Barzakh – The resting place between Death and Resurrection

- Wikipedia

In Islamic eschatology, Barzakh (Arabic: برزخ‎) is the intermediate state in which the soul of the deceased is transferred across the boundaries of the mortal realm into the spirit world and into a kind of "cold sleep" where the soul will rest until the Qiyamah (Judgement Day). The term appears in the Qur'an.

Barzakh is a sequence that happens after death, in which the soul will separate from the body, either harshly or painlessly depending on how righteous the person was before his death. Three events make up Barzakh:

• The separation of the soul and the body ,in which the soul separates and hovers over the body.

• interrogation of the soul by self review of ones actions and deeds in ones life.

• The soul rests in an interspace which they will experience a manifestation of their souls resulting in a cold sleep state which is dependent on each person, awaiting the Day of Judgement.

The Barzakh or divine imagination is described by the classical Islamic Scholar Ibn Arabi:

Now since the Barzakh (of the creative divine Imagination) is something separating what is knowable and unknowable, existent and non-existent, intelligible and unintelligible, affirmed and negated, it has been given the name "Barzakh" as a technical term. It is intelligible in itself, yet it is nothing but the imagined-image (al-khayāl)! For when you perceive it -assuming you are in a rational state- you know that you have perceived something existent on which your gaze has fallen; indeed you most definitely know that there is absolutely something there. But what is this about which you affirm that it is an existent thing, while at the same time you are also denying that?! For this Imagination-Image (al-khayāl) is neither (entirely) existent nor nonexistent, neither (entirely) known nor unknowable, neither (entirely) affirmed nor denied. This is like a human being perceiving their (reflected) form in the mirror. The person definitely knows that they have perceived their (own) form in a certain respect, while they know just as absolutely that they have not perceived their form in another respect, because of the smallness of the image they see in the mirror, assuming the body of the mirror is small -since they know that their own form is a great deal larger than the one they saw... So what is that reflected form? And where is it actually located? And what is its (ontological) status? For it is both affirmed and denied, both existent and nonexistent, both known and unknown.

It is to something like this reality that each human being goes in their sleep and after their death (cf. 39:42). So that person sees (moral and spiritual) qualities and characteristics as self-subsistent forms that speak to him and with which he converses, as being (human) bodies without any doubt. And the person of spiritual unveiling (al-mukāshif) already sees (here), while they are awake, what the sleeper sees in their dream state or the dead person sees after they have died. Likewise they will see the forms of their actions being weighed in the otherworld (according to the Qur'anic symbolism of the "Scales") -despite their being (apparently nonsubstantial) qualities and characteristics (in this world)- and they will see death (according to the description in a famous hadith) as "a spotted ram being sacrificed", even though death is (really only) a relation (between two states of being)...

Therefore every human being in the Barzakh is "hostage to what they have acquired" (52:21; 74:38), imprisoned in the forms of their deeds, until they are raised up from those forms, on the Day of the Rising, in "the state of being of the other world" (29:20, etc.).

In Islam, there are five main stages of life:

• The age in the Domain of the Spirits (‘Alam al-Arwah) is where the spirit of the person lives on ever since the first creation of the person in purely spiritual form, together with all other human spirits, and where all the human spirits had entered a Covenant with God whereby God was acknowledged by their as the supreme Lord, and God had promised to take care of all their needs.

• The age in the womb is where the body acquires its soul. After 40 days of the fetus in the womb, the fetus is imbued with a soul from Heaven. The soul however, is completely innocent and totally lacking of any worldly knowledge, which is reflected by a baby's helplessness.

• The age in the mortal world is the stage of life from the moment of birth from the womb to the moment of death.

• The age of the grave is the stage after death in the mortal world, where the soul is stored in Barzakh (interspace) which they will experience manifistation of their souls resulting in a cold sleep state which is dependent on each person, awaiting the Day of Judgement.

• The age of the hereafter or rest of eternity is the final stage commencing after the Day of Judgement and all of humanity has received their judgement from God. If they were righteous and did good deeds based on their own circumstances they go to Jannah (heaven) a state of bliss and if they have attained little in life, and were unrighteous in their actions or were despite all evidence shown to them bent on denying the truth of life once it was presented to them -based on their own circumstances they shall go to Jahannam ( a spiritual state of suffering). This stage of life commences officially after the embodiment of Death is brought up and is slain, thus Death dies literally, and no one will ever experience or behold the concept of Death everafter. Based on the verdict received which is brought upon by each person's indivual deeds actions and circumstances in life the Day of Judgement which everyone is judged with the utmost sense of justice, each human will spend this stage of life in Heavenly(blissful) or Hell (which will be a place for purification of the soul so that one realizes the wrongs they have committed in their lives) . However, those in Hell are eligible to go to the state of heaven after being purified by the state described as hell at a later time if they "had an atom's worth of faith in them" and the soul repents.

