Keeping Sins a Secret.

From among the teachings of Allah's Messenger (salallahu alayhi wa-sallam) is to keep sins a secret matter. If someone commits a sinful act which is against the Commandments of Allah, or is against the moral character, or is such an act that may cause harm to one's honor, then he should keep it a secret and seek forgiveness from Allah in the darkness of night. The Messenger of Allah (salallahu alayhi wa-sallam) said: 'My entire nation is safe, except al-Mujahirin (those who boast of their sins). Among the Mujaharah is that a man commits an (evil) act, and wakes up in the morning while Allah has kept his (sin) a secret, he says: 'O Fulan! Last night I did this and that.' He goes to sleep while Allah has kept his (sin) a secret but he wakes up in the morning and uncovers what Allah has kept a secret!' [Sahih al-Bukhari]

Zayd ibn Aslam narrated, 'At the time of the Messenger of Allah (alallahu alayhi wa-sallam), a man admitted that he had committed zina (fornication), so the Messenger of Allah asked for a whip. He was brought a broken whip, so he said: 'Better than this.' Then he was brought a new whip…, he then said: 'Lesser than this.' So, he was brought a whip that was used and had thus become soft, and the Messenger (salallahu alayhi wa-sallam) ordered that he be whipped with it (a hundred times). He then said: 'O People! It is time for you to refrain from transgressing Allah's limits. He who commits some of these filthy acts (such as fornication), let him hide under Allah's cover, for whoever admits what he has committed, we will establish Allah's Book as regards him (by applying the warranted punishment for this sin).' [Musnad Ahmad]

Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud (radhiallaahu anhu) related, 'A man came to the Prophet and said: 'O Messenger of Allah! I have mingled with a woman in the far side of al-Medina, and I fulfilled my desire short of actually having sexual intercourse with her. So, here am I, judge me according to what you decide.' Umar Ibn al-Khattab (radhiallaahu anhu) then said: 'Allah had kept your secret, why did not you keep your secret?' [Sharah Muslim]

Similarly, if one becomes aware of somebody else's sin, he should keep it a secret. Allah's Messenger (alallahu alayhi wa-sallam) said: 'He, who relieves a hardship of this Dunya (world) for a believer, Allah will relieve (from him) a hardship of the Day of Resurrection; he who makes easy an indebted person, Allah will make it easy for him in the Dunya and the Hereafter; he who covers a Muslim (meaning his mistakes and shortcomings), Allah will cover him in the Dunya and the Hereafter…' [Sahih Muslim]

Abdullah Ibn Umar (radhiallaahu anhu) related, 'The Messenger of Allah (salallahu alaihe wa-sallam) once rose above the podium and then said with a loud voice, 'O those who have embraced Islam only with their tongue, while Iman has not yet entered their hearts, neither harm Muslims, nor mock them, nor try to expose their mistakes, for he who follows (searches for) the errors of his brother, Allah will follow his errors, and he whom Allah follows his errors, He will expose him even if he was in the middle of his home.' [Sahih al-Jamee]

Imam an-Nawawi (rahimahullah) writes, 'This Hadeeth indicates that following and then exposing people's mistakes only occurs by the hypocrites and those whose Iman is so weak, that it did not yet fill their hearts…'

Exposing sins lead to humiliation and embarrassment, which ceases the possibility that the sinner might someday regret his mistake, seek forgiveness from Allah and purify his soul from sins because one of the things that prevent one from committing sins is the fear of humiliation. However, if the sinner knows that the people are already aware of his sins, then he does not experience the shame and distraction which he used to feel before and this might encourage him to commit sins openly!

Secondly, when sins are repeatedly mentioned in gatherings, etc. the fear of committing sins vanishes from the people's hearts. First the sin will become easy on people's tongue and gradually he, who does not feel any shame in mentioning the sin, will not find it difficult to even commit the sin. This is how, sins spread in the society!

So, if someone becomes aware of his brother's sins and realizes that nobody except him has seen him committing the sin, then he should keep the sin a secret. He should not encourage people towards sins by exposing his faults. Allah, the Exalted, has not only condemned committing sins in the Qur'aan but He has also condemned those people who mention sins in public. He said: 'Verily, Those who love (to see) scandal published broadcast among the Believers, will have a grievous Penalty in this life and in the Hereafter: Allah knows and ye know not. ' [An Nur: 19] meaning, those who like to see evil talk about them (the believers) appear. [Tafsir Ibn Kathir]

Allah says in Surah an-Nisa (4): 148, 'Allah does not like that evil should be uttered in public except by him who has been wronged.'

Ibn Abbas (radhiallaahu anhu) commented on this verse, 'Allah does not like that anyone should invoke Him against anyone else, unless one was wronged. In this case, Allah allows one to invoke Him against whoever wronged him…Yet, it is better for one if he observes patience.'[Tafsir Ibn Kathir]

Today sins have become widespread in the society because we have forgotten the teachings of Allah's Messenger (salallahu alayhi wa-sallam), who discouraged people from revealing one's mistakes and sins as well as others. As a result, people have lost the fear of committing not only minor sins but even major sins - Moreover, we find people proudly attributing sins to themselves!!

