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~Zaria~
09-01-2012, 09:14 PM
'Death' of Your Soul

The quest for wealth









“But seek with that (wealth) which Allah has bestowed on you, the home of the Hereafter, and forget not your portion of lawful enjoyment in this world; and do good as Allah has been good to you, and seek not mischief in the land. Verily Allah likes not the Mufsidun (criminal, sinful, oppressors, corrupters etc.)” (Al Qasas: 77)



Muhammad (SAW) sent his trusted Sahabi, Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah (RA) to Bahrain. When the people of Madinah heard that Abu Ubaydah (RA) was returning with enormous wealth, they flocked to the Masjid for the Fajr Salaah. Rasulullah (SAW) went to the Masjid, prayed then left. People then gathered around him. He smiled when he saw them and said: “No doubt you have heard that Abu Ubayadh is returning with something from Bahrain!”



“Yes Messenger of Allah,” they said.

“Be of good cheer. Set your hopes on what will bring you happiness. It is not poverty that I fear for you, but I fear that you will become engrossed with the world as those before you were and you will pursue it as they pursued it and it will destroy you as it destroyed them.”



While we are not prevented but rather encouraged to earn a living, Allah Most Wise has already determined our share when we were in the wombs of our mothers. For some, the portion has been lessened whilst for others it has been enlarged. What is required from us who have an increase is a balance by which to spend our days. In doing so, some serious questions arise which we must reflect upon:


1. Do we exert all our efforts in the accumulation of wealth due to our fear of poverty; or do we strike a balance seeking from Allah the good in this world and good in the Hereafter?


2. Are we concerned about the plight of millions of Muslims facing starvation and famine on our very doorstep and worldwide? Honourable Muslims who have to resort to begging in order to feed their families?


3. Does the current onslaught by the Kuffaar (disbelievers) on Muslims and its horrific consequences concern us or do we choose to be indifferent and overly humble to the oppressors for fear of this oppression and poverty being experienced by us?


4. Have we been so heavily sedated by capitalism that events around the world have not stirred us from our sleep except to occasionally mention it around our supper tables, or to watch these events on TV in the comfort of our homes?


5. Have we forgotten the advice of Rasulullah (SAW) that time spent on earth is like resting for a short period under a shady tree, whilst on a long journey?



The kuffaar have simply shifted their efforts from colonising land to enslaving the mind - the handiwork of Iblees. The question we should be asking ourselves is not whether we’ve been enslaved but rather to what extent we have allowed ourselves to become enslaved!



Upon reflection of how time is spent, we will be shocked at the levels of enslavement to amassing wealth! Merely slaves of money, we partake in major sins to satisfy our desires, to the extent that we justify Riba (usury) in purchasing a house or a car.



Some Muslims frequent “work functions” wherein there is alcohol consumption; some leave off the Hijab to get a particular job or to be accepted in particular circles; while there are those who leave Salaah for a later time or even entirely! These actions indicate an utter disregard for the Deen (religion) and a grave disrespect for Allah Most Great, Lord of all things.



“Wretched is the worshipper of the Dirham, wretched is the worshipper of the Dinaar...” (Bukhari)



O servant of Allah! Your life and wealth is required for servitude to Allah as opposed to servitude to other than Allah (wealth, status, man or any other desire).

The craving for wealth destroys your Deen and Hereafter and reduces any Taqwaa (fear of Allah) that you may have had to a minimal level, if anything at all. Ask yourself if you really want Jannah and whether you are truly working for it?



O Muslims!
Follow and obey Allah and His Messenger (SAW) only!
Do not divert from that path for the way to Jannah is as clear as the day is from the night - so too is the way to Jahannum!



The choice is yours…

Strive with all that you have (wealth, time and sweat) to please Allah above anything or anyone else! Strive to be a true and sincere believer and servant of Allah! Be certain that Allah will recompense you for all that you did, be it good or bad!


Is your love for money coming at the expense of your love for Allah?

Are you ready to answer Allah’s question to you: “Where did you get money from and how did you spend it?”

Do you not desire the forgiveness of Allah? Save yourself from the wrath of Allah and use your life and wealth wisely!!


http://www.radioislam.org.za/a/index...1752&Itemid=47
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Scimitar
09-02-2012, 02:56 AM
A soul, doesn't actually die sis.
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~Zaria~
09-02-2012, 08:55 AM
format_quote Originally Posted by Scimitar
A soul, doesn't actually die sis.
Assalamu-alaikum,

The author is using a figure of speech

The soul does not die - the life of the soul is eternal.

But chasing after this dunya - by means of chasing after wealth and material goods - is destroying ('death of') the life of your soul - which is the Aakhirah.