Reference: Islam From Inside,

Quoting from The Holy Qur’an,

Sura 10, verse 30 reads as follows:

"There shall every soul become acquainted with what it sent before and they shall be brought back to Allah, their true Patron, and what they devised shall escape from them" (Qur'an 10:30)

Islam - Only Its Name

Qur'aan - Only Its Text

"Say (O Muhammad!) If you love then follow me (i.e Muhammad) [Qur'aan]

“There will dawn an age over people when there will remain nothing of Islam but its name and nothing of the Qura’aan but its text.” [Hadith}

Islam is the Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and the Sunnah is Islam. Obedience to Allah Ta'ala is only via the avenue of obedience to the Rasool (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam). This avenue is termed the Sunnah. In the aforementioned aayat, the Qur'aan Majeed indicates clearly that without submission to the Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam), love for Allah Ta'ala is not possible.

The Hadith cited above has attained full materialization in this present age. In view of the almost complete abandonment of the Sunnah. there remains nothing of Islam but its name and nothing of the Qur'aan other than its text. Everyone of the millions related to the Ummah of Islam claims to be Muslim. Everyone raises the slogan of Islam and everyone recites the Qur'aan. But. most Muslims know Islam only by name and are aware of only the text of the Qur'aan. The Sunnah is viewed as an alien concept, hence modernists and deviates present a plethora of baseless and satanic arguments to denigrate and refute the Sunnah practices and Sunnah attitudes which have come down in the Ummah from Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

Even Ulama have fallen prey to the inroads and impact of westemism and modernism. They too have become apologetic in their attitude towards the Sunnah. While the Ulama pursue Islamic knowledge, they possess only the external shadow. They acquaint themselves merely with the text. The spirit and the Noor of Ilm are not sought and never acquired because of the disease of aversion for Taqwa. Even among the learned the 'old' Sunnah practices and Taqwa are deemed to be misfits in this modern kufr society. It is for this reason that the Ulama have lost their bearings and are following public opinion. They take their cue from die masses.

The concept of the Sunnah is not restricted to acts of Ibaadat. Along with the masaa-il in the various departments of the Shariah, there are the attitudes of the Sunnah which the Mu’min has to incumbently introduce into his daily life regardless of the fiqhi (juristic) designation ascribed to the attitude or rule. Whether an act be Sunnatul Muakkadah or Mustahab, in so far as practical life is concerned, there has to be strictness in observance of all the actions and etiquettes of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and the Sahaabah. The fiqhi categorization of the Ahkaam is not a license for laxity in practical life. Laxity and neglect are die products of deficiency in Imaan and weakness in love for Allah and His Rasool (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

The Sunnah or the lifestyle of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) has to be necessarily introduced in every dimension of the Muslim's life. The Sunnah attitudes should permeate Ibaadat, (Acts of Worship), social conduct, trade and commerce and all activities of the Muslim. In business, a Muslim is not allowed to assume the form of a hard-hearted money-seeker like a Yahudi. In war he is not expected to become a savage like the Kuffaar motivated by lust and greed. The attitudes of the Sunnah such as kindness, mercy, generosity and chivalry have to be displayed in all his activities.

The Sunnah demands that die entire life of the Muslim be devoted to Allah Ta'ala, even the mundane aspects of his pursuits. In this regard the Qur'aan says:

"Say (O Muhammad]) Verily, my Salaat, my sacrifice, my life and my death are for Allah. "

When everything of the Mu'min is for Allah Ta'ala, it devolves as an incumbent duty on him to search for the Sunnah methods and attitudes which he has to introduce in every sphere of his life. His involvement in trade and commerce is not solely for earning a living. Rizq is predetermined and sealed. Rizq is the responsibility of Allah Ta'ala. The Mu'min pursues his Rizq in view of such pursuit being a command of the Shariah. He therefore is under obligation to ensure that his operations are always subservient to the Shariah and adorned with the attitudes and etiquettes of the Sunnah.

