MyISLAM: March 2026

Tuesday, 31 March 2026

How Can One Enter Paradise?

Apart from outlining the political foundations, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) laid down the social foundations of the new Muslim community in Madinah.

These were his first words which he uttered upon his arrival to Madinah. Imam al-Tirmidhi reported that the Prophet said:

“O people! Spread the greeting of peace, feed (the poor and needy), behave kindly to your relatives, offer prayer when others are asleep, and (thus) enter Paradise in peace.”

The Prophet started this hadith with drawing peoples’ attention to what he was going to tell them. This implies that what he told them about should be taken into consideration and followed as much as they could.

The hadith focused on four important issues which make one enter Paradise in peace. Muslims believe that after death there is another life (the Hereafter) in which they will receive God’s reward for doing good deeds and His punishment for doing bad deeds.

The timing of the Hereafter is known only to God. No one on the face of this earth knows about it even Prophet Muhammad himself.

Entering Paradise in peace means that these things lead Muslims to enter Paradise without being punished in Hell.

Spreading the Greeting of Peace

This is the first step in a Muslim’s journey to Paradise. The official greeting in Islam is as-salamu `alaykum (peace be unto you). This is a call for peace that Muslims remind themselves of all day when they meet each other.

There are many Quranic verses that promote the idea of spreading the greeting of peace in different situations. For example:

{O you who believe, do not enter houses other than your houses until you have [first] asked permission and greeted their occupants.} (Al-Nur 24: 27)
{But when you enter houses, bid peace to yourselves with a salutation from God, blessed and good.} (Al-Nur 24: 61)
{And when you are greeted with a greeting, greet with better than it, or return it. Surely God keeps count of all things.} (Al-Nisa’ 4: 86).

Why all this emphasis on spreading the greeting of peace?

Because it generates mutual love and removes hatred from peoples’ hearts. It is the same as introducing yourself to others or starting a conversion with someone you do not know. In western cultures, it is improper to start talking to someone without greeting him by “Hi” or “Hello”. It is the same in the Muslim culture. This greeting is a sign of respect to one another.

`Abd Allah ibn `Amr ibn Al-`As, one of the companions, reported: A man asked the Messenger of God: “Which act in Islam is the best?” The Prophet replied: “To give food and to greet everyone, whether you know or you do not.” (Al-Bukhari & Muslim)

In Riyad al-Salihin, Imam al-Nawawi says commenting on this hadith:

“Feeding poor and destitute is an act of goodness, and so is fulfilling the needs of the indigent. Greeting everybody (saying “as-Salamu `alaikum”), whether an acquaintance or a stranger, is a good manner too. Both of these acts generate mutual love and remove hatred and ill will from hearts.”

In his al-Adab al-Mufrad, Imam al-Bukhari reports that the Prophet said: “Peace is one of the names of God which He has placed on the earth. Extend it among you. When a man greets people and they answer him, then he has a higher degree than them because he reminds them of peace. If no one answers him, he will be answered by one who is better and more excellent.'”

Based on this hadith and other hadiths and Quranic verses that recommend spreading the greeting of peace without restriction, the contemporary scholar Faysal Mawlawi views that:

“It is permissible for a Muslim to greet a non-Muslim using the word salam (Arabic for: peace). This view has been attributed to Ibn `Abbas, Ibn Mas`ud, Ibn Muhayriz, `Umar ibn `Abd Al-`Aziz, Sufyan ibn `Uyaynah, Al-Shu`abi, Al-Awza`i, and At-Tabari.

Moreover, this opinion was chosen by Rashid Rida in his Tafsir al-Manar and al-Shanqiti in his Adwa‘ Al-Bayan. As for the hadith which reads:

“Do not initiate (greeting) Jews and Christians with salam” (Muslim),

It was connected to an existing state of war at the time.

Feeding the Poor and the Needy

The second step in a Muslim’s journey to Paradise is feeding the poor and the needy. When you help others, you are fostering the social ties with them. You let them know that you are part of them. You are sharing their feelings.

Knock on the door of the people next door. Always ask about them to see if they need any help. Visit charitable associations that care about the poor and the needy.

The word “feed” should not be limited to the actual feeding by making meals for the poor and the needy. The scope of feeding is much wider.

