Ustadh Usama Canon will be discussing aspects of this remarkable book by Imam 'Abdallah al-Haddad who is widely regarded as the spiritual ‘renewer’ of the 12th Islamic century. A direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, Imam al-Haddad’s sanctity and direct experience of God are clearly reflected in his writings, poetry, and books.
Ustadh Usama Canon will share the main components of this book, wherein Imam Al-Haddad divides the lives of man into 5 stages. The 1st stage being the realm of souls, life before conception where Allah created the souls of all the human beings and took covenant from them. The 2nd stage is the present life on Earth, and this is the most crucial stage because the future of the man is decided based upon his/her conduct in this present life. The present life is further separated into separate states – womb, youth, maturity, seniority, decrepitude, sickness and death.
The 3rd stage is the intermediate realm of Barzakh – the stage between the physical and spiritual worlds, in which the soul awaits after death and before resurrection on Qiyamah (Judgment Day). In this stage, the speaker will share the torment of the Grave, how the living may help the dead and the subject of visiting graves. The 4th stage is the Qiyamah or Judgment Day and the speaker will elucidate on the concepts of the Balance and the Bridge, the Hawd and the Intercession.
The final and 5th stage is the everlasting state of bliss in Paradise for the faithful and the righteous or the everlasting state of torment, agony and remorse for the sinners, rebels and transgressors.
