format_quote Originally Posted by
aghajan
There’s a lot of rituals, and superficial adherence but little actual practice. We pray , and fast etc.. but get very little or any from it.
The prophet :saws: said ''اللهم من أحييته منا فأحيه على الإسلام، ومن أمته منا فأمته على الإيمان.'' Oh Allah, he whom you make alive make him alive on Islam and he whom you've caused to die, let him him die on faith.
Why is that? What is the difference? One is Islam and the other is Iman (faith) so why did the prophet :saws: make a distinction between our life and death?
If we ask what Islam is? It is the declaration of Shahada, it is alms giving, it is fast, it is prayer, it is pilgrimage, all are ritualistic. Islam is Rituals it is Ritualistic!
so when we're alive we are alive on these rituals - that is what validates your islamicness!
Now in death we ask, what is Iman?
Iman in Allah (which is in the heart) and his angels again in the heart, his messengers and the day of judgement it is all in the heart.
When we die, our deeds are cut off!!!
No more rituals and all that remains is what's in the heart!
which is also why :Allah::swt: stated in the noble book:
Sahih International
The Day when there will not benefit [anyone] wealth or children
26:89 to top
Sahih International
But only one who comes to Allah with a sound heart."
So even in loving your brothers and sisters :Allah: :swt: set as a measure of how sound your heart is and we're given an example in this story:
Acts of love for one another
Abu Hurairah (RA) reported: The Prophet (SAW) said, "A man set out to visit a brother (in Faith) in another town and Allah sent an angel on his way. When the man met the angel, the latter asked him, "Where do you intend to go?'' He said, "I intend to visit my brother in this town". The angel said, "Have you done any favour to him?'' He said, "No, I have no desire except to visit him because I love him for the sake of Allah, the Exalted, and Glorious.'' Thereupon the angel said, "I am a messenger to you from Allah (to inform you) that Allah loves you as you love him (for His sake)". [Muslim]
and as the other hadith states:
قراءة : 14630 | طباعة : 639 | إرسال لصديق : 7 | عدد المقيمين : 27 عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال : قال رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - : ( إن الله يقول يوم القيامة : أين المتحابون بجلالي ؟ اليوم أظلهم في ظلي يوم لا ظلَّ إلا ظلِّي ) رواه مسلم ،وأخرج الترمذي عن معاذ بن جبل رضي الله عنه قال : سمعت رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - يقول : قال الله عز وجل : ( المتحابون في جلالي لهم منابر من نور يغبطهم النبيون والشهداء ) .
:Allah: :swt: will ask of those who love in his name and will shade them on the day of recompense.
this also applies in terms of making du3a for Muslim brothers and sisters both in rewards and in compensation of the exact same...
So to get back to your original statement. Rituals are indeed important that is what defines us as Muslims, and practicing one with high fidelity will lead to the purifcation of the heart and that is indeed what remains of us in our graves.