Make it a daily habit to give something in charity. Spending on the poor gets you closer to God. Do not forget that spending on your family is more important than spending on others. The former is obligatory while the latter is supererogatory. Abu Hurairah narrated that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

“You spent one Dinar for the fight for the sake of God, one Dinar to liberate a slave, one Dinar to a poor person, and one Dinar to support your family. The most rewarded Dinar is the one that you spent on your family.” (Muslim)

Look for those who are unable to pay school fees and help them out.There are many orphans who want to get married or complete their studies. Go to them and support them with your money.

God enumerates the rewards awaiting those who feed the poor and the needy in about 16 verses (Al-Insan 76: 7-22).

The Prophet is reported to have said: “In Paradise there are rooms which can be seen from the inside and the outside”. The Prophet was asked:

‘O Messenger of God for whom?’ He said: “For people who utter good, feed the poor, spend the night in prayer while the people are asleep.” (Al-Tabarani)

Behaving Kindly to Relatives

This is the third stop in a Muslim’s journey to Paradise. The Prophet draws our attention to a very important social value which is that of strengthening our family relations.

One cannot live in isolation. Everyone is in need of others and others are in need of him. A true Muslim cares for others as much as he cares for himself.

Being kind to one’s relatives is part of one’s belief. The Prophet said:

“Those of you who believe in God and the Hereafter should be kind to their relatives.” (Al-Bukhari)

About the reward of being kind to relatives, the Prophet said:

“Those of you who would like to have more providence and longer lives should be kind to their relatives.” (Muslim)

One’s parents come first in the relatives’ list. Do not forget your parents. Try to visit them every now and then. Always attend to their needs. After your parents come your relatives. They have the same right on you.

Islam’s care for relatives extends to those who even have a different religion. Islam made no distinction between a Muslim or a non-Muslim relative, a Muslim or a non-Muslim parent. This represents the universal aspect of Islam.

It is reported that Asma’, daughter of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, asked the Prophet’s permission to visit and help her non-Muslim mother and the Prophet told her: “Yes, keep a good relation with her.” (Muslim)

Offering Prayer When Others Are Asleep

This is the fourth and final stop in a Muslim’s journey to Paradise. The Prophet’s words ‘offering prayer while others are asleep’ signify uniqueness. You are doing something that not everybody is doing.

Very few people share you this unique value. When darkness prevails and everyone goes to bed, you are awake and worshiping God. You will feel it when you try it. It is all about closeness to God.

The Prophet said:

“The best prayer after the obligatory prayer is the night prayer.” (Muslim)

The best time for offering the tahajjud or qiyam al-layl is the last third of the night. `Aisha reported that the Prophet used to sleep in the first part of the night and stand in prayer in the last part of it.” (Muslim)

Prayer at night is a sign of sincere devotion to God. It purifies your heart and gets you closer to God.

Having done these four things, one gets a ticket to Paradise where he enjoys the pleasure of seeing God for whose sake he did these things in this life hoping for His mercy in the life to come.

The hadith under discussion is one of the Prophet’s legacies which he left behind. It is all about generating love among people, being kind to people, helping people, and getting closer to God.

- aboutislam.net

Monday, 30 March 2026

What Are The 6 Articles of Faith?

There are six articles of faith for a Muslim.

Hadith on The 6 Articles of Faith

Umar ibn al-Khattab said: One day when we were with God’s messenger, a man with very white clothing and very black hair came up to us. No mark of travel was visible on him, and none of us recognized him. Sitting down before the Prophet, leaning his knees against his, and placing his hands on his thighs, he said, “Tell me, Muhammad, about Islam (submission).”
He replied, ‘Islam means that you should bear witness that there is no god but God and that Muhammad is God’s messenger, that you should perform the ritual prayer, pay the alms tax, fast during Ramadan, and make the pilgrimage to the House if you are able to go there.”
The man said, “You have spoken the truth.” We were surprised at his questioning him and then declaring that he had spoken the truth. He said, “Now tell me about Eman (faith).”
He replied, “Eman means that you have faith in God, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Last Day, and that you have faith in the Divine Decree (measuring out, both its good and its evil).”
Remarking that he had spoken the truth, he then said, “Now tell me about Ihsan (the best possible practice).”
He replied, “Doing the best possible practice” means that you should worship God as if you see Him, for even if you do not see Him, He sees you.”
Then the man said, “Tell me about the Hour”
The Prophet replied, “About that he who is questioned knows no more than the questioner.”
The man said, “Then tell me about its signs.”
He said, “The slave girl will give birth to her mistress, and you will see the barefoot, the naked, the destitute, and the shepherds vying with each other in building (tall buildings)”
Then the man went away. After I had waited for a long time, the Prophet pbuh said to me, “Do you know who the questioner was, ‘Umar?” I replied, “God and His messenger know best. “He said, “He was Jibril. He came to teach you your religion. “

