💌 When we discover news that a Muslim has died, while that person has done or said some things in the past which a number of individuals may regard as disagreeable, as Muslims our initial reaction should be to say "Inna Lillaahi wa innaa Ilaihi raaji'oon" (we belong to Allah the Almighty and to Him Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala we shall return someday), instead of celebrating with "joy" and feeling relieved that they passed away. AstaghfurAllah Al-'Atheem.
"Alhamdulillah now that they're gone we can also rest in peace", "finally he's dead. He was a miserly guy anyway. Can't wait to marry husband number two", "life is so much easier without her. Just seeing her daily updates stresses me out with all the cringe", "you think his reckoning will be easy when he was clearly unfair with his four wives?" and "it's about time they left this world. At least I can stop worrying about how much money they still owe me." are offensive remarks which shouldn't come from any decent Muslim who is aware of the fact that Allah the All-Knowing will question us about what we chose to say and do. Negative thoughts or unpleasant memories we have concerning other Muslims must stay strictly confidential. Where a Muslim who has recently died may go to, whether Jannah/Paradise or Hell, is from the unseen matters which are known by Allah Only. A Muslim's death is an important reminder that we are next, that anytime and anyplace we must return to Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala. Thus we must try our best to prepare our meeting with Allah by doing as many good deeds as we can sincerely for His sake, saying the morning and evening Adhkaar, reciting Surah Al-Mulk before sleeping and in the daytime, and striving to treat our loved ones as though each moment could be the last time we may see them.
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📖 Shaddad Ibn Aws RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: The Prophet Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said to him, "The best way to seek forgiveness is that you say: 'O Allah, You are my Lord (Rabb). There is no God but You. You (Allah) created me and I am Your servant, I am committed to You (Allah) and Your promise, as much as I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil that I have done. I acknowledge Your favors upon me, and I acknowledge my sins, so please forgive me. Verily, no one forgives sins but You (Allah).'
The Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Whoever says this in the day with conviction (with firm belief in it) and dies before the evening, he will be among the people of Paradise. Whoever says this in the night with conviction and dies before the morning, he will be among the people of Paradise."
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 6306
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Bukhari
📖 'Adi Ibn Hatim RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Guard yourself from the Hellfire, even with half of a date in charity. If one cannot find it, then with a kind word."
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 6540
Sahih Muslim 1016
Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (Authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim
https://salaficentre.com/2020/03/22/1-sayyid-al-istighfaar-with-brief-commentary-by-imaam-abdul-azeez-bin-baaz/
https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2021/05/poem-seven-things-to-do-to-respect.html
https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2021/01/tips-good-deeds-that-benefit-dead-in.html
