Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Guidance Is the Divine Gift.

Guidance Is the Divine Gift!

By Ahmad Saad

Question: Please enlighten me the definition of “hidāyah”, its meaning and importance, and how one may get or lose it.

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful;
All the praise and Thanks are due to Allāh, the Lord of al-'ālameen. There is none worthy of worship except Allāh, and that Muhammad, Sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam, is His Messenger.

Allāh Subhānahu wa ta‘ala states that it is Him Who opens the hearts, the ‘hidayah’ of whom He Wills and likewise Seals the hearts of others. The Arabic term ‘hidāyah’ means ‘guidance’. The verb ‘yahdi’ means 'to grant guidance'. Indeed it is Almighty Allāh who grants guidance to mankind. Thus hidāyah is a God-given gift, which Almighty Allāh alone who places in the heart of whomever He wants to provide guidance. And, Allāh Almighty does what He Wills.

Allāh said to His Messenger (Sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam):

“And the Jews will not be pleased with thee, nor will the Christians, till thou follow their creed. Say: Lo! The guidance of Allāh (Himself) is Guidance. And if thou shouldst follow their desires after the knowledge which hath come unto thee, then wouldst thou have from Allah no protecting guardian nor helper.” [Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:120]

 “Verily, you (O Muhammad) guide not whom you like, but Allāh guides whom He wills. And He knows best those who are the guided” [Al-Qasas, 28:56]

This phrase that Allāh guides whom ‘He’ wills is repeated many times in the Qur’an. Some scholars who interpret the Qur’an [the exegesis of the Qur’an] grasp the meaning of this phrase as: “God guides ‘he’ who wants to be guided.  Allāh is Al‘Adl, the Just. Allāh cannot and does not do anything unjust.

Hidāyah is mentioned in so many places in the Qur'an and the hadith. It is in fact the merit that elevates Man and makes him distinguished from animals. Thus, the Qur'an describes those who lack guidance and those who are cut from their Lord as being degraded to the level of animals in the sense that they will be looking only for fulfilling the lusts and needs of the flesh. Hidāyah is always associated with the spiritual elevation of a person when Almighty Allāh helps him or her offer a good deed or finding a right way to his or her solutions.

The Qur'an itself is described, before all, as ‘Huda’ (guidance). Like the beacon that shows us the way in the darkness, the solace for the agonized hearts, and the rope of salvation for a drowning person, hidāyah plays a vital role in our lives. It separates those who lead an animalistic life from those who are liked to their Lord, those who know their way from those who are lost in the jungle.

Seek guidance from Allāh

The Qur'an makes it clear that there are certain conditions and qualifications to gain hidāyah. In the very beginning of Surat al-Fatihah, believers are instructed to seek guidance from Allāh.

Almighty Allāh says:

“Show us the straight path. The path of those whom Thou hast favored; not [the path] of those who earn Thine anger nor of those who astray.”

[Surah Al-Fatihah, 1:6-7]

And Allāh also says:

“The foolish of the people will say: What hath turned them from the qiblah which they formerly observed? Say: Unto Allah belong the East and the West. He guideth whom He will unto a straight path.” 

[Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:142]

The Qur'an also clarifies that those who gain guidance and feel its sweetness are not the sleepy, the lazy or the advocates of the evil, but it is the pious and the devout who spend their all for the sake of Allāh. Almighty Allāh speaks of the Qur'an as being ‘hudan li-l-muttaqeen’ guidance unto those who ward off - evil.) Simply, because Allāh helps only those who want to help themselves.

Again the Qur'an states that those who seek guidance will be elevated in guidance and given more of it. Thus, two facts are to be considered; hidāyah is the divine gift which Almighty Allāh gives to whomever He loves and people should be qualified with piety and Allāh fearing in order to gain it.

Of course people differ in regards to their reception of guidance; some people are ready and fast in achieving guidance while others are too slow. In the hadith, The Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) categorizes people, in respect of receiving and accepting the guidance he brings, into three categories: those who benefit the guidance themselves and help others get it, those who just help others but are not able to practice it themselves, and those who are like barren land, they do not accept guidance nor do they help people find it.