1- Belief in one God (Tawhid)

It means having absolute faith in the oneness of God. Allah is simply the Arabic word for God. Muslims believe that nothing can be likened to Allah. It is important to note that Allah has no plural in Arabic, showing the belief in the oneness of God. Tawhid has three sections:

- Tawhid ar-Rububiyyah – Unity of Lordship. He is the Creator, the One Who gave all things their power to grow and to move, the Owner of the Universe,
- Tawhid al-Asma wal-Sifat – Unity of Allah’s Names and Attributes. This describes Allah by the Names and Attributes with which He has described Himself either in the Qur’an or by the Prophet Muhammad pbuh. We only know of Allah, what He, Himself, has told us. Each of His Attributes is perfect.
  !Allah, there is no God but He, To Him belong the Most Beautiful names.” [Qur’an 20:8]
- Tawhid al-Ibadah – Unity of Worship. He is our only Object of Worship. Only Allah is able to answer our prayers for example, so all worship is directed solely to Him. Note: Prayer is not the only form of worship. Allah has told us in the Qur’an:

“Call on Me (in prayer) and I will answer you.” [Qur’an 40:60]. also
“I have created mankind and Jinn to worship Me.” [Qur’an 51:56]

The chapter on Tawhid: Surat Al-Ikhlas (Quran: 112)

Qul huwa Allahu ahad
1. Say, “He is Allah, [who is] One,

Allahu assamad
2. Allah, the Eternal Refuge.

Lam yalid wa lam yoolad
3. He neither begets nor is born,

Wa lam yakul-lahu kufuwan ahad
4. Nor is there to Him any equivalent.”

The Reason for the Revelation of this Surah and its Virtues

It was revealed in Makkah.

Imam Ahmad recorded from Ubayy bin Ka`b that the idolators said to the Prophet, “O Muhammad! Tell us the lineage of your Lord.” So Allah revealed:

(Say: “He is Allah, One. Allah He begets not, nor was He begotten. And there is non-comparable to Him.”) Similar was recorded by At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Jarir and they added in their narration that he said,
“(As-Samad) is One Who does not give birth, nor was He born, because there is nothing that is born except that it will die, and there is nothing that dies except that it leaves behind inheritance, and indeed Allah does not die and He does not leave behind any inheritance.
(And there is none comparable to Him.) This means that there is none similar to Him, none equal to Him and there is nothing at all like Him.” Ibn Abi Hatim also recorded it and At-Tirmidhi mentioned it as a Mursal narration. Then At-Tirmidhi said, “And this is the most correct.”

2- Belief in angels (Malaikah)

Muslims believe Allah uses angels to communicate his messages to mankind. Angels are created from light (Jinn/Devils are created from fire). Angels have no free will, they only obey Allah. Examples of the angels are: Jibril a.s., The Angel of Death (Israfil), The Kraman Katiban (the two recording angels) that accompany each one of us, etc.

3- Belief in the revealed books

Muslims believe in the pristine form of revelations from Allah. These are the Scrolls of Abraham (lost), the Zaboor (Psalms of David), the Torah, the Injil (Bible) and the Qur’an.

The Qur’an is the direct and unchanged word of God, revealed through Jibril a.s. to the Prophet Muhammad pbuh and preserved in its pristine form.

4- Belief in the prophets

The Prophets were chosen by God to convey His Message to mankind. Allah is believed to have communicated with the prophets through the angels. All the prophets came with a similar message- Follow my example and worship One God. Muslims believe the prophets must be respected but never worshipped.

5-Belief in the Day of Judgement and the next life (Akhirah)

All Muslims believe that this life is a test. When they die, they will be judged by God and sent to either Paradise or Hell.

Allah tells us, in the Qur’an:

“I have created mankind and Jinn to worship Me,” [Qur’an 51:56].

This is the purpose of our life on earth and our deeds will “speak” for us.