Today, there are also many novel channels through which sins are propagated in the society; like such book, magazines and television programs that mention the crimes of others, illicit acts, and immorality under the name of creating awareness among the people. These programs which are meant to help the people against the crimes are in reality, helping the crime to spread fast in the society! Crimes, which were previously unknown to people have become common offense! It is therefore necessary for the Muslims to avoid all such avenues which may lead to the destruction of our Muslim Ummah.

May Allaah forgive us of our sins. Jazakumullaahu khair.

Pick your teeth!

It's one of the greatest sins and yet it's something we do day after day. Sometimes we don't even realise it. You're just chatting away with your friends and you begin to talk about somebody else. Our whole lives are based around 'Home and Away' and 'Neighbors', based on lying, backbiting and cheating.

But look at what the Prophet (SAW) said about it: The Prophet (SAW) was sitting with his companions one day and one of them was speaking badly about someone who wasn't there. As the man got up to leave the Prophet (SAW) said to him: "Pick your teeth!" "But I haven't eaten anything", the man protested. "No", the Prophet (SAW) said, "You have eaten the flesh of your dead brother!"

As Allah tells us in the Qur'an: "Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? No, you would hate it." (Qur'an Surah Al-Hujuraat 49:12).

But what if it's true?

The Prophet told us, "Backbiting is to say something about someone they wouldn't like said about them ... If what bad you said about them is true, then you have backbitten and if it is false then you have slandered them!" (HR Muslim).

If you're still not convinced of how big sin backbiting really is, then look at the punishment Allah has in store for the backbiters. The Prophet described: "On the night of Miraaj (the Prophet's ascension to heaven), I passed by some people who had metal hooks in their hands and were clawing at their faces and their necks with them. I asked Jibraeel 'Who were these people?' He said 'These are the people who eat the flesh of human beings and disgrace them' " (HR Abu Dawud).

This is how big a sin as backbiting is looked upon and yet we continue to backbite without a second thought, next time you lie, talk about somebody, remember Allah and the Prophet and put them in front of you before you speak. Just having a laugh! May be we think it's all right to take the mick out of someone so long as we say it to their face. We'll make fun of the way someone talks, walks, or how they look. Allah warns us against such behavior: "O you who believe, let not some men laugh at others, it may be that they are better than you. Nor let some women laugh at others it may be that they are better than you. Nor abuse each other, nor be sarcastic to each other by using offensive nicknames..." (Qur'an Surah Al-Hujuraat 49:11)

Don't forget that Allah made us the way we are, so how can you even think of making fun of his creation? Cool to swear?

Listen to yourself and to your friends speaking one day - nearly every sentence will have a swear word in it, thinking it's cool and macho to swear, copying the idols of TV and the cinema. Is it really 'cool' to swear? The Hellfire is far from being cool. People will wish they were cool then rather than being cool in this world. Remember! That every time you speak, an angel writes down what you say, and that one day you will have to answer for every single word you ever uttered. So if you swear at someone then it's written down as a sin against you. You're only harming yourself.

The Prophet said that "Abusing a Muslim is a sin and fighting with him is disbelief" (HR Muslim).

But sometimes you just have to swear! We've all been there - you're just so angry with somebody and the only way you can express yourself, is to swear at them. The solution? Don't get angry in the first place. A man came to the Prophet one day and said, "Advise me". The Prophet said, "Don't become angry. Don't become angry. Don't become angry... when one of you gets angry while he is standing up, he should sit down. Then anger will leave him, and if not then he should lie down" (HR Ahmad).

So let us follow this beautiful advice of the Prophet and remember that anger is from syaitaan. If someone angers you or swears at you then don't harm yourself by doing the same, but respond in a better way as Allah says in the Qur'an "Repel evil with what is better. Then he who was your worst enemy will become your best friend." (Qur'an Surah Fussilat 41:34)

"It wasn't me who said it!" How often do we say such a phrase or say that "I was only joking". We treat lies as being trivial. However we are told that Allah's messenger did not hate anything more than lying [HR Ahmed]. The Prophet was once asked "Can a Muslim be a coward?" He replied "Yes". He was then asked "Can a Muslim be a miser?" and the reply was "Yes". The Prophet was again asked "Can a Muslim be a liar?" The Prophet replied "No! A Muslim can never be a liar". Furthermore, he said "Truth leads to virtue and virtue leads to paradise... Lying leads to wickedness and wickedness leads to the hellfire." (HR Bukhari).

As we know that one lie leads to another ten lies which leads to bad actions. Remember you can lie and think that you have got away with it, but on the day of Judgement your hands, tongue and feet will bear testimony against you and tell the truth.But it's only words! One day, one of the Companions asked the Prophet : "O Messenger of Allah, will we be called to account for what we say?" He replied: People will be thrown, faces down into the hellfire, only on account to what their tongues said!" (HR Tirmidhi).

Indeed the tongue controls the rest of your body. A well controlled tongue will keep us within Islam but a loose tongue will destroy us. Instead of swearing, lying and engaging in useless talk, we can use our tongues in better ways and what better than telling people about Islam. Allah says: "Who is better in speech than one who calls (people) to Allah and works righteousness and says I am one of those who bow down in Islam" (Qur'an Surah Fussilat 41:33).