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Scimitar
09-02-2012, 11:29 AM
NO sis, that is a dead heart. Not a dead soul. Figure of speech should not have been used in this sense because it is misleading and sponsors similar beliefs to pagans and those of other faiths.

Distinctions should be made.

Scimi
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~Zaria~
09-02-2012, 11:48 AM
format_quote Originally Posted by Scimitar
NO sis, that is a dead heart. Not a dead soul. Figure of speech should not have been used in this sense because it is misleading and sponsors similar beliefs to pagans and those of other faiths.

Distinctions should be made.

Scimi
A dead heart - is one that remains blind to Allah (subhanawataála) and His rasul (sallahu alaihi wasalam).

If you read the article, there is no confusion as to what the author is trying to convey.

The message is completely sound.

If you chose to disagree, that is fine.
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Scimitar
09-02-2012, 01:10 PM
I choose to disagree on that point.

You see, one who chases the world and its fancies, is someone who is away from the akhirah - therefore has a dead heart - not a dead soul. As you said:

format_quote Originally Posted by ~Zaria~
A dead heart - is one that remains blind to Allah (subhanawataála) and His rasul (sallahu alaihi wasalam).
This is what I agree with, as it supports what I am saying.

Like I said sis, a distincition should have been made. It is misleading - and can confuse some minds.

For the record, I always read posts before I reply to them.

About the soul, Ghazali wrote that the soul is the king of the body and its different organs are its servants to carry out its orders and commands. Ghazali’s idea of Islamic soul means, it (the soul) is the nerve centre or the control center of a human body. Contrast this to the modern medical evidence that our brain is the commander of our central nervous system. Ghazali (ibid) writes further that a man acquires the knowledge of Allah and His attributes by no other organs than the soul.Ghazali even discovered different parts of an Islamic soul. These are:

Qalb: it has two meanings. The first part is a piece of flesh in the left breast called heart, which is hollow in interior, filled up with black blood and which is a source of Ruh or life. The second meaning of Qalb is that soul is immaterial aspect of formless. Ghazali considers this part of Qalb (or soul) is just like unseen electricity.

format_quote Originally Posted by ~Zaria~
A dead heart - is one that remains blind to Allah (subhanawataála) and His rasul (sallahu alaihi wasalam).

Ruh: it is a material thing within the heart, which vibrates the whole body like the current of electricity wind, which runs through the veins of the body. It is called life. It has the power of touch, hearing, sight, smell and the power of the other limbs of the body. Sourcing Qur’anic verse 17:85 Ghazali writes that Ruh is acommand from Allah.

Nafs: it is the passion part of a soul. It involves greed, evil, and other attributes.

Aql: the first meaning of Aql is the intellect by which the true natures of material objects are known. The second meaning of Aql is the power to understand esoteric phenomena. Ghazali (p.3.15) classifies the souls in four categories. These are:

The soul of a Muslim

The soul of an unbeliever (non-Muslim)

The soul of a hypocrite

The soul of a mixed person (that is, between a Muslim and a hypocrite) He even writes that the greatest desire for the soul is its meeting with Allah, and that there are heavy souls and there are light souls. Good habits create light souls, which show many wonderful things. The heavy souls are the souls of non-Muslims. It is perplexing, no doubt. Ghazali certainly adds more to it (the Qur'an).

It is quite fascinating that Allah says in verse 39:42 He takes the souls at death and at sleep. According to Islam, sleep is a kind of death, and while in sleep, some souls are taken to Allah. If the person is destined to die then Allah keeps the soul, otherwise He sends the soul back to the sleeping person.

In verse 32:11 Allah says an angel takes the soul. It is more interesting to read verse 75:30. In this verse, Allah says that everything will be driven to Him. Ibn Kathir writes that, after due examination, when Allah is satisfied that it is not the time of death, Allah says to the couriers of the victim’s soul, "Return my servant to the earth, for verily, I have created them from it, I return them into it, and from it I will bring them out at another time.” According to Ghazali, during death, the soul separates from the body. After burial, the body of a man is returned to his soul, so that he may taste the punishment. Ghazali (p.1.256) says further that when a man sleeps with ablution, his soul is hung upwith the Throne and his dream becomes true. If he sleeps without ablution, his soul cannot reach there and he cannot see dreams, which are true.