6- Belief in the Divine Decree (Al-Qadar)

Qadar means Allah has decreed whatever happens in the universe according to His prior knowledge and Will.

- Muslims believe total knowledge is with Allah. There is no past, present or future for Him, as He knows everything. This means that everything in the universe is following a divine master plan, which shows the importance of God’s Will.
- Allah has had the Pen write everything in the al=Lawh al-Mahfuz (The Book of Decrees). [Qur’an 22:70]
- Muslims believe everything happens by God’s Will and Permission.. [Qur’an 13:42].
- Mankind has free will. They are free to choose their actions, good or bad, or not as the case may be. People can choose their own path in life but they will be accountable to Allah on the Day of Judgment for their actions. [Qur’an 2:286]

Islam comprises belief in the five pillars of Islam (Shahadah/Testimony), Prayer(5 times each day), Fasting, Zakat, and Hajj as well as faith in the unseen, the six articles of faith.

May I wish you every success as you embark on life as a Muslim. May Allah make your path easy for you, and grant you success, Amin.

And Allah knows best.

- aboutislam.net

Sunday, 29 March 2026

Will I Be With My Late Husband In the Afterlife?

May Allah increase your reward and grant you patience and may He grant him the highest level of Paradise inshaAllah.

In Islam, we do not have any narration stating that the soul of a loved one knows and sees what they are doing.

However, souls could meet each other in dreams and in the Hereafter. So inshaAllah we ask Allah that you will be with your husband in Paradise.

A Woman Will Be With Her Husband in Paradise

If a woman marries more than one man in this world she will be with her last husband in Paradise. This is the preponderant opinion of Muslim scholars.

The evidence for this is the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who said:

Any woman who marries again after the death of her first husband will be with her last husband. (Imam Tabrani and Ibn Asakir)

Hudaifah (may Allah be pleased with him) said:

Since a wife will be for her last husband so Allah made it forbidden to the wives of the Prophet to marry after his death.

Some other scholars believe that she will choose the husband from among those she likes the most. Then she will choose the best one who used to treat her most honorably.

Imam Ibn al-Qayyim was inclined to this opinion by the hadith of Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) in which she asked Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):

O! Prophet of Allah, a woman marries twice in this world, for whom she will be in Hereafter life after their death? The Prophet said: “She will be for the one who had the best character. Then he said: “O! Umm Salamah the good character takes both the goodness of this life and that of the Hereafter”. (Daruqutni)

After death, the soul transitions to the grave (al-Barzakh), then to the Day of Judgment, and finally to the hereafter.

We know very little about the soul, especially concerning the time period between our death and the hereafter.

Meeting The Souls of the Dead in Dreams

As for a meeting of souls of the dead with those of the living in a dream, there is proof that it is true.

Perception and the true state of affairs constitute the most reliable witnesses to the fact that souls of the dead meet those of the living just as the living souls meet one other.

Allah says what means:

It is Allah Who takes away the souls at the time of their death, and those that die not during their sleep. He keeps those (souls) for which He has ordained death and sends the rest for a term appointed. Verily, in this are signs for a people who think deeply. (Quran 39:42).

Abu Abdullah Ibn Mandah reported from Said Ibn Jubair that Ibn Abbas, while commenting on the above-mentioned verse, said:

It has come to my knowledge that the souls of the living and those of the dead meet one another in a dream, and they ask one another. Then, Allah holds the souls of the dead and sets free those of the living to their bodies.

Ibn Abu Hatim in his Tafsir (commentary on Quran) reported from Abdullah Ibn Sulayman from al-Suddi who said:

Allah’s Statement (and those that die not in their sleep) means that He takes away their souls during sleep to meet the souls of the dead. And both parties consult and know one another. Then, the living soul returns to its body, and that of the dead one is put under control till the Day of Judgment. (Page 20)

In another quotation Ibn al-Qayyim said:

Meeting between the souls of the living and those of the dead indicates that the living one sees the dead one in a dream and asks him about some news. Then, the dead one informs the living one of some unknown news to the latter. And maybe it becomes true.

They Share Information

In a dream, perhaps the dead person may inform the living one of the latter’s actions that no one else knows about.

Also the dead could learn about the news of the living people and what happens to them whether or not the living is a member of their family.

This could be by the soul of the dead asking those who died after him or her.

