HereAfter Timeline Pt 2

Here’s a better (more visual) representation of ‘events that have taken place’ and events ‘to come’.

Note: This is just a brief overview there’s so many things happening in between.

HereAfter Timeline

A new Islamic Biweekly lecture series started at our University. Its about the HereAfter. I know very little about the incredible events that take place once someone passes away. I believe many of us are in the same boat. Therefore, I will share what I learn through postings on this site.

Islam is the only religion in the world that gives us the most vivid depiction of the events of the HereAfter. It is not just for a few muslims to know about and understand; it is like public information for all muslims and mankind. As muslims we should feel priviledged to have this information provided to us by Allah (swt) through the glorious Quran and the teachings of the Prophet (saws).

Last Wednesday was our first Lecture (aka. Halaqa).

Here’s a timeline of all the events that we will be covering in depth:

(Note: There are a lot of things that will happen inbetween. And the order of the events before, during, and after Judgment day are not linear. There is so much that will be going on in these stages that it is absolutely mind blowing!)

Soul (Created before we were born) –> Birth | LIFE –> Death –> Visiting the Grave –> Resurrection –> Judgment Day –> Coming of Allah (swt) and the Angels –> Intercession –> Books –> Scale –> Fountain –> The Bridge –> Final Destination (Heaven or Hell)

Halaqa 5-7-08: Reflecting upon Jannat (Paradise) and Our time spent on Earth

Joint Halaqa

May 7th, 2008

Speaker: Br. Tarif

Topic: Reflecting upon Jannat (Paradise) and Our time spent on Earth

(Final Halaqa of the Academic Semester: Spring 08 )

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Outline:

1. A Simple Activity

2. Jannat – the Final Destination

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“Life will consume you and bewilder you” – Br. Tarif

REFLECT: Why are we doing certain things in our lives today? What are we doing? What will make Life worthwhile?

1. A Simple Activity

ACTIVITY:

1. On the top half of a sheet of paper write down 5 things you want to accomplish in your life. And if you accomplish these you can honestly say that the time you had on earth was worthwhile.

2. Then on the bottom half of the paper write down the top 5 things that you are doing right now. What takes up the most time in your life.

3. Compare the top and bottom. Will what you are doing in your life now help you achieve the goals that you listed above?

2. Jannat

‘Our time here on earth is just a moment, our time in the hereafter is for eternity’

On the journey of Miraj our Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s) passed by Ibrahim (pbuh) leaning against the wall of Bayt-al-Ma’mur, directly above the Ka’baa.

For those who do righteous work, for them is the gardens of Jannat, a place one can decend upon for rest.

Rest – When do people rest? After they come from a long journey. One of the reasons why we have the Ka’baa and do pilgramage is to honor Ibrahim and his family’s journey here on earth.

There will always be someone circilng the Ka’baa until the end of time.

On our Prophet’s (pbuh) way back down he saw Angels building a house for someone. Then they stopped and our Prophet (pbuh) asked why. They replied that the person stopped remembering Allah (swt).

Ask yourself: Am I serious about Jannat?

Allah (swt) created Paradise with his own hands, like he created Adam (pbuh). He could of just said ‘be’ and it would have been created, but he didn’t.

Allah (swt) is truly:

1. the most merciful
2. the most beautiful
3. the most generous

In jannat are sounds you have never imagined and things you have never seen.

Allah (swt) will remove the veil and the sight of Allah (swt) will be more blissful than Jannat.

Signs that show Allah (swt) is happy with you:

1. parents are happy
2. you are an agent of goodness
3. see how he is using you on earth

Halaqa 4-30-08: Further Explanation of Surat Al-Kahf, Part II

Joint Halaqa

April 30th, 2008

Speaker: Br. Tarif

Topic: Further Explanation of Surat Al-Kahf (The Cave), Part II

(Surat Al-Kahf, Chapter 18, Holy Quran)

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OUTLINE:

1. What we Learn from Surat Al-Kahf About Knowledge

2. The 3rd Story about Musa (aka Moses) (pbuh) and Khidr

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1. Surat Al-Kahf and About Knowledge

- From the story of ‘the youth’ we learn that life is full of mysteries. We wonder why certain things happen to us or why certain things are the way they are. If we look deeper and strive to gain understanding by getting closer to Allah (swt), inshallah, he will make the truth apparent if he so wills and he will give us knowledge and wisdom.

- Don’t ever think knowledge is limited and you know everything – knowledge has no limits. We keep learning until we die.

-Knowledge is Hard to get

1. you need to seek it
2. In the 3rd story in this Surat we learn that Musa (pbuh) was sent on a journey to attain knowledge

- There are two types of knowledge:

1. Wisdom – it can only be found in ones heart and only Allah (swt) can give it to a person
2. Observation – what we learn from seeing things in our lives (ex. this knowledge we can easily pick up in school)

2. The 3rd Story about Musa and Khidr

Allah(swt) sends Musa (pbuh) on a journey to seek knowledge. He tells him that he will meet a man at the junction of the two seas.

