In reference to "Why is Islamic home financing haram?" part 1

Bismillahirohmaneerohim (In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate)

I would like to express a little of the knowledge that I have with me about Islamic banking. I've been getting a lot of questions about the validity of Islamic banking as this is the main concern of the public. Conducting business is an ibadah, so we should always make an effort to do it in the right way. Therefore we have to expand our knowledge. By me saying expand, I don't mean just to refer to a person/scholar, but gain information on many different angle from different people especially from the knowledgeable ones. After doing this, one should know what is best for oneself. Lately, some friends of mine are being slightly influenced by this Sheikh who condemns about Islamic banking. The Sheikh is entitled to his opinion as far as I'm concerned. I'm no where near the status of a Sheikh but I too have an opinion.

Naturally, I was also sceptic about Islamic banking as I've read some books on Islamic banking and because of being raised in Malaysia, my perception on Islamic banking was more towards negativity. This is one of the reason why I took the course of Islamic banking, and also not taking the course in Malaysia. During my course I was ever being sceptic and after completing the course, I've got my own conclusion.

Firstly, the main concern of Islamic banking is because the Qur'an prescribed us in Surah al-Baqarah verse 275
" Those who devour interest, they behave as the one Satan has confounded with his touch seized in the state they say: "Buying and selling is but a kind of interest," even though Allah has made buying and selling lawful and interest unlawful. Hence he who recieves this admonition from his Lord, and then gives up (dealing in interest). may keep his previous gains, and it will be for Allah to judge him. As for those who revert to it, they are the people of Fire and in it shall they abide."

The verse have clearly states that buying and selling is permissible but  interests are prohibited. If one were to make a business (buying and selling) without charging interest, is it permissible? Based on this verse, my opinion is that as long as we avoid interest, it is permissible. Now what seems to be the problem?

My friends who asked me about Islamic banking are from Malaysia, so I'm going to base this discussion on the situation in Malaysia. Firstly in Malaysia, their view towards banks as a place to do loans. This is because of the conduct of conventional banks and we as the public have digested this idea where a bank is a place to do a loan. Because of Islamic banking are relatively new compared to the conventional banking, most of us do not have a clue what Islamic banking is all about. So usually the public will then assume. The Islamic bank is not necessarily a place for loan. It is a place to do business. If the Islamic provides loan, it will be Qardh hassan where no interest will be charged. But most of the Islamic banks don't do this because it is not "productive" as they are a place for business. The reason I put the inverted commas on productive is because my opinion differs as I do see Qardh hassan as productive.

So, a conventional bank is a place where they provide an individual with the money, and expects repayment of the loan bit by bit including interest (which is based on time=money). The conventional is not responsible for anything else except collecting the money back from an individual.

Islamic banks are different. If an individual wants to buy something, the bank will buy it from the supplier and sell it to the individual in deffered payments (there is a hadith on buying in deffered payment, it is best for a person to research). What is the different? Firstly, the bank is doing a business (buying and selling) as what was told permissible in the Qur'an. Secondly, when a bank buys something, it is in the responsible of the bank to take care of it (maintenance). This is one of the reason of banks entitlement to earn profit.

Why do the public still are very sceptic towards Islamic banking? There might be two reason for this. Firstly, some Islamic banks might have used the word "pinjaman" (borrowing/loaning) which certainly contradicts buying or selling. The other thing is that the public have 'psychoed' themselves to think that a bank is a place for loan no matter if its Islamic banking or conventional banking. Because of this, I have to point to the Islamic banks for not educating the ummah or the public. But banks are not to be blamed alone, education should come from anywhere, like schools, public functions and etc.

This entry has gone a bit long, for those who are interested, I'll continue in my next entry. Want to read more on the consequences of interests and how it accumulates click here. I have highlighted in the last part of that entry about the amount of interest and how injustice to use interests in loans.

Dissertation

Bismillahirohmaneerohim,


Alhamdulillah I've completed and submitted my dissertation yesterday. I've tried my best to do a good final product of my dissertation and now it is up to Allah and the examiners to give what is appropriate for my work. It has been a while since I last blogged and insha'Allah I'll continue again expressing my opinions. I've got plenty in my mind insha'Allah, but for now I need some time to relax and I'll be back. Wassalam

Shield or unshield yourself

Bismillahirahmaniraheem

Credit image to graur razvan ionut / FreeDigitalPhotos.net http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=987

In one of my previous entries, I've discussed about wearing the hijab. In this entry I would like to express my views about exposing the skin publicly.

