Tag: Mohammed

The Real Causes of Epidemics

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قال الله عز وجل: { ولَوْ أَنَّ أَهْلَ الْقُرَىٰ آمَنُوا وَاتَّقَوْا لَفَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِم بَرَكَاتٍ مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَلَٰكِن كَذَّبُوا فَأَخَذْنَاهُم بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ} سورة الأعراف، 96. ـ

        God the Almighty says: { And if the people of the towns had believed and had piety, We would have opened upon them blessings from the heaven and the earth; but they denied (the messengers), so We took them (with punishment) for what they used to earn (of sins)} (Surah 7, verse 96).

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       وقال الله عز وجل: { ظَهَرَ الْفَسَادُ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِي النَّاسِ لِيُذِيقَهُم بَعْضَ الَّذِي عَمِلُوا لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ} سورة الروم، 31. ـ 

        God the Almighty also says: { Corruption has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of people have earned (by oppression and evil deeds), that may God make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return (by repenting and seeking God’s forgiveness)} (Surah 30, verse 31).

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     عنْ عَائشة رضي اللَّهُ عنها قالت: ( سألتُ رسولَ اللَّه صَلّى اللهُ عليهِ وسلَّم عَنِ الطَّاعُونِ، فَأَخْبَرَنِي: « أَنَّهُ عَذَابٌ يَبْعَثُهُ اللَّهُ عَلَى مَنْ يَشَاءُ، وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ جَعَلَهُ رَحْمَةً لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ، لَيْسَ مِنْ أَحَدٍ يَقَعُ الطَّاعُونُ فَيَمْكُثُ فِي بَلَدِهِ صَابِرًا مُحْتَسِبًا، يَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ لاَ يُصِيبُهُ إِلاَّ مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ، إِلاَّ كَانَ لَهُ مِثْلُ أَجْرِ شَهِيدٍ») . رواه البخاري بإسناد صحيح. ـ

         Narrated Aishah -may God be pleased with her- said: “I asked the Messenger of God -prayer and peace be upon him- about the plague. He told me that it is a Punishment sent by God upon whomever he wills, but God has made it a blessing for the believers.  Whoever at the time of an epidemic plague stays patiently in his town looking for his reward from God and knowing that only what God has decreed for him can happen to him, will have a reward like that of a martyr.’ ” Related by Al-Bukhari with authentic narration.

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          As mentioned above, the real cause of epidemics and widespread outbreaks and death is in many cases the action of the humans.  When injustice and corruption become widespread in a country, the natural and peaceful nature of earth flips and turns into disasters and calamities as a consequence.  The purpose behind all of that is that theses phenomena serve as a Reminder, a Warning, and an Admonition for people to behave and return to justice and the Straight Path.      

         Indeed, for any social entity to function and operate smoothly, there must be a set of commandments that directs it and guides it.  For any social group to live in harmony, there must be fair beliefs and standards that must be adhered to and followed.  And for any society to survive and become prosperous, there must be a set of rights and obligations that must be observed for every member. 

         But when these commandments are broken; when these beliefs and standards are breached; and when these rights and obligations are violated, then the smooth functioning of society is broken, its harmonious existence is shattered, and its peace and security are lost.

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         Islam and other Divine religions have set forth a set of Divine rules and ethics that when followed results in a peaceful and prosperous society.  These commandments ensure the rights of every member of the community, and they also ensure the right of God upon the servant of God.  As believers, we are reminded to worship One God and obey Him in all aspects of our daily life.

   But when people deviate from these commandments, when they violate the code of ethics and morals defined by prophets and messengers, and when they set aside the fair beliefs and standards, the natural peace and prosperity they enjoy are lost and they start experiencing disasters and calamities as a consequence.  Some of these disasters may include epidemics and widespread outbreaks and death.  

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         The purpose behind these disasters is that they serve as a Reminder to people to act according to the commandments of God.  The epidemics serve as a Warning and are signs that forewarn people to avoid the evil way and return back to the Straight Path.  And the calamities are an Admonition to people to worship One God and obey Him in all aspects of their daily life, as mentioned in the following verse:

   قال الله عز وجل: { وَمَا نُرْسِلُ بِالآيَاتِ إِلا تَخْوِيفًا} سورة الإسراء، 59.  ـ

   قال ابن كثير: ( قال قتادة: إن الله خوف الناس بما يشاء من آياته لعلهم يعتبرون ويذكرون ويرجعون، ذكر لنا أن الكوفة رجفت على عهد ابن مسعود فقال: يا أيها الناس إن ربكم يستعتبكم فأعتبوه). ـ

        God -the Exalted- says: { And We sent not the signs except as a warning} (Surah 17, verse 59).

    Ibn Katheer said: “Qatadah said: ‘God makes people afraid with whatever signs He wills, so that they may learn a lesson and remember and return to Him. It was related to us that the city of Al-Kufah was shaken at the time of Ibn Masood, so he said: ‘O people, your Lord is rebuking you, so pay heed!‘’ “

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         When the believers are faced with these disasters and epidemics, the first thing they do is to turn back to God, repent of any sins or misdeeds they have committed and seek His forgiveness.  When they do that, they are forgiven and if they die they get the reward of a martyr.  Thus, the epidemics are a source or mercy for them.

   The people of sins and misdeeds, on the other hand, try to find other reasons to explain the situation.  They may lay the blame on this or that, they may try to find apparently valid physical explanation behind the disaster, and worse they may start blaming fate or nature for the evil they have caused.  But they fail to see the real cause, and they refuse to desist their evil ways.  Thus, these disasters strike them again and again, and these epidemics afflict them again as a Reminder, as a Warning, and as an admonition for them to stop what they are doing. These disasters affect them: {that may God make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return (by repenting and seeking God’s forgiveness)} (Surah 30, verse 31).

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         Another aspect of disasters and epidemics is the belief that they are controlled and under the power of God.  These disasters and epidemics may be the result of the action of the humans, but they are under the full Command and control of the Lord of the Universe, the Almighty God.

   Therefore, the believers turn back to God, repent of any sins and seek assistance from God.  They believe that everything happens by the Will of God, so they beseech God to forgive them and help them in this situation.  Thus, these disasters and epidemics serve to strengthen the faith of the believers and make them turn to God and seek His help.

   The people of sins and misdeeds, on the other hand, lay the blame on nature and fate and fail to see the real mover of the universe.  Therefore, these disasters and epidemics keep afflicting them time and again to urge them to admit their misdeed and repent of them.  It is mentioned in Qur’an that Pharaoh and his people were afflicted with nine disasters as a Warning and admonition to desist and turn back to God.  But time and again, they sought Prophet Moses’ help without repenting, until they were drowned in the end. 