Since Muslims have fallen headlong in an abyss of kufr emulation, the Sunnah appears strange and queer to them. They no longer can understand the meaning of Rizq being the responsibility of Allah Ta'ala, hence the numerous exercises to prove all the haraam methods of the kuffaar to be halaal.

The Ulama

While the Sunnah advocates caution, abstinence and piety, the nafs desires fulfillment and satiation for its dictates of greed and lust. Thus, we find even learned men who are supposed to lead the masses opening up wide avenues of corruption to allow the nafs to fully express its dictates. We therefore find the Ulama involving themselves in a spiritually destructive occupation of selling halaal certificates to addict Muslims to eating pies, chickens and other meat products processed by kuffaar. hi so doing they have sold their honour, betrayed their Ilm and abandoned their Office of Guardianship of Islam. Instead of being concerned with the Aqaaid and A'maal of the Ummah, they concern themselves with halaal certificates to bolster the commercial and monetary interests of kuffaar entrepreneurs. Instead of combating kufr, baatil, dhalaal and bid'ah in the way and manner of the illustrious Salf-e-Saaliheen, they emulate the styles of the kuffaar and waste their time and the money of the community in stupid radio stations deceiving themselves regarding the worth or worthlessness of their methods. Since they have lost sight of the Sunnah, they cannot see and comprehend the glitter and efficacy of the methods of the Salf-e-Saaliheen.

Only in Name

That Islam today exists only in name in most claimants of Islam is an undeniable reality. The recent anti-drug disturbances in the country are abundant testimony for this reality. The un-Islamic methods and activity perpetrated by Muslims in the name of Islam and under the slogans of 'Allahu Akbar' very conspicuously displayed that only the name of Islam remains. In appearance and demeanour the 'Allahu Akbar' slogan-shouters were no different from the gangsters involved in drugs and crime. The tactics employed by those who so vociferously laid claims to Islam are no different from the tactics of the drug lords and gangsters. While this despicable condition prevails among the masses, a more lamentable situation prevails in the ranks of certain Muslims who overtly align themselves with the Ulama Fraternity. In a Transvaal city a group of Ulama so enamored by the haraam methods of ignorant masses, took to the streets after Jummaah Salaat. They too followed the ignorant like sheep to hand over a silly petition. To crown their disgrace, the following day they sat at the feet of a murtaddah (a female renegade) listening to her speech on crime. When those who claim to be Ulama have degenerated to this exceptionally low ebb of moral corruption and misdirection, then we are constrained to remind them of the following Hadith of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam):

"The worst of creatures on earth will (in later times) be the Ulama. Fimah will initiate from them and return to them.... ".

Instead of being the Roohaani guides of the Ummah, these Ulama-e-Soo' have become the followers of ignorant laymen who are operating under the aegis of sinister forces. In fact, these miserable learned men cannot be classified as Ulama. Whatever little relationship they had with Ilm-e-Deen has been cast overboard. When Ulama fail to seek guidance from the Shariah, what can be expected from ignorant masses who have long ago lost their Islamic bearings?

Nothing of Islam, nothing of the Sunnah remains in these miscreants -among the masses and among the Ulama fraternity - who are following the kuffaar into the 'lizards hole - in their mad stupor of emulation.

Direction in the Sunnah

There is the direction of the Haqq in the Sunnah for the Ummah in every facet of life. The Shariah has a solution for all our problems. When Muslims set aside the guidance of the Sunnah and follow stupidly and blindly in the footsteps of the kuffaar, adopting their ways, methods and attitudes, it should be clear that nothing remains of Islam but its name and nothing remains of the Qur'aan but its text. Those - laymen and Ulama (i.e. Ulama-e-soo' or evil Ulama) who loudly howl Islamic slogans, but follow the kuffaar in total abandonment of the Shariah and Sunnah are spiritually and morally bankrupt, hence they fail to recognise their relationship with Islam. The methods of criminals do not become Islamic when perpetrated under the slogan of 'Allahu Akbar'. In fact such perpetration in the name of Islam is blasphemy.

Spiritual Bankruptcy

The state of spiritual bankruptcy existing in the ranks of the Ummah can be eliminated only by a reversion to the Sunnah - the pure concept of the Sunnah - as was understood, propagated and practised by the Sahaabah and the Salf-e-Saaliheen. The introduction of the Sunnah in worship, social conduct, trade and commerce, etc., is the only remedy for the ills of the Ummah. It is the only method for the revitalisation of the sacred bond with Allah Ta'ala.