During my past experience, people usually advise about covering oneself to avoid from getting harassed but I would like to take a different angle on this. Instead of reminding one to cover themselves, I would like to pose some questions to make one think about their intention of exposing their skin or hair.

In the world we live in today, it becomes a norm that most of us, regardless of our gender, expose a large part of our body. My question is WHY? Is it really important in this 'new age' that we expose ourselves? Is it really necessary? What benefit does it gives us? Should we be inside this 'box' of mentality that it is okay to expose our body?

I'll start off by mentioning about females exposing their bodies. Females most of the time expose more of their body than guys when they have actually more to cover. Compare the common male and female work attire for instance. Guys wear shirt, tie, pants and shoes. The girls will USUALLY wear skirt (short or tight), a tight shirt and occasionally a blazer on. These sort of dressing is normally called the 'career woman' attire. Why is it a 'career woman' attire? Apparently, it is because the 'career woman' attire shows high level of confidence. Is this really true? Does a person needs to expose more to show their confidence? From my personal experience and point of view, I've seen a lot confident ladies covering from head to toe. Sometimes their level of confidence are so high that they may look tough and stern. So does one attire really shows the character of confidence? My opinion, definitely not. Ones attire does not necessarily reflects ones character unless in certain cases. A rich man or woman can dress up moderately in spite of their status.

Let us now look at the casual attire. Women's tops are usually tight and there's the low cut, the bare back and etc. Why do most women want to dress this way? Most women, of all sizes dress up this way... to show off? To gain attention of a man? The ones who are single hopes to gain the attention of a man by exposing themselves, but those who aren't single why dress in this way? So that other man are attracted to them??

There are many different guys that have different preferences. Some like big sizes, some small, skinny and so on. Is it really important for a women to show off her exact figure? By showing off the figure, wouldn't it hurt those who are slightly unfortunate? Should we be selfish and not think about those who are unfortunate?

Most women who are used to this dress up lifestyle will argue that they have the right to wear what they want. But I don't think its a good idea to make other envious, jealous or hate one another by just not dressing up properly. We should strive to create a more peaceful community. These women will also argue that any person who doesn't like the way they expose their body is narrow minded, backward and traditional. They will say that those who criticise their dressing are perverts and socially lost! Is this really true?

If a husband and wife were to make love, isn't it normal for the couple to expose their flesh to each other? By exposing each others flesh it will make the couple more aroused to each other. So why should one expose their body publicly if they are not trying to arouse or to have sex? Clearly these women who are exposing themselves are confused and are caught in this 'reality' where this trend/modernism are acceptable.

This also applies to men. Lately it is the trend where guys work out just to show off. Apparently when one work out, it boosts their confidence to approach the opposite sex. Why does it have to be like such in this case? Taking care of health is different than making your body go through a tough routine and ending up not using effectively. Sportsmen or one who does labour work, they need to work out so that they can be useful. I'm not trying to say that working out is not good, but working out to show off is. Sharing good health with one's married partner is good.  

I've read somewhere that apparently it is good to wear a red shirt for an interview because it shows confidence. Why do we have to be stuck in this normality? We are too 'inside the box' by thinking this way. Our minds have been trained to follow this norm. Try to imagine what other norms can be created that we would blindly follow them.

In my point of view, we shouldn't be too tied up to this phenomenon where if it is acceptable in the eyes of the society we should follow. We should always stick to what Allah tells us to do. Certainly Allah knows what is best for us for He is the creator of the universe and all the laws and physics in it. So why should we rely the eyes of society rather than Allah Himself?  Here are a few verse on hijab

“O Children of Adam! Indeed We have sent down to you a garment which covers your shame and provides protection and adornment. But the finest of all is the garment of piety. That is one of the signs of Allah so that they may take heed.” Surah Al-A'raf verse 26

"(O Prophet), Enjoin believing men to cast down their looks and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Surely Allah is well aware of all what they do." Surah al-Nur verse 30

“And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear therof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, or their brothers' sons or their sisters' sons, or their women or the servants whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex, and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O you Believers, turn you all together towards Allah, that you may attain Bliss.” Surah Al-Nur verse 31

“O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw a part of their outer coverings around them (when they go abroad). It is likelier that they will be recognised and not annoyed (harrassed). Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.” Surah al-Ahzab verse 59

Lost in translation

Bismillahirahmaniraheem

A friend of mine tag me in this picture and it shocked me a bit. For muslims who doesn't fast, this may happen to you. A person, when observe fasting will learn to hold back such nasty words to anyone or anything and be a patient person. This guy in particular certainly doesn't observe fasting and does not know how to be patient and speak things which he knows so little of. Usually these sort of people enjoys being a minority. There is no wrong in being a minority but a minority which is astray from the meaning of life is a serious trouble.