Abu Musa Al-Asha'ari, (radhiallāhu‘anhu), reported that the Prophet (Sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam) said:

"The similitude of that guidance and knowledge with which Allāh, the Exalted and Glorious, has sent me is that of rain falling upon the earth. There is a good piece of land which receives the rainfall readily and as a result of it there is grown in it herbage and grass abundantly. Then there is a land hard and barren that retains water and the people derive benefit from it and they drink and make the animals drink.

Then there is another land which is barren, no water is retained, nor is the grass grown. And that is the similitude of the first one who develops the understanding of the religion of Allāh and benefits from the knowledge with which Allāh sent me. He acquires the knowledge of religion and imparts it to others. [Then the other type is] one who does not pay attention to [the revealed knowledge] and thus does not accept guidance of Allāh with which I have been sent."

[Reported in Sahih Muslim]

The Ways to gain Hidāyah:

1- Having a deep and strong relation with Allāh Subhanahu wa Ta’ala, resorting to Him for needs and fearing Him in secret, as well as in public.

2- Seeking knowledge and purifying one’s intention for Allāh in every word and deed.

3- Strict obedience to Allāh and following His commands and teachings.

A Muslim should always be eager to gain hidāyah and spend his other life asking Allāh for it. The one who is granted hidāyah is really the successful and the happy person, simply because he or she will find him or herself leading a peaceful life. Seeking hidāyah is the command of Allāh and His messenger (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam).

Allāh Subhanahu wa Ta’ala says:

“O ye who believe; Obey Allāh, and the messenger when He calleth you to that which quickeneth you, and know that Allāh cometh in between the man and his own heart, and that He it is unto Whom ye will be gathered.”

[Surah Anfāl, 8:24]

When one of us has a precious stone, he or she will cherish it and look after it all the time. By the same token, when Allāh grants you guidance, then you are gifted with something very precious. You should care for it, die but never lose it, for the moment you lose it, you lose yourself, you lose your heart and you lose your soul.

To keep this Ni’mah (blessing), a Muslim should always show gratefulness to Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala for it, since Allāh says:

“And when your Lord proclaimed: If ye give thanks, I will give you more; but if ye are thankless, lo! My punishment is dire.”[Surah Ibrahim, 14:7]

It is clear that when a person shows thankfulness, Allāh will grant him or her more. Also, showing obedience to Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala is the highest way to keep this blessing of hidāyah.

A poet says:

If you are enjoying a blessing, take care of it,
And bear in mind that sins will remove blessings.
And protect that blessing with obeying Allāh,
For He is always swift in punishing wrongdoers.

When Imam Ash-Shāfi‘ie looked at the ankle of a woman, he was deprived from the Noor (light) and found it difficult to memorize. When he complained to Wakī’, he said to him that he should seek Allāh's forgiveness for the action of disobedience he did so as to regain that light in the heart and the mind.

Imām Ash-Shāfi‘ie (rahimahullāh) wrote in this:

To Wakī` I complained my inability to memorize,
He instructed me to give up any sin.
He also said: “Knowledge is a Divine light
Which Allāh grants not to a sinful man.”

So, a Muslim should keep himself remote from disobedience as far as he can so as to gain hidāyah, find his or her way and lead his or her life in peace and tranquility. May Allāh purify our hearts and guide us to the best of deeds in this world and in the afterlife, amen!

Allāh the Exalted Knows Best.


[Excerpted with minor modification from Q&A published in Islam Online (Ask About Islam) dated 3 Sep 2003]

Friday, January 20, 2012

The Power of Forgiveness

The Power of Forgiveness: An Islamic Perspective
By Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful;
All the praise and Thanks are due to Allāh, the Lord of the al-ā’lamīn. There is none worthy of worship except Allāh, and that Muhammad, Sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam, is His Messenger.

As human beings we are responsible, but we do also make mistakes and we are constantly in need of forgiveness. Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala has granted intellect to human beings. The intellect entails responsibility. The more intellect a person has the more he or she is responsible.

When the intellect is missing, the responsibility is also not there. Little children are not held responsible, because their intellect has not yet developed. The insane are not responsible, because they have lost the intellectual capacity. However, part of our being human is also that we make mistakes. Sometime we make mistakes without deliberation and intention. But sometime we knowingly and deliberately sin and do wrong to others.

A renowned saying: "to err is human and to forgive is divine." Both parts of this statement are very true. As human beings we are responsible, but we do also make mistakes and we are constantly in need of forgiveness. 

