When someone dies on the journey for Hajj or Umrah, relatives often ask whether the person was fortunate and what awaits them in the hereafter. In a piece published by Desh Rupantor, Asadullah Solaiman, khatib of Jamiun Nur Jame Masjid in South Gafargaon, Mymensingh, looks at the question in the light of the Quran and hadith.
He cites verse 100 of Surah An-Nisa, which says that whoever leaves home emigrating for Allah and His Messenger and dies on the way has his reward assured with Allah. The writer cautions that the verse was revealed about hijrah, emigration, and cannot be presented as direct proof that everyone who dies on Hajj or Umrah is assured of paradise. It does, however, teach setting out on a good deed for Allah's pleasure and hoping for His reward.
A hadith carries special good news for one who dies in ihram. In Sahih al-Bukhari (1265), Abdullah ibn Abbas (RA) relates that a man in ihram fell from his camel at Arafat and died. The Prophet (peace be upon him) told those present to wash him with water and lote-tree leaves, shroud him in his two ihram cloths and leave his head uncovered, and said Allah would raise him on the Day of Judgement reciting the talbiyah.
The writer notes that this hadith speaks specifically of one who dies in ihram, so no certain verdict can be given on everyone who dies while on Hajj or Umrah. Hajj is obligatory for a Muslim who is able, and jurists have discussed the rulings on Umrah at length; both aim at Allah's pleasure. He advises pilgrims to purify their intention, learn the rites, seek forgiveness and stay mindful of other people's rights before they travel.
No one knows when, where or in what state death will come, the khatib reminds readers, so a believer should stay firm in faith, keep the obligatory and sunnah acts of worship and honour the rights of others. For someone who dies on Hajj or Umrah, he says, people should hope for paradise, pray for forgiveness and stand by the grieving family.
Photo: Ali Mansuri / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.5)
Source: Desh Rupantor
Comments
(0)