A number of people sent me queries concerning the correct opinion on praying Salât al-Janâzah in absentia (on a person who is not present). The question was obviously relevant since people all over the world prayed Salât al-Janâzah for Shaykh Ibn Bâz rahimahullâh.

Before I briefly answer the question, I would like to mention the fact that this occurrence (that so many millions of people prayed over Shaykh Ibn Bâz) is in and of itself an indication insha-Allâh of the status and sincerity of the Shaykh. As some of the salaf said: The criterion between the person of Sunnah and the person of bid’ah is the Janâzah; meaning that Allâh azawajal blesses the scholar of the Sunnah to have many people pray for his forgiveness. The Janâzah of Imâm Ahmad was attended by more than a hundred thousand people, according to some reports, and for that time and age that is an astounding figure.

Many years ago in Uzbekistan, a baby boy was born blind. His Mother, the strong Mu’minah that she was, did not lose sight of He who had the Power to cure him. She prayed and prayed for her sons sight. And within a few years the boy regained his eyes.

She was widowed, the boy an orphan. She traveled with him to Makkah so that he could receive an Islamic Education. She arranged that he attend the circles of the scholars, and in those circles, he began excelling in the science of Hadeeth. He traveled to distant villages in search of the most authentic sayings of Rasul Allah (pbuh). He would pray two raka’at before accepting a Hadeeth. His mother named him: Muhammad ibn Isma’il. And many of us know him today by the book he compiled, the book that stands after the Qur’an in authenticity.

O Muslims, indeed we believe in Allah and His divine decree; indeed having faith in the divine decree of Allah is one of the pillars of belief. We believe that which benefits us from goodness and prosperity, it is from the favour of Allah upon us. It is an obligation upon us to thank the benefactor and patron of this favour by returning to his obedience, abstaining from what He has forbidden and doing what He has commanded. Verily if we stand in obedience to Allah, then we are those that are thankful for His favours and thus are deserving of what Allah has promised us and conferred upon us from an increase of this favour.

The example of the heart is like the example of a bird. Every time is ascends it becomes distant from the harmful things and every time it descends the harmful things hurt it. In a hadeeth there occurs that Shaytaan is like a wolf to people. Just as when a sheep has no protector and is in between many wolves, they are quick in causing damage and injury; likewise the servant who does not have guardianship from Allaah, then his wolf [i.e. his desires, whims etc.] is to him a predatory animal. [Thus] there is no escape for the servant from having protection from Allaah. Taqwaa is a safeguarding for him and a strong shield between himself and the punishment of this world and the Hereafter.

Allaah says in the Qur’aan,

“Indeed in the Messenger of Allaah you have an excellent example to follow for him who hopes in (the meeting with) Allaah and the Last Day and remembers Allaah much” (al-Ahzab, 21)

This is a very great blessing for this ummah. Allaah has given us a perfect example of how to apply this religion. In every aspect of our lives, we have a human example to look to. We can see how he behaved under different circumstances and we can know with certainty that the way he behaved was in accordance with the revelation of Allaah.

Aasiyah, the wife of Fir’own (Pharoah). Her Eeman in Allah thrived under the shadow of someone that said, “I am your Lord, Most High!” When news reached Fir’own of his wife’s Eeman he beat her and commanded his guards to beat her. They took her out in the scalding noon heat, tied her hands and feet and beat her perpetually. Who did she turn to? She turned to Allah! She prayed, “My lord, build for me a home with you in Paradise and save me from Fir’own and his deeds and save me from the transgressing people.”

The importance of akhlaaq with a main focus on examples of the righteous predecessors. Don’t underestimate that, the price of which will cost you eternity. From the stories of our pious predecessors, we learn the importance they gave to good akhlaaq, whether it was in their private or public lives. Their no compromising attitude in having good akhlaaq reflected from the hadith of Prophet Muhammad salAllahu Alayhee wasSallam, where Abu Umamah Al-Bahili reported him saying,

I guarantee a house in Jannah for one who gives up arguing, even if he is in the right; and I guarantee a home in the middle of Jannah for one who abandons lying even for the sake of fun; and I guarantee a house in the highest part of Jannah for one who has good manners” [Abu Dawood].

You know, I keep hearing about all these non-muslims converting to islaam, especially after 9/11. It makes me really happy and at the same time, very sad. “Sad? Are you okay brother, you may ask? Why would it make you sad?” I am sad because out of all of those thousands who have converted to Islam, I have not helped with even one. I am sad because I have a beard and I look and try to act like a Muslim around others. I am sad because I know I am supposed to treat my friends and neighbors well and I do. Yet they may have asked me questions on Islam but nothing has led them to conversion.

Many people are very enthusiastic about the noble cause of calling non-Muslims to Islam. Whenever a person accepts Islam in the masjid, everyone rejoices. Everyone is willing to support projects and sponsor literature for dawah. All Muslims are ready to unite for such a cause; however, most of our communities are themselves in need of dawah. Though we are very pleasant and helpful to “Rob” who works with us, we forget to smile at Ibrahim who takes care of the masjid. Our professors find us so pleasant while our parents are victims of our abuse. We also focus much in ibaadah and forget what should follow. Many of our eyes flow with tears behind the imaam but as soon as he says salaam, we turn around and yell at the brother who brought his four years old son to the masjid. This is indeed the paradox that exists or even dominates the Muslims living here in the west.

I keep hearing stories of the men of aqeedah,
The ones with manners, who even give naseehah,
They are found rarely in this world, scholars of high caliber,
They know so much but are humble, we need to heed this parable
Why do people criticize so much those who have the right belief,
They say “look at those high pants, big beards but a sharp mouth with the teeth”