What is dhikr, and why is it central to Sufism?

The essence of the path of Tasawwuf is not to waste a breath without the remembrance of Allah, and the path itself lies in the knowledge of the Shariah and in following the Prophetic Sunnah. Whatever form dhikr takes, the essence of every method is the invocation of the Divine Name, Allah, and La ilaha illallah. It is the dhikr of "Allah" that is the source code of this universe, as mentioned in the hadith on the final hour.

What does the Qur’an mean when it says the martyrs are alive?

Everyone who passes away is normally spoken of as having died, yet of the martyrs Allah says that they are alive and that they are not to be called dead. The life given to them is different from that of others in the state of Barzakh, and when the Qur'an tells mankind that they cannot understand, it means that mankind is unable to comprehend the concept of that life after death. The scholars also establish from this verse the life of the Prophet after death.

Does the Prophet hear the salawat (durood) sent to him?

According to the belief of Ahl as-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah, the salawat of one who stands close to the Prophet's grave is heard by him. He told his Companions to send much blessing upon him on Friday, for their blessings would be presented to him, and when they asked how, when his body is decayed, he said that Allah has prohibited the earth from consuming the bodies of the Prophets. He also said that if anyone greets him, Allah returns his soul to him and he responds to the greeting, and Imam Suyuti explained that the soul is returned permanently.

Is the Prophet alive in his grave (Hayat un-Nabi)?

The belief that the Prophet lives in his grave, nourished by Allah and performing Salah, is established from the Qur'an, Hadith, the statements of the Companions and the two generations after them, and the pious predecessors. The narrations include that the Prophets are alive in their graves and engaged in praying, that the Prophet saw Musa performing Salah in his grave on the night of Mi'raj, and that Allah has made it unlawful for the earth to destroy the bodies of the Prophets. All the scholars of Ahl as-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah have recorded consensus, Ijma, on this belief.

If everything is already written, why should we do good deeds?

When the Prophet told his Companions that there was not one of them who had not been allotted his seat in Paradise or Hell, they asked why they should then perform good deeds and not depend upon their destiny. His reply, narrated by Ali in Sahih Muslim, was: "No, do perform good deeds, for everyone is facilitated in that for which he has been created." He then recited verses of Surah al-Layl.

What is Qadr (divine decree, predestination) in Islam?

Belief in Qadr is the firm attestation that all decrees, general and particular, were recorded beforehand, and that Allah created everything and assigned it a proper measure. It is one of the six articles of faith. Nothing takes place in the heavens or on earth without the will of Allah, and everything is assigned and preserved in the Preserved Tablet.

What is the Pool of Kauthar (Hawdh e Kauthar)?

Two narrations of the Prophet describe Kauthar. In one it is a river in Paradise with banks of gold, a bed of rubies and pearls, soil more fragrant than musk and water sweeter than honey; in the other he says he will be waiting at it for whoever comes to him, and that some people will be taken away from him.

What is the Sirat, the bridge over Hell?

The first to cross the Sirat, the Bridge over Hell, will be the Prophet Muhammad and the believers. The Prophet described it, what lines it and how people will cross it: some swiftly, some slowly, some sustaining scratches and cuts, while the rest land in Hell.

What happens on the Day of Judgement, according to Islam?

This world will come to an end with the first blow of the Trumpet. Men will emerge from their graves bewildered, naked and barefoot; the Day of Reckoning will be fifty thousand years long, the Prophet will intercede with Allah on behalf of mankind, and those who receive their records in the right hand will prosper, while those who receive them in the left hand or from behind the back will be doomed. Deeds will be weighed on a real Scale: the one whose good deeds outweigh his bad deeds will go to Jannah, where there are levels according to rank, Iman and piety, and the one whose bad deeds outweigh his good deeds will be sent to Hell, the abode of the sinful and of those who denied Allah and His Messengers.

What are the signs of the Day of Judgement (Qiyamah)?

Only Allah knows the timing of the Final Hour. Its minor signs include the advent of the Prophet Muhammad, a fire erupting in the Hijaz, the competing of shepherds in erecting tall buildings and excessive murders; its major signs include the Dajjal, an impostor who would claim to be god, and the descent of Eesa (Jesus) from heaven. The Prophet also named ten signs, from the rising of the sun from the West to a fire from Aden driving people to the Assembly Land.