    God the Al-Mighty says: { They said [to Moses]: “Whatever signs you may bring to us to work your sorcery on us, we shall never believe in you.”

So We sent upon them the flood, the locusts, the lice, the frogs and the blood as (a succession of) manifest signs, yet they remained arrogant, and they were of those people who were criminals.

And when the punishment fell on them they said: “O Musa (Moses)! Invoke your Lord for us because of His Promise to you. If you will remove the punishment from us, we indeed shall believe in you, and we shall let the Children of Israel go with you.”

But when We removed the punishment from them until a term which they were to reach, then at once they broke their word} Surah 7, verse 131-134.

   In these beautiful verses, the real cause of the disasters and epidemics that afflicted Pharaoh and his people are explained.  The main reason given is that they refused to believe in Prophet Moses’ message and refused to obey God’s commandments.  They accused Moses of sorcery and continued their misdeeds, so they were sent these disasters as a sign, as a Warning, and as an admonition. 

  And time and time again, they asked Moses to beseech his Lord to remove the disaster, Prophet Moses prayed and the disaster would be removed but they refused to repent so they would be afflicted again with another disaster or epidemic just as another Warning and admonition.

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         Thus, when there is widespread evil and disregard of God’s commandments then there is a direct relationship between people’s action and natural disasters.  There is a direct relationship between widespread injustice and sins and disasters and epidemics, as the following hadith shows:

    عن صفية بنت أبي عبيد [زوج عبدالله ابن عمر] قالت: ( زلزلت الأرض على عهد عمر حتى اصطفقت السرر وابن عمر يصلي فلم يدرِ بها ولم يوافق أحداً يصلي فدرى بها، فخطب عمر الناس، فقال: أحدثتم لقد عجلتم، قالت: ولا أعلمه إلا قال: لئن عادت لأخرجن من بين ظهرانيكم).  رواه ابن أبي شيبة والبيهقي وابن عبد البر ونعيم بن حماد. ـ

     Narrated Safiyyah Bint Abi Obaid (wife of Abdullah Ibn Omar) said: “The ground of Al-Madinah was struck by an earthquakes at the time of Omar Ibn Al-Khattab until the beds shook. Omar gave a sermon and addressed people saying: ‘You have caused innovation in religion, you have changed so fast!’  He added: ‘By God, if such a quake were to strike again, I will abandon you and move somewhere else.’ ”

   Then, consider how Omar attributed the earthquake to people’s actions, how he warned them, and how he admonished them to return to God and seek the Straight Path.

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    Finally, it is not lawful for the believer to leave the land that has an epidemic or travel to a land that has an epidemic.  The believer has firm belief in God’s will so he does not run away from it; therefore he is asked to stay in his land during the time of an epidemic.  Running away is considered running away from fate, rather he should stay put and take precautions to avoid the disease.  In case he gets the disease, he will have the reward of a martyr.

   On the other hand, the believer does not expose himself to danger by traveling to a land that has an epidemic.  Rather the believer avoids going to such a land as a measure of precaution and to avoid bringing harm to himself and to others, as the following hadith shows:

      عنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّ عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ خَرَجَ إِلَى الشَّأْمِ حَتَّى إِذَا كَانَ بِسَرْغَ لَقِيَهُ أُمَرَاءُ الأَجْنَادِ أَبُو عُبَيْدَةَ بْنُ الْجَرَّاحِ وَأَصْحَابُهُ، فَأَخْبَرُوهُ أَنَّ الْوَبَاءَ قَدْ وَقَعَ بِأَرْضِ الشَّأْمِ‏.‏

قَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ: فَقَالَ عُمَرُ: ادْعُ لِي الْمُهَاجِرِينَ الأَوَّلِينَ‏.‏ فَدَعَاهُمْ فَاسْتَشَارَهُمْ وَأَخْبَرَهُمْ أَنَّ الْوَبَاءَ قَدْ وَقَعَ بِالشَّأْمِ فَاخْتَلَفُوا‏.‏ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ: قَدْ خَرَجْتَ لأَمْرٍ، وَلاَ نَرَى أَنْ تَرْجِعَ عَنْهُ‏.‏ وَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ: مَعَكَ بَقِيَّةُ النَّاسِ وَأَصْحَابُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَلاَ نَرَى أَنْ تُقْدِمَهُمْ عَلَى هَذَا الْوَبَاءِ‏.‏ فَقَالَ ارْتَفِعُوا عَنِّي‏.‏

 ثُمَّ قَالَ: ادْعُوا لِي الأَنْصَارَ‏.‏ فَدَعَوْتُهُمْ فَاسْتَشَارَهُمْ، فَسَلَكُوا سَبِيلَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ، وَاخْتَلَفُوا كَاخْتِلاَفِهِمْ، فَقَالَ ارْتَفِعُوا عَنِّي‏. ـ

‏ ثُمَّ قَالَ: ادْعُ لِي مَنْ كَانَ هَا هُنَا مِنْ مَشْيَخَةِ قُرَيْشٍ مِنْ مُهَاجِرَةِ الْفَتْحِ‏.‏ فَدَعَوْتُهُمْ، فَلَمْ يَخْتَلِفْ مِنْهُمْ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلاَنِ، فَقَالُوا: نَرَى أَنْ تَرْجِعَ بِالنَّاسِ، وَلاَ تُقْدِمَهُمْ عَلَى هَذَا الْوَبَاءِ، فَنَادَى عُمَرُ فِي النَّاسِ، إِنِّي مُصَبِّحٌ عَلَى ظَهْرٍ، فَأَصْبِحُوا عَلَيْهِ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عُبَيْدَةَ بْنُ الْجَرَّاحِ: أَفِرَارًا مِنْ قَدَرِ اللَّهِ؟ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ: لَوْ غَيْرُكَ قَالَهَا يَا أَبَا عُبَيْدَةَ، نَعَمْ نَفِرُّ مِنْ قَدَرِ اللَّهِ إِلَى قَدَرِ اللَّهِ، أَرَأَيْتَ لَوْ كَانَ لَكَ إِبِلٌ هَبَطَتْ وَادِيًا لَهُ عُدْوَتَانِ، إِحْدَاهُمَا خَصِبَةٌ، وَالأُخْرَى جَدْبَةٌ، أَلَيْسَ إِنْ رَعَيْتَ الْخَصْبَةَ رَعَيْتَهَا بِقَدَرِ اللَّهِ، وَإِنْ رَعَيْتَ الْجَدْبَةَ رَعَيْتَهَا بِقَدَرِ اللَّهِ. ـ

 قَالَ فَجَاءَ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ عَوْفٍ، وَكَانَ مُتَغَيِّبًا فِي بَعْضِ حَاجَتِهِ فَقَالَ: إِنَّ عِنْدِي فِي هَذَا عِلْمًا، سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ: «‏ إِذَا سَمِعْتُمْ بِهِ بِأَرْضٍ فَلاَ تَقْدَمُوا عَلَيْهِ، وَإِذَا وَقَعَ بِأَرْضٍ وَأَنْتُمْ بِهَا فَلاَ تَخْرُجُوا فِرَارًا مِنْهُ»‏‏.‏ قَالَ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ عُمَرُ ثُمَّ انْصَرَفَ‏.‏  متفق عليه. ـ

     Narrated Abdullah Ibn Abbas said: “Omar Ibn Al-Khattab set out for Syria. When he reached Sargh (a town near Tabuk), the commanders of the army, Abu ‘Ubaida Ibn Al-Jarrah and his companions met him and told him that an epidemic had broken out in Syria.

