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

[Via On Islam as excerpted from Islamweb.net October 2011]

Please See Also:

1. The Meaning Of Silatul-Rahim;2. Guidelines On Ties Of The Kinship

3. The Obligation Of Upholding The Ties Of Kinship;4.The Rights Of The Kin In Islam

5.  The Rights And Duties Of Women In Islam;

6. All Occurs By The Will And Decree Of Allāh.

7. Allah Obligates Kindness To Parents; 8. Acknowledging The Parents

9. The Kindred Of Kinship

10.  Not Permissible To Forsake A Muslim

11.  Ruling On Disputes And The Virtue Of Reconciling

12.  Dealing With Relatives Who Backbite; 13. Dealing With Hurtful Relatives

14.  Giving Zakah To Deserving Relatives

15.  Is The Father’s Wife Among The Relatives (Rahm)

16.  Husband’s Duties Towards His Wife’s Family;

17. The Rights Of The Husband And The Wife.

18.  Upholding The Ties Of Kinship For Females; 19. A Woman’s Mahram.

Tujuh Golongan Istimewa Di Sisi Allah

Tujuh Golongan Istimewa Di Sisi Allah

Zainuddin Hashim

Dengan Nama Allāh, Yang Maha Pemurah, lagi Maha Mengasihani;

Segala Pujian dan Kesyukuran hanya kepada Allāh Subhanahu wa ta’ala;

Selawāt dan Salām keatas junjungan Nabi Muhammad.

Terdapat Tujuh Golongan Manusia yang berjaya mendapat tempat di sisi Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta`ala kerana melakukan amalan berdasarkan ilmu pengetahuan yang diwariskan oleh baginda kepada mereka.

Kejayaan mereka itu untuk beramal dengan amalan-amalan yang baik menurut syarak adalah disebabkan ketekunan mereka untuk bergaul dengan insan-insan yang memiliki budi pekerti yang baik, apatah hubungan yang intim dengan Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta`ala selaku Pencipta seluruh alam.

Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta`ala menegaskan: "Dan bersabarlah kamu bersama-sama dengan orang-orang yang menyeru kepada Tuhannya, sama ada di waktu pagi, tengahari, petang, senja dan malam dengan mengharapkan keridaan-Nya, janganlah kamu kedua matamu berlaing dari mereka kerana mengharapkan perhiasan kehidupan dunia ini, dan janganlah kamu menuruti orang yang telah Kami lalaikan hatinya daripada mengingati Kami serta menuruti hawa nafsunya, kerana sesungguhnya seluruh hidup mereka adalah melampaui batas (agama)." [Surah Al-Kahfi, 18: 28]

Itulah jalan bagi memastikan kedudukan iman, pegangan serta kepercayaan terus utuh melalui persahabatan dengan orang-orang yang boleh mengingatkan kita kepada Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta`ala, bukan sekadar itu, malah mencemburui serta memburu tempat di akhirat seperti tujuh golongan yang terselamat daripada ditimpa panas terik matahari sejengkal di atas kepala.

Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) ada menegaskan mengenai tujuh golongan tersebut menerusi sabdanya yang bermaksud:

"Tujuh golongan dinaungi Allāh di bawah naungan-Nya pada Hari Qiamat iaitu hari yang tidak ada sebarang naungan padanya selain daripada naungan Allāh; mereka itu ialah:

• Pemerintah yang adil;

• Remaja (lelaki atau perempuan) yang hidupnya sentiasa dalam mengerjakan ibadah kepada Tuhannya;

• Orang yang hatinya sentiasa terikat dengan masjid;

• Dua orang yang berkasih sayang kerana Allāh di mana kedua-duanya berkumpul dan berpisah untuk mendapat keredaan Allāh;

• Orang yang digoda oleh seorang perempuan yang kaya lagi rupawan untuk bersatu dengannya lalu ia menolak dengan berkata: "Aku takut kepada Allāh!”;

• Orang yang bersedekah secara bersembunyi sehingga tangan kirinya tidak mengetahui apa yang diberi oleh tangan kanannya; dan

• Orang yang menyebut atau mengingat Allāh dengan keadaan tidak ada dalam ingatannya perkara lain, lalu menitiskan air matanya kerana mengingatkan sifat Mulia dan sifat Agung Allāh."

[Riwayat Abu Dawud dan Ibnu Majah].