Your tongue can save you!Indeed if you control your tongue and speak good then paradise can be yours. The Prophet said: "Whoever can guarantee me two things I can guarantee them Paradise". The companions asked "What, O Messenger of Allah?" He replied: "What is between his jaws (his tongue) and his legs (private parts)" (HR Bukhari).

"I must be doomed! I have lied, backbitten people, and swear all the time. I must be going to hell!" No! Allah (SWT) tells us in the Qur'an: "O my servants who have wronged themselves, never despair of the mercy of Allah - for truly He forgives all sins. He is the Forgiving, the Merciful." (Qur'an Surah Az-Zumar 39:53). So if you really repent and turn back to Allah and promise not to commit the sin again then truly Allah's promise is true and He will forgive you. If you've backbitten someone - go and tell the person whom you backbitten and apologize sincerely and ask them to forgive you. But if you think that the situation will get worse then turn back to Allah sincerely begging for his forgiveness then to make up for what you said, go around and talk good of him.

The best example as we know that the best person to have ever lived is the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and he is the best of example for mankind. If we follow him we can never go wrong. Final word of advice; beautiful saying of the Prophet that will ensure the protection of our tongue. The Messenger of Allah said: "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last day, LET HIM EITHER SPEAK GOOD OR KEEP SILENT!"

may we all  be in the goodness and mercy of Allah. Jazakallahu Khairan!

All this while I've been wondering whether ghosts were really dead souls who came back to resolve their unfinished issues, or so I thought. hmmm.. maybe I've been watching too much TV. Anyways enjoy this one..

A POPULAR THEME OF MANY HORROR AND THRILLER NOVELS, MOVIES AND TELEVISION PROGRAMS CENTERS AROUND THE FALSE BELIEF THAT WHEN SOMEONE IS KILLED UNJUSTLY, HIS SOUL RETURNS IN ORDER TO SEEK JUSTICE, OR IT KEEPS WANDERING UNTIL JUSTICE IS DONE TO IT. REPEATED EXPOSURE TO THIS FALSE CONCEPT FROM EVERY FORM OF MEDIA HAS LEAD MANY TO UNKNOWINGLY BELIEVE IN IT...

Whilst some take this concept very seriously, and make use of un-Islamic measures, like the hanging of amulets and pagan rituals to protect themselves from the revengeful soul, others simply consider these issues to be unimportant and do not bother to seek knowledge about it.

But the fact remains, that not only do many people fear the souls, but entire religions are focused around ancestor and soul worship. Large amount of wealth is spent on making offerings to the souls and many rituals and festivals are held in this regard, for example, many people believe that the deceased visit this world on the 15th of Syaaban  also known in our country as nisfu syaaban (amalan bid'ah ni) and they call it 'Eid of the Dead.' Some even go to the extreme of preparing the foods that the deceased liked!

It is therefore essential that the Muslims be informed about the gravity of this call and be educated about the correct Islamic Aqidah (belief). This article is specifically aimed to expose the falsity of these beliefs and bring to the reader authentic proofs from the Qur'aan and the Sunnah, which undoubtedly reject the soul's return. We hope that this article will dispel doubts and confusion around the subject. And with Allah lies all success.

Islamic Concept of the Soul:

Soul is from the matters of the unseen and nothing can be said in its explanation without established proofs from the Book and the Sunnah. The knowledge required for our welfare in this world and the Hereafter has been conveyed to us by the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam), and there is no need to seek any goodness beyond that. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: "There is nothing that will take you closer to Paradise but that I have enjoined it upon you, and there is nothing that will take you closer to Hell but that I have warned you from it." [Musnad ash-Shafi'e and others]

The Jews asked Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) about the soul and in reply the Qur'aan said: "They ask you concerning the soul. Say that the soul is from Allah and you have not been given knowledge of it except a little." [Surah al-Isra' (17): 85]

The Soul is a creation of Allah, whose function is to bring life to the human body. It remains with the human body throughout the life and departs at death. After which the souls are either held in Paradise or punishment. There is no returning back of the souls of the righteous people from Paradise, and no escaping of the souls of evildoers from the punishment of the grave. Therefore, pious or evil, the souls do not return to this world, neither to take revenge nor to assist the living. Neither is there any concept in Islam, which explains that justice is dependant upon the soul's coming back and setting things aright. Islam teaches that Allah is responsible to see that every being gets its due right and injustice does not go unpunished.

Journey of the Soul after Death

Death

Death occurs when the soul separates from the human body and enters the realm of 'Barzakh', which is the period between one's death and the Hereafter.

Appearing of the Angels

(a) The Believing Soul: Angels with faces shining bright like the sun descend from the Heavens, carrying a shroud and fragrance of Paradise and sit away from him as far as the eye can see. The Angel of Death then approaches and says: "O good soul, come out to Allah's forgiveness and pleasure." The soul then comes out as gently as a drop from a water-skin, and he seizes it. Within the blinking of an eye, the other Angels take the soul and put it in the shroud and fragrance. There will then come from the soul, a fragrance like that of the sweetest musk found on the face of Earth.