- Musa’s (pbuh) journey to find Khidr

1. Allah (swt) tells Musa (pbuh) before they go on the journey to take a fish and put it in a basket. When it comes alive and jumps into the water, that will be the place where he will meet Khidr.
2. Musa (pbuh) comes to a place, with his servant, to rest.
3. The fish jumps out of the basket into the sea.
4. The Servant forgets to tell Musa (pbuh) about this sign and they continue on their journey.
5. Musa (pbuh) asks for food and then the Servant opens the basket and remembers.
6. They travel back to the same spot that they had left.
7. Allah (swt) froze both sides of the sea where the fish jumped in and it created a tunnel. That is where they meet Khidr.

- What Musa (pbuh) learns from Khidr

1. First, who is Khidr? – He is a humble servant of Allah (swt). Allah (swt) taught him of his own knowledge. Explanation in Quran:

Then found they one of Our slaves, unto whom We had given mercy from Us, and had taught him knowledge from Our presence. (18:65)

Moses said unto him: May I follow thee, to the end that thou mayst teach me right conduct of that which thou hast been taught? (18:66)

Realize that Musa (pbuh) is a Prophet whereas Khidr is not. Musa (pbuh) displays good character by being humble and not boasting.

Khidr replies:

Lo! thou canst not bear with me. (18:67) How canst thou bear with that whereof thou canst not compass any knowledge? (18:68 )

Khidr knows that Musa (pbuh) will not be patient with him. He had previous insight to make this judgment.

ASIDE: Some critical thinking questions that we can ask ourselves while we read this story in this Surat : What is Patience? When do people lose patience? – when they are frustrated by that which they don’t understand.

- Three Actions that Khidr takes

1. Sinks the Ship
2. Kills the young boy
3. Fix the Wall

After the last one, Musa (pbuh) loses his patience, again, because he doesn’t understand. Khidr explains the reasoning behind each of his actions:

He said: This is the parting between thee and me! I will announce unto thee the interpretation of that thou couldst not bear with patience. (18:78 ) As for the ship, it belonged to poor people working on the river, and I wished to mar it, for there was a king behind them who is taking every ship by force. (18:79) And as for the lad, his parents were believers and we feared lest he should oppress them by rebellion and disbelief. (18:80) And we intended that their Lord should change him for them for one better in purity and nearer to mercy. (18:81) And as for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the city, and there was beneath it a treasure belonging to them, and their father had been righteous, and thy Lord intended that they should come to their full strength and should bring forth their treasure as a mercy from their Lord; and I did it not upon my own command. Such is the interpretation of that wherewith thou couldst not bear. (18:82)

This story of Musa (pbuh) and Khidr is in this Surat under the title Al-Kahf (The Cave) because it also deals with knowledge and looking beyond what one sees on the surface. From this Story we learn that it is important not to judge others. And there is wisdom behind every action. Khidr was blessed with knowledge from Allah (swt), that no one else during his time had.

Halaqa 4-30-08: Further Explanation of Surat Al-Kahf, Part I

Joint Halaqa

April 30th, 2008

Speaker: Br. Tarif

Topic: Further Explanation of Surat Al-Kahf (The Cave), Part I

(Surat Al-Kahf, Chapter 18, Holy Quran)

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OUTLINE:

1. The Meaning behind the title, ‘The Cave’, and How it Connects with our Lives

2. The Story of ‘The Youth’

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1. The Meaning behind the title, ‘The Cave’, and How it Connects with our Lives

- Life itself is a series of caves

1. you have no clue why things are the way they are
2. at first glance you have no clue what is going on
3. be patient, trust in Allah (swt) – he will make the truth apparent if he so wills
4. everything that happens in our lives and goes on around us has wisdom behind it

- We have lost the personal touch of the Quran; it is not all about memorizing

1. we need to look beyond what we see on the surface
2. Allah (swt) is telling us something on each page
3. the more you read and strive to understand, the more layers of meaning you will be exposed to
4. knowledge is NOT reserved for VIP people
5. knowledge is a grasp of meanings and a practice of embodiment

2. The Story of ‘The Youth’

- Who are ‘the youth’ ?

1. they are nameless in the Quran b/c Allah (swt) is telling us that ‘who they are’ and ‘where they came from’ is not important – their story is of utmost importance because it is a Sign
2. they were young men who believed in Allah (swt) and Islam
3. ASIDE: they are known as the Companions of the Cave (these people can be anyone, they are not specific to a time/place)

- Story

1. They wanted to spread the word of Allah (swt), however they feared persecution from the people in the village where they lived.
2. They ran away to a cave; this place that they sought refuge had no sustenance. However, they firmly believed in the power of their lord and that he would provide a means of sustenance for them.
3. Allah (swt) put them to sleep for over 300 years. He made their bodies turn so that their inner circulation would continue. Thus they did not age.
4. When they woke up they had no idea how long they had slept for; it seemed as if only a day. They did not age and still were the same as before. They went to town to get food. When people saw their old coins they recognized the sign and accepted the true faith Islam (by the will of Allah (swt)).

Remember: Allah (swt) has full control of Time, Space, and Realm.

ASIDE: There are many sites online with translations of the Quran for you to read the versus’ that pertain to this story. One of my favorites is Quran Explorer. Look Up: Surat Al-Kahf, Chapter 18, Versus’ 1-27.