Certainly they are attention seekers, as part and parcel of being a minority and they crave to be hated. So, should we fuel their craveness? They want to be minorities in hoping that they will be trend setters so let us not fuel them anymore.

In my opinion, it is important to note that these kind of group or community should just be ignored. If they want to hate others, let them be, as we ourselves should try not to be close with hatred because there is no place of hatred in our religion. That is one of the reason when we have captives in a war, we are not allowed to torture them because torture will lead to hatred. If one wants to give them advise, do it gently otherwise in my opinion just ignore them.

Let us ignore them not because we hate them, it is because we do not want to be associated with the sins that they've done and if one wants to advise them, it is because we see their lives are so valuable and wouldn't want it go to waste. We know the punishment from Allah awaits us in the hereafter if we go astray. They do not have any proof that the hereafter does not exist because certainly they have not came back from the dead.


Ears are created by Almighty Allah so that one could listen but they certainly use it in ignorance and to mock people with it. We muslims should justify that we use the gifts (our body parts, animals, nature) from Allah at our best for everyone.

Definitely, Allah have mentioned these sort of people in this world in the Holy Qur'an. We shall look at the verses.

surah al-baqarah verse 159 : "Those who conceal anything of the clear teachings and true guidance which We have sent down even though We have made them clear in Our Book, Allah curses such people and so do all the curses."

surah al imran verse 85 : "And whoever seeks a way other than this way of submission-Islam- will find that it will not be accepted from him and he will be among the losers in the life to come."

Surah al Imrah verse 90 : "Those who disbelieved after having believed and then hardened in their disbelief, their (pretence to) repentance shall not be accepted. Such have utterly gone astray."

Surah al- Sad : (1)Sad, and by the Qur'an full of exhortation. (2) Nay, but the unbelievers are steeped in arrogance and stubborn defiance.

There is also mentioned about these sort of people wanting to create a better 'kitab' than the Holy Qur'an.

Surah bani Israil verse 88: "Say: "Surely, if mankind and jinn were to get together to produce the like of this Qur'an, they will never be able to produce the like of it, howsoever they might help one another.""

Surah al Baqarah verse 23: " If you are in any doubt whether it is We Who have revealed this Book to our servant, then produce just a surah like it, and call your supporters and seek in it the support of all others save Allah. Accomplish this if you are truthful."

In my opinion as I mentioned earlier, I would just let Allah deal with them. They have had plenty of advise and are tired of listening to the same thing over and over again. I was once misguided as well, and I pray that I would not be misguided again for only Allah guides who He wishes. We should pray and be thankfull to Allah that we are not one of them. May Allah grant us all peace. Thanks to Jasri (Jas) for tagging me this picture and making me realise that such person or group exist at this moment of time.

Importance of Prayer

Bismillahirahmaniraheem

The month of Ramadhan is just around the corner, and it is an important month for the Muslims and the month for worshipping Allah. Muslims fast goes beyond refraining of food and drink. The eyes, ears, tongue and heart must also be refrained from sinful things. The minimum requirement of Ramadan is to avoid from all that is forbidden and to fulfill all that is fardh or wajib.
" (It is) He Who created Death and Life, that He may test which of you is best in deed". surah al-mulk verse 2

Even though fasting is important, praying is even more important as it is prescribed for us Muslims to do it 5 times a day. It is normal to see that a Muslim claims to be a Muslim but doesn't even practise the prayer. I know this because I was one of them. It is just a 'laziness disease' to do prayer sometimes. But now, come to think about it, why do I call myself a Muslim if I'm not even doing the most basic thing that the religion advises me to do? What differentiates me as a Muslim from any other religion? our looks? dressing? our conduct?