(b) The Disbelieving Soul: Angels with black faces come down to him from the Heaven with hair-cloth and sit away from him as far as an eye can see. The Angel of death comes to him and says: "O wicked soul, come out to the displeasure from Allah. The soul becomes scattered in the body, and the Angel of Death draws it out as violently as a spit is drawn out from moistened wool. He then seizes it, and when he does so, the other Angels do not leave the disbelieving soul in his hand for an instant, but put it in that hair-cloth and from it comes forth a smell like the most offensive corpse found on the Earth.

Ascending to the Heaven

(a) The Believing Soul: The Angels ascend the believing soul to the Seventh Heaven and every group of Angels they pass asks: "Who is this good soul?" to which they reply: "So and so, the son of so and so." using his best names by which people called him on the Earth. Then the believing soul is presented before Allah. Allah, the Great and Glorious, says: "Record the Book of My servant in the Illiyyoon and take him back to Earth, for I created mankind from it, and I shall return them to it, from it I shall bring them forth again."

(b) The Disbelieving Soul: The Angels take the disbelieving soul up to the Heaven and do not bring it pass a company of Angels without their saying: "Who is this wicked soul?" to which they reply: "So and so, the son of so and so." Using the worst names that he was called in the world. When he is brought to the lowest Heaven, request is made for the gate to be opened for him, but it is not opened for him. Allah, who is most Great and Glorious, then says: "Record his Book in Sijjin (the lowest place) and his soul is thrown down to Earth."

Questioning in the Grave

(a) The Believing Soul: The Soul is temporary restored in the body. Two Angels come to it and ask: "Who is your Lord?" He replies: "My Lord is Allah." They ask: "What is your religion?" He replies: "My religion is Islam." They ask: "Who is this man who was sent among you?" and He will reply: " He is the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam)." They ask: "What was the source of your knowledge?" He replies: "I have read Allah's Book, believed in it and declared it to be true." Then one cry is heard from the Heaven: "My servant has spoken the truth..."

(b) The Disbelieving Soul: Angels approach the disbelieving soul for questioning, but he can barely answer their questions by saying: 'Alas! I do not know…'

The Abode and Companion

(a) The Believing Soul: Some of the joys of Paradise and its fragrance come to him and his grave is made spacious for him as far as an eye can see. A man with a beautiful face, beautiful garments and sweet odor comes to the righteous slave and says: "Rejoice in what pleases you, for this is your day which you have been promised." He asks: "Who are you?" He replies: "I am your good deeds." He then says: "My Lord, bring the Last Hour; my Lord bring the Last Hour, so I may return to my people and my property."

(b) The Disbelieving Soul: Some of the Hell's heat and hot air comes to him, his grave is made narrow for him such that his ribs interpenetrate into each other. A man with an ugly face, ugly garments and an offensive odor comes to him and says: "Be grieved with what displeases you, for this is your day which you have been promised." He asks: "Who are you? For your face is most ugly and brings evil." He replies: "I am your wicked deeds." He then says: "My Lord, do not bring the Last Hour."

From the above we know how the soul is taken out of the human body upon death and presented before Allah. If the soul is righteous, it enjoys the bounties of Allah and if it is wicked, it suffers the torment of the grave, which is very severe and none can escape its anguish and suffering. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: "This Ummah will be tried in its grave. If it were not for the fear that you might not bury your dead, I would pray to Allah to make you hear what I hear." [Sahih Muslim]

Uthman Ibn Affan (radhiallahu anhu) used to cry until he wet his beard, if he was to stand on a grave. He was told: 'You mention the Heaven and the Hell-Fire and you don't cry, but when you mention the grave, you burst in tears!' He said: 'I heard the Prophet of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) saying: "The grave is the first stage of the Hereafter, whoever passes it will be at ease afterwards, and if he does not succeed in it, he will be in worst of conditions." I also heard him saying: "Never have I seen a sight more horrifying than that of grave."

To the living, the grave is simply an empty, dark hole in the ground, but to the dead it is a window into either Paradise or Hell, where he faces the realities of the Hereafter all by himself. The grave is a place of solitude, and there is no greater isolation than this! What can be a bigger isolation for someone, than being separated from parents, family, and relatives? One leaves back all his possession and wealth and is put in the grave, under gravel and sand? Nothing accompanies the dead in his grave except his deeds, Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: "Three things follow a dead man, two of which will return and one will remain with him. His people, his property and his deeds follow him but his people and property return, while his deeds remain with him." [Sahih al-Bukhari (8/ 521)]

At this time, if one's deeds are good and righteous, they become for him a good company. Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: "(After the questioning) a man with a beautiful face, beautiful garments and sweet odor comes to the righteous slave and says: "Rejoice in what pleases you, for this is your day which you have been promised." He asks: "Who are you? For your face is perfectly beautiful and brings good." He replies: "I am your good deeds." He then says: "My Lord, bring the Last Hour; my Lord bring the Last Hour, so I may return to my people and my property." Regarding the evildoer, he (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: "… a man with an ugly face, ugly garments and an offensive odor comes to him and says: "Be grieved with what displeases you, for this is your day which you have been promised." He asks: "Who are you? For your face is most ugly and brings evil." He replies: "I am your wicked deeds." He then says: "My Lord, do not bring the Last Hour." [Sahih al-Jami as-Sageer, 1/1676]