Jelas dari apa yang disabdakan oleh baginda dalam hadis tersebut di atas, memberitahu kita bahawa golongan yang disebut itu adalah mereka yang benar-benar melaksanakan tuntutan ajaran agama Islam dalam hidup mereka, justeru mereka dianugerahkan balasan yang baik dari Allāh setimpal dengan apa yang telah disumbangkan untuk kebaikan Islam.

Bukan mudah untuk menjadi hamba Allāh yang sanggup berkorban demi Allāh dalam segenap tuntutan kehidupan, apatah lagi terpaksa berhadapan dengan ujian yang mesti dilalui seperti yang dialami oleh tujuh golongan di atas.

Apatah lagi kepada umat Nabi Muhammad (Sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) masa kini yang tenggelam dalam banyak perkara yang tidak ada hubungan dengan nilai keagamaan, termasuklah gelagat dalam bulan Ramadhan dan malam hari raya, mereka memperlihatkan betapa aspek agama perlu dipelihara pada waktu tertentu secara bermusim, sehingga tindakan mereka itu tidak menjadikan mereka mampu untuk menangis kerana takut kepada Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta`ala.

Golongan yang ketujuh yang disebut oleh Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam)  dalam hadis di atas iaitu yang mengingati (berzikir) kepada Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta`ala hingga menitiskan air mata bukan mudah untuk ditemui pada zaman ini, kerana manusia pada hari ini tidak memelihara sumber pemakanan yang diambil (hasil pendapatan), tidak mengendahkan pantang larang agama, halal dan haramnya sesuatu yang diperolehinya serta tidak mempedulikan nilai-nilai agama dalam kehidupan mereka, malah Islam dipinggirkan dalam hidup mereka.

Pendekatan Al-Quran Dan Sunnah Nabi Muhammad (Sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) Mengenai Nilai Air Mata

Sehubungan itu, Allāh menjelaskan: "Dan mereka menyungkur atas muka mereka sambil menangis dan mereka bertambah khusyuk." [Surah Al-Isra’ ,17: 109]

Iulah sikap dan nilai orang-orang yang beriman sungguh-sungguh kepada Allāh SWT, di mana mereka tidak akan mudah mengalirkan air mata melainkan apabila melihat Islam ditekan, diperlakukan dengan sewenang-wenangnya oleh tangan-tangan pengkhianat agama, negara dan bangsa.

Keadaan ini amat berbeza sekali dengan orang Islam hari ini yang tidak peka atau prihatin dengan perkembangan semasa yang melibatkan undang-undang Islam yang masih tidak terlaksana dan mereka tidak sedih apatah lagi mengeluarkan air mata kerananya.

Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) telah bersabda: "Seseorang itu tidak akan masuk neraka disebabkan dia menangis kerana takut kepada Allāh." [Hadis riwayat At-Tirmizi]

Sesungguhnya baginda Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam)  banyak memberi motivasi kepada umatnya dengan kata-kata hikmat (hadisnya) yang mampu mengalirkan air mata bagi golongan yang memiliki hati yang sejahtera daripada amalan syirik, nifaq dan menyanggah hukum Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta`ala, tetapi bagi mereka yang keras hatinya daripada amalan Islam, atau kosong daripada penghayatan agama, walau dibacakan ayat al-Quran kepada mereka, tetap tidak akan berganjak dan terus berada dalam kesesatan.

Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta`ala menegaskan: "Maka apakah orang-orang yang dibuka Allāh hatinya untuk menerima Islam lalu dia mendapat cahaya daripada Tuhannya sama dengan orang keras hati? Maka celakalah bagi mereka yang keras hatinya dari mengingati Allāh, sesungguhnya mereka itu berada dalam kesesatan yang nyata." [Surah Az-Zumar, 39:23]

Jelas daripada ayat dan hadis di atas, menunjukkan bahawa nilai air mata yang menangis kerana takut kepada Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta`ala diganjari dengan pahala dan menyebabkan si pelakunya akan dimasukkan dalam syurga, begitulah sebaliknya jika seseorang itu yang menangis bukan kerana takut kepada Allāh, maka dia akan dimasukkan dalam api neraka, malah air mata yang dialirkan itu akan menjadi saksi terhadap apa yang dilakukan selama hidup di dunia, sama ada air mata itu akan menjadi penolonga baginya atau sebaliknya.