Most of us all over the world now have kind of the same look, same dressing, same speech and same conduct. The conduct of disobeying God(Allah) and His Messenger. We have been negligent to Allah and ourselves.
" O you people! Worship and obey your Lord". surah al-baqarah verse 21
"I have only created jinns and human beings, that they may worship and obey Me". surah ad-dhariyat verse 56
"And remember your Lord in your heart with humility and fear, and without raising your voice; remember Him in the morning and evening , and do not become of those who are negligent." Surah al-A'raf verse 206

Lately, it is easy for a person to say such beautiful words, but not acting up on them. The values of Islam is slowly going to perish. Most of us do not hold on to our words or promises anymore. I have recently seen a lot of this recently in my social network that goes something like "May Allah place you amongst the pious" (Semoga dihimpunkannya dengan org2 yg salleh) but the prayer(worshipping Allah) that our body is entitled or needed to is not being done. There is not much point just saying du'a(supplication) without the proper conduct. In Surah At-tawbah verse 77 & 80 says :-

"(77)So He caused hypocrisy to take root in their hearts and to remain therein until the Day they meet Him because they broke their promise with Allah and because they lied.(80)(O Prophet), it is all the same whether you ask forgiveness for them seventy times, Allah shall not forgive them. That is because they disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger; and Allah does not bestow His Guidance on such evil-doing folk." Surah at-tawbah verse 77 & 80

"There are some who say:"We believe in Allah and in the Last Day," While in fact they do not believe. (9) They are trying to deceive Allah and those who believe, but they do not realise that in truth they are only deceiving themselves. (10) There is a disease in their hearts and Allah has intensified this disease. A painful chastisement awaits for their lying." surah al-baqarah verse 8-10

Even the Prophet (salallahu alaihi wasallam) could not ask for forgiveness to such people, who are we to ask Allah to forgive them? Do we have the right to tell/ask Allah to place a person amongst the pious? Allah is fair, so He knows what to do. The important thing for us to do is do prayer for ourselves first. This verse emphasises that we should do justice to ourselves first.
" He who follows the Right Way shall do so to his own advantage; and he who strays shall incur his own loss. No one shall bear another's burden. And never do We punish any people until We send a Messenger." surah al-Israa' verse 15

"Those who hold fast to the Book and establish Prayer- We shall not allow the reward such righteous people to go to waste." Surah al-A'raf verse 170
The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "Between a man and polytheism (shirk) and unbelief (kufr) is the non-performance of the prayer." [Sahih Muslim]
A person who calls him/herself a Muslim but do not pray is almost equivalent to a polytheism(a person who believes in many gods/goddess) and an unbeliever. Such person is between these two. The verse and the hadith indicates the importance performance of the prayer as the line of demarcation between a believer and an unbeliever.

"Make no excuse; you have disbelieved after you had believed. If We pardon some of you, We will punish others amongst you because they were Mujrimun (disbelievers, polytheists, sinners, criminals, etc.)." surah at-tawbah verse66
Have we been conducting like a non-believer after we have testify There is no other god other than Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger and Islam as our way of life?
"As for those who have rejected(these truths), it is all the same whether or not you warn them, for they will not believe. (7) Allah has sealed their hearts and their hearing, and a covering has fallen over their eyes. They deserve severe chatisement." surah al-baqarah verse 6-7
Are we one of these people who do not believe?

" (O Muhammad), if they do not believe in this Message, you will perhaps torment yourself to death with grief, sorrowing over them. (7) Surely We have made all that is on the earth an embellishment for it in order to test people as to who of them is better in conduct." Surah al-kahf verse 6-7
I can only advise myself, brothers and sisters out there, but doing or practising it has to be self intiative. I will keep on trying to advise as long as I am in the right path insha'Allah. If I have done anything wrong, do advise me. Let us make prayer correctly and constantly, insha'Allah so that we could go to the next step which is fasting. Lets appreciate the month of Ramadhan.

"O believers! Fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you in order that you become more conscious of God." Surah al-baqarah verse 183

The recent controversial jerseys

Bismillahirahmaniraheem

It has been a while since I wanted to write on the issue of wearing football jerseys and any logos that have cross on them. This hot issue has also been discussed by Ustaz Zaharuddin fairly recently. I am not going into details of the things mentioned by him, but I would like to talk about football itself. I am a big fan of football and I am really interested in expressing my opinion on this.

