By Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh)
After a Believer is buried, we should not have the opinion that he or she is suffering the ‘azaab’ (punishment) of ‘Qabr’[1], even if he or she was involved in sin. We should hold a good opinion of the dead.
Imam Abu Dawood (Rahmatullah ‘alaih) narrated that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said : “Make mention of the virtues of your dead, and refrain from (mentioning) their evils.”
It may well be that he (or she) has already secured Divine Forgiveness. We do not know which action of the deceased, during his lifetime, earned him the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala and gained him, najaat (salvation) and Jannah[2]. Moreover, the deceased has already traversed where we still have to journey. What do we know of the conditions to meet us at the time of death and after?
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said : ‘Forgiveness was granted to a prostitute. She came upon a dog at the mouth of a well, that was panting, and about to die of thirst. She took off her leather sock, tied it with her headscarf, and drew some water from the well for the dog. It was for this act of kindness that she was forgiven her sins.’
When Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) was asked, ‘Are we rewarded even for good we do to animals?’
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) replied : ‘Reward is given for good done to any living creature.’
Reading such incidents does not mean that we just look for some thirsty dog, give it some water and then be confident of our forgiveness. Every Hadeeth Shareef must be understood in its proper context and perspective.
…Does a person steal a day before the President’s birthday because he heard that the president of the country gives amnesty and releases many prisoners on his birthday?
Even though Allah Ta’ala’s Mercy and Forgiveness searches for opportunities, do not be fooled and misled by shaytaan to commit sins based on this fact.
Whilst there is no doubt that Allah Ta’ala is Most Forgiving and Most Merciful, Allah Ta’ala also punishes those who are persistent in sins and negligent in obedience.
Allah Ta’ala states in the Qur`aan Shareef :
‘…But verily your Lord is full of forgiveness for mankind for their wrong-doing. And verily your Lord is (also) strict in punishment.’
[Surah Ra’d 13 : 6]
[1] Qabr : literally means, grave. (Also refers to that period after death till the Day of Resurrection.)
[2] Jannah : Paradise