All this and the Hereafter has still not commenced for us. So, let this be a reminder for all to prepare for death by doing good deeds in accordance to the Qur'aan and the Sunnah, even if it means to give a trifle in charity. Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: "Protect yourself from the Hellfire, even by a part of a date (that is given in charity)." [Sahih al-Bukhari]

After clarifying the good and evil in this world, Allah, the Exalted, has given every man a free will to choose between them. It is up to the individual, whether he takes enough good deeds to accompany him in his grave, or he chooses to carry the burden of evil deeds. This choice of evil and good is only valid as long as one is alive. As death approaches, all deeds come to an end and the person becomes weak and helpless; so helpless that after death he is in need of the living to give him ghusl, shroud him, place him in his grave and make Du'aa for his forgiveness. Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: "When the coffin is ready (for its burial) and people lift it on their shoulders, then if the deceased is a righteous person he says, 'Take me ahead,' if he is not a righteous one, then he says, 'Woe to it (me)! Where are you taking it (me)!' And his voice is audible to everything except human beings; if they heard it they would fall down unconscious." [Bukhari (2/ 462)]

After knowing the realities of death, how helpless and weak man becomes after death, and how he faces the realities of the Hereafter and witnesses the great Power of Allah… Can a Muslim, who believes that Allah alone has the Power to benefit and harm, accept that a dead man's soul can come back to this world and help the living? Or after witnessing the Power of Allah the dead would dare to scare the living, harm them, possess them or demand offerings from them, etc…etc…?

Barzakh forbids any Return

Allah and His Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) have clearly defined to us journey of the soul after death and the abode of both, the disbelieving souls and the righteous souls. This period between the death and the Hereafter is known as 'Barzakh'. Linguistically, 'Barzakh' means a veil, barrier or partition between two things.

Ibn Abbas (radhiallahu anhu) defines Barzakh as a Hijab (a partition of veil). Al-Qurtubi, in his exposition states: 'The Barzakh is a barrier between two things. It is the stage between this world and the other world - from the time of death until the time Resurrection. Thus, whoever dies enters the Barzakh"

[See al-Qurtubi's Tafseer, vol.12, p.150] Once the soul enters the realm of Barzakh, there is no return for it back into the world as is clearly known from the Qur'aan and the Hadith of Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam).

Allah says regarding the evil soul: "…when death comes to one of them (who joins partners with Allah), he says: "O My Lord! Send me back to life. In order that I may do good deeds in the things that I neglected. By no means! It is but a word he says. And before him is a Barzakh until the day they are raised up." [Surah al-Mu'minuun (23): 99-100]

This verse reveals the condition of the disbeliever upon death; when he faces the realities of the Hereafter, he wishes to return back to the world and mend his mistakes, in order to avert the punishment. But he is plainly refused and confined in the grave and punished for his sinful actions because he has entered the Barzakh. It is impossible for him to escape the strong Guardian Angels of Allah and return back to this world.

The abode of the righteous soul is Paradise, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: "The soul of a believer is a bird eating from the trees of Paradise until Allah restores it to its body on the Day of Resurrection." [An-Nasa'ee, Ibn Majah and others. Authenticated by Shaikh al-Albanie; Sharh al-Aqidah at-Tahaawiyyah (p. 455, footnote: 1)]

It is unlikely that the righteous soul, who is surrounded by the bounties of Allah, would leave the blessings of Allah and come to the world.

Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: "No servant who has good in store for him with Allah and dies ever wants to return to the Earth - even if he were to have the whole world and everything that is in it - except for the martyr. That is due to what he sees in the nobility of martyrdom. Verily, he would like to return back to the Earth, in order to be martyred another time." [(Sahih) Sahih Sunan at-Tirmidzi (1341)]

But as the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) informed, even the martyr is refused the permission to return, he (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: "The souls of the martyrs live in the bodies of green birds who have their nests in chandeliers hung from the throne of the Almighty. They eat the fruits of Paradise wherever they like and then nestle in these chandeliers. Once, their Lord cast a glance at them and said: "Do you want anything?" They said: "What more can we desire? We eat the fruit of Paradise wherever we like." Their Lord asked them the same question thrice. When they saw that they would be continued to be asked and not left (without answering the question), they said: "O Lord, we wish that You may return our souls to our bodies so that we may be slain in Your cause once again. When He (Allah) saw that they had no need, they were left (to their joy in Heaven)." [Sahih Muslim (4651)]

These and many other proofs from the Qur'aan and the Sunnah deny the concept of the soul's return, and thus there remains no doubt that souls of the dead do not return back to the world.

Observed Phenomenon

If spirits do not return back to this world, then what is the explanation for the Observed Phenomenon, like the physical appearance of the dead, speaking of the souls through medium, and leaving messages for the living using Ouija boards? And how do these spirits answer every question correctly about the life and character of the dead?