Recently the issue of wearing jerseys that have "cross" on them is being questioned especially after Spain lifted the World Cup. Liverpool had Carlsberg as their sponsor for a really long time and now they have opted for Standard Chartered as their sponsor instead. The article that was written in Malaysian papers said that it is not right for a Muslim to wear jerseys that have "red devil, cross and liquors" as their logo and sponsors. So recently I have seen people proudly saying that the jersey they are wearing have none of those. One of those is the Liverpool jerseys. It is a bit obvious that we muslims do not really appreciate or understand the importance of Islamic Banking. I was also one of those muslim who didn't realised the importance of Islamic Banking but I was made aware of it since I took the Masters in Islamic Banking. How I would appreciate to see the Liverpool jersey with Standard Chartered Saadiq instead.

It is a pity that muslims are not really aware of the importance of Islamic Banking. Those who are aware of Islamic Banking are annoyed at the certain Islamic Banking practices that mirrors the conventional banking. In my opinion muslims do need more exposure in Islamic banking in order for Islamic banking to work and to not be a photostat copy of the conventional banking which are using the term "Islamic". As mentioned by Ustaz Zaharuddin, a person who consumes riba/usury/interest is like one who is waging a war against Allah and His Messengers and the sins are like commiting fornication 36 times. The sin of commiting 1 fornication is bad enough, consuming riba is 36 times worst. I have also written in my previous entry about the unfairness in taking or consuming riba here.

Those who wear jerseys that have insurance as their sponsor are not any different with those who wears conventional banking. Conventional banking is bad because it deals with riba. Insurance is worse because it is deals with riba, gharar(uncertainty) and game of chance(sort of gambling). Let us take car insurance for example, a person pays for insurance because he would like to be covered IF he gets an accident. I emphasise IF because, the person knows that he/she is bound to have an accident but not sure when. The insurance company looks through the persons records (accident prone and any traffic violation) to calculate the cost of insuring the person. If the company finds that it is a big liability to insure the person, the company would definitely NOT insure them. Therefore, the company who insures a person knows that the person have a low chance of having an accident. The company is setting its price on it. When the company sets a price on it, it implies that the company is betting with that person that he/she is not(/less chances) going to have an accident. But the person knows that he/she is bound to have and accident and therefore both are going against odds and therefore they are involved in "gambling"...Allah knows best. This thing is a bit tricky for me to express but I hope I have made it simple to understand. I hope to explain more about insurance probably in the future, Insha'Allah.

Getting back to the issue of the jerseys and football, it is also important to mention somethings that is always involved in football which is betting. We muslims should not support such activities. We should not believe in the justice of earning with luck. The game of chance (gambling) only make one party wins. It is either the bookey or the gambler, both cannot win at the same time. Muslim should not believe in this kind of justice, we believe in helping each other and should crave for a win win situation.

Why does a person buy a jersey? to show support of that particular team? to give financial support to the team? I am not trying to annoy the Liverpool and Manchester supporters, but the reason I would like to mention about them is because there are a lot of news on them. Thier debts are now hundreds of millions and their debt will continue to grow because of their involvement in riba/interests. In the past, even Chelsea were having debts up to £300 million if I am not mistaken before Roman bought the club. By giving them your money to buy jerseys it may help them to recover bits of their debts, but when they need financial support, they will go for the conventional method which is suppoting riba/interests.

In Malaysia usually during an EPL match, it is normal to hear people cursing at each other or even cursing the TV because of the opposition. What is the real intention of that? Why the need to be too emotional? In my opinion it is not a big deal to be a fan, but do not go up to the extreme. Love the game, not necessarily the team. It is good to see people are getting more aware about all these jersey/logo stuff but in my opinion, there are more important priority should be taken care of. There are no other priority that should be taken care which is worshipping Allah. It does not get us anywhere if we neglect the most important thing we as a muslim should do. If not Allah who deserves the worshipping, who else deserves more? Torres? Rooney? Gianfranco Zola? Na'uzubillahiminzalik.

Have a think.

Allah definitely knows best.

Tribute to our loved ones and Arwah Azizi Seh

Bismillahirahmanieraheem

It has been about 2 weeks + since my childhood friend, arwah Azizi Seh passed away. I have known him since primary school and we have been through some crucial things in our lives together. I wasn't exactly close to him, but there was a period when we were 10 years old where we would hang out together. As we grew up, we hang out more with our friends as a whole (or as a unit some might say). We have done some good and bad stuff together. Eventhough we have done things that I'm not proud of, I wouldn't be the person I am today if we had not do those things. It has been since early 2008 that I have left my friends and family to migrate to the UK. I may have lost contact with some of my friends but I'm pretty sure that his personality was getting better and better. I hope our lives are not just wasted for nothing. I know for sure that he played a role in my life, and I hope it'll not go to waste for me and my other friends.

