upon us, we must begin preparing for our graves and the Hereafter. Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Iyzarرَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه  said: “Man has two homes: (1) One above the ground, and (2) The other beneath the ground.

Man spends all his effort adorning the home above, making arrangements for comfort and protection from heat and cold, but in doing so, he ruins the home below. Then, when the one destined to come (i.e. Death) arrives, he is asked: ‘Tell me, how long will you stay in this house which you have decorated so beautifully?  He replies: ‘I do not know.’ Then he is asked: ‘And in the house which you have messed up, i.e. the grave, how long will you stay there?’ He replies: ‘That is my true home.’ Then it is said to him: ‘You admit this, yet did nothing to prepare for it, do you consider yourself wise?’^[1]

Dear Islamic brothers! This is the reality. We do not know how long we will live in this world. Soon, very soon, we will be lowered into the dark grave, where we will remain until the Day of Judgment. The sage is he who prepares for his grave while in this world. And the unfortunate one is he who stays lost in worldly pleasures; soon, he will face severe hardship.

Deeds That Illuminate the Grave

Dear Islamic brothers! We need to perform deeds that illuminate the grave and avoid those that cause punishment in the grave. To illuminate the grave, the foremost thing is correct belief (aqeedah), belief about Allah Almighty, His Prophets, about Companions, Ahl-e-Bayt, and Saints must be sound and in accordance with the Quran and Sunnah. Alongside this, we must continue doing righteous deeds. Be punctual in offering the five daily Salah with congregation in the Masjid. Fulfil all obligations and duties (faraiz and wajibat). Give Zakah if it is due. Observe fasts. Treat others with kindness. Recite the Holy Quran in abundance. Send plentiful Salat and Salam (Durood Shareef) upon the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. Engage frequently in the remembrance of Allah (Dhikrullah). And stay firm in all other good deeds, اِنْ شَــآءَالـلّٰـه, a means of salvation from the torment of the grave will be secured.