Islam speaks about two elements of forgiveness: a) Allāh’s forgiveness; b) Human forgiveness. We need both, because we do wrong in our relations to Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala as well as in our relations to each other.  

Allāh’s Forgiveness

There are many names of Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala given in the Quran. They are called “Most Beautiful Names” and they indicate many different and diverse attributes and qualities of Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala. Some of these names are related to His mercy and forgiveness. Let us look at some of these names:

1. Al-Ghafūr: The Most Forgiving. This name occurs in the Quran more than seventy times. There are other names from the same root, such as Ghafir and Ghaffar. The meaning of the Arabic word “ghafara” is to cover, to hide and from it comes the meaning “to excuse,” “to pardon,” “to remit” and “to forgive.” Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala does all these things. In the Quran, it is mentioned that Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala does not forgive the Shirik (without repentance) but He may forgive every other sin for whomsoever He wills. (Al-Nisā', 4:116) We must turn to Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala to seek His forgiveness.

2. Al-‘Afuw: This has another part of forgiveness. This name occurs in the Quran five times. Literally the word 'Afw means “to release,” “to heal.”“to restore, to remit.” Thus in relation to Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala it means “to release us from the burden of punishment due to our sins and mistakes,” "to restore our honor after we have dishonored ourselves by committing sins and making mistakes." Sometimes in the Quran both names: 'Afuw and Ghafūr come together.

3. Al-Tawwab: The Acceptor of Repentance. This name of Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala is mentioned in the Quran about 11 times. Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala accepts the repentance of those who sincerely repent and turn to him. The word “tawwab” gives the sense of “oft-returning” which means that Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala again and again accepts the repentance. We make sins and mistakes then we repent, He accepts our repentance. Then again we commit sins and make mistakes and when we repent, He again very kindly accepts us and gives us another chance.

4. Al-Halīm: The Clement. This name is mentioned fifteen times in the Quran. This means that Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala is not quick to judgment. He gives time. He forebears and is patient to see His servant return to Him.

5. Al-Rahmān and Al-Rahīm: The Most Merciful and Compassionate. These names are the most frequent in the Quran. Al-Rahman is mentioned 57 times and al-Rahīm is mentioned 115 times. Al-Rahmān indicates that Allāh's mercy is abundant and plenty and Al-Rahīm indicates that this is always the case with Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala. Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala is full of love and mercy and is ever Merciful.

The Quran teaches that Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala is a Judge and He also punishes, but Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala is not bound to punish. The justice of Allāh, according to Quran is that Allāh does not and will not inflict undue punishment on any person. He will not ignore the good of any person. But if He wishes to forgive any sinner, He has full freedom to do that. His mercy is unlimited and His love is infinite.

There are many verses in the Quran and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) on Allāh’s love, mercy and forgiveness. In one of the prayers that the Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) taught, he said: “O Allāh, You are most Forgiving One, You love to forgive, so forgive me.” (At-Tirmidzi and Ibn Mājah). We need Allāh's mercy and forgiveness all the time. It is wrong to assume at any time that one will find eternal salvation without the forgiveness of Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala.

Human Forgiveness in Islam

Just as it is important to believe in Allāh’s mercy and forgiveness, it is also necessary to base human relations on forgiveness. We cannot expect Allāh's forgiveness unless we also forgive those who do wrong to us. Forgiving each other, even forgiving one's enemies is one of the most important of Islamic teaching. In the Quran Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala has described the Believers as: “those who avoid major sins and acts of indecencies and when they are angry they forgive.”(Al-Shura, 42:37)

Later in the same chapter Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala says: “The reward of the evil is the evil thereof, but whosoever forgives and makes amends, his reward is upon Allāh” (Al-Shura 42: 40) In another place the Quran says: “If you punish, then punish with the like of that wherewith you were afflicted. But if you endure patiently, indeed it is better for the patient. Endure you patiently. Your patience is not except through the help of Allāh…” (Al-Nahl, 16:126-27)

In one the famous sayings of the Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) it is reported that he said that Allāh commanded him about nine things. One of them he mentioned was “that I forgive those who do wrong to me.”

