The Islamic Bulletin Volume XX No. 25 Page 7 Allah says: “Innalilahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon” To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return.” (Quran Surat Al Baqarah 2:156) “Every soul shall have a taste of death, then to us you will be ultimately returned.” (Quran Surat Al Ankaboot 29:57) We say this statement, “Innalilahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon” “To Allah We Belong and To Him We Will Return” when someone dies, when we lose something, or suffer a setback or harm. But………..do you know what it really means? In a nutshell it means that whatever we have is not really ours. It belongs to Allah. Take a look around you; everything you see, all that you have and all that there is….in you, on you, around you….belongs to Allah alone. It is Allah who has given you all the property and goods you possess, the cars that you own, the house that you live in, the kids that He blessed you with, the health that He gave you, the time that He has allowed you to live on this earth are all Allah’s property. Even the bodies we live in and the life that we have belongs to Allah alone. He is the true Owner of them all. “And to Allah belongs the inheritance of the heavens and the earth…..” (Surah Aal-Imraan: 3:180) “The kingdom of the heavens and the earth and everything in them belongs to Allah. He has power over all things.” ( Surat al-Ma’ida: 5:120) Now, since everything belongs to Allah, then we have to include even our souls in that list. The very souls that we think of as our “self”; our “nafs”; our “being” — whatever you want to call it — that very thing that distinguishes you from the rest of the world, belongs to Allah. And this is the essence of the concept of submission to Allah in Islam. Since He is the true Possessor of everything, and everything is His property, He allots what He wills to whomever He wills…….and then He takes it away. Just like a friend who lends you his book. And then after a few days, he wants it back and you give it back to him…no regrets…..no sorrow….no questions asked. After all, it was Allah’s to begin with. So He may give you something and then take it back after a while. He will bless you with a precious child that you love dearly…and then He may take it away. He will grant you money, honor and status….and then He may take it away. He may give you youth, vitality and health and then surely He will take it away. Remember….man enters into this world empty handed… and leaves it empty handed. Each day that passes, each day we breathe, each day we go about our lives, and it is but a day closer to our end, closer to our return to our Creator. In many cultures Death is something you don’t talk about. In fact if you visit most cemeteries, they are so beautiful with grass and decorations that they deviate you from the reality of the occasion. In this issue of the Islamic Bulletin we describe how to pray Salat al Janaza on page 11 and 12. And while you are standing praying for that deceased person, remember that the day will come when you will be laying down helpless while others pray for you. Have you thought about your death? When your time is up and you can do nothing more than what you had done? Every time you hear of someone dying, know that your turn is getting nearer and one day it’ll be your turn. Think really hard when you are praying and ask for forgiveness. I look at the whole thing as a reminder. Death is a fact that is hard to comprehend because we think it is not for us. Some people think they will go to Allah when they are older. But how can we be so sure that we will even live an additional day? The Prophet Muhammad (S) used to remember his death every day many timesAfter death has come - those who did wrong in this life, will surely wish they could come back to this life and to have another chance to do good, and by this time, it will be too late. Now is the time to change our lifestyle and obey Allah. Before it’s too late, let us be one of those who will be under the shade of Allah. “INNALILAHI WA INNA ILAYHI RAJIOON” Ask and He Gives I asked for Strength........ And Allah gave me Difficulties to make me strong. I asked for Wisdom........ And Allah gave me Problems to solve. I asked for Prosperity....... And Allah gave me Brain and Strength to work. I asked for Courage..... And Allah gave me Danger to overcome. I asked for Love....... And Allah gave me Troubled people to help. I asked for Favors....... And Allah gave me Opportunities. I received nothing I wanted I received everything I needed Allah answers my prayers.
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