Moral and spiritual bankruptcy of the Ummah cannot be cured by-conferences organised by ignoramuses and modernists who lack in entirety in Deeni comprehension. When Ulama grace such gatherings of the Juhhaal. it speaks volumes for the dhalaal (deviation) of such Ulama.

Even in Ibaadaat

The Sunnah - its spirit and attitude - is lacking in even acts of pure ibaadat. The ibaadat which has suffered disastrously in this regard is the Hajj and Umrah. The demeanour of prospective Hujjaaj and of all those connected with the institution of Hajj is most despicable. The Hajj has become commercialised. Numerous persons proceeding for Hajj do so purely as a sight-seeing tour. It is for this reason that they cannot be bothered with the rules of Hajj. Their actions clearly demonstrate that they have no concern for the actual Ibaadat of Hajj. Leave alone the spirit and attitude of the Sunnah which should permeate every step and moment of the Hujjaaj, most of them are even ignorant of the Faraaidh without which the Hajj is not even valid.

The same attitude prevails in Salaat. While the majority of Muslims no longer perform the five Fardh Salaat regularly, those who do adhere to this institution are generally ignorant of the masaa-il of Salaat. And, those who are aware of the masaa-il, are wholly deficient and even wanting in the Sunnah attitude necessary for Salaat. This same situation of ignorance, indifference and neglect pertains to all acts of Ibaadat.

The Consequence of this Attitude

The consequence of this un-Islamic attitude of the Ummah is Allah's punishment which has been imposed over the Ummah mainly in the form of kuffaar domination. Since spiritual and moral apathy, lethargy and indifference have deeply set in all strata of the Ummah in the masses, among the Ulama, die muballigheen and the mujaahideen - the inevitable results are only disasters, reverses and domination of the kuffaar. Allah's aid cannot be with a community who has turned its back on HIM and is looking askance for guidance at the kuffaar. Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:

"Whoever seeks the pleasure of Allah courting the displeasure of people (in the process to please Allah), Allah is sufficient for him. And, whoever seeks the pleasure of the people, courting the displeasure of Allah (in the process of pleasing people), Allah casts him to the people. "

The only solution for this floundering and corrupt Ummah of Islam is to revert to the Sunnah and seek its guidance from only the Shariah. It is not sufficient to proclaim that we are Muslims, go to Musjid on occasions of festivals and shout slogans. When the Sunnah has been introduced into our ibaadat, businesses, politics, social relationships and in every department of life, only then will the intoxication of kufr gripping the Ummah commence to dissipate and disappear. Only then will the Ummah be able to free itself from the shackles of serfdom with which the kuffaar have enchained us.

Allah Ta'ala says in the Qur'aan Majeed:

"O people of Imaan. If you follow the kuffaar, they will turn you on your heels (away from Islam). You will then return as losers (losing your honour and your Imaan). In fact, Allah is your friend and He is the best of helpers. "

For their success and victory Muslims are not in need of any alignment with kuffaar.

By Mujlisul Ulema of South Africa

Editorial-Awake-Ramadhan 1417

Volume 5 No 8

Reference: http://darulislam.info/name-News-article-sid-147.html

A Poem on Ramadhan that is worth reading and understanding

Ramadhan… The most important month of the Islamic year,
You shouldn't just let it pass; u should always have fear,
Adhere to The Qur'an and Sunnah, which is absolutely clear,

You never know, there may not be another,
So make the most of this blessed month,
Keep all your fasts, read Qur'an and encourage your fellow brother,
Spend time with family, especially suhoor and iftaar,
Capture these precious moments,
As many people would want to be where you are,
Don't complain about the things that you may not have,
But be thankful to Allah for what you have,
Eat as much as to fulfill your hunger but don't overload and be too greedy,
Instead go out there and give to the needy,
This Holy month is one of the most important pillars of Islam,
Stay strong during this time and remain calm.
Steer yourself away from temptations or going astray,
Stand strong in your faith, praying Salaat five times a day,
At times you may find it hard, but the struggles you go through are all a test,
If you work to your peek to acquire what is best, Allah will make it
easier for you in this quest.
It's the time to ask for forgiveness and wash away your sins
Become like a new born baby and have a new life that begins
Outweigh your bad deeds with your good,
Make sure you take in knowledge from others and nothing is misunderstood,
During this time the gates of heavens are opened and the gates of
hellfire closed,
Don't delay brothers and sisters, take advantage before your sins are exposed,
Alhumdulilah, Masha'Allah, do everything in the name of your Lord,
Thinking of the Hereafter and your reward.