They would answer according to what they know about the circumstances of the people they were asked about.

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said in a long Hadith regarding when the soul of the believer is taken away from their body:

… Then they (the Angels) take him to the souls of the dead believers -i.e. those who died before him/her. I (ensure you that) they will be happier with this newly arrived soul than one of you when meeting his beloved one after a trip. They (start) asking him/her: “What happened to such and such person…?” Then they would say: ‘Leave him, he is still involved in the sorrows of the worldly life”. They would ask: “Has he not come to you? They would reply: “He was taken to his abyss, the Hellfire.” (Al-Nasaa’i and Al-Haakim)

Souls Meet After Death in Paradise

So souls do meet after death provided that they are both destined to the same place; either Paradise or Hellfire, may Allah grant us Paradise and protect us from the Hellfire.

Generally speaking, the life of al-Barzakh is a matter of the unseen (al-Ghaib), and we have to believe that what is recorded in the Quran and Sunnah is sufficient as proof.

And Allah knows best.

- aboutislam.net

Saturday, 28 March 2026

5 Simple Ways to Teach Your Kids Kindness

Teaching children to be kind in today’s world, where they see violence everywhere, makes it more important to instill kindness from a young age.

Whoever is kind, Allah will be kind to him; therefore be kind to man on the earth. He who is in heaven will show mercy on you. ~
(Abu Daud: Tirmidhi)

A smile is one of the simplest forms of being kind. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) smiled often, and it is a Sunnah for us to smile, which spreads happiness.

The Qur’an teaches us to be kind to people who are around us. It really doesn’t take much to be kind.

Once you do it with a sincere heart and seek the pleasure of Allah, an act of kindness (al Ma’un) can turn into a reward to be counted on the Day of Judgment.

“Never belittle any good deed. Even your meeting with your brother (Muslim) with a cheerful face”. ~ [Muslim]

Parents

Children learn by example, so be kind and reflect what you want to see in your child.

Teach your child that kindness can be found in the smallest of acts, such as saying something nice to someone.

Giving salaam is a good example of doing something nice for someone.

Another example, depending on age, is washing or helping to wash dad’s car or helping mother in the kitchen.

As children grow, they will learn to appreciate and understand the sacrifice, nurturing, and care that parents give.

As they understand Islam more, it reinforces their obligation to be kind, respectful, compassionate, and patient.

“And We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents.” ~ Al Qur’an

Mercy

Mercy, defined as the willingness to forgive and not punish, is seen as an important virtue by every Muslim.

It is one of the virtues synonymous with being kind. It is an attribute that is commanded in every situation and action and comes from the heart.

Children are often in situations where they can be merciful. An example is sharing. Instead of playing alone with a toy that other siblings want to play with, they can share, and everyone gets to enjoy the toy. This demonstrates being merciful at a basic level.

“He who does not show mercy to others, will not be shown mercy.” ~ [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Kindness With Animals

Throughout our lifetimes, our children come into contact with animals, be they in the wild or as house pets.

The way they interact with animals is important, and we should always teach them that it counts for something.

A simple act of kindness is throwing bread for the birds to eat. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) encouraged those around him to show respect and dignity to all animals as they are regarded as part of the creation.

Also, on the Day of Judgment, ill-treated animals will testify against whoever abused them.

So, teach your children to be kind to animals, whether they are in their care or not, and encourage others to do the same.

“Whoever is kind to the creatures of God, is kind to himself.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Gratitude

Gratitude is said to be a quality of being thankful, and in Islam, it is said to be the purpose of our creation.

Teaching children that a simple ‘thank you’ takes no time but impacts over a lifetime is a very important yet simple act of kindness.

A straight-forward example is to give thanks when receiving something, and with older children, to remember others in their prayers.

Gratitude can strengthen their Imaan as they learn to perform acts of kindness with a sincere heart to seek the pleasure of Allah.

“If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.” ~ Al Qu’ran

Generosity

Generosity comes in all forms. Children can learn how to be generous through their interactions with other children by simply helping them.

A child is generous by helping his sibling find something. Depending on their age, they can be generous with their money, donating to charities and good causes.

But, generosity doesn’t only mean helping someone financially; children can donate their old clothes and old toys to those in need.

The quality of being generous is held in such high esteem that it is part of the five pillars of Islam in the form of zakat or charity.