  Omar said to me: ‘Call for me the early emigrants.’  So I called them, and Omar consulted them and informed them that an epidemic had broken out in Syria. Those people differed in their opinions. Some of them said: ‘You have set out for something, and we do not think that you should leave it.’  Others said: ‘You have the companions of the Prophet -prayer and peace be upon him, and the rest of the people with you, and we do not think that you should send them towards this epidemic.’ Omar said: ‘You can go now.’

  Omar then said: ‘Call the Ansar for me.’   I called them and he consulted them and they followed the way of the emigrants and differed as they had done.  He said to them: ‘You can go now.’

  Omar then said: ‘Call for me the old people of Quraish who emigrated in the year of the Conquest of Mecca.’  I called them and they gave a unanimous opinion saying: ‘We advise that you should return with the people and do not take them to that (place) of epidemic.’  

  So Omar made an announcement: ‘I will ride back to Medina in the morning, so you should do the same.’  Abu ‘Ubaida Ibn Al-Jarrah said: ‘Are you running away from the decree of God?’  Omar said: ‘Would that someone else had said such a thing, O Abu ‘Ubaida! Yes, we are running from the decree of God to the decree of God.  Do you not agree that if you had camels that went down a valley having two slopes, one fertile and the other barren, you would graze them on the fertile one only by the decree of God, and you would graze them on the barren one only by the decree of God?’

At that time Abdul-Rahman Ibn Awf, who had been absent because of some of his needs, came and said: ‘I have some knowledge about this. I have heard the Messenger of God -prayer and peace be upon him- say: ‘If you hear about it (an outbreak of plague) in a land, do not go to it; but if the plague breaks out in a country where you are staying, do not run away from it.’’  Omar praised God and returned to Medina.”  Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.

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  On the other side, when the commandants of God are followed, when His rules and limits are respected, and when the rights of people are preserved, then God opens up the skies and they pour down rain, the earth opens up and gives out crops and produce, and the people are blessed in their wealth and progeny. Moreover, when God’s forgiveness is often sought then prosperity, abundance and peace spread in the country. As God the Almighty says:

    قال الله عز وجل: {فَقُلْتُ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُ كَانَ غَفَّارًا * يُرْسِلِ السَّمَاءَ عَلَيْكُمْ مِدْرَارًا * وَيُمْدِدْكُمْ بِأَمْوَالٍ وَبَنِينَ وَيَجْعَلْ لَكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ وَيَجْعَلْ لَكُمْ أَنْهَارًا * مَا لَكُمْ لَا تَرْجُونَ لِلَّهِ وَقَارًا} نوح 10-13.

  God the Almighty says: { “I said (to them): Ask forgiveness of your Lord, verily, He is Oft‑Forgiving.  He will send rain to you in abundance.  And give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers. What is the matter with you that you do not attribute to God due grandeur.”} (Surah 71, verses 10-13). 

  God -the Exalted- also says: { { Why would God punish you if you are grateful and believe? And God is ever Appreciative (of good) and All-Knowing} (Surah 4, verse 147). 

  It is related that Al-Awza’i said: “People went out to supplicate for rain, and Bilal Ibn Sa’d led them in prayer.  He praised and glorified God, and then said: ‘O God, we heard You say: {For the doers of good, there is no cause to blame}, and we have admitted our misdeeds, and is not Your forgiveness except for people like us? O God, forgive us, show us mercy, and grant us rain.‘ He raised his hands in supplication, and people raised their hands, so it rained.”

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         Thus, the believer should have firm belief and faith in the decree of God and in the recompense of deeds. The believers believe that everything in this universe occurs by the will of God and according to the rules set by God. When evil becomes widespread and the commandments of God are ignored, the earth complains of the evil being done over it so it is allowed to react and it does so through natural disaster; a destructive storm, an earthquake, a flood, or an epidemic.

         Therefore, these natural disasters and epidemics serve as a Reminder, as a Warning, and as an Admonition to people to abandon their sins and misdeeds and to return to the Straight Path.  But at the same time, the faithful believe that everything is under the command of God, so they always seek His help and assistance.  In order to gain that, they first repent of any sins or misdeeds they are committing and they ask God for forgiveness.  Then they pray and supplicate God to help them, keep them safe, and remove the calamity or epidemic.  And therein lies the real causes of epidemics.  And God and His Messenger know best.

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Faithful Women (Umm Habibah and Abraha)

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    عن أم المؤمنين أمِّ حَبِيبَةَ رضي الله عنها، قالت: ( رأيتُ في المنام كأنَّ آتيا يقول لي: يا أم المؤمنين، ففزعتُ وأولتها أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم يتزوجني.

 قالت: فما هو إلا أن انْقَضَتْ عِدَّتِي، فما شَعَرْتُ إلا برسول النجاشي على بابي يستأذن، فإذا جارية له يقال لها: أَبْرَهَةَ كَانَتْ تَقُومُ عَلَى ثِيَابِهِ وَدَهْنِهِ، فدخلت علي فقالت: إن الملك يقول لك: إن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم كتب إلي أن أزوجك، فقلت: بشرك الله بخير، وقالت: يقول لك الملك: وَكِّلِي مَنْ يُزَوِّجُكِ. فأرسلَتْ إلى خالدِ بن سعيد بن العاص فَوَكَّلَتْهُ، وَأَعْطَتْ أَبْرَهَةَ سوارين من فضة وخَدَمَتَيْنِ كانتا في رجليها وخواتيم فضة كانت في أصابع رجليها سرورا بما بشرتها به.