Reference: http://writers.oneummah.net/content/view/646/12/

The Likeness of Ramadan and Prophet Yusuf (PBUH)

“The month of Ramadan to the other months is like Yusuf to his brothers. So, just like Yusuf(PBUH) was the most beloved son to Ya’qub(PBUH), Ramadan is the most beloved month to Allah.

A nice point for the nation of Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) to ponder over is that if Yusuf had the mercy and compassion to say {“There is no reproach for you today…”} [Yusuf; 92], Ramadan is the month of mercy, blessing, goodness, salvation from the Fire, and Forgiveness from the King that exceeds that of all the other months and what can be gained from their days and nights.

Another nice point to think about is that Yusuf’s brothers came to rely on him to fix their mistakes after all those they had made. So, he met them with kindness and helped them out, and he fed them while they were hungry and allowed them to return, and he told his servants: “Carry their belongings with you so that they don’t lose them.” So, one person filled the gaps of eleven others, and the month of Ramadan is likewise one month that fills the gaps of our actions over the other eleven months. Imagine the gaps and shortcoming and deficiency we have in obeying Allah!

We hope that in Ramadan, we are able to make up for our shortcomings in the other months, to rectify our mistakes, and to cap it off with happiness and firmness on the Rope of the Forgiving King.

Another point is that Ya’qub had eleven sons who were living with him and whose actions he would see at all times, and his eyesight did not return because of any of their clothing. Instead, it returned due to Yusuf’s shirt. His eyesight came back strong, and he himself became strong after he was weak, and seeing after he was blind. Likewise, if the sinner smells the scents of Ramadan, sits with those who remind him of Allah, recites the Qur’an, befriends on the condition of Islam and faith, and avoids backbiting and vain talk, he will (by Allah’s Will) become forgiven after he was a sinner, he will become close after he was far, he will be able to see with his heart after it was blind, his presence will be met with happiness after it was met with repulsion, he will be met with mercy after he was met with disdain, he will be provided for without limit or effort on his part, he will be guided for his entire life, he will have his soul dragged out with ease and smoothness when he dies, he will be blessed with Forgiveness when he meets Allah, and he will be granted the best levels in the Gardens of Paradise.

So, by Allah, take advantage of this greatness during these few days and you will soon see abundant blessing, high levels of reward, and a very long period of rest and relaxation by the Will of Allah.

By Allah, this is the true relaxation…”

['Bustan al-Wa'idhin wa Riyad as-Sami'in'; p. 213-214]

Reference: http://iskandrani.wordpress.com/2008/08/25/the-likeness-of-ramadan-and-prophet-yusuf/

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PBUH - Peace and blessing of ALLAH be upon him

Prophet Ya’qub (PBUH), known in the Bible as Jacob

Prophet Yusuf (PBUH), known in the Bible as Joseph

Forgiveness in Islam

- by Dr. Shahid Athar

Allah (swt),who named Himself Ar-Rahman (The Beneficent) and Ar-Rahim (The Merciful) is also Al-Ghafoor (The Forgiving).  His Mercy overtakes His punishment and anger.  He is more merciful to His creations than a mother can be to her infants.

He created "man with weakness"; thus He knows and we should know that "to err is human," and "no one is perfect."

Iblis (Satan), the cursed one, out of envy to Adam, has promised to himself "to attack children of Adam on their way to their journey toward God, so that those who fall prey to his attack will also have the same fate as himself (I'll take you down with me!).  So he says, "I'll attack men from the front, behind and sides."  (7:17)  This means he will disguise himself as our friend, as our opponent, and side distractions of the world.  He will then make us do wrong by presenting evil as good (poison candy in a nice wrapper), making us angry, jealous, envious, just "follow-the-leader" type, and we wrong ourselves and fall prey to his temptation. 

Iblis and his followers have a feast of joy and laugh at man's foolishness, until the man realizes his mistakes, repents and asks for forgiveness and he is forgiven, and then Iblis cries again.

Giving up Hope of the Mercy of Allah is a Crime in Itself

"Say:  'O my Servants who have transgressed against their souls!  Despair not of the Mercy of God:  for God forgives all sins (except shirk):  for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.'"  (39:53)

"And it is He who accepts repentance from His servants and pardons the evil deed and knows what you do."  (42:25)

In order for forgiveness to be accepted, these conditions should be met:  (1) The crime is committed out of ignorance, not with the intention that, "Let us go ahead and commit this crime as Allah is forgiving, so He will forgive us."; (2) quickly turn into shame and repentance after committing a crime out of ignorance; (3) After asking for forgiveness, make a promise or pledge to "mend his ways", and to stick to his promise.  Let us examine verses of Quran.