Prophet Muhammad (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) was the most forgiving person. He was ever ready to forgive his enemies. When he went to Ta'if to preach Allāh’s message to its people, they mistreated him. They abused him and hit him with stones. He (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) left the city humiliated and wounded. When he (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) took shelter under a tree, Allāh’s angel appeared to him and told him that Allāh was very angry with the people of Taif and sent him to destroy them because they mistreated Allāh’s beloved Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam). The Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) prayed to Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala to save the people of Ta’if, because what they did was out of their ignorance. He said: “O Allah, guide these people, because they did not know what they were doing.” (Al-Bukhari)

When Rasūllulah (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) entered the city of Makkah after the victory, Rasūllulah (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) had in front of him some of his staunchest enemies. Those who fought him for many years persecuted his followers and killed many of them. Now Rasūllulah (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) had full power to do whatever he wanted to punish them for their crimes. It is reported that Rasūllulah (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) asked them: “What do you think I shall do to you now” They expected nothing but retaliation and pleaded for mercy. The Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) said, “Today I shall say to you what Joseph (referring to Prophet Yusuf –‘alaihissallam- as mentioned in the Qur'an, Yusuf 12:92) said to his brothers: “No blame on you today. Go, you are all free”.”

Soon they all came and accepted Islam at his hands. He (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) forgave even Hindun who had caused the murder of his uncle Hamzah. After killing him, she had his body mutilated and chewed his liver. When she accepted Islam, the Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) even forgave her.

A very striking example of forgiveness we find in the Quran in reference to the most unfortunate event of “Slander of Aishah.” Some hypocrites of Madinah accused her. They tried to put dirt on her noble character. One of the slanderers turned out to be Mistah, the cousin of Aishah’s father Abu Bakar As-Siddiq (radiallāhu‘anhu). Abu Bakar used to give financial help to this young man. After he slandered his daughter, Abu Bakar vowed not to help him anymore. 

But Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala reminded Abu Bakar and through him all the Believers:

“Let not those among you who are endued with grace and amplitude of means resolve by oath against helping their kinsmen, those in want and those who migrated in the path of Allāh. Let them forgive and overlook. Do you not wish that Allāh should also forgive you? Indeed Allāh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful” (An-Nur, 24: 22)

Abu Bakar (radiallāhu‘anhu) came out of his home and said: “Yes, indeed, I do want Allāh’s forgiveness”. He did not only continue to help him but he increased his allowance. Islam emphasizes justice and punishment of the wrong doers, but it equally strongly emphasizes mercy, kindness and love. Justice, law and order are necessary for the maintenance of a social order, but there is also a need for forgiveness to heal the wounds and to restore good relations between the people. We must keep in mind that as much as we need Allāh's forgiveness for our own sins and mistakes, we must also practice forgiveness towards those who do wrong to us.

And Allāh Almighty Knows best.

References: This article was excerpted from http://www.forgivenessworks.org

[Via On Islam Monday, 21 March 2011 08:30]

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

The Gateway to Paradise

The Gateway to Paradise
By Muhammad Hijab

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful;
All the praise and Thanks are due to Allāh, the Lord of the al-ā’lamīn. There is none worthy of worship except Allāh, and that Muhammad, Sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam, is His Messenger.

On the authority of Mu‘adz bin Jabal (radiallāhu‘anhu), who said:

I said: "O Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam), tell me of an act which will take me into Paradise and will keep me away from Hell-fire."

Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: "You have asked me about a major matter, yet it is easy for him for whom Allāh Almighty makes it easy. You should worship Allāh, associating nothing with Him, you should perform the prayers, you should pay the zakah, you should fast in Ramadhān, and you should perform Hajj to the House." 

He (Sallallāhu‘alayhi wa sallam) further said, "Shall I not guide you to the Gates of Goodness?  Fasting is a screen (from Hell), charity extinguishes (i.e., removes) the sins as water extinguishes fire, and standing in prayers by a slave of Allāh during the last third part of the night (qiyamulail).''

Then Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) recited: “Who forsake their beds to cry unto their Lord in fear and hope, and spend of that We have bestowed on them. No soul knows what is kept hid for them of joy, as a reward for what they used to do". (As-Sajdah, 32: 16-17)

Then Rasūlullah (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Shall I not tell you of the peak of the matter, its pillar, and its topmost part?"I said: "Yes, O Messenger of Allāh."Rasūlullah (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: "The peak of the matter is Islam; the pillar is prayer; and its topmost part is jihad."