Appearing of the Spirits: The alleged appearing of the spirits is an ancient claim. Many a time, it is fabrication simply through deception, trickery, and psychological influence. In other cases, it is done through the use of Jinn. Deception is an old and well-known trick that the Jinn use to mislead mankind; they play with the minds of humans in order to ruin their religion and cause them to commit Shirk. A clear understanding of the topic should help the Muslims not to be deceived by the spiritualists.

The spiritualists, who claim to have contacts with the spirits of the dead from an Islamic point of view, are in fact un-religious and liars. They make contacts with the Jinn through evil incantations and demonic rituals and perform extraordinary feats with ease through them. Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) said: "Many of those people (the so called spiritualists) write the Words of Allah in blood or other impure substances. They write or make other statements that are pleasing to Syaitaan." [See Majmoo al-Fatawa, v.19, p.35]

The Jinn (sing. Jinni): The Jinn are a living creation of Allah, created from smokeless flame of fire. They share the material world with the humans. Though they are invisible to us, they eat and drink with us, and also have the ability to inhabit the human body and influence our thoughts. They are stronger than humans and can take different forms and shapes. Amongst them are Muslims and Kafirs; the Kafir Jinn help their counterpart among the humans in evil acts.

When the spiritualist contacts a Jinni, the Jinni takes advantage of his ability to acquire different forms and adopts the appearance of the dead and pretends to be the returned souls. This is one of the ways by which the Syaitaan attempts to deceive humans and lead them astray. For example, on the Day of the Battle of Badar, a devil came to the polytheist of Quraysh in the shape of Suraqah bin Malik.

This incident is also related in the Qur'aan in Surah al-Anfal (8): 48: "(Remember) when the Syaitaan (evil Jinn are called Syaitaan meaning 'devils') made their (evil) deeds seem fair to them and said: 'No one of mankind can overcome you this Day (of the battle of Badar) and verily, I am your neighbor (for each and every help).' But when the two forces came in sight of each other, he ran away and said: 'Verily, I have nothing to do with you. Verily! I see what you see not. Verily, I fear Allah for Allah is severe in punishment."

Another incident is related in Sahih al-Bukharee; a Jinni came to Abu Hurayrah (radhiallahu anhu) several times, when he was in charge of the alms in Ramadan. Abu Hurayrah (radhiallahu anhu) narrates: "Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) ordered me to keep Sadaqah (al-Fitr) of Ramadan. A man came and started taking handfuls of the foodstuff (of the Sadaqah, stealthily). I took hold of him and said: "By Allah, I will take you to Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam)." He said: "I am needy and have many dependents, and I am in great need." I released him, and in the morning Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) asked me: "What did your prisoner do yesterday?" I said: "O Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam)! The person complained of being needy and of having many dependents, so, I pitied him and let him go." Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: "Indeed, he told you a lie and he will come again." Then the visitor came again and the same episode repeated twice, after which Allah's Messenger asked: "O Abu Hurayrah! … Do you know whom you were talking to, these three nights?" Abu Hurayrah said: "No!" He (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: "It was Syaitaan." [Saheeh al-Bukharee 3/ 505]

Similarly, the Syaitaan makes use of this extraordinary ability of taking the appearance of the dead people, and performs supernatural feats at graves and tombs. People witness these unusual events and increase in the veneration of the dead. Eventually, these unusual events cause people to have faith and hope in the powers of the dead and they call upon the engraved to fulfill their needs instead of Allah and thus commit Shirk...and this is exactly what the Syaitaan (Kafir Jinn) intends.

Shaikhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) said: "To take the graves as idols is the first step towards polytheism; it is why some visitors to graves hear the voices near the graves, see certain visions before them, witness strange forces in operation which are taken for a miracle of some righteous deceased people whereas sometimes they are the Jinn and the Syaitaan. For instance, they observe a grave being cleft and the deceased comes out of it, talks with people and embraces them. Such a thing you will witness near the graves of the Divine Apostles and other people, whereas in reality it is Syaitaan. Indeed, the Syaitaan assumes the form of a human being and says: 'I am so and so Prophet.' 'I am so and so Shaikh'; and he tells a lie… The ignorant person believes that the one who came out of the grave, who caressed him or conversed with him, was the inmate of the grave, or was a righteous person or a Divine person. In contrast to it, a perfect believer knows without any shadow of doubt that he is Syaitaan." [Kitab al-Wasilah (English Translation) pp. 42]

The Qareen: Every human has been assigned a Jinni to be his constant companion. He is called 'Qareen' and he encourages evil desires.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) once told his companions: "Everyone of you has been assigned a companion from the Jinn." They asked: "Even you, O Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam)!" He replied: "Even me, except that Allah has helped me against him and he has submitted. Now he only tells me to do good." [Sahih Muslim]

It is this Qareen, who is responsible for knowing the character and deeds of the dead. For example, during séances (apparently) a Jinni often pretends to contact the dead and allows them to speak to the living. In fact, the Jinn had contacted the Qareen of the dead. The Qareen, who was a constant companion of the dead person and knew his entire life history, will be able to mimic the voice of the deceased and answer any questions accurately (about the dead person's life), thus fooling those present into believing that they are in the presence of spirits.