  فلما كان العشي أمر النجاشيُّ جعفرَ بن أبي طالب ومن هناك من المسلمين فحضروا فخطب النجاشي، فقال: الحمد لله الملك القدوس السلام المؤمن المهيمن العزيز الجبار، الحمد لله حق حمده، وأشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وأن محمدا عبده ورسوله، وأنه الذي بشر به عيسى ابن مريم عليه الصلاة والسلام، أما بعد: فإن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم كتب إلي أن أزوجه أم حبيبة بنت سفيان، فأجبتُ إلى ما دعا إليه رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم وقد أصدقتها أربعمائة دينار، ثم سكب الدنانير بين يدي القوم، فتكلم خالد بن سعيد فقال: الحمد لله أحمده وأستعينه وأستنصره، وأشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وأشهد أن محمدا عبده ورسوله، { أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدَى وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُ عَلَى الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ}، أما بعد: فقد أجبتُ إلى ما دعا إليه رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم وَزَوَّجْتُهُ أُمَّ حَبِيبَةَ بِنْتَ أَبِي سُفْيَانَ فبارك الله لرسوله، ودفع الدنانير إلى خالد بن سعيد فقبضها، ثم أرادوا أن يقوموا، فقال: اجلسوا فإن سنة الأنبياء عليهم الصلاة والسلام إذا تزوجوا أن يؤكل الطعام على التزويج، فدعا بطعام فأكلوا، ثم تفرقوا.

  قالت أم حبيبة: فلما وصل إلي المال، أرسلت إلى أبرهة التي بشرتني، فقلت لها: إني كنت أعطيتك ما أعطيتك يومئذ ولا مال بيدي وهذه خمسون مثقالا فخذيها فاستعيني بها، فَأَخْرَجَتْ إِلَيَّ حِقَّةً فيها جميع ما أعطيتها فردته إلي، وقالت: عزم علي الملك أن لا أرزأك شيئا وأنا التي أقوم على ثيابه ودهنه، وقد اتبعت دين رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم وأسلمتُ لله، وقد أمر الملك نساءه أن يبعثن إليك بكل ما عندهن من العطر. فلما كَانَ الْغَدُ جَاءَتْنِي بِعُودٍ وَوَرْسٍ وَعَنْبَرٍ وزَبَادٍ كَثِيرٍ، وَقَدِمْتُ بذلك كله على رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم وكان يراه علي وعندي فلا ينكر.
ثم قالت أبرهة: فَحَاجَتِي إِلَيْكِ أن تُقْرِئِي رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم مني السلامَ وَتُعْلِمِيهِ أَنِّي قَدِ اتَّبَعْتُ دِينَهُ، قالت: ثم لَطَفَتْ بي وكانت هي التي جهزتني، وكانت كلما دخلت علي تقول: لا تنسي حاجتي إليك، قالت: فلما قدمنا على رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم أخبرته كيف كانت ا الْخِطْبَةُ وما فعلت بي أبرهة، فَتَبَسَّمَ رَسُولُ الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم، وأقرأته منها السلام، فقال: “وَعَلَيْهَا السَّلَامُ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ”).  رواه الحاكم.

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  English Translation:

Narrated Umm Hebeebeh -may God be pleased with her- said: “I once saw in a dream as if someone came to me and said: ‘O Mother of the Believers’.  I was frightened and interpreted the dream as Prophet Muhammad -prayer and peace be upon him- would marry me [in Qur’an, God called the wives of the Prophet as Mothers of the Believers].’

And indeed, as soon as I finished my widowhood waiting period (‘Iddeh), a messenger from the Al-Nejashi (Negus or King of Ethiopia) came to me asking permission to enter.  She was a female servant by the name of Abreheh who used to take care of the King’s clothes and perfume.  Abreheh came in and said: ‘The king says to you: `Appoint someone as your representative in marriage.`’  So I sent for Khalid Ibn Sa’eed Ibn Al-Aas and requested him to be my representative in marriage.  I gave Abreheh two bracelets of silver, as well as two bangles and silver rings that were around my feet, out of happiness and as a reward for her for bearing the good news.

When it was evening, Al-Nejashi (Negus or King of Ethiopia) invited Ja’far Ibn Abi Talib (the Prophet’s cousin) and all the Muslims present.  Al-Nejashi then delivered a speech and performed the marriage ceremony.  Al-Nejashi said:

‘All praise be to God, the King, the Holy, the Peace and Perfection, the Bestower of Faith and security, the Guardian, the Exalted in Might, and the Compeller.  All Praise be to God as worthy of Him.  I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except God, and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger whom Jesus son of Marry peace be upon him foretold about.  Then, Prophet Muhammad -prayer and peace be upon him- has sent a message to me requesting the hand of Umm Habeebah in marriage. So I am fulfilling the request of the Prophet, and I am giving her four hundred deenar (gold coins) as bridal money on behalf of the Messenger of God -prayer and peace be upon him.’  Al-Nejashi then poured the money in front of the gathering.

Then Khalid Ibn Sa’eed spoke and said: ‘All praise be to God, I praise Him, seek His help and assistance. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except God, and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.  God says: { It is He (God) Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad) with guidance and the religion of truth (Islam), to make it superior over all religions even though the polytheists may hate it} (Surah 9, verse 33).  Then, I am fulfilling the request of Prophet Muhammad -prayer and peace be upon him, and have accepted his marriage proposal for Umm Habeebah on her behalf, so may God bless Prophet Muhammad in it.’  Al-Nejashi then gave the money to Khalid Ibn Sa’eed and he accepted it.  When the gathering wanted to disperse, Al-Nejashi said: ‘Sit down for it is the habit of prophets -peace be upn them- to throw a banquet after marriage.’  He then called for food and they ate, and then left.

When the money was given to me, I called for Abreheh who gave me the good news.  I said to her: ‘I had given you what I had for I did not have money with me at the time, so take this amount of fifty Deenar and use it for your needs.’  She took out a pouch that had everything I had given her and said: ‘The king has resolved that I should not take anything away from you, and I am the one who takes care of his clothes and perfume.  Indeed, I have followed the religion of Prophet Muhammad -prayer and peace be upon him and his family- and embraced Islam for the sake of God.  The king has asked all of his womenfolk to send what they have of perfume to you.’

On the following day, Abreheh came to me with lots of aloes, wers (plant with red dye), ambergris, and musk.  I brought all of them with me when I went to the Messenger of God -prayer and peace be upon him, and he used to see it with me and never disapproved of it.