Then Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: "Shall I not tell you of the controlling of all that?”I said:"Yes, O Messenger of Allāh". So, Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) took hold of his tongue and said: "Restrain this." I said: "O Prophet of Allāh, will what we say be held against us?” Rasūlullah (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: "May your mother be bereaved of you, Mu‘adz! Is there anything that topples people on their faces - or he said on their noses into Hell-fire other than the jests of their tongues?" 

(Related by At-Tirmidzi, who said it is good, sound hadith.)

Comments

This comprehensive hadith contains the good deeds which are required to qualify man to enter paradise, as well as the objective for which Allāh sent the messengers to humanity. The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) described the matter asked by the Companion as a great one, and, at the same time, easy to perform if Allāh eased it for him. The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) arranged the answer logically and chronologically. He started with the testimony that there is no god but Allāh and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allāh, then he called on him to perform prayer, to give zakah, to fast the month of Ramadhān, and to perform Hajj.

The Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) offered the questioner the knowledge of the gateway of righteousness: He described Fasting as an actual protection from committing sins, and spoke of the effect of sadaqah visualizing it as putting off the sins as water does to fire, using a tangible example to expound the dimension of the effect of charity.

Among the great points included in the Prophet’s advice is Solat Tahajjud which is performed around midnight, the time at which the worshipers forsake their beds to pray to Allāh in spite of the dire need of sleep. The Qur’an says: 

“They forsake their beds as they call on their Lord in fear and hope…” (As-Sajdah 32: 16)

Then the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) spoke of Islam as the head of subject-matter, prayer as the major pillar, jihad as its top, and the tongue as the controller of all these things. Speaking of the importance of the tongue, he (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) advised the inquirer to restrain the tongue for its harvest leads man to either Paradise or Hell-fire. 

The following lessons may be deduced from the hadith:

1.  This hadith has stressed the importance of observing the five pillars of Islam. For in answer to a question, the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) revealed that by observing the pillars of Islam well one can easily enter Paradise.

2.  The hadith further teaches us that we are required to observe other things besides the five pillars of Islam. We are required to contribute towards jihad. Jihad here does not mean just war alone, but it means trying to do only those things that are allowed and to keep away from those things that are prohibited.

3.  All good actions can go waste if one fails to guard his tongue. One should, therefore, guard his tongue against that which Allāh has made prohibited; consequences of the bad tongue are Hell-Fire. Thus wet your tongue with the remembrance of Allāh.

Wallāhu’alam


[Via On Islam Thursday, 29 December 2011]

Saturday, January 14, 2012

The Bankrupt Person

The Bankrupt Person on the Day of Judgment

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful;
All the praise and Thanks are due to Allāh, the Lord of the al-ā’lamīn. There is none worthy of worship except Allāh, and that Muhammad, Sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam, is His Messenger.

Abu Hurayrah (radhiallāhu‘anhu) narrated that The Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) once asked his companions: “Do you know who the Bankrupt person is?” The companions said: a bankrupt man among us is the one who has neither dirham with him or wealth. The Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: “The bankrupt of my Ummah is he who would come on the Day of Judgment with (good deeds, like) Solāh, and Siyam and Zakah; but who had offended one person , slandered another, unlawfully consumed the wealth of another person, shed the blood of this person and beat that person. Each one of these people would be given some of the wrongdoer’s good deeds. If his good deeds fall short of settling the account, then their sins will be taken from their account and entered into his account and he would be thrown in the Hell Fire”.

(Recorded by Muslim, Vol. 4, p. 11366, No. 6251; also in At-Tirmidzi)

“O you, who believe, avoid much suspicion; indeed some suspicion is a sin. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it. And have fear of Allāh. Verily, Allāh is the One Who forgives and accepts repentance, Most Merciful.” [Surah 49, Al Hujurat: 12]

Messenger of Allāh, (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam), said:  “Arrogance is refusing the truth and belittling people”.

[Recorded by Muslim]

‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn Mahdī (rahimahullāh), the Imām, the Hujjah, said:

“If I did not hate that Allāh be disobeyed, I would have wished that there was no one left in the whole city except that he has backbitten me! What is more rewarding than a man finding a good deed (written) in his book for something he did not even do?!”

And Almighty Allāh knows best.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

The Seven under the Shade of Allāh

The Seven groups of people under the Shade of Allāh

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful;
All the praise and Thanks are due to Allāh, the Lord of al-'ālameen. There is none worthy of worship except Allāh, and that Muhammad, Sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam, is His Messenger.