In Conclusion, souls of the dead cannot and do not come back to earth, they cannot appear to or converse with the living inhabitants of the Earth. Causing people to believe in the return of the souls is one of the means adopted by Syaitaan to misguide mankind. By pretending to be returned souls of the dead along with the performance of extraordinary feats, they deceive people into believing in the powers of the dead. This has become a religious science of its own having no basis in the Qur'aan or the Sunnah. Ultimately, it leads to the worship of the souls of the dead and in reality worship of the Syaitaan himself. [See Majmoo al-Fatawa v.1/p.359-61]

But those who are not believers will not escape such trials and tests, for ahead of them lies a severe punishment as Allah says: "Or think those who do evil deeds that they can outstrip (escape) Us? Evil is that which they judge!" [Surah al-Ankabuut (29): 4]

"Allah will not leave the believers in the state in which you are now, until He distinguished the wicked from the good." [Surah ali-Imran (3): 179] Allah allows a calamity to happen, and during this calamity His friends become known and His enemies exposed, the patient believer recognized and the sinful hypocrite revealed. "Nor will Allah disclose to you the secrets of the Unseen." [Surah ali-Imran (3): 179] meaning you do not have access to Allah’s Knowledge of His creation so that you can distinguish between the believer and the hypocrite, except by signs that Allah uncovers.

Even Previous Nations were tried and tested with calamities and oppression from the Kuffur but the Final Victory is always for the believers

In an authentic Hadith, it is reported that Khabbab Ibn al-Aratt said: "We said: ’O Rasulullah! Why do you not invoke Allah to support us? Why do you not supplicate to Allah for us?’ He said: "Among the people who came before you, there was a man who was taken and put into a hole dug for him in the earth, then a saw was put on his head and he was cut into two pieces, and an iron comb was used to tear the flesh from his bones, but this still did not turn him away from his religion." [Reported by al-Bukhari, see Fath al-Baaree, (12/315)]

He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) then said: "By Allah! This matter (religion) will spread (or expand) by Allah until the traveler leaves San’aa to Hadramat fearing nothing except Allah and the wolf that may attack his sheep." [See Fath al-Baree (7/165)]

Allah says: "Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said: ’When (will come) the help of Allah?’ Yes! Certainly, the help of Allah is near!" [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 214] Meaning that you will be tested like the nations before you were tested and tried with illness, pain, disasters and hardships so much that they pleaded (to Allah) for victory against the enemies and invoked Him for aid and deliverance from their hardships and trials.

Allah says in Surah ali-Imran, "Many similar ways (and mishaps of life) were faced [by nations (by believers and disbelievers) that have passed away] before you, so travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who denied. This is a plain statement for mankind, a guidance and instruction for the Muttaqun. So do not become weak, nor be sad, and you will be triumphant if you are indeed believers. If a wound has touched you, be sure a similar wound has touched the others. And so are the days, that We give to men by turns, that Allah may know (test) those who believe, and that He may take martyrs from among you. And Allah likes not the wrongdoers. And that Allah may test those who believe and destroy the disbelievers. Do you think that you will enter Paradise without Allah knowing those of you who fought (in His cause) and knowing those who are the patient?" [Surah ali-Imran (3): 142]

These verses were revealed after the defeat of Muslims in the battle of Uhud. Allah states to His believing servants who suffered losses in the battle of Uhud that similar mishaps were faced by the previous nations who followed Prophet, they too suffered losses. However, the good end was theirs and ultimate defeat was for the disbelievers. This is why Allah said: "so travel through the earth and see what was the end of those who denied. This is a plain statement for mankind." The Qur’aan contains the news of past, it explains the true reality of things and narrates how the previous nations suffered at the hands of their enemies.

Then Allah comforts the believers saying, "So do not become weak," because of what you suffered for surely the ultimate victory and triumph will be yours, O believers. If you suffered injuries and some of you were killed, then your enemies also suffered injuries and fatalities.

And at times, out of His Wisdom, Allah allows the enemy to overcome you, although the final good end will be for the believers so that those who are patient and those who gladly offer their lives seeking Allah’s Pleasure may be known. Allah’s statement, "and destroy the disbelievers" testifies that the disbelievers who transgress and commit aggression will be led to ultimate destruction, extermination, perishing and dying out.

Then Allah says, "Do you think that you will enter Paradise without Allah knowing those of you who fought (in His cause) and knowing those who are the patient?" meaning you will not earn Paradise until you are tested with such hardships.

When the Emperor of Rome asked Abu Sufyan, "Did you fight him (Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi was-sallam)?" He said: "Yes" Heracles said: "What was the outcome of the warfare between you?" Abu Sufyan replied: "Sometimes we lose and sometimes he loses." He said: "Such is the case with Prophets, they are tested, but the final victory is theirs." [Fath al-Baree (9: 25)]

See how Allah consolidates His Prophet during his (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) trials, when the Quraysh disbelieved in his Message, mocked and gathered together against him. Allah explained: "And how many a Prophet have We sent among the men of old. And never came there a Prophet to them but they used to mock at him. Then We destroyed men stronger (in power) than these and the example of the ancient has passed away." [Surah az-Zukhruf (43): 6-8] meaning ’We destroyed those who disbelieved in the Messengers, and they were stronger in power than those who disbelieve in you, O Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam). And We made them a lesson for those disbelievers who came after them, that they would suffer the same end as them, as also in the verse, "And We made them a precedent, and an example to later generations." [Surah az-Zukhruf (43): 56]