Abreheh then said: ‘My request to you is that you convey my salaam to Prophet Muhammad -prayer and peace be upon him- and inform him that I have followed his religion (Islam).’  She then took care of me and made me ready for the marriage ceremony.  Every time she visited me afterwards, she would remind me and say: ‘Do not forget my request.’  When we went home and I met Prophet Muhammad -prayer and peace be upon him, I told him about the marriage ceremony and about Ahreheh’s nice treatment, so he smiled.  I then conveyed her salaam to him, and he said: ‘And peace, the mercy and blessings of God be on her.’ ”  Related by Al-Hakim.

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The Final Destination (1)

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      قال الله تعالى: { وَاتَّقُوا يَوْمًا تُرْجَعُونَ فِيهِ إِلَى اللَّهِ ثُمَّ تُوَفَّى كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَا كَسَبَتْ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ} سورة البقرة 281.

God the Almighty says in Qur’an (English translation): { And beware of the Day when you shall be brought back to God. Then every person shall be paid what he earned, and they shall never be dealt with unjustly } (Surah 2, 281).

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        عن البراء بن عازب رضي الله عنه قال: ( خَرَجْنَا مع النبيِّ صَلّى اللهُ عليهِ وسلَّم ‏في جِنَازَةِ رَجُلٍ من الأنصار ‏فانتهينا إلى القَبْر، ولَمَّا ‏يُلْحَدْ، فَجَلَسَ ‏رسولُ الله صَلّى اللهُ عليهِ وسلَّم ‏وجلسنا حوله وكَأَنَّ على رُءُوسِنَا الطَّيْرَ، وفي يَدِهِ عُودٌ ‏ ‏يَنْكُتُ ‏في الأرض، فَرَفَعَ رأسه فقال: « اسْتَعِيذُوا بِاللَّهِ مِنْ عَذَابِ القَبْرِ- مَرَّتَيْنِ ‏أَوْ ثَلَاثًا»  ‏ثُمَّ قَالَ: « إِنَّ العَبْدَ المُؤْمِنَ إِذَا كَانَ فِي انْقِطَاعٍ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا، وَإِقْبَالٍ مِنَ الآخِرَةِ نَزَلَ إِلَيْهِ مَلَائِكَةٌ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ بِيضُ الْوُجُوهِ، كَأَنَّ وُجُوهَهُمُ الشَّمْسُ، مَعَهُمْ كَفَنٌ مِنْ أَكْفَانِ الجَنَّةِ، ‏وَحَنُوطٌ مِنْ حَنُوطِ ‏ ‏الجَنَّةِ، حَتَّى يَجْلِسُوا مِنْهُ مَدَّ الْبَصَرِ، ثُمَّ يَجِيءُ مَلَكُ المَوْتِ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام حَتَّى يَجْلِسَ عِنْدَ رَأْسِهِ، فَيَقُولُ: أَيَّتُهَا النَّفْسُ الطَّيِّبَةُ اخْرُجِي إِلَى مَغْفِرَةٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَرِضْوَانٍ، قَالَ: فَتَخْرُجُ تَسِيلُ كَمَا تَسِيلُ القَطْرَةُ مِنْ فِي السِّقَاءِ، ‏فَيَأْخُذُهَا فَإِذَا أَخَذَهَا لَمْ يَدَعُوهَا فِي يَدِهِ طَرْفَةَ عَيْنٍ حَتَّى يَأْخُذُوهَا فَيَجْعَلُوهَا فِي ذَلِكَ الكَفَنِ، وَفِي ذَلِكَ الحَنُوطِ، ‏وَيَخْرُجُ مِنْهَا كَأَطْيَبِ نَفْحَةِ مِسْكٍ وُجِدَتْ عَلَى وَجْهِ الأَرْضِ، قَالَ: فَيَصْعَدُونَ بِهَا، فَلا يَمُرُّونَ -‏يَعْنِي بِهَا- عَلَى مَلَإٍ مِنَ المَلَائِكَةِ إِلَّا قَالُوا: مَا هَذَا الرُّوحُ الطَّيِّبُ؟ فَيَقُولُونَ: فُلانُ بْنُ فُلانٍ – بِأَحْسَنِ أَسْمَائِهِ الَّتِي كَانُوا يُسَمُّونَهُ بِهَا فِي الدُّنْيَا- حَتَّى يَنْتَهُوا بِهَا إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا فَيَسْتَفْتِحُونَ لَهُ فَيُفْتَحُ لَهُمْ فَيُشَيِّعُهُ مِنْ كُلِّ سَمَاءٍ مُقَرَّبُوهَا إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الَّتِي تَلِيهَا، حَتَّى يُنْتَهَى بِهِ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ السَّابِعَةِ، فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ: ‏اكْتُبُوا كِتَابَ عَبْدِي فِي عِلِّيِّينَ، وَأَعِيدُوهُ إِلَى الأَرْضِ فَإِنِّي مِنْهَا خَلَقْتُهُمْ وَفِيهَا أُعِيدُهُمْ وَمِنْهَا أُخْرِجُهُمْ تَارَةً أُخْرَى.

 قَالَ: فَتُعَادُ رُوحُهُ فِي جَسَدِهِ فَيَأْتِيهِ مَلَكَانِ فَيُجْلِسَانِهِ فَيَقُولَانِ لَهُ: مَنْ رَبُّكَ؟ فَيَقُولُ: ‏رَبِّيَ اللَّهُ، فَيَقُولَانِ لَهُ: مَا دِينُكَ؟ فَيَقُولُ: ‏دِينِيَ الْإِسْلَامُ، فَيَقُولَانِ لَهُ: مَا هَذَا الرَّجُلُ الَّذِي بُعِثَ فِيكُمْ؟ فَيَقُولُ: هُوَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ‏صَلّى اللهُ عليهِ وسلَّم، ‏‏فَيَقُولَانِ لَهُ: وَمَا عِلْمُكَ؟ فَيَقُولُ: قَرَأْتُ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ، فَآمَنْتُ بِهِ وَصَدَّقْتُ، فَيُنَادِي مُنَادٍ فِي السَّمَاءِ: أَنْ صَدَقَ عَبْدِي فَأَفْرِشُوهُ مِنَ الجَنَّةِ، وَأَلْبِسُوهُ مِنَ الجَنَّةِ، وَافْتَحُوا لَهُ بَابًا إِلَى الجَنَّةِ، قَالَ: فَيَأْتِيهِ مِنْ رَوْحِهَا وَطِيبِهَا، وَيُفْسَحُ لَهُ فِي قَبْرِهِ مَدَّ بَصَرِهِ، قَالَ: وَيَأْتِيهِ رَجُلٌ حَسَنُ الوَجْهِ، حَسَنُ الثِّيَابِ، طَيِّبُ الرِّيحِ؛ فَيَقُولُ: أَبْشِرْ بِالَّذِي يَسُرُّكَ، هَذَا يَوْمُكَ الَّذِي كُنْتَ تُوعَدُ، فَيَقُولُ لَهُ: مَنْ أَنْتَ فَوَجْهُكَ الوَجْهُ يَجِيءُ بِالْخَيْرِ؟ فَيَقُولُ: أَنَا عَمَلُكَ الصَّالِحُ، فَيَقُولُ: رَبِّ أَقِمِ السَّاعَةَ حَتَّى أَرْجِعَ إِلَى أَهْلِي وَمَالِي») الحديث.  رواه أحمد وأبو داود والحاكم بإسناد صحيح.

