On 1st December 2013, the MYLUK Sisters in Halifax held their second seminar. The topic of the seminar was ‘Life & Death’ and was held at the Minhaj Education Centre in Halifax. The team aims to hold one seminar on the first Sunday of each month covering different topics. This seminar was led by Sister Safyah Malik and the seminar was divided into the following three sections:

1. Life

2. Death

3. How to handle and wash the dead body

The seminar lasted for 2 hours and was attended by sisters from the Halifax area. The purpose of this seminar was to reflect on how we should be living our lives, according to Quran and Sunnah, and also what will happen after we die. The main aspect of this seminar was to allow all the sisters to gain knowledge about how to wash (ghusl) a dead body. The seminar started by welcoming and thanking the sisters for registering for the seminar. An outline of what would be covered in the seminar was given along with paper and pens for those who wished to take notes. Following on Safyah started the first part of the seminar by highlighting how important the following verse from the Holy Quran is:

And indeed, We originated (the genesis of) man from the extract of (chemical ingredients of) clay. Then We placed him as a sperm drop (zygote) in a secure place (the mother’s womb). Then We made that zygote a hanging mass (clinging to the uterus like a leech). Then We developed that hanging mass into a lump, looking chewed with teeth. Out of this chewed lump, We built a structure of bones which We clothed with flesh (and muscles). Then (changing him) into another form, We developed him (gradually) into a new creation. Then Allah, the Best of creators, brought (him up into a strong body).

Quran 23 : 12-14

She highlighted how the Quran is perfect and tells us exactly how we are created. She then mentioned various hadith regarding how we should be living our lives in this world and what our priorities should be. After the first part was complete all sisters had a refreshment break. This was followed by a short video clip of Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, ‘Don’t let yourself be alone in your grave,’ after which the next part of the seminar was delivered. Safyah highlighted the questions which will be asked in the grave and again mentioned an important hadith:

The most intelligent person is the one who often remembers death. Constant remembrance of it prevents one from evil and sin and motivates him towards good morals.” (10:49 Tafseer Al-Qurtubi)

Finally, the main part of the seminar, ‘how to handle and wash a dead body,’ was delivered and two volunteers were chosen for a practical demonstration of this session. Safyah read out the exact process of how to give ghusl to the dead body while the two sisters demonstrated this. After this all the participants had a 15 minute discussion regarding death and the process of washing the dead. Many sisters talked about their feelings regarding what they learnt in the seminar, one sister who is a practicing nurse talked about her job as a nurse and how she witnesses many people take their last breath and washes dead bodies as part of her role as a nurse. She said ‘... it makes you think about death ...”Finally all the participants wrote down their feedback; some of the comments are below:

“... Amazing and very informative ...”

“... very well structured and prepared, good session ...”

“... really good – thank you ...”

“... fantastic and useful learnt a lot ...”

“... very useful and was interesting glad I came ...”

“... Masha Allah really informative May Allah SWT reward you for holding these sessions and passing this knowledge on ...”

Alhumdulillah, the seminar was beneficial for the participants and was a great success.

Reported By: Moazzam Raza