As mentioned in a previous post, on Judgement Day the sun will be placed a mile above the heads of the people. The prophet (ﷺ) mentioned 7 whom Allah will place under His shade:
“There are seven whom Allah 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 Allah, the Mighty and Majestic; a man [or woman] whose heart is attached to the mosques; two friends who love each other for Allah’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 be says: ‘I fear Allah’; a man [or woman] 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 [or woman] who remembered Allah in private and so his eyes shed tears.” [Bukhari]
A just ruler: This is for the ruler who was just to the people – muslim or non-Muslim, relative or stranger, friend or enemy – giving them all their rights.
A youth who grew up worshipping Allah: It is in youth that a person is most vulnerable to the temptations of life. This position under the shade is for the people who withheld themselves from a young age, striving instead to worship Allah.
A person who’s heart is attached to the mosque: This is the worshipper who spends their time in the Masjid, loves the gathering for prayer, Qur’an and feels at rest in the house of Allah.
Relations for the sake of Allah: These are the people who gather together for the sake of Allah. Worship, conversing about the deen etc. They gather for the love of Allah and depart for that.
A chaste man: Sexual temptations are one of the most difficult trials upon humans especially for the man. Sexual callings by a woman to a man is one of the hardest things that a man has to resist. Therefore, those who are called by a woman for such acts and rejects for the sake of Allah, they will have a great reward, one of which being under Allah’s shade.
Hidden charity: These are the people who give charity without anybody knowing; they do it merely for the sake of Allah. They give without the need or want for recognition by others.
Shedding private tears: There are people who merely do good deeds for the sake of appearing good in front of others. However, there is a place for those who fear Allah in private; remember Him when nobody is around and shed tears in His remembrance whether through the Qur’an or other.
May Allah make us all from at least one of these seven to be granted a noble position under the His throne on that day.
There are many non-Muslims studying Islam and wanting to practice some of the actions involved in the religion such as prayer and fasting. The first thing one must learn before getting to these actions is Ghusl and Wudu’ (ablution). These two forms of purity are what will define your actions in Islam; without it, one cannot grasp the benefit involved in these deeds.
Wudu’
This is to be performed before every prayer. It goes as follows:
Say ‘bismillah’ and make the intention for ablution.
Wash hands.
Rinse mouth.
Rinse nose.
Wash the face.
Wash right arm up to the elbow.
Wash left arm up to the elbow.
Wipe the head going from the front to the back then to the front again; then with the same water wipe the inside and outside of the ears.
Wash right foot up to the ankles.
Wash left foot up to the ankles.
These have to be done in order and every action can be done once, twice or three times, but the recommended is three times as it is the way of the prophets Muhammad (ﷺ) and Ibrahim (عليه السلام).
Ghusl
This is the first thing one should be taught in Islam. It is a way of cleansing one’s soul in preparation for the actions to be done such as prayer and fasting – it is a full body purification.
The main steps taken with this are as follows:
Say ‘bismillah’ (“in the name of Allah”) and make the intention for Ghusl.
Wash the private parts with the left hand.
Perform Wudu’ (mentioned above).
Wash the right side of the body starting from the right shoulder.
Wash the left side of the body starting with the left shoulder.
Finish off by pouring water over the head and body making sure every inch is wet.
This is the method following the Sunnah of the prophet (ﷺ). The minimum requirement for Ghusl is:
Say ‘bismillah’ and make the intention for Ghusl.
Rinse mouth and nose.
Wash entire body making sure every inch is wet.
However, one must understand that Islamic actions such as prayer, fasting and performing “Thikr” (remembrance such as ‘alhamdullilah’) are all done with faith. One can still practice fasting, learn to pray and learn pronunciations of certain Arabic phrases but these actions are only with true benefit when done with belief in Allah; without it, they are merely practical. Nevertheless, they can be as a good form of education.
The most beneficial thing for someone looking into Islam is to study why Muslims carry out these actions. Why we pray, fast and perform other rituals. Understand why certain things are compulsory in Islam and why others are optional. Explore the meanings behind “alhamdullilah”, “insha’Allah” and Allah’s true message to mankind in the Qur’an. This is what will open up the heart and give one a real insight into the religion.
