe in Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, and in all the other prophets too and in all that they had narrated about the angels, the books, the question of Heaven and Hell, the Day of Resurrection, the judgment and reward, the torment or bliss in the grave, and the belief in fate.

The Muslim must follow the straight path of the religion of Allah Almighty, by saying and by doing and as a creed. He must observe all the ordinances prescribed on him, and avoid all the prohibitions he is forbidden from. He must also believe all that is told by Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, about the states of the dead in their graves, and that the grave is either a heavenly garden or a devilish hell.

Once the dead is placed inside his grave, two angels would ask him who his God is, what his religion is and who his Prophet is. For the believers, Allah Almighty would send down tranquillity into their hearts and add faith to their faith. When asked in his grave, the believer would answer my God is Almighty Allah, Islam is my religion, and Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, is my prophet. As the Muslim was holding fast to his faith and to his religion during his lifetime, for this reason Allah would grant him peace of mind and tranquillity in his grave. But the disbeliever or the hypocrite, when asked in the grave they would find no answer to give and would say instead “I only followed what the astray people were saying.” On giving that answer, the disbeliever would be hit by a sledgehammer, and a scream would come from him to be heard by all creatures except man, who would have been frightened if could hear that.

As such people would be resurrected and judged on the Day of Resurrection. When the trumpet sounds for the Last Day, all people die and are resurrected and judged in accordance with their deeds. All this must be believed in and one must prepare for that Last Day, by the unification of Allah and following His ordinances and avoiding His disobedience. The happy ones are those who are judged and given their records in their right hands, and the unhappy are those people who are judged and given their records in their left hands.

Muslims must be prepared for that day. They must advise one another in righteousness and stay firm with truth. They must enjoin the right and forbid the wrong, as Allah Almighty said in His Holy Book:

The believers, men and women are protectors one of another, they enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil, they observe regular prayers, practice regular charity, and obey God and His Apostle. On them will God pour His mercy, for God is Exalted in power, Wise. [Al-Ma’aarij Aayah 5]

 

The greatest of rewards

The believers would be enabled to actually see their Lord Almighty. He, Almighty would speak to them and would let them see His divine Face. The disbelievers would be veiled as Allah Almighty said:

“Verily, from (the Light) of their Lord, that Day will they be veiled.” [Al-Mutaffifeen Aayah 15]

The followers of the Sunnah and Al-Jamaa’ah have all confirmed and believed in this. In the Heavens, the believers would be able to see all that in reality, in their highest of bliss. Allah Almighty said,

To those who do right is a goodly (reward) Yea, more (than in measure). [Yunus Aayah 26]

The goodly reward is the Garden (Al-Jannah), and what is more than in measure is the opportunity to look at the Face of Allah Almighty, and enjoying that bliss and the ever lasting good which is beyond imagination. The followers of the Sunnah consider anyone to disbelieve that as an apostate. Allah Almighty will not let Himself to be seen in this word as this world is not a world of bliss but rather a world of trial and tribulation. So Allah Almighty saved the revelation of His Face for the Hereafter.

“Verily, Al-Abraar (the pious who fear Allah and avoid evil) will be in delight. On thrones looking. You will recognize in their faces the brightness of light.” [Al-Mutaffifeen Aayah 22 - 24]

“Some faces that Day shall be Naadirah (shining and radiant) looking at their Lord.” [Al-Qiyaamah 22 - 23]

The believers will indeed see Allah on Yaum Al-Qiyaamah and in Al-Jannah it will be a great sight. This seeing of Allah is not all encompassing however because Allah is too Majestic and Great to be encompassed by any vision of His creation as Allah has stated:

“No vision can grasp (yudrikhu) Him, but His Grasp is over all vision. He is the Most Subtle and Courteous, Well-Acquainted with all things.” [Al-An’aam Aayah 103]

The meaning of this is that their vision will not encompass Him because al-idraak (as mentioned in the previous aayah) is particular while ar-ru’yah is general. As Allah stated in the aayah:

And when the two hosts saw (taraa’aa) each other, the companions of Musa said: “We are sure to be overtaken.” [Ash-Shu’araa 61]

Allah makes clear that seeing (At-Taraa’ee) is not grasping (Al-Idraak). A group of the salaf (pious generations) explaining the previous aayaat, among them ‘Aaisha (radiallahu ‘anhaa), said that what is intended is that they (the believers) would not see Him in this world (as-dunyaa). There is no argument for those among the innovators (ahlul-bid’ah) because of other Qur’anic ayaat which have been explained previously along with authentic ahadith that are mutawaatir (so widely reported that there is no chance of error) absolutely confirm that the believers will see their Lord on the Day of Resurrection and in Al-Jannah.

The companions were in consensus about that as were their followers among Ahlus Sunnah and that which was held by the Jahmiyyah and the Mu’tazilah (later deviant sects) is wrong and unaccepted. What they stated was the worst of wrongs and most astray. We ask Allah safety and security from their trial and we ask Allah for us and those who uphold tawheed (al-muwahhideen) understanding and guidance and always returning to the truth.

Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said, “Know that, no one of you would see His Lord until he is dead.” The Muslim has to believe all that and all that was narrated by Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. As for the disobedient Muslim, is in danger of torture, but he would eventually be admitted in, even though he would be entered in Hell because of his disobedience. He would not stay in it for ever; but he would be pardoned and entered in Heavens, as indicated in the Hadith about Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, the Muslim is subject to the redemption of Allah Who said:

“Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with Him, but He forgives anything else, to whom He pleases.” [An-Nisaa Aayah 48]

If Allah pleases, He would forgive him and admit him in Heavens with his brothers from the beginning, if not forgiven he would be tortured in Hell according to the sins he had committed and after sanctification he would be admitted in Al-Jannah. He might be tortured in his grave or might be saved until doomsday, for committing the cardinal sins such as drinking wine, committing adultery, being disobedient to one’s parents and the like. The one who declares penitence before his death, he would be placed by Almighty Allah with his brothers from the first instance, as a reward to him.

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