|
subject |
Beginnings & Endings |
|
topic |
Life after Death |
|
grade |
Seven |
|
time |
30 minutes |
|
objective |
To enable students to understand the Islamic viewpoint on Life after Death. |
|
instructional material |
Info Sheet 7C – Life after Death Worksheet 7C – Life after Death |
INTRODUCTION
In Islam, the belief in life after death is fundamental. Muslims believe that this life is a test and preparation for the next realm of existence. Basic articles of this belief include the Day of Judgement, Resurrection, Heaven and Hell.
The Quran established two general principles concerning the reward and punishment for deeds:
1) Each human will fundamentally only be benefited or harmed by the deeds which he or she actually did.
"...that
humans will only have the result of their actions."
[Soorah an-Najm (53):39]
2) No human can carry the sin of another.
"...that no one bearing sins
can carry the sins of others." [Soorah
an-Najm (53):38]
Consequently, when a person dies, the opportunity for that person to do good ends with the person's death. However, the chance to harvest good from deeds which were done prior to death remains.
DEVELOPMENT
Let students read the Info Sheet.
REINFORCING ACTIVITIES
Let students do the Workseet.
In Islam, the belief in life after death is fundamental. Muslims believe that this life is a test and preparation for the next realm of existence. Basic articles of this belief include the Day of Judgement, Resurrection, Heaven and Hell.
The Quran established two general principles concerning the reward and punishment for deeds:
1) Each human will fundamentally only be benefited or harmed by the deeds which he or she actually did.
"...that
humans will only have the result of their actions."
[Soorah an-Najm (53):39]
2) No human can carry the sin of another.
"...that no one bearing sins
can carry the sins of others." [Soorah
an-Najm (53):38]
Consequently, when a person dies, the opportunity for that person to do good ends with the person's death. However, the chance to harvest good from deeds which were done prior to death remains.
Du'aa (special prayers)
The prayers of other Muslims on behalf of the dead will benefit the dead, by the permission of God. Had they done no good, no one would consider praying for them. If they were evil, the prayers of others will not benefit them. In Chapter al-Hashr (59):10, Allah praises the believers who pray for those who have passed away before their time.
"And those
who came after them say: Our Lord, forgive
us and our brothers who preceded us in faith, and do not put in our hearts any hatred against the believers. Our Lord, You are indeed full of
kindness, Most Merciful."
Furthermore, the funeral prayer itself consists mostly of prayers for the dead.
Fasts missed by dead persons may be done on their behalf by their close relatives.
Note what Prophet Muhammed said: "Whoever died owing fasts, his guardian should fast on his behalf" [Sahih Al-Bukhari, vol. 3, p.99, no.173, and Sahih Muslim, vol. 2, p.556, no. 2553.]
"Yes, debts to Allah, have more right to be paid." (after being asked “O Messenger of God, my mother died owing one month of fasting. Should I do it for her?”) [Sahih Al-Bukhari, vol. 3, p. 99, no. 174, and Sahih Muslim, vol. 2, p. 556, no. 2554.] In another narration a woman asked about her mother’s debt of fasting and got the same reply. [Sahih Muslim, vol. 2, pp. 556-7, nos. 2554, 2557-61.]
Anyone may cover the debts of a dead person, whether they are relatives or not. Furthermore, the payment of outstanding debts can benefit the dead by relieving them from some of the punishment due to them for their negligence in repaying them. Here is an example during the time of Prophet Muhammed: Jaabir said: A man died and we washed him, perfumed him and shrouded him. Then we brought him to God's Messenger to lead the funeral prayer for him. We asked, "Could you pray for him?" He took a step forward then asked, "Does he have any outstanding debts?" We answered: "Two deenaars." [He said, "Make the funeral prayer for your companion," and] [This addition can be found in another narration of the hadeeth] began to leave. Aboo Qataadah took responsibility for [paying] them, saying, "The two deenaars are my responsibility." God's Messenger asked, "Will the creditor be taken care of and will the dead person be absolved from them?" He replied, "Yes," so the Prophet led the funeral prayer for him. One day later he asked [Aboo Qataadah], "What was done about the two deenaars?" He replied, "He only died yesterday!" The following day he returned to the Prophet and said, "I have paid them off." The Messenger of God said, "Now his skin has become cool." [Musnad Ahmad, vol.3, p.330; authenticated in Ahkaamul-Janaa’iz, p. 16]
Children in Islam are regarded as a blessing and a gift, but parents also benefit from whatever righteous deeds their children do. Look at these stories:
`Aa’ishah related that a man asked the Prophet: “My mother died suddenly, and I think that if she had spoken [before dying], she would have given something in charity. If I give charity on her behalf, will she get the reward? He replied, "Yes." [Sahih Al-Bukhari, vol. 2, p.266, no.470, Sahih Muslim, vol. 3, p.866, no.4002, and Sunan Abu Dawud, vol. 2., p.812, no.2875]
Aboo Hurayrah quoted the Messenger of God as saying, "When a man dies, his acts come to an end, except in three cases: an ongoing charity, knowledge from which people continue to benefit, and a righteous child who prays for him." [Sahih Muslim, vol. 3, p.867, no. 4005, and Sunan Abu Dawud, vol. 2, p.812, no.2874]
1. Do Muslims believe in Life after Death?
2. What two principles are in the Quran, that relate to reward and punishment for deeds?
3. Can prayers benefit the dead?
4. Who can fast on behalf of the dead?
5. How can covering financial debts benefit the dead?
6. When someone dies, his/her acts stop, except in three cases. What are these cases?