“And whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allah’s cause), He will replace it.” ~ Al-Qur’an

By teaching your children the power of intention, they will put a little more kindness in the world.

With a sincere heart and for the sake of Allah (SWT), you both will reap the rewards.

Kindness is an action of the heart. It lies in our words and deeds, so spread some kindness to those around you.

“And do good. Truly, Allah loves the good-doers.” ~ Al-Qur’an

- aboutislam.net

Friday, 27 March 2026

Month of Shawwal and Prophet Joseph (AS)

The celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr ends the month of Ramadan and begins the month of Shawwal with a strong message. Every year, Ramadan proves to us that we can increase our acts of worship for one straight month, even though the time for eating and sleeping has been reduced. Shawwal brings us a new month and a message that builds on our Ramadan performance: “Do good deeds in perpetuity.”

That message is illustrated in the Prophet Muhammad’s words:

Whoever fasts Ramadan and follows it with six days of Shawwal, it will be as if he fasted for a year. (Muslim)

Even though Ramadan is over, the Prophet Muhammad encouraged us to continue the act of fasting. The reward of those six days with Ramadan grants the fasting person the reward of fasting for a full year. The signal is clear. Good deeds should continue all year round.

The Prophet Joseph’s life is a fantastic example of doing good works in perpetuity and the pleasant results it produces. God encourages us to explore his biography and benefit from the valuable lessons in his life.

Certainly there were signs in Joseph and his brothers for those who ask. (Quran 12:7)

When we study the many challenges he faced in his life, we become riveted on one message: do good deeds in perpetuity. This article will examine the encounters he had with his stepbrothers.

His Stepbrothers

Prophet Joseph’s stepbrothers were envious of him and plotted to get rid of him. They could not stand their father’s immense love for him. With an initial plan for murder, the stepbrothers eventually settled on jettisoning him without taking his life. They decided to abandon him in a well and hoped he would ultimately be picked up by a caravan and taken far away.

Said a speaker among them, “Do not kill Joseph but throw him into the bottom of the well; some travelers will pick him up.” (Quran 12:10)

The stepbrothers did not expect, however, that Prophet Joseph would be picked up and sold off to a royal court.

Over the years, Prophet Joseph proved himself as trustworthy and skillful to the King. The King took advantage of his competences and appointed him as a Minister in the land. Prophet Joseph was in charge of storehouses of food and its ration. He had assumed authority and was able to travel wherever he wished:

And thus We established Joseph in the land to settle therein wherever he willed. (Quran 12:56)

Social Grace

With the Quranic facts that we have about his life, we can safely assume that it would not have been difficult for Prophet Joseph to locate his father, the Prophet Jacob, where his stepbrothers lived, and exact retribution for the crime the stepbrothers committed against him.

Prophet Jacob was a known figure at the time, and the royal court could have ascertained his whereabouts with ease. Amazingly, though, the Prophet Joseph did not pursue his brothers. Instead, he left the matter to God.

And since he chose not to be revengeful, God took care of his affairs. God brought his brothers to him at his court one day, seeking ration.

Read: Basic Social Manners – What Would Muhammad Do?

During their visit, the King’s measuring cup went missing. Prophet Joseph’s younger brother was being accused, and the stepbrothers were ready to believe the accusation. They also disparaged Joseph in the process, not knowing that they were speaking to Prophet Joseph.

They said, ‘If he steals – a brother of his has stolen before.’ But Joseph kept it within himself and did not reveal it to them. (Quran 12:77)

What kind of response could we expect someone to give in this situation if they were in Joseph’s place? The stepbrothers had almost gotten Joseph killed in his youth, and many years later they were still vilifying him. Despite that, the Prophet Joseph dealt with them gracefully.

He said, ‘Do you know what you did with Joseph and his brother when you were ignorant?’ (Quran 12:89)

He gave them an excuse for their behavior toward him: ignorance. He also gave them an opportunity to explain themselves. This was a fantastic display of social grace.

Read: 5 Tips for Turning Good Deeds into Lifelong Habits

The brothers suspected that they were speaking to Joseph.

They said, ‘Are you indeed Joseph?’ He said ‘I am Joseph, and this is my brother. God has certainly favored us. Indeed, if one fears God and is patient, surely God does not cause the reward of those who do good to go amiss.’ (Quran 12:90)

In this conversation, Prophet Joseph disclosed the secret to continuous good works: have certainty that “God does not cause the reward of those who do good to go amiss.” That reward certainty fuels perpetuity.