Allah also explained in Surah Ghaafir (also known as Surah al-Mu’min )that it is His Sunnah to humiliate and destroy the disbelievers at the hands of believers, even if the disbelievers were more in number and strength and the believers only a handful. "Have they not traveled through the earth and seen what was the end of those before them? They were more in number than them and mightier in strength and in the traces in the land; yet all they used to earn availed them not. Then when their Messengers came to them with clear proofs, they were glad (and proud) with that which they had of the knowledge (of worldly things). And that at which they used to mock, surrounded them. So when they saw Our punishment, they said: ’We believe in Allah and reject (all) that we used to associate with Him as (His) partners.’ Then their faith could not avail them when they saw Our punishment. (Like) This has been the way of Allah in dealing with His servants. And there the disbelievers lost utterly." [Surah Ghaafir  (40): 82-85]

A good example can be given of Musa (alaihi as-salaam) and his enemy; Fir’aun, who had much more strength and men than Musa (alaihi as-salaam). But Allah destroyed his army and drowned them all, and Fir’aun said as he was drowning, "I believe that none has the right to be worshiped but He Whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am one of the Muslims." [Surah an-Anfaal (10): 90] but Allah said: "Now (you believe) while you refused to believe before, and you were one of the corrupters." [Surah an-Anfaal (10): 91]

Thus, "That was the way of Allah in the case of those who passed away of old, and you will not find any change in the way of Allah." [Surah Ahzaab (33): 62] Therefore, the believers are required to trust Allah and His Promise that He will surely humiliate and destroy the disbelievers who commit oppression against the believers. But until then, the believers should persevere with patience in their trials because victory will only come after succeeding in these trials.

The Sahabah (radhi allahu anhum) were severely tortured by the disbelievers. They were forced to migrate leaving behind their family members and relatives and all their wealth and belongings. But they persisted in their Faith bore the oppression of the Kuffar in Makkah for ten years and then the hardships of migration to al-Madinah, after which, Allah compensated them with the better in this world; He made them victorious, gave them power throughout the land and caused them to rule over the people who had forced them to migrate - they became governors and rulers, and each of them became a leader of the pious.

Allah tells us that His reward for the Muhajirin (migrants) in the Hereafter is greater than which He gave them in this world. He said: "and as for those who emigrated for the Cause of Allah, after suffering oppression, We will certainly give them goodly residence in this world, but indeed the reward of the Hereafter will be greater, if they but knew! (They are) those who remained patient (in this world for Allah’s sake) and put their trust in their Lord" [Surah an-Nahl (16): 41-42]

Conclusion: Every person who claims to be a true Muslim will be tested and tried by Allah. These trials can be in the form of starvation, famine or oppression from the disbelievers. When these trials take place, the believer is expected to succeed in these tests by practicing Sabar (patience), Tawakkal (trust in Allah that He will help him and support the religion) and with Istiqamah (steadfastness) on his Deen because Allah does not grant Paradise or victory without Sabar, Tawakkal and Istiqamah on the part of the believers.

One should also not deem that those who do not accept Islam will be saved from all afflictions and calamities because the respite given to them in this world will lead them to an eternal destruction in Hell-Fire! Whereas the believers who are tested with calamities that are very insignificant compared to the punishment of the Hereafter will be granted eternal pleasure in Paradise where there will be no trace of any hardship or suffering.

I think everyone has heard of the phrase ’life isn’t fair’. Well we’ve heard that said time and again, and I know most of us have even uttered it ourselves. Truthfully speaking, I was that person too (when I was young and ignorant back then). But as I got older, and to a certain extent: wiser! it actually got me thinking on the whole fairness issue. And the more I dug into it, the more I disagree with the whole notion.

Here’s what I have to say. everyone has their own agendas, whether they realise it or not that’s beside the point. And as far as being impartial, I think anyone who thinks that life’s not fair per se; are the ones who are selfish and ignorant themselves. Because (to say the least), if that was ever the case: in actuality life isn’t fair to everyone equally. Am I right or am I right huh? But do you hear every single person on earth screaming it out loud? You tell me! For a fact, these claims are something that is said purely out of selfishness, ignorance and stupidity. The fact is, if you really know your whole purpose in life, and to a larger scale, the purpose of your creation. Then the whole issue wouldn’t even have risen up in the first place. That’s what I believe to be the case.

I know I’m being vague in giving a definitive answer or an explanation to what is actually is the purpose of my existence. That is something you’ll have to look for yourself. But in my humble opinion, if you have it in you, the will to find the answer to the purpose of your existence and creation. I’m sure you yourself would say that: life is fair in all fairness. The fact that you’re alive and breathing right now while reading this, says it all. And like I’ve said previously: everyone has his or her own agenda(s). Right? And when you add selfishness and ignorance into the mix, in regards to the whole issue: well…  you do the math. Lest you forget the reason you’re here in the first place, Life will forever be unfair to you.

So to anyone who believes that life has not been fair to you, the real truth is: you’re the ones who have not been fair to life itself. Ironic isn’t it..