Salam all, I don’t usually post in this forum. The reason for me to post this time is that my grandmother (mom’s side) passed away a few days ago. I have spent my early childhood with her. I learned many things from her when I was a child. She taught me how to read when one day I came so upset from school that I didn’t know how to read; she also taught me how to pray namaz. Her and my grandfather had a big influence on my life. My grandfather died almost nine years ago. I have not seen my grandmother for the past two years. She had been paralyzed for over three years, and being in bed all those years her life was very miserable! She depended on other people to clean her, feed her, etc.
When I went to pakistan two years ago, I feel that I didn’t do many things that I should have done for her. Like she wanted us to sit close to her sometimes but I was usually busy shopping!! And many times she asked me to pick her up and put her in a chair but I never did that. Now I feel so guilty… and I can’t get over all those good memories that I had with her during my childhood.
Some people told me that she is in a better place now so all I can do is pray.
My question is what really happens when a person dies? Does he or she really go to a better place? Is there such a thing as life after death?
I feel as if my life would never be the same like it was before she died. I feel so sad when I am alone, however I feel much better when somebody is with me.
Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, ‘Whenever a Muslim passes by and greets the grave of someone when he knew in this world, Allah returns the soul of the deceased to his body so that he can reply to the greeting.’
The abovementioned Hadith proves that the dead are able to hear. However, it also proves that only those who Allah permits that they should hear will be able to hear. While the Hadith tells us that Allah Ta’ala returns the soul, hence, they will only be able to hear the speech of one with the permission of Allah.
As a Muslim I believe that life will begin after my death. A time when I would look back on my life and think how quickly it went, times that lasted for decades now covered in a few moments of thought. At my death bed there will be many regrets, but I would have two things that are mine, my good deeds and my bad deeds and nothing else that can give me solice and peace. Peace to know that I am departing this world with my good deeds, to meet my Creator. Knowing that I did well in this life or raised a good family is of no benefit to me now. The relationship between man and his Creator can only be appreciated by looking at the love, care and concern between a child and its mother. I pray that I die as a Muslim. That I die knowing that Allah is taking back what is His and not mine, my soul. We are all destined to return to our Creator because our souls belongs to Him. When I am buried into the Earth, I pray that I will be able to answer the questions asked by the angels in my grave. I pray that I will be able tell them that my lord is Allah, that the messenger is the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). I pray that they will show me my place in heaven on the day of judgement as opposed to my place in hell. I pray that the punishment in the grave will not touch me because I sincerely asked for forgiveness before I died. I pray that the wait till the Day is not long so that I can be resurrected just as I was before, to stand before my Creator and through His mercy alone be given my record of deeds in my Right hand and taken to the highest levels of jannah. I pray that I will be in the presence of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), I pray that upon setting my gaze upon Allah that I will fall in sujood and remain there until ordered to stand up. I pray to Allah that which I want for myself, for all my brothers and sisters who are still here and those that have departed. Have patience and remain steadfast dear sister. Pray that we all demonstrate true love for Allah by passing the test of life.
Sorry to hear of your loss sister. May Allaah forgive your grandmother and have mercy on her by granting her Paradise. And may Allaah give you patience in such a testing time.
I have provided a link below, directing you to a series of talks related to death and life after death. You can down load them and listen to them insha’Allaah. I was at the conference for 4 of the 8 talks and have managed to download the others. Masha’Allaah, without doubt they are very informative and beneficial, and shall insha’Allaah answer your questions. They can be downloaded from the site:
Thank you so much mushi, fadi ali and husnain. Your information was very knowledgable. I really appreciate, and I do feel a little better knowing that we all have to go back someday. Thanks again for so beneficial information.