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Narrated Al-Bara’ Ibn ‘Azib -may God be pleased with him- said: “We went out with Prophet Muhammad -prayer and peace be upon him- to attend the funeral of an Ansari man.  We reached the gravesite, and it was not completely dug yet.  Prophet Muhammad -prayer and peace be upon him- sat, and we sat around him, as if the birds were over our heads [sitting quietly and still].  The Prophet -prayer and peace be upon him- had a stick in his hand with which he was poking the ground.  He raised his head and said twice or three times: ‘Seek refuge with God from the punishment of the grave.’

Prophet Muhammad -prayer and peace be upon him- then said: ‘When the believing slave is reaching the end of his time in the worldly life and the beginning of his Hereafter, a group of angels, whose faces are white and bright as the sun, will descend to him from heaven.  They will carry with them a white shroud from Paradise, and fragrance for enshrouding from Paradise.  They will sit around him as far as the eyesight can see. Then, the Angel of Death -peace be upon him- will come until he sits by his head, and say: ‘O good and pure soul, depart (your body) to God’s forgiveness and pleasure.’  So the soul comes out flowing just as the water drop flows out from the tip of the water skin, and the Angel of Death will take hold of it.

When the Angel of Death has captured the soul, the other angels will not leave it with him for more than an instance, but will take the soul and wrap it in that shroud, and place it in that fragrance.  A most pleasant musk scent ever found on earth will emit from the soul, and the angels will take the soul up (to heaven).

They will not pass by any group of angels, except they will ask: ‘Whose is this blessed soul?’  They (the angels) will reply: ‘So and so person, the son of such and such person,’ calling him by the best names that he used to be called in the world.  They will go on until they will reach the heaven closest to the world and will ask permission for him to enter, and they will be given permission to enter.  The best residents of every heaven will then accompany him to the next heaven, until he is brought to the seventh heaven.  The Almighty God will say: ‘List my slave’s record in `Illiyyin (the Highest Register) and send him back to the earth, for I have created them from it, and into it I shall return them, and from it I shall resurrect them once again.’

The soul will be returned to his body, and two angels will come to him, sit him up and ask him: ‘Who is your Lord?’  He will reply: ‘God is my Lord.’  They will ask him: ‘What is your religion?’  He will reply: ‘My religion is Islam.’  They will ask him: ‘What do you say about this man (Prophet Muhammad) who was sent with the message to you?’  He will reply: ‘He is the Messenger of God -prayer and peace be upon him.’  They will ask him: ‘And how do you know that?’  He will say: ‘I read the Holy Book of God (the Qur’an), and had faith and belief in it.’  Then, a caller (God) will call from heaven: ‘My slave has said the truth. Therefore, furnish him from Paradise, let him wear from (the clothes of) Paradise, and open a door for him to Paradise.’

So some of Paradise’s breeze and fragrance will reach him, and his grave will be expanded for him as far as his sight can see. Then, a man with a handsome face, fine clothes and a pleasant smell will come to him and say: ‘Receive the glad tidings with that which pleases you. This is the Day that you have been promised.’  He will ask him: ‘Who are you; for yours is the face that brings good news?’  He will reply: ‘I am your good deeds.’  He will say: ‘O my Lord! Hasten with the commencement of the Hour, so I can return to my family and my wealth.’’ ” The complete Hadith.   Related by Imam Ahmad, Abu Dawood and Al-Hakim with an authentic (Sahih) narration.

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The Innumerous Blessings

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‏        عن جابرِ بنِ عبد اللَّهِ رضي الله عنهما قال: ( خَرَجَ عَلَيْنَا النَّبِيُّ صَلّى اللهُ عليهِ وسلَّم، فَقَالَ: « خَرَجَ مِنْ عِنْدِي خَلِيلِي جِبْرِيلُ آنِفًا فَقَالَ: يَا محمَّد، وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ إِنَّ لِلَّهِ عَبْدًا مِنْ عَبِيدِهِ، عَبَدَ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى خَمْسَمِائَةِ سَنَةٍ عَلَى رَأْسِ جَبَلٍ فِي الْبَحْرِ عَرْضُهُ وَطُولُهُ ثَلَاثُونَ ذِرَاعًا فِي ثَلَاثِينَ ذِرَاعًا، وَالْبَحْرُ مُحِيطٌ بِهِ أَرْبَعَةَ آلَافِ فَرْسَخٍ مِنْ كُلِّ نَاحِيَةٍ، وَأَخْرَجَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى لَهُ عَيْنًا عَذْبَةً بِعَرْضِ الْأُصْبَعِ تَبِضُّ بِمَاءٍ عَذْبٍ فَتَسْتَنْقِعُ فِي أَسْفَلِ الْجَبَلِ، وَشَجَرَةَ رُمَّانٍ تُخْرِجُ لَهُ كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ رُمَّانَةً فَتُغَذِّيهِ يَوْمَهُ، فَإِذَا أَمْسَى نَزَلَ فَأَصَابَ مِنَ الْوَضُوءِ وَأَخَذَ تِلْكَ الرُّمَّانَةَ فَأَكَلَهَا ثُمَّ قَامَ لِصَلَاتِهِ، فَسَأَلَ رَبَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عِنْدَ وَقْتِ الْأَجَلِ أَنْ يَقْبِضَهُ سَاجِدًا، وَأَنْ لَا يَجْعَلَ لِلْأَرْضِ وَلَا لِشَيْءٍ يُفْسِدُهُ عَلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا حَتَّى بَعَثَهُ وَهُوَ سَاجِدٌ، قَالَ: فَفَعَلَ، فَنَحْنُ نَمُرُّ عَلَيْهِ إِذَا هَبَطْنَا وَإِذَا عَرَجْنَا.

