Life of Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) in the grave, Presentation of deeds & Salutations
Sayyidina Anas (RA) narrated that the Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) said: The prophets (AS) are alive in their graves and they pray. [Baihaqi].
Life of Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam)in the grave & Salutations upon him
The worldly life of Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) has ended:
Allah (SWT) explicitly confirms that immortality was not granted to our beloved Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) and indeed that his worldly life willone day come to an end:
وَمَا جَعَلۡنَا لِبَشَرٍ۬ مِّن قَبۡلِكَ ٱلۡخُلۡدَۖ أَفَإِيْن مِّتَّ فَهُمُ ٱلۡخَـٰلِدُونَ
[21:34] We did not assign immortality to any human (even) before you. So, if you die, will they live for ever?
إِنَّكَ مَيِّتٌ۬ وَإِنَّہُم مَّيِّتُونَ
[39:30] Verily, you are to die and they are to die.
Life of Shuhada (Martyrs):
Allah (SWT) explicitly confirms the life of Shuhada (martyrs) in the Qur'aan:
وَلَا تَقُولُواْ لِمَن يُقۡتَلُ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أَمۡوَٲتُۢۚ بَلۡ أَحۡيَآءٌ۬ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا تَشۡعُرُونَ
[2:154] Do not say of those who are slain in the way of Allah that they are dead. Instead, they are alive, but you do not perceive.{jb_bluebox}
The prophets of Allah (SWT) are the best and the most noble of Allah (SWT)'s creation with our beloved Nabi (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) ranked the most high amongst them therefore since the Shuhada (martyrs) are alive we can state that the prophets of Allah (SWT) including the best amongst all of them Nabi (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) is also alive.
Bodies of Prophets (AS) don't decay:
The earth is forbidden from decomposing the bodies of the prophets of Allah (AS).
حَدَّثَنَا هَارُونُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ حَدَّثَنَا حُسَيْنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ بْنِ جَابِرٍ عَنْ أَبِي الْأَشْعَثِ الصَّنْعَانِيِّ عَنْ أَوْسِ بْنِ أَوْسٍ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِنَّ مِنْ أَفْضَلِ أَيَّامِكُمْ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ فِيهِ خُلِقَ آدَمُ وَفِيهِ قُبِضَ وَفِيهِ النَّفْخَةُ وَفِيهِ الصَّعْقَةُ فَأَكْثِرُوا عَلَيَّ مِنْ الصَّلَاةِ فِيهِ فَإِنَّ صَلَاتَكُمْ مَعْرُوضَةٌ عَلَيَّ قَالَ قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَكَيْفَ تُعْرَضُ صَلَاتُنَا عَلَيْكَ وَقَدْ أَرِمْتَ يَقُولُونَ بَلِيتَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ حَرَّمَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ أَجْسَادَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ
{jb_bluebox}Sayyidina Aws ibn Aws (RA) narrated that the Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) said: Among the most excellent of your days is Friday; on it Adam (AS) was created, on it he (AS) died, on it the last trumpet will be blown, and on it the shout will be made, so invoke more blessings on me that day, for your blessings will be submitted to me. The people asked: Apostle of Allah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam), how can it be that our blessings will be submitted to you while your body is decayed? He (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) replied: Allah, the Exalted, has prohibited the earth from consuming the bodies of Prophets. [Abi Dawud]{jb_bluebox}
Prophets are alive and they pray in their graves:
(حديث مرفوع) أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو سَعْدٍ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْخَلِيلِ الصُّوفِيُّ ، رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ ، قَالَ : أنبأ أَبُو أَحْمَدَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَدِيٍّ الْحَافِظُ , قَالَ : ثنا قُسْطَنْطِينُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الرُّومِيُّ , قَالَ : ثنا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَرَفَةَ , قَالَ : حَدَّثَنِي الْحَسَنُ بْنُ قُتَيْبَةَ الْمَدَائِنِيُّ , ثنا الْمُسْتَلِمُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ الثَّقَفِيُّ , عَنِ الْحَجَّاجِ بْنِ الأَسْوَدِ , عَنْ ثَابِتٍ الْبُنَانِيِّ , عَنْ أَنَسٍ , رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ ، قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : " الأَنْبِيَاءُ أَحْيَاءٌ فِي قُبُورِهِمْ يُصَلُّونَ " , هَذَا حَدِيثٌ يُعَدُّ فِي إِفْرَادِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ قُتَيْبَةَ الْمَدَائِنِيِّ ، وَقَدْ رُوِيَ عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ أَبِي بُكَيْرٍ ، عَنِ الْمُسْتَلِمِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ ، عَنِ الْحَجَّاجِ ، عَنْ ثَابِتٍ ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ .
