TAHLILAN MENURUT USTADZ KHALID BASALAMAH: BOLEH ATAU TIDAK?

Summary

In this lecture, the speaker addresses the practice of Tahlilan (a prayer for the deceased), discussing its permissibility according to the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He clarifies that while Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) is an essential act of worship, the specific practice of gathering for Tahlilan after a death is not supported by any direct Hadith. The speaker emphasizes following the Sunnah in death-related rituals and shares his personal experience to highlight the importance of simplicity and adherence to prophetic tradition, advising that while cultural practices are not forbidden, they should align with Islamic teachings to avoid uncertainty.

Takeaways

• 😀 Tahlil (remembrance of Allah) is a good practice, but it should follow the Sunnah and not be performed as a formalized event after someone’s death.
• 😀 The main purpose of attending a funeral is to comfort the grieving family, not to perform specific rituals for the deceased.
• 😀 There is no authentic narration that supports the practice of holding a specific gathering for tahlil after death; the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did not perform this practice.
• 😀 Mourning (takziah) should focus on supporting the family of the deceased, as the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did, by offering food and emotional comfort, not rituals.
• 😀 The Sunnah encourages simplicity in funeral practices, without extra ceremonies or rituals.
• 😀 The soul’s journey after death depends on the person’s deeds: righteous souls are welcomed with joy, while sinful souls experience torment.
• 😀 When attending a funeral, the proper way is to follow the Sunnah, such as handling the body according to Islamic rites and immediately proceeding to the burial.
• 😀 The concept of the questioning in the grave by angels about one’s faith and deeds is a crucial part of the afterlife in Islam.
• 😀 Ustaz Haris emphasizes the importance of following the Sunnah to avoid innovations (bid'ah) in Islamic practices, especially regarding funeral rites.
• 😀 While individuals may still choose to perform certain actions, such as tahlil, they should do so with understanding and avoid criticizing others who follow the Sunnah.

Q & A

What is tahlilan, and why is it discussed in this lecture?

Tahlilan is a form of collective zikr (remembrance of Allah) where people gather to recite phrases like 'La ilaha illallah' (There is no god but Allah), 'Alhamdulillah' (Praise be to Allah), and 'Allahu Akbar' (Allah is the Greatest). In this lecture, Ustaz Haris discusses tahlilan to clarify its place in Islamic practices, emphasizing that while zikr is valuable, the way it is performed should adhere to the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad.

What is the correct approach to performing zikr in Islam?

Zikr should be done in accordance with the guidance of Prophet Muhammad, meaning it should be performed at the right times (such as after prayer), in the right places, and in the right manner. The Prophet provided specific forms of zikr, like those after prayers or during certain parts of the day, and these should be followed closely.

What is the issue with holding a tahlilan gathering for the deceased?

Ustaz Haris explains that while zikr is encouraged in Islam, there is no record in the Hadith where Prophet Muhammad gathered people for a collective zikr specifically for the deceased. The focus should instead be on offering condolences to the family of the deceased, not performing rituals for the deceased.

What did Prophet Muhammad say about offering condolences (takziah) to the family of the deceased?

Prophet Muhammad taught that the primary purpose of condolences (takziah) is to comfort and support the family of the deceased. The Prophet did not instruct followers to perform rituals like zikr for the deceased, but rather advised bringing food and offering prayers for the living family members, as shown in his own practices.

What are some practices in Islam that Ustaz Haris emphasizes during mourning and burial?

Ustaz Haris emphasizes following the practices of Prophet Muhammad, which include swiftly burying the deceased without unnecessary rituals like azan (call to prayer) at the grave. He stresses that after the funeral prayer (salat), the body should be quickly transported to the burial site, and the process should be simple, following the Sunnah.

How does Ustaz Haris explain his personal experience with his father-in-law's death and burial?

Ustaz Haris shares his experience of following the Sunnah during his father-in-law's death in Jawa Timur. He and his family focused on the simple steps of washing and preparing the body, offering the funeral prayer, and then quickly proceeding to the burial. His family found peace in adhering to the Sunnah without engaging in unnecessary rituals.

Why is it important to avoid innovations (bid'ah) in Islamic rituals?

Innovations, or bid'ah, in religious practices are discouraged because they introduce elements into Islam that were not part of the teachings of Prophet Muhammad. Ustaz Haris explains that sticking to the practices outlined by the Prophet ensures that rituals remain authentic and aligned with Islamic teachings.

What is the significance of the story about the deceased person's soul in the afterlife shared by Ustaz Haris?

Ustaz Haris shares a detailed description of what happens to the soul of a believer after death, explaining that if the deceased is a righteous person, their soul will be met by angels who will carry it to heaven. This story serves to illustrate the importance of living a righteous life according to Islamic teachings, as the soul's journey after death reflects the individual's actions in life.

How did Ustaz Haris' adherence to the Sunnah impact the family during the mourning period?

By following the Sunnah, Ustaz Haris helped his family avoid emotional distress and confusion during the mourning period. The simplicity and peace of the process allowed the family to focus on accepting the loss with calmness, and the family members expressed that they felt more at ease and spiritually aligned.

What is Ustaz Haris' stance on those who wish to perform tahlilan or other non-Sunnah rituals for the deceased?

Ustaz Haris makes it clear that while he does not forbid anyone from performing tahlilan or other similar rituals, he advises following the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, which do not include these practices for the deceased. He encourages people to stay in a 'safe zone' by adhering to authentic Sunnah practices.