 فَنَجِدُ لَهُ فِي الْعِلْمِ أَنَّهُ يُبْعَثُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَيُوقَفُ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فَيَقُولُ لَهُ الرَّبُّ: أَدْخِلُوا عَبْدِي الْجَنَّةَ بِرَحْمَتِي، فَيَقُولُ: رَبِّ بَلْ بِعَمَلِي، فَيَقُولُ الرَّبُّ: أَدْخِلُوا عَبْدِي الْجَنَّةَ بِرَحْمَتِي، فَيَقُولُ: يَا رَبِّ بَلْ بِعَمَلِي، فَيَقُولُ الرَّبُّ: أَدْخِلُوا عَبْدِي الْجَنَّةَ بِرَحْمَتِي، فَيَقُولُ: رَبِّ بَلْ بِعَمَلِي،  فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ: قَايِسُوا عَبْدِي بِنِعْمَتِي عَلَيْهِ وَبِعَمَلِهِ.  فَتُوجَدُ نِعْمَةُ الْبَصَرِ قَدْ أَحَاطَتْ بِعِبَادَةِ خَمْسِ مِائَةِ سَنَةٍ وَبَقِيَتْ نِعْمَةُ الْجَسَدِ فَضْلًا عَلَيْهِ، فَيَقُولُ: أَدْخِلُوا عَبْدِي النَّارَ.

  قَالَ فَيُجَرُّ إِلَى النَّارِ فَيُنَادِي: رَبِّ بِرَحْمَتِكَ أَدْخِلْنِي الْجَنَّةَ، فَيَقُولُ: رُدُّوهُ فَيُوقَفُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ، فَيَقُولُ: يَا عَبْدِي، مَنْ خَلَقَكَ وَلَمْ تَكُ شَيْئًا؟  فَيَقُولُ: أَنْتَ يَا رَبِّ،  فَيَقُولُ: كَانَ ذَلِكَ مِنْ قِبَلِكَ أَوْ بِرَحْمَتِي؟  فَيَقُولُ: بَلْ بِرَحْمَتِكَ.  فَيَقُولُ: مَنْ قَوَّاكَ لِعِبَادَةِ خَمْسِ مِائَةِ عَامٍ؟  فَيَقُولُ: أَنْتَ يَا رَبِّ،  فَيَقُولُ: مَنْ أَنْزَلَكَ فِي جَبَلٍ وَسَطَ اللُّجَّةِ وَأَخْرَجَ لَكَ الْمَاءَ الْعَذْبَ مِنَ الْمَاءِ الْمَالِحِ وَأَخْرَجَ لَكَ كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ رُمَّانَةً وَإِنَّمَا تَخْرُجُ مَرَّةً فِي السَّنَةِ، وَسَأَلْتَنِي أَنْ أَقْبِضَكَ سَاجِدًا فَفَعَلْتُ ذَلِكَ بِكَ؟  فَيَقُولُ: أَنْتَ يَا رَبِّ،  فَقَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ: فَذَلِكَ بِرَحْمَتِي وَبِرَحْمَتِي أُدْخِلُكَ الْجَنَّةَ، أَدْخِلُوا عَبْدِيَ الْجَنَّةَ فَنِعْمَ الْعَبْدُ كُنْتَ يَا عَبْدِي، فَيُدْخِلُهُ اللَّهُ الْجَنَّةَ. قَالَ جِبْرِيلُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ: إِنَّمَا الْأَشْيَاءُ بِرَحْمَةِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى يَا محمَّد» .  رواه الحاكم.

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         Narrated Jabir Ibn Abdil-Allah -may God be pleased with them- said: “Prophet Muhammad -prayer and peace be upon him- came out to us and said:

‘My close companion Angel Gabriel just left me and he had said: `O Muhammad, by the One Who sent you with the true message, there is a slave of God, who worshipped the Almighty God for 500 years.  The slave was granted a shelter on top of a mountain whose length and width were thirty by thirty arm-lengths, and which was surrounded by the sea for four thousand leagues from all sides.  The Almighty God made a stream of fresh water with the width of a finger to flow through the mountain and collect at the mountain base for him.  The Almighty God also raised for him a pomegranate tree that grew one pomegranate every night from which the man would eat during the day.  Every evening, the man would go down, make ablution, and eat from that pomegranate, then stand up in prayer to his Lord.

The man supplicated his Lord -the Almighty- to take his soul while in prostration, and guard him against the earth and everything else until he would be resurrected in that state.

Angel Gabriel said: the Almighty God answered his supplication and granted his prayer.  So whenever we come down to the Earth or go up to the sky, we find this man (dead) but in a perpetual state of prostration to God.

          We find in the future knowledge that on the Day of Judgment, the Almighty God would say to the the angels: ‘Take this slave of Mine to Paradise with My Mercy.’   But the man would say: ‘O Lord, reward me with my good deeds.’  The Lord would say: ‘Take My Slave to Paradise with My Mercy.’  But the man would say: ‘O Lord, reward me with my good deeds.’  The Lord would say: ‘Take My Slave to Paradise with My Mercy.’   But the man would say: ‘O Lord, reward me with my good deeds.’

So the Almighty God would instruct the angels: ‘Measure his good deeds in comparison to My blessings on him.’  It would be found that 500 years of his worship would not even equal the blessings of the eyesight, and the bounty of the rest of his body would still remain in excess.

So God would say to the angels: ‘Take My slave to Hell-Fire.’  The man would be dragged toward Hell-Fire but he would plead: ‘O Lord, let me enter Paradise with Your Mercy.’   God would say: ‘Bring him back.’

The Almighty God would then say to him: ‘O My slave, Who created you from non-existence?’  The man would reply: ‘You have created me, O My Lord.’  God would say: ‘That was because of you or because of My Mercy?’  The man would reply: ‘Rather because of Your Mercy.’  God would say: ‘Who granted you the ability to worship for 500 years?’  The man would reply: ‘You, O My Lord.’  God would say: ‘Who placed you on the mountain surrounded by the ocean? Who created a stream of fresh water to flow in between the salty water? Who made a pomegranate to grow every night for you while it grows once a year?  And you supplicated Me to take your soul in a state of prostration, who did that?’  The man would reply: ‘‘You, O My Lord.’

The Almighty God would say: ‘Indeed, all of that happened with My Mercy, and with My Mercy you will enter Paradise.  Take My slave to Paradise.  Indeed, a righteous and good servant you were, O My slave.’  So God would let him enter Paradise.  Angel Gabriel -peace be upon him- said: O Muhammad, everything is by the Mercy of the Almighty God.` ’ ”  Related by Al-Haakim.

 

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Indeed, humans have been granted blessings in everything: in health, in wealth, in progeny, in food, in dwelling, and in everything.  Yet, man being ungrateful often dwells on the few problems he has and forgets the many blessings he enjoys. 