On the Day of Resurrection, all people that ever lived will be gathered before Allāh to await His judgment for all they have done or said during their lives. During this time, the sun will come very close to the people - as close as one mile according to some narrations. People will want to get away from the heat of the sun but there will be no shade or shelter to go to and they will start sweating in proportion to their sins. The more sins a person has the more he or she will sweat profusely.

During this traumatic time, however, the seven groups of people who are mentioned in the following hadith (Prophetic narration) are completely immune to the sun’s heat and they will be in complete comfort; they will be enjoying the only shade available on that day and that is The Shade of Allāh. They will enjoy such an honor because of their piety and obedience to Allāh when they were alive.

The Prophet Muhammad (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: There are seven whom Allāh will shade in His Shade on the Day when there is no shade except His Shade: a just ruler; a youth who grew up in the worship of Allāh; a man whose heart is attached to the masjid; two men who love each other for Allāh's sake, meeting for that and parting upon that; a man who is called by a woman of beauty and position [for illegal intercourse], but he says: 'I fear Allāh'; a man who gives in charity and hides it, such that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives in charity; and a man who remembered Allāh in private and so his eyes shed tears.” (Recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

In this narration, the Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) spoke about small acts of worship which result in such a huge reward: shade on the Day when there will be no shade except His Shade, i.e., the Shade of His Throne.

This may not seem like much at first but then reflect upon the following narration:

“On the Day of Resurrection, the sun would draw so close to the people that there would be left a distance of only one mile. The people will be submerged in perspiration according to their deeds, some up to their ankles, some up to their knees, some up to the waist and some would have the bridle of perspiration (and, while saying this, the Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) put his hand towards his mouth).” (Recorded by Muslim)

Let us examine now the characteristics and virtues of these seven categories of people who will be worthy of such an exalted position on the Day of Gathering (Qiamah):

1. A Just Ruler.

The concept of Justice in Islam is very important and it is something which the Muslim - Ruler and the ruled - must apply in all matters without exception. Justice means to give each the right he deserves: Muslim or non-Muslim, relative or stranger, friend or enemy.

Allāh Says:

“...And do not let hatred because you to act unjustly, that are nearer to piety.”

(Al-Mâ'idah, 5:8)

Unfortunately, even if we admit this in theory, we quickly forget it in practice. So we find that when we speak about our friends and loved ones, we praise them beyond reason and when we speak about those whom we hold difference with, we can find no good in them and we just capitalize on their bad points.

The Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allāh does not bless a people among whom a weak man is not given his right." (Recorded by At-Tirmidzi)

The concept of justice is most important for the Ruler, since he is in charge of his people and the primary disposer of justice in the land. For this reason, the Ruler is given special mention as one of the seven who will be honored with Allāh's Shade.

2. A youth who grew up in the Worship of Allāh.

The great scholar, Imam Ayyub As-Sakhtiyâni (rahimallāh) stated: 'From the success of a youth is that Allāh guides him to a scholar of the Sunnah (to study under and learn from).' Indeed, it is a great blessing from Allāh for a youth be guided towards worship and be befriended by the righteous, since it is in youth that a person is most vulnerable to the temptations of life and liable to drift away from the Islamic Path. This becomes apparent when we look at society around us and we see that most of the worldly distractions, such as music, games, clubs, fashion etc. are all specifically targeted at the young.

'You're only young once!' they are told, which is why many Muslims nowadays waste their youth thinking that they will pray, wear Hijab and go tn Hajj, etc. when they are old, as if they have a guarantee of long life from Allāh! How well we would do to heed the Prophet's (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) advice when he (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) said:

“Take benefit of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before you are preoccupied and your life before your death.” (Recorded by Al-Hakim)

3. A man whose heart is attached to the Masjid.

There is great encouragement in the Sunnah for men to pray in the mosques and the reward associated with it is tremendous. Not only does it make the person eligible for Allāh's Shade on the Day of Judgment, but also:

“He does not take a step [towards the masjid except that because of it, he is raised by one rank and one sin is removed from him. Then when he prays, the Angels do not cease supplicating for him [for] as long as he remains at his place of Prayer [sayings]: O Allāh send blessings upon him, O Allāh have mercy upon him...” (Recorded by Al-Bukhari)

It must be emphasized here however, that all the narrations encouraging the men to be attached to the masjid are not intended to lead one to the conclusion that Islam is a Religion which should be confined to the masajids, as many people imagine. Nonetheless, the mosque should be at the heart of the Muslim community, and the role of those in authority of the masajids is vital here. They are the ones mainly responsible for making the mosque a welcome refuge for the Muslims.