Kesan Air Mata Positif Yang Melayakkan Masuk Syurga Allāh

Para ulama telah menggariskan beberapa pendekatan bagi memperolehi jalan untuk memastikan agar air mata yang mengalir itu adalah disebabkan takut kepada Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta`ala:

• Bergaul dengan para solihin di kalangan orang-orang alim yang sering mengingatkan diri kepada Allāh, serta merasa bertanggungjawab untuk menyelamatkan agama-Nya yang semakin hari semakin tercemar dengan tindakan orang-orang Islam sendiri.

• Memerhati alam sekeliling ciptaan Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta`ala bagi membangkitkan diri daripada alpa kepada istiqamah dengan Islam dengan merasakan Allāh Maha Agung dalam penciptaan-Nya.

• Sentiasa melakukan muhasabah diri terhadap segenap kesalahan yang pernah dilakukan, ia tidak dapat dikesan melainkan duduk bersama dengan golongan ahli ilmu.

• Mencari atau menyediakan persekitaran yang baik adalah salah satu kaedah untuk mampu menangis kerana takut kepada Allāh.

• Mencari contoh teladan yang baik lagi solih bagi mencerminkan diri kepadanya.

Sehubungan itu juga, Imam Ibnu Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (rahimallāh) ada menegaskan, bahawa terdapat jenis tangisan yang berbeza antara seorang individu dengan individu yang lain berdasarkan kefahaman serta penghayatan seseorang itu terhadap agamanya:-

• Menangis kerana kasih sayang dan kelembutan hati.

• Menangis kerana rasa takut.

• Menangis kerana cinta.

• Menangis kerana gembira.

• Menangis kerana menghadapi penderitaan.

• Menangis kerana terlalu sedih.

• Menangis kerana terasa hina dan lemah.

• Menangis untuk mendapat belas kasihan orang.

• Menangis kerana mengikut-ikut orang menangis.

• Menangis orang munafik - pura-pura menangis.

"..dan bahawasanya DIA lah yang menjadikan orang tertawa dan menangis." [Surah An-Najm, 53: 43]

Jika semua perkara di atas dapat dilakukan, nescaya seseorang Muslim itu berjaya menemui noktah penting bagi menjamin dirinya untuk terus menangis kerana takut kepada Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta`ala.

Ibadat Pada Waktu Malam

Sesungguhnya waktu malam adalah satu waktu yang disifatkan paling penting dan utama, bukan sahaja ia bersifat hening dan tenang, malah jauh dari sebarang rasa sikap untuk menunjuk-nunjuk ibadat yang dilakukan kepada orang lain.

Justeru peristiwa penting dalam sejarah Islam kebanyakannya berlaku pada waktu malam seperti peristiwa penurunan al-Quran malam Al-Qadar, peristiwa penghijrahan baginda Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam dan Abu Bakar, Israk Mikraj dan lain-lain.

Begitulah juga dengan Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam yang merupakan hamba maksum yang dijanjikan Allāh syurga, tetapi baginda tetap mendirikan ibadat pada malam hari sehingga pecah-pecah kedua-dua telapak kakinya. Demikianlah gambaran hamba yang mampu bersyukur ke atas nikmat anugerah Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta`ala kepadanya.

Hadis daripada Ali Said (radiallāhu`anhu) menyatakan bahawa Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam telah bersabda: “Barang siapa terjaga daripada tidur di waktu malam, dan mengejutkan keluarganya, lalu sembahyang dua rakaat, ditulis bagi mereka itu dalam golongan orang yang mengingati Allāh lelaki dan perempuan” [Riwayat Abu Dawud dan Ibn Mājah].

Abdullah bin Salam (radiallāhu`anhu) menyatakan kata-kata yang mula-mula sekali beliau dengar daripada Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam ialah sabdanya: “Wahai manusia berilah Salam, beri makan dan hubungkan silaturahim, dan sembahyang malam ketika orang ramai tidur, kamu semua masuk syurga dengan selamat sejahtera” [Riwayat Tarmizi].

Sesungguhnya mendirikan ibadat di waktu malam itu amalan para salehin dan muqarrabin. Ia memberi kesan pada pembentukan peribadi, menyumbang kebahagiaan di dunia dan akhirat, menghindarkan penyakit, meraih ketenangan. Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) menggesa agar setiap orang melakukannya. Sesungguhnya Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) tidak pernah meninggalkannya. Ketika sakit atau terasa malas, baginda sembahyang dalam keadaan duduk. [Riwayat Abu Dawud].

Wallahu'alam

[ Via Harakah]