{jb_bluebox}Sayyidina Anas (RA) narrated that the Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) said: The prophets (AS) are alive in their graves and they pray. [Baihaqi]{jb_bluebox}
Nature of life of Prophets & Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam):
Prophets of Allah (AS) and Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) are alive in their graves and possess the life of Barzakh but in reality we do not know the exact nature and reality of their lives.
Angels convey the Salutations to Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) from distance:
When Salautations and Salawaat are sent to the noble and beloved Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) from a distance then it is carried by specially appointed Angels and presented in his noble and auspicious presence.
(حديث مرفوع) وَفِي هَذَا الْمَعْنَى الْحَدِيثُ الَّذِي أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو الْقَاسِمِ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ الطَّهْمَانِيُّ ، ثنا أَبُو الْحَسَنِ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ الْكَارِزِيُّ ، ثنا عَلِيُّ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ , ثنا أَبُو نُعَيْمٍ , ثنا سُفْيَانُ , عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ السَّائِبِ , عَنْ زَاذَانَ , عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ , رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ ، قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : " إِنَّ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ مَلائِكَةً سَيَّاحِينَ فِي الأَرْضِ يُبَلِّغُونِي عَنْ أُمَّتِي السَّلامَ " .
{jb_bluebox}Sayyidina Abdullah Ibn Masood (RA) narrated that the Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) said: Indeed there are many Angels of Allah (SWT) who sojourn the Earth and bring the Salam of my Ummati to me.[Baihaqi]{jb_bluebox}
Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) personally hears Salutations from close:
((حديث مرفوع) أَخْبَرَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ بِشْرَانَ , أنبأ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ الرَّزَّازُ , ثنا عِيسَى بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الطَّيَالِسِيُّ , ثنا الْعَلاءُ بْنُ عَمْرٍو الْحَنَفِيُّ , ثنا أَبُو عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ , عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ , عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ , عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ , رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، قَالَ : " مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيَّ عِنْدَ قَبْرِي سَمِعْتُهُ ، وَمَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيَّ نَائِيًا مِنْهُ أُبْلِغْتُهُ " ، أَبُو عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ هَذَا هُوَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مَرْوَانَ السُّدِّيُّ فِيمَا أَرَى وَفِيهِ نَظَرٌ , وَقَدْ مَضَى مَا يُؤَكِّدُهُ . .
{jb_bluebox}Sayyidina Anas (RA) narrated that the Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) said:Whoever invokes blessings on me at my grave, I hear him, and whoever invokes blessings on me from afar, I am informed about it.[Baihaqi]{jb_bluebox}
This narration has been Authenticated by the famous Hadeeth Master Al-Hafidh Ibn Haj'r Al-Asqalani (RA):
بسند جيد بلفظ من صلى على عند قبري سمعته ومن صلى علي نائيا بلغته
Sahaba (RA) sending Salutations to Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam):
It has been an unbroken practise of the Muslims to send Salutations to not only Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) but also to Khalifatur-Rasool Sayyidina Abu-Bak'r As-Sideeq (RA) and also to Ameerul-Mumineen Sayyidina Umar (RA) in Madina and the practise of the Sahaba (RA) is confirmed by this Authentic Athar of Sayydina Abdullah Ibn Umar (RA).
فقد كان ابن عمر يقول : السلام عليك يا رسول الله ، السلام عليك يا أبا بكر ، السلام عليك يا أبتِ ، ثم ينصرف . صححه الحافظ ابن حجر
{jb_bluebox}Sayyidina Ibn ‘Umar (RA) used to say, “Al-salaamu ‘alayka ya Rasool-Allaah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam), al-salaam ‘alayka ya Aba Bakr (RA), al-salaamu ‘alayka ya abati (O my father) (RA),” then he would go away. This was classed as saheeh by al-Haafiz ibn Hajar.
There is no harm in saying the Salutations in the words of one's own choice.
Ahlus-Sunnah wal Jammah believe that Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) is alive in his grave!
Shaykh (Mufti) Ebrahim Desai (HA)
Question: Dear Mufti Could you give us proof from Quran and Sunnah what you have explain and you cliam that Ahlus sunnah Wal Jamaa beleive prophet Muhammed (saw) is alive in his grave. What really Ahlus sunnah Wal Jamaa believe in this matter is www.islam-qa.com; The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was a human being who suffered from sickness and real death the same as any other human being. Allaah said (interpretation of the meaning): "Verily, you (O Muhammad) will die, and verily, they (too) will die" [al-Zumar 39:30] "And We granted not to any human being immortality before you (O Muhammad); then if you die, would they live forever?" [al-Anbiyaa' 21:34] The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) died and was buried in his grave, hence al-Siddeeq Abu Bakr (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: "Whoever used to worship Muhammad, Muhammad has died, but whoever used to worship Allaah, Allaah is alive and will never die."?