God says in Qur’an: { And God has given you of all that you asked for, and if you try to count the blessings of God, never will you be able to count them. Verily, man is indeed most unjust, ungrateful} (Surah 14, verse 34).  Man is unjust when he uses the blessings of God in a bad way or to do sins, and he is ungrateful when he does not thank God for the many blessings but only remembers the few problems he may have.

          The Muslim should thank God for every single blessing he has and should never take it for granted.  And in case a problem or a calamity strikes him, then instead of focusing on this one single problem the Muslim should think of the many other blessings that God has granted him and should thank God for them.

In another verse, God says: { And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: “If you thank Me, I will give you more; but if you are thankless, verily, My punishment is indeed severe”} (Surah 14, verse 7).  Thus, God promises increase and prosperity for those who thank Him and loss and punishment for those who are ungrateful.

          The Mercy of God is limitless and has no bound, but the Muslim is asked to take some effort and try to get the most of that mercy by obeying God’s commands, avoiding sins, and showing thankfulness and gratitude to God.  Indeed, the Muslim should thank God for every single blessing he has and never take it for granted, rather should know that these blessings are only possible because of the favor of God and His Great Mercy.  And God and His Messenger know best.

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Families of the Righteous (Umm Sulaym and Anas Ibn Malik)

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(Umm Sulaim, Umm Sulaym, Umm Suleim)

When the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his companions migrated to Medina, the Ansar tribe welcomed them with open arms and incredible hospitality.  Not only did they make the Muhajir migrants feel welcome, but the Ansar shared their homes and wealth with them. This happened to such an extent that Allah the Exalted praised their act of altruism in the Holy Qur’an: {And those who, before them, had homes (in Medina) and had adopted the Faith, love those who emigrate to them, and have no jealousy in their breasts for that which they have been given, and give them (the emigrants) preference over themselves, even though they were in need. And whosoever is saved from the covetousness of his soul, then it is those who will be the successful} (59:9).

One of the leading Ansari families in Medina that showed such warm welcome and utmost altruism was the family of Umm Sulaym, may Allah be pleased with her.  When the Prophet ﷺ arrived at Medina, Umm Sulaym went to him with her son Anas Ibn Malik in tow.  Umm Sulaym was among the first group to accept Islam in Medina, and when Abu Talha proposed to her, she made his acceptance of Islam as her only dowry.  Having this strong faith, she offered the Prophet ﷺ the most precious gift as seen in this authentic hadith:

Narrated Anas Ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him: “The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ immigrated to Medina when I was ten years old.  When he arrived at Medina, my mother Umm Sulaym took me to the Prophet ﷺ and said to him:

‘This is Anas, my young son.  I have brought him to serve you.’

So the Prophet ﷺ accepted her offer.”  (Related by Ibn Hajr Al-‘Asqalani in his book Al-Isaba fi Tamyiz As-Sahaba.)

What a great sacrifice by a mother! But she did it for the sake of Allah and in seeking His pleasure.  But ultimately, it was she who benefited most, for what greater blessing is there than being with the Prophet, listening to his blessed speech, and observing his noble action nearly all the time?

Umm Sulaym was also a great manifestation of patience and wisdom.  When her young son died, she did not wail and despair, but was calm and took matters into her hands to break the news to her husband Abu Talha in such a gentle and appealing way that the Prophet invoked Allah for her, as seen in the following hadith:

Narrated Anas Ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him: “A son of Abu Talha who was born of Umm Sulaym died. Umm Sulaym said to the members of her family: ‘Do not tell Abu Talha about his son until I do so.’  When Abu Talha came home, she presented supper to him, and he ate and drank water.  She then embellished herself as best like she did not do before, and he (Abu Talha) shared bed with her that night.  When she saw that he was full and had slept with her, she said: ‘O Abu Talha, if some people lent something to another family, and then they asked for its return, could the second family stop its return?’  He said: ‘No.’  She said: ‘Then seek the reward of the death of your son.’  He was angry, and said: ‘You did not inform me until I lay down with you and then you told me about my son.’  He went to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and informed him about what happened.  Thereupon the Messenger ﷺ said:

‘May Allah bless both of you in the night you spent together.’ ”

(Related by Bukhari and Muslim.)

Ubaya bin Rufa’a said: “Afterwards, I saw seven sons of that young boy. All of them had memorized the Qur’an.”

Umm Sulaym’s son, Anas Ibn Malik, benefited greatly from his association with the Prophet ﷺ, not only in terms of religious knowledge but also in worldly blessings.  Anas learned much while serving the Prophet ﷺ, and narrated over 2000 hadiths.  He is considered the third most prolific narrators of hadith (after Abu Hurayra and Ibn ‘Umar).  One of the greatest aspects he narrated of the Prophet ﷺ was his high morals and noble manners:

Narrated Anas Ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him: “I served the Messenger of Allah ﷺ for ten years, and he never said a word of displeasure to me (Uff), nor did he ever say to me concerning something I had done: ‘Why did you do that?’.  And he never said to me concerning something I had not done: ‘Why did you not do this?’. He had the best character. And I never touched silk or anything else that was softer than the palm of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.  And I never smelled any musk or perfume that had a better fragrance than the sweat of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.”  (Related by Al-Tirmidhi, also related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.)


Umm Sulaym then asked the Prophet  to invoke Allah to grant blessings upon her son, and so he did.  And Anas saw the result of that supplication in his life:

Narrated Anas Ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him: “My mother, Umm Anas, took me to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, having dressed me in upper and lower garments made from her headdress, and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, this is my son Unais; I have brought him to you to serve you. Invoke Allah’s blessings upon him.’ Thereupon the Prophet ﷺ supplicated: ‘O Allah, make abundant his wealth and progeny.’  Anas said: ‘By Allah, my fortune is huge and my children and grandchildren are more than one hundred today.”  (Related by Muslim.)

So Umm Sulaym was the one who gained most from her offer.  Indeed, not only did she see her son prosper in wealth and progeny, but she herself gained a high status with Allah.  She continued to obey Allah and His Messenger ﷺ and do all in her power to serve the Prophet.  She was given the glad tidings of Paradise by the Prophet ﷺ himself:

Narrated Anas Ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet ﷺ said:

“I entered Paradise and heard the sound of footsteps.  I said: ‘Who is that?’  It was said: ‘This is Al-Gumaysa’ Bint Milhan, the mother of Anas Ibn Malik.”

(Related by Muslim.)

Such people demonstrated the reality of having a good opinion in Allah (husn al-dhan billah), knowing that what little sacrifice they offer will result in blessings in both worlds, and that Allah will never put any deed to waste. Allah says: Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds – indeed, We will not allow to be lost the reward of any who did well in deeds. (Qur’an 18:30).

May Allah be pleased with them all.