"...if any of you did evil in ignorance, and thereafter repented and amended (your conduct), lo! Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."  (6:54)

"Forgiveness is only incumbent on Allah towards those who do evil out of ignorance and then turn quickly (in repentance) to Allah.  Toward them will Allah turn in mercy; for Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom."  (4:17)

"Forgiveness is not for those who do ill until death faces one of them, who then says, 'Lo!  I repent now, nor for those who die as disbelievers, for such was have prepared a painful doom.'"  (4:18)

IS ANY CRIME OR TOO MANY CRIMES TOO BIG TO BE FORGIVEN?

Let us examine two Hadith.

1)  Hadith Qudsi:

Allah, the Almighty, has said:  O Son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind.  O Son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you.  O Son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins as great as the earth, and were you then to face Me ascribing no partners to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as it.

2) Prophet (SW) has said:

 A certain person had committed 99 murders.  He went to a scholar and asked, is there any chance of my being forgiven?  The scholar said no, you have committed too many    crimes.  The man killed the scholar too, but his heart was restless, so he went to another scholar and asked the same question.  He was told yes, but you must leave this town of bad people and go live in the next town in the company of good people. 

 

So the man set out to the town he was told to go to.  On the way he died.  A man passing by saw two angels arguing over his dead body.  The Angel from Hell said, 'His body belongs to me as he had not done any good in his life.'  The Angel from Heaven said, 'His body belongs to me as he had repented and was set out to be with good people.'  The man who was the passer-by said, 'Let us measure the distance of his body from the town he left and the town he was going to.'

This was done.  He was found to be nearer to the town he was going to.  In another version, the earth was ordered by Allah to shrink and make the distance smaller, so that he was admitted to Heaven.

How does Allah forgive us?

When we commit a sin, four (4) witnesses are established against us.

a)         The place we did the crime (i.e., scene of the murder).

"On that day, the earth will reveal all its secrets."  (99:4)

b)         The organ we used to commit the crime. 

"When their ears, their eyes, their skin will testify against them."  (41:21)

"That day we seal up mouths, and hands speak out and feet bear witness to all that they did."  (36:65)

c)         The Angels who record the deeds (Kiraman Katebeen).

"The honored writers know what you do."  (82:11)

d)         "We record that which they send before them, and their footprints,

and all things we have kept in a clear register."  (36:12)

         Now, with four such strong witnesses, how can we present ourselves to Allah?  So He (the Al-Wakeel--the Defender), like a smart lawyer, removes all the witnesses against those whose repentance has been accepted, so that we present ourselves with a clean record.  Case dissolved due to lack of witnesses.

        Hadith is like this.  "When Allah accepts repentance and forgives His servant, then recording angels erase their records, organs lose their memories, and earth removes its stains of evidence so that when that person appears before Allah, there is no one to be a witness against him.  Subhan Allah.

How to Ask for Forgiveness

When Adam and Eve realized they had done wrong but did not know how to ask for forgiveness:

Then learnt Adam from his Lord words of forgiveness, and his Lord  turned toward him, for He is Oft-Forgiving and Most Merciful.  (2:37)

What were those words taught to Adam?

They said, "Our Lord, we have wronged our souls and if you forgive us not, and bestow not upon us your mercy, we shall be losers.  (7:23)

How did the Prophet Muhammad (AS) teach Aisha (RA) to ask for forgiveness in Ramadan?

O my Lord, forgive me, because you love to forgive, thus forgive me, O you Merciful!

Remember, asking for forgiveness is not just for our sins, but also for our needs as well.

And I have said!  Seek forgiveness from your Lord.  Lo!  He is oft-forgiving (if you ask for forgiveness).  He will give you plenty of rain, He will give you wealth and sons, and assign you Heaven and Rivers in the Heaven.  (Surah Nuh:10-12)

Thus after repenting and asking for forgiveness, we must mend our ways and not go back to Kufr and fall prey to the tactics of Satan (Iblis) again.  While we expect Allah to be kind and merciful and forgive our major and minor sins, we are unforgiving towards our fellow human beings!

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(Published in the journal "SUFISM" official publication of the International Association of Sufism (www.ias.org) May 2002. Dr Athar's email sathar3624@aol.com and web page www.islam-usa.com)

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