Gardens of the Righteous — Page 123
RIYADH AS-SALIHIN 123 579. Anas relates that the Holy Prophet drew a number of lines, and indicated that one of them represented man and another represented death and said: He continues like this till the nearest line (i. e. death) overtakes him. 580. Ibn Mas'ud relates that the Holy Prophet drew a rectangle and in the middle of it he drew a line lengthwise the upper end of which protruded beyond the rectangle. Across this middle line he drew a number of short lines. . He indicated that the figure represented man, that the encircling rectangle was death, the middle line stood for his desires and the short-lines across it were the trials and tribulations of life. He said: If one of these misses him he falls a victim to one of the others (Bokhari). 581. This hadith is the same as No. 93. 582. Abu Hurairah relates that the Holy Prophet said: Remember often the terminator of pleasures (i. e. death) (Tirmidhi). 583. Ubayy ibn Ka'ab relates that when a third of the night passed the. Holy Prophet would get up and call out: Ye people, remember Allah; the calamity has arrived, followed by another. Death has arrived with all it comprises; death has arrived with all it comprises. On one occasion I said to the Holy Prophet: Messenger of Allah, I call down blessings on you repeatedly: how much of them shall I devote to you? He said: As much as you would wish. . I said. A quarter? He said: If you wish; but it would be better for you were to increase it. I said: Half? He said: Whatever you wish, but it would be better for you were you to increase it. I said: Two-thirds? He said: As you wish; but it would be better for you if you were to increase it. I said: Shall I devote all my supplications to blessings on you? He said: In that case it would take care of all thy worries and thy sins will be forgiven (Tirmidhi). 66. . On Permission for Men to visit Graves 584. Buraidah relates that the Holy Prophet said: I had forbidden you visiting graves; but now you might visit them (Muslim). One version is: He who wishes might visit graves for they remind us of the hereafter. 585. Ayesha relates that when it was the turn of the Holy Prophet to stay with me, he would go forth during the latter part of the night to Baqi'ah (the cemetery) and his greeting was: Peace be on you dwellers of this home of the faithful. May you be given on the Day of Judgment according to the term appointed that which you have been promised. We shall, if Allah so wills, join you. Forgive, O Allah, the dwellers of Baqi'ah (Muslim). 586. Buraidah relates that the Holy Prophet taught that any of them visiting a cemetery should say: Peace be on you dwellers of this home of believers and Muslims, and we, if Allah so wills, shall join you. I supplicate for peace for you and for ourselves (Muslim).