In your question, you have quoted a few Aayats and the incident of Abu Bakr (Radhiallaahu Anhu). In actual fact, these have nothing to do with Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) being alive in his grave because the Aayat and the incident of Abu Bakr (Radhiallaahu Anhu) have to do with Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) passing away from this Dunyaa. This is an accepted fact. Everyone agrees that Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) passed away for this earthly life.
Everyone also agrees that Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) is alive in his grave but what has to be understood is how is Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) alive in his grave. If this is understood, I am sure that your objection will evaporate.
Firstly, it should be known that after the death of a person the life of Barzakh (interval between death and resurrection) takes place. In this regards, both the Muslim and the Kaafir are equal. This is the view of Ahlus sunnah wal Jamaa. This has been proven through many Ahaadith. To cite a few: When a person is placed in his grave and his companions depart from him, verily, he hears their footsteps, two angels come to him, they make him sit up, then they address him...' (Mishkaat pg.24; Qadeemi)
Once a Jewess came to Aaisha (Radhiallaahu Anha), she spoke about the punishment of the grave and then said, 'May Allah protect you from the punishment of grave.' Later, Hadhrat Aaisha (Radhiallaahu Anha) questioned Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) concerning the punishment of the grave. Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) replied, 'Yes, the punishment of the grave is Haqq...' (Mishkaat pg.25; Qadeemi)
These Ahaadith explicitly prove that after a person passes away, he enters into a different phase of living and this is the life of Barzakh. However, in regards to this life there are various levels. Allah Ta'ala says in regards to the Shuhadaa, 'And do not term those who have been killed in the path of Allah as dead. In fact, they are living but you perceive not.' (Baqarah 153). From here, it is even more evident that a person dying in the world does not affect his status of being alive in the life of Barzakh.
The question that now arises is, what is the meaning of them being alive? Mufti Shafi (RA) commentating on this verse in his Ma'ariful Qur'aan explains, 'It is well known that from the Islamic viewpoint, every dead person has a special type of life in Barzakh through which he experiences either punishment or enjoyment. However, there are different levels in this life. There is the level which is general for all, and there are special levels for the Ambiyaa, the martyrs and the pious. With regards to the reality of those levels, the best explanation is given by Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (RA) in his Bayaanul Qur'aan.
The difference between the life of a martyr and of a normal person is that the effects of life is stronger in a martyr. Its example is that of the difference of feeling between the fingertips and the heel of the foot. Life flows in both of them, but feeling and perception is much greater in the fingertips. In the same manner is the effect of life greater in the martyr to the extent it even affects the body of the Shaheed in that it stays fresh in the grave and does not decompose, as is substantiated in the Ahaadith and from eye-witness accounts. This effect of life is only in regards to Barzakh, therefore, in Dunya all the laws that apply to a dead person will also apply to the martyr, his inheritance will be divided and his wife will be able to marry another person. A similar type of life is granted to the Anbiyaa but the effect of their life is even stronger to the extent that together with their bodies being preserved, some effects of their lives in Barzak also become apparent in Dunyaa, hence, their inheritance is not divisible and neither can their wives remarry.
This is what we mean when we speak of Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) being alive in his grave. Now for some proofs:
1From Aayat2/253, it is proven that the martyrs are alive in their graves. Which this is established for the martyrs, then it is also established for the Anbiyaa, because;a ) This position has been bestowed on the martyrs as an honour for them. There is no doubt that there is no rank higher than the rank of the Anbiyaa and that the position of the Anbiyaa is higher and more perfect than the position of all the Shuhadaa. Therefore, it is impossible that this honour is given to the Shuhadaa and the Anbiyaa remained deprived of it, b) This position is granted to the Shuhadaa is a recompense for their Jihaad and for spending their lives in the way of Allah. Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) was the one who instituted this practice, who called them to this practice and guided them towards it. Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) has said, 'Whoever institutes a noble practice, for him is its reward and the reward of those who act on it until the day of Qiyaamah.'
2Anas ibn Maaliki (Radhiallaahu Anhu) narrates that Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'The Anbiyaa (Alayhis salaam) are living in their graves, they perform Salaat.' (Majmauz-zawaaid vol.8 pg.211)
3The lives of the Anbiyaa (Alayhis salaam) are also proven through the Ahaadith of Mi'raaj narrated by Bukhari and Muslim where it is mentioned that Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) led the Anbiyaa (Alayhis salaam) is Salaat and also his meeting them in Jannah.
4ibn Mas'ood (Radhiallaahu Anhu) narrates that Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'Verily, Allah has angels travelling through the earth, they bring to me the salaams of my Ummah.' (Targheeb wat Tarheeb vol.2 pg.498)
5Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'Whoever recites Salawaat upon me (in my presence, I hear it and whoever sends Salawaat to me and he is not by me, his Salawaat is brought to me.' (Nasaaie)
And Allah knows best
Wassalam
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In'aamiyyah
No comments:
Post a Comment