Remembering the dead

Raya Thots I

Amidst the festive raya mood, some muslims would take the initiative to visit cemetaries where their loved ones were laid to rest, to read a few surahs and duas.

The act is not compulsory in Islam. In fact some Muslim scholars even claimed that the act is actually bid'ah or a form of diversion. But it so happen that time is abundance while celebrating Eid, visiting relatives and friends whilst maintaining silatulrahim (extending ties of kinship) is a norm during Eid and it is only convenient and logical to "remember" the dead on that day.

Islam tought us that we cannot run away from death and there is life after death. We were also reminded to prepare ourselves for the journey there on, thus we should be thinking about death constantly.

Most of us lived our lives too comfortable as if we are going to live forever. When someone close to us die, we are often sad, taken a back and shaken towards the loss. Sometimes we need that to get our feet back on the ground. We must remember that life is short, death is absolute and we should balance our deeds for this world and hereafter. Which reminds me of a saying (or was it a hadith) that goes something like: "Work hard as if you are going to live for the next one thousand years and pray as if you are going to die tomorrow"

More on remembering the dead:
The Remembrance of Death and the Afterlife by Al-Ghazali
Life after Death in Islam

Life after Death in other cultures:
Mexican: Dia de los muertos
Japanese: Obon festival
Chinese: Hungry Ghost Festival

Comments

[Abedib]

Sila amalkan baca Surah al-Mulk,khusus sebelum tidur.Ianya teman dialam barzah.

Salam.

[hunny]

During khutbah Raya on Hari Raya day, it was mentioned that during raya, we are supposed to strengthen the ties among all our Muslim brothers and sisters, visit our relatives and friends. Visiting the cemetaries is something u should always take time to do, to remind us of death. But there are 364 other days in a year, and only one specially dedicated for the living. So let set our priorities right.