We already read that in verse 79:1 Allah swears by the angels who tear out by force the souls of sinners (unbelievers). It is certainly a very painful way to extricate the soul of an unbeliever. In contrast, in connection with verse 10:64, here is what ibn Kathir writes about the comfortable manner in which the angels remove the soul of a Muslim: When death approaches a believer, angels, with white faces and white clothes,come to him and say: "O good soul! Come out to comfort and provision and aLord who is not angry.'' The soul then comes out of his mouth like a drop of water pouring out of a water skin. In verse 79:2 Allah confirms that the angels draw out gently souls of the believers. According to Ghazali if sins are committed one after another, the soul becomes dark and that is the seal on the soul. Ghazali also writes that Muhammad said, “The soul of a believer is bright and there is a bright lamp in it. The soul of an unbeliever is black and blind.” A strange property of an Islamic soul is that a Muslim’s soul has the sweetest fragrance, whereas the soul of a non-Muslim has the stench of a corpse.

Sunaan Nasai (2.1836) writes that during a Muslim’s death, his soul comes out with the sweetest smell. During an infidel’s death, the angels punish him; his soul comes out with the most unpleasant stench of a corpse. This hadeeth is repeated in many other hadeeth books. Here are a few samples:

Sahih Muslim (40.6867) writes that two angels take the soul of dead person into the sky, to Allah; if the soul is a believer’s then it has a beautiful fragrance; if the soul is of a non- believer then it has a foul smell.

Sunaan Tirmidhi (511) writes that a believer’s soul has the fragrance of musk; an unbeliever’s soul has foul stench. Further, Tirmidhi (510) records that a good soul will be taken to Allah to reside in paradise; a bad soul will be grieved in boiling liquid and then returned to the grave of the deceased. Here are a few more interesting features of Islamic souls:

When the soul is taken away the sight follows it. So close the eyes of a dead person… (Sahih Muslim, 4.2003, 2005)

The eye-sight of a person follows his soul…( Sunaan ibn Majah, 2.1454, 1455)

A defaulter’s soul is suspended until he clears the loan…3.2423)

If you did not clear your debt your soul will be held back until you clear the debt… (Sunaan Tirmidhi, 301)

A believer's soul is attached to his debt till it is paid… (Sunaan Tirmidhi, 871)

Human soul has power of sight as that of external eyes… (Ghazali, p.3.21)

From the back of Adam, Allah created all the souls who are to be born…(Sunaan Tirmidhi, 37)

Prophet Muhammad pbuh said that Allah is in the soul of a believer… (Ghazali, p.3.19)

A soul is a container of knowledge. It is like a mirror (Ghazali, p.3.15)

The soul is eternal, and therefore accountable. It does not die, it was alive before you were born in this world, and will still be alive when your body dies in this world. The dead cannot see, but they can hear – because the soul does not die, and when the soul is returned to the body, it recognises that it only has a limited function – to taste the reward or punishment in the grave. And when you are raised again, on Yawm al Qiyamah, you will be raised whole – your body and soul.

Once again, the soul does not die. Even in hellfire, the soul remains alive even though the body will die many deaths.

Scimi
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~Zaria~
09-02-2012, 03:09 PM
Akhee, as I have mentioned, 'Death' of the soul is used metaphorically as in:

format_quote Originally Posted by ~Zaria~

But chasing after this dunya - by means of chasing after wealth and material goods - is destroying ('death of') the life of your soul - which is the Aakhirah.

In other words - by our actions in this dunya, we are ruining/ taking away from/ negating/ destroying - the ultimate life ---> that of the SOUL.

We will never have a chance to come back to this dunya to make amends or add to our scales of our good deeds.

Every sin and every chance of goodness that we could have carried out, but didnt - is a means of destroying our ultimate home in the aakhirah.
e.g. having wealth - but not making the effort to spend it on those who are less fortunate.

^ which is the actual theme of this article.

Unfortunately, the beneficial message of this article is being distracted from, because we chose to split hairs.

And Allah knows best.

:wa:
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CosmicPathos
09-02-2012, 03:33 PM
the life of soul is not eternal either. How can soul be eternal when only Allah is eternal? Souls were created.

Amassing of wealth is a very common humanly trait. It is not just Muslims, but also non-Muslims running after money.
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~Zaria~
09-02-2012, 03:45 PM
For those who may not understand the above metaphor and for the sake of avoiding confusion, I have inserted quotation marks to the original title.
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ardianto
09-02-2012, 03:46 PM
:sl:
format_quote Originally Posted by CosmicPathos
the life of soul is not eternal either.
Did you forget about "life after death"?
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Scimitar
09-02-2012, 04:05 PM
There are problems with metaphors - especially when plain language doesn't leave room for error. That was my point.

Scimi
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CosmicPathos
09-02-2012, 06:41 PM
format_quote Originally Posted by ardianto
:sl:

Did you forget about "life after death"?
Good point. Afterlife is eternal, but only after worldly phase.
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