4. Two men who love each other for Allāh's Sake, meeting for it and parting upon it.

Allāh says: “The believers are nothing else than brothers, so make reconciliation between your brothers, and fear Allāh, that you may receive mercy.” (Al-Hujurat, 49:10)

Having mutual love for the sake of Allāh is one of the great doors leading to the good of the Hereafter and a cause of tasting the sweetness of faith in this world.

Loving one another for Allāh's sake means that a Muslim does not love another person except for the correctness of religion. So it does not matter what the person looks like, what he wears, how rich or poor he is, where he comes from, or what the color of his skin is - perhaps you dislike everything about him, but you love him for his belief in Allāh: this is loving for Allāh's sake. The Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) said Allāh Says in a Sacred Narration:

"Those who have mutual love for the sake of My Glory will have minarets of light and will be envied by the Prophets and martyrs." (Recorded by At-Tirmidzi and Ahmad)

Imagine being envied by Allāh's chosen Messengers and those who were slain in His Path! Such is the reward of those who love one another for Allāh's sake.

5. A man who is called (seduced) by a woman of beauty and position but he says: 'I Fear Allāh'.

Allāh says: “And come not near to the adultery. Verily, it is a shameful (deed) and an evil way (that leads one to Hell).” (Al-Isra’, 17: 32)

This world is full of temptations that lead to burning in the Fire and amongst them is that which comes from women. Many a man has led his soul into destruction on account of the lure of a woman, which is why the Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) warned his nation specifically about this. 

The Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: “The world is sweet and green and verily Allāh is going to install you as successors upon it in order to see how you act. So avoid the allurement of women: verily the first trial for the Children of Israel was caused by women.” (Recorded by Muslim)

The most important provision which we need to protect ourselves from this and all other temptations in life is the fear of Allāh. This fact is alluded to in the following verse: 

“And as for him who feared standing before his Lord and restrained himself from impure evil desires, verily Paradise will be his abode.” (An-Nazi’at, 79: 40-1)

6. A Man who gives in charity and hides it, such that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives in Charity.

This describes the type of person who goes to great lengths to protect himself from ostentation and showing off in worship.

Being ostentatious is to do deeds in order to earn the praise and recognition of people. This sin destroys all the benefits that lie in righteous deeds and brings on a serious punishment for the one who commits it. It is particularly dangerous because it is in man's nature to desire and enjoy the praise of others.

Thus, great care has to be taken to ensure that one's intentions begin and remain pure whenever good actions (such as charity) are being done. Allāh warns the believers: 

“O you who believe! Do not render vain your charity by reminders of your generosity or by injury, like him who spends his wealth to be seen of men and he does not believe in Allāh nor in the Last Day.” (Al-Baqarah, 2:264)

7. A man who remembered Allāh in private and so his eyes shed tears.

Prophet Muhammad (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) informed us: “If you knew what I knew, you would laugh little and weep much.” (Recorded by Al-Bukhari)

Crying is not a sissy thing to do! The Prophet, (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam), who was the best of all creation, would weep, as would all of his Companions. Tears are a genuine expression of fear of Allāh's punishment and of our sincere love and awe of Him.

But how often do we remember Allāh in seclusion and are then moved to tears? How much do we laugh and how little do we weep? 

The Prophet (Sallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: "There is nothing more beloved to Allāh than two drops and two marks: A tear shed due to fear of Allāh, and a drop of blood spilled in the path of Allāh. And as for the two marks, then a mark caused in the path of Allāh, and a mark caused by fulfilling one of the duties made obligatory by Allāh." (Recorded by At-Tirmidzi)

Finally, through the seven types of people mentioned in the narration, we have been given clear signposts of the way to attain Allāh's pleasure and satisfaction. So you should devote yourself to being one amongst those seven, for indeed fortunate will be those who are granted Allāh's Shade on the Day when there will be no shade but His.

Wallāhu’alam