God elevated the status of Prophet Joseph from a servant at a royal court to a Minister of the land who was later able to reunite with his family honorably.

Then he raised his parents to the throne, and they all fell in prostration to Joseph, who then said, ‘O my dear father! This is the interpretation of my old dream. My Lord has made it come true. He was indeed good to me when He freed me from prison and brought you all from the desert after Satan had ignited a rivalry between my siblings and me. Indeed my Lord is subtle in fulfilling what He wills. Surely He is the All-Knowing, All-Wise.’ (Quran 12:100)

Results of Perpetual Good

Doing good works in perpetuity may go unnoticed by humankind, but God sees every ounce of it.

An atom’s weight in the heavens or the earth is not hidden from Him nor anything smaller or larger than that, but is in a perfect Record. (Quran 34:3)

Because of Joseph’s good works, God taught him valuable skills:

And when he reached maturity, We gave him wisdom and knowledge. This is how We reward the good-doers. (Quran 12:22)

Those skills, especially the ability to interpret dreams, got him the Ministry position in the kingdom. Perpetual good works only produce positive results in our lives.

The message of Shawwal is one of celebration. We celebrate the ability God gave us to fast, to be charitable, to be generous, to be hospitable, to forgive others, and to do many other good works.

The celebration, however, is not done on the last day of Ramadan, but in Shawwal because the outpour of good works should continue throughout the year.

The continuity of genuine good practices will ensure that our challenges will end well. All of Prophet Joseph’s challenges concluded well. It is for this reason God called his life story “the best of stories.”

Thursday, 26 March 2026

What Will Our Time In The Grave Be Like?

Regarding this verse (They will say: “Woe to us! Who has raised us up from our place of sleep? [Quran 36:52]), Ibn Kathir says:

This does not contradict the fact that they will be punished in their graves, because in comparison to what is to come afterwards, that will seem like a nap. Ubayy ibn Ka`b (may Allah be pleased with him), Mujahid, Al-Hasan, and Qatadah said, “They will sleep before the Resurrection.” Qatadah said, “That will be between the two trumpet blasts, they will say, ‘Who has raised us up from our place of sleep?’ When they say that, the believers will respond (as the ayah mentions). This was the view of more than one of the Salaf (early generation).”

It’s important to note that Ibn Kathir has not mentioned the word “peaceful” in his interpretation of this ayah.

Sleep is the Brother of Death

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him-PBUH) has been quoted in many hadiths that inform us about what is in store for people in their graves.

Prophet Muhammad mentioned that “sleep is the brother of death.”

This is an excellent way of looking at what we will experience in our graves.

Sleep may be restful and peaceful or it may be frightening and tormenting, as in a nightmare.

The grave we reside in after death will be similar.

Our Grave, Our Choices

It is understood among the scholars that the grave will either be a pleasant experience or it may be a frightening one, depending on our beliefs and deeds in this life.

There are minor rewards in the grave in that, for the believer, it will be spacious and well lit.

Our deeds in this life will appear to us in the form of a kind companion who will keep us company until the Day of Judgment.

We will be shown our place in Paradise, in sha’ Allah (God Willing), through an opening in the side of the grave.

For those who were not believers or those who led a sinful life, their deeds will appear to them in the form of an ugly and mean companion who beats and torments them until the Day of Judgment.

The grave will be dark and constricting, and the punishments will be minor compared to what is waiting for them in the Hellfire, their place in which will be shown to them through an opening in their grave.

Prepare Your Resting Place Before the Day Of Judgment

The real rewards and punishments will be reserved for Hellfire and Paradise.

The Day of Judgment is a fixed point in time in the future, the exact date of which is known only to Allah.

Those who have gone to their graves before us are presently waiting in their graves for that Day.

The grave is really a resting place, either comfortable or not, until that time.

We can seek Allah’s help by following the Prophet’s (PBUH) example.

He informed his followers that they can make dua (supplications) just before finishing their prayers by saying:

O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the Hellfire, and from the torment of the grave, and from the trials of life and death and from the trials of the Dajjal (False Messiah).

And Allah knows best.

- aboutislam.net

About Waleed Najmeddine