The last ten days of Ramadhan
Mohammed Khaku (Allentown, USA) is the past president of Al Ahad Islamic Center in Allentown. He is a Social and criminal justice writer and regularly writes for a number of international publications
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amadan is a month of reflection and spiritual renewal for Muslims all around the world. As the month draws to a close, it is important to pay heed to last ten days and nights which hold even more significance.
And we are not sure if we will have another opportunity to visit the month of God (Allah) next year. May the Lord (Allah) give us a long life with good health. Ameen!
The last ten days of Ramadan are very special days in the life of every Muslim. They are the most blessed days in the blessed month of Ramadan.
During this time, Muslims are encouraged to intensify their worship, increase their charity, and seek forgiveness for their sins
There is one evening that is particularly meaningful, and that evening is Laylat-al-Qadar known as the Night of Power and is the Islamic calendar’s Holiest eve.
During this night, Angel Jibril revealed the Holy Qur’an’s first verses to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This night falls within Ramadan’s final 10 days. It is commonly thought to be on 23rd or 27th night
“We have indeed revealed this in the ‘Night of Power’. And what will explain to you what the night of power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. – Surah Al-Qadr
In these last ten days we also commemorate the martyrdom most important figures in Islamic history, Imam Ali. Imam Ali’s death was a great calamity for the Muslim Ummah.
Imam Ali was struck with a sword to the head on the 19th night of Ramadan during the morning prayers by a man known as ibn Muljim.
The sword was laced with poison and penetrated Ali’s entire body. He passed away two days later on the 21st of Ramadan and is buried in Najaf, Iraq.
It has been over 50 years that the community of Al Ahad has been in the Lehigh Valley. I have seen many of my good friends, and brothers who I had pleasure of working with have passed away.
We are all waiting with a boarding pass in the departure lounge to meet our lord. Hence with the death of my beloved Br. Abbas Issa I pin this blog.
Our deepest sympathy to honored family of Dr. Aejaaz Issa and pray for the all departed souls buried at Bagh e Mustafa (Greenwood Cemetery)
What is death:
Mankind has viewed death as something horrific and frightening, but from Islamic point of view, death is a reality of life and Muslims acknowledge death in a positive light.
Imam Ali “If a person ponders upon his death and demise, then he certainly will detach himself from The cravings of this world…every Breath man is a step towards his demise… Hasten towards your good deeds and fear from your eventually coming Death.”
Death is a type of metamorphosis where the soul (rooh) is separated from the body like the movement from one dwelling to another (Sharhus-sudoor).
Mankind has viewed death as something horrific and frightening, but from the Islamic point of view, death is a reality of life and Muslims acknowledge death in a positive light.
Muslims believe that death is a departure or transitional point, from where we leave this worldly life and enter a lasting world.
Death, and life after death, is a great mystery and unknown to most people, but for Muslims death is divinely willed and when it arrives it should be readily accepted.
One thing that we must remember is that death is inevitable and can be neither delayed nor advanced. The time of death is predetermined for everyone.
Death can be excruciating, painful and at times intolerable, yet death is filled with hope and mercy. It is God alone who determines and knows the time and manner of each person’s death.
Muslims believe that death is a departure or transitional point, from where we leave this worldly life and enter a lasting world.
According to Holy Scriptures and the narrations, God has delegated oversight of individual deaths to an angel named Izra’il.
“It is Izra’il, the angel of death, who separates all loved ones. Who separates man and woman, husband, and wife. Who separates daughters from mothers. Who separates sons from fathers … [and] brother from his brother by the command of God.”
God says in the Holy Quran: “To Allah (Almighty God) we belong, and to Him is our return.” (2:156)
Imam Ali says: “If man will see how speedily his death is coming toward him, he will abhor ambitions and will give up admiring the world.”
It is of utmost importance that man should hold death dear and consider it an opportunity of meeting with his Almighty Lord.
Imam Hussein in his last sermon said, “Death adorns life just as a necklace adorns a beautiful woman.”
Kassim, the son of Imam Hassan, when asked by his uncle Imam Hussein concerning death at the battle of Karbala, he answered: “Uncle, death to me is sweeter than honey.”
And during imprisonment, Imam Ali An-Naqi had a grave dug up and ready. When asked why, the Imam explained, “In order to remember my end I keep the grave before my eyes.”
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