Death is a mysterious thing. Even though it happens everyday, and have become such a normality we are always saddened when somebody so close is being taken away. We know that death is inevitable, it will happen no matter what that is for sure. The only mystery for us is when will it happen? So, why are we shocked by death? We should always be prepared, because we know that our life in this world would definitely be taken away. Why do we feel sad when somebody has passed away? Is it because of the impact of them in our lives? Or is it because we could not communicate with them and take back any nasty words thrown across each other.

In my opinion, we should always appreciate the contribution of those who have passed away. They have gone to a place where we can not communicate with them or as some people might say they have gone to a place where there is no "reception". The method of death should not be an issue because death is inevitable. Some might get cancer, and some might be healthy and just die with no explanation, so the method of death doesn't necessarily show the character of the person. Cherish the lives that have passed away, and cherish the lives that you have with you today. If you cherish the right way, insha'Allah you would not be swayed.

I have some advise for myself, my friends and probably some the brothers and sisters out there, even though we have commited some sinful and innappropriate activities its not to late to repent! Let us do it honestly, and truthfully and repent because it is never too late and let us not get back to the wrong path but only the right path. I have a verse from the holy Quran about those who repents.

Allah's acceptance of repentance is only for those who commit evil out of ignorance and then soon repent. It is towards such persons that Allah turns graciously. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.(18) But of no avail is the repentance of those who do evil until death approaches any of them and then he say: "Now I repent." Nor is the repentance of those who die in the state of unbelief of any avail to them. For them We have kept in readiness a painful chastisement. Surah al-nisa verse 17-18

To me, we have commited evil out of ignorance and our next step is just to repent. We have sort of "accomplished" the first step and all we need to do is the most important step, to repent. But don't let it be to late till we are on the verge of death to repent and I pray and hope we all die in the state of a believer. For those who have not commit any evil, don't let this be an excuse to commit evil as certainly you have received the message and advise to do good and avoid evil. And if you decide to commit evil now as an excuse, you might regret it as your life might be taken during committing evil. So let us stay away from evil and do good as Allah is All-Knowing.

I hope in the future, we will keep on advising each other to stay away from evil and not just to wait on another death to remind each other. I have always thought to myself about this phrase "free-time" and I am always against using the phrase. How does a person call it a "free-time" when the person does not even know how much time he has left? To me, there is no such thing as "free-time" but we are living on "bought-time/borrowed-time" which is a gift from Allah for us to decide on what to do. Al-fatihah to my dearest friend .. let us cherish the past, the present and insha'Allah the future. I end with a few verses from the Quran about death.


"And Abraham enjoined the same upon his children, and so did Jacob:" My children! Behold, Allah has chosen this religion for you. Remain till death in submission(to Allah)" surah al-baqarah verse 133

"Believers, do not be like those who disbelieved and said to their brethen (who met some suffering) in the course of journey or fighting:"Had they remained with us, they would not have died nor been slain." Allah makes such thoughts the cause of deep regrets in their hearts. For in truth it is Allah alone who grants life and deals death. Allah sees all that you do." surah al-imran verse 157

"Everyone is bound to taste death and you shall receive your full reward on the day of resurrection. Then, whoever is spared the fire and is admitted to Paradise has indeed been succesful. The life of this world is merely an illusionary enjoyment." surah al-imran verse 184

"Why, then, when the soul leaps up the throat, the while helplessly watching that he is on the verge of death, at that moment when We are closer to him than you, although you do not see (Us), if you are not subject to anyone's authority, why are you then not able to bring them back to life if you are thruthful." surah al-waqi'ah verse 83-87

al-nawawi forty tradition hadith 40
From ibn Umar with both whom (he and his father) may Allah be please - who said "The Messenger of Allah, may benediction and salutation of Allah be upon him, held me by the shoulder and said: "Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveller". And Ibn Umar may Allah be pleased with both, used to say: "When evening comes on you do not keep on waiting for morning, and when morning comes do not keep on waiting for evening. And take from you health (make best use of or prepare) for you sickness and from your life for your death."