Gardens of the Righteous — Page 146
146. GARDENS OF THE RIGHTEOUS outside this wall who affirms in full sincerity of belief that there is none worthy of worship save Allah, greet him with the promise of Paradise (Muslim). . 714. Ibn Shamasah relates: We were present with Amr ibn 'As when he was in extremity. He wept for a long time and turned his face to the wall. His son tried to comfort him, saying: Father, did not the Holy Prophet give you this good news? Did he not give you that good news? Then he turned his face towards us and said: Our best preparation is the affirmation: There is none worthy of worship save Allah, and Muhammad is His Messenger. I have passed through three stages. I recall when no one was a bitterer enemy of the. Holy Prophet than myself: nor was anything dearer to me than that if I had the power I would put an end to him. Had I died in that condition, I would have been one of the denizens of the Fire. When Allah put Islam in my heart, I went to the Holy Prophet and said: Extend your right hand, so that I might swear allegiance to you. He put forth his right hand, but I withdrew my hand. . He said: What is the matter, Amr? I said: I wish to make a condition. He asked: What condition do you wish to make? I answered: That my sins will be forgiven. He said: Know you not that Islam wipes out all that has gone before it, that Migration wipes out all that has gone before it, and that the Pilgrimage wipes out all that has gone before it? Thereafter, no one was dearer to me than the Holy Prophet nor was anyone more glorious than him in my eyes. So bright was his glory that I could not look at his face for any length of time, so that if I were asked to describe him I would not be able to as I had not looked at him long enough. Had I died in that condition I could have hoped to be one of the dwellers of Paradise. Thereafter we were made responsible for many things, and I know not how I shall fare with respect to them. When I die no mourner or fire should attend my bier. When you bury me throw the earth gently over me and tarry over my tomb for the space of time it takes to slaughter a camel and distribute its meat, so that I should draw comfort from your presence and can consider what answer shall I make to the messengers of my Lord (Muslim). 96. . On Saying Farewell and Parting Advice. Allah, the Exalted, has said: 263. The same did Abraham enjoin upon his sons and also Jacob: Sons of mine, truly Allah has chosen this religion for you, then live every moment in submission to. Allah, so that death whenever it comes should find you in a state of submission to Him. Were you present when Jacob faced the hour of death and he asked his sons: Who will you worship after I am gone? They answered: We will worship thy God and the God of thy fathers Abraham and. Ishmael and Isaac, the One God, and to Him have we submitted ourselves (2. 133-134).