Let us all remember, He the almighty is closer to all mankind than we realise – Muslims and non-Muslims. Islam is for the whole world; Allah addresses mankind as a whole many times in the Qur’an. He says:
“And We have already created man and know what his soul whispers to him, and We are closer to him than [his] jugular vein” 50:16
Prayer is undoubtedly the most important aspect of Islam after taking the shahada. It is what separates a believer from a non-believer and it is the first thing that is questioned on the day of judgement.
The prophet (ﷺ) said: “The first matter that the slave will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound. And if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will be bad.” [Al-Tabarani, authentic according to al-Albaani]
The prophet (ﷺ) also said: “Between faith and unbelief is abandoning the prayer.” [Muslim]
Therefore salah is not to be taken lightly; it comes with guidelines which are our responsibility to perform correctly. We should already know the basics pertaining to salah but there are a few issues to mention regarding this matter.
First of all we must understand that salah is not a chore that must be done as quickly as possible in order to get back to our lives. We must plan our lives around the 5 daily prayers and not our salah around our lives. Allah says in the Qur’an:
“Maintain with care the [obligatory] prayers and [in particular] the middle prayer and stand before Allah, devoutly obedient.” 2:238
Many of us do not take salah for what it is – a blessing and a great responsibility. Allah directly informs us to maintain our prayers; he did not just tell us to pray. We see people rushing their get the salah done as quickly as possible as if it is getting in the way. We must take care in standing before the almighty and it starts with ablution; the prophet (ﷺ) said: “The key to Paradise is Salat, and the key to Salat is Wudu’.” [Tirmidhi]
We must ensure each part of the wudu’ is performed correctly; all areas that are washed must be touched with water accordingly; the wudu’ will define our salah. A narration of the prophet (ﷺ) highlights this point: “The Messenger of Allah saw a man performing ablution and he missed a spot the size of a fingernail on his foot. He commanded him to repeat the ablution and his prayer, so he did.” [Ibn Majah]
A very important aspect is covering the awrah during prayer. For women that is the whole body except for the face, hands and below the ankles. For men it is between the navel and bottom of the knees (and what is parallel to this i.e. the lower back and sides); most scholars also recommend that the shoulders be covered.
The issue of the awrah during prayer for men is widespread. We see many people praying with shirts that move up during ruku’ or sujud exposing the lower back – scholars mention that this invalidates the prayer unless it was done accidentally and then immediately covered.
Here are some other basic mistakes we make:
These are basic, core issues we must take heed of with our daily prayers – let us fix these mistakes to get the reward we need from salah.
All prophets of Allah were sent with signs for their specific people in their times. The Qur’an was sent as the final miracle with the prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). It is a miracle due to various unique features but in this post we will concentrate on some of the scientific facts in it.
Let us first understand that the Qur’an was revealed through an illiterate prophet and its initial form was spoken through him, Muhammad (ﷺ), only later to be compiled into book form. This was all done over 1400 years ago when science was merely what they can see with their eyes. There was no technology, research equipment; not even electricity – let us bare that in mind as we proceed.
Universe
Items in the modern time such as phones, computers etc. were all put together in an organised fashion thus they all had an organiser. Is it not rational to say that the universe with all its complexity also had an organiser? As mentioned in a previous post, every single matter in the universe is perfectly balanced, finely tuned. The world around us is proof in itself.
“We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. But is it not sufficient concerning your Lord that He is, over all things, a Witness?” 41:53
Origin of life
With the invention of the microscope, scientists found that all life consists mostly of water; this was mentioned in the Qur’an.
“Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe?” 21:30
Embryology
“And certainly did We create man from an extract of clay.
Then We placed him as a sperm-drop in a firm lodging.
Then We made the sperm-drop into a clinging clot, and We made the clot into a lump [of flesh], and We made [from] the lump, bones, and We covered the bones with flesh; then We developed him into another creation. So blessed is Allah, the best of creators.” 23:12-14
Professor Emeritus Keith L. Moore (one of the most prominent scientists in the field of anatomy and embryology) quoted: “It is clear to me that these statements must have come to Muhammad from God, because almost all of this knowledge was not discovered until many centuries later.”
Sky’s protection
The sky acts as a protection from the lethality of the sun’s rays and also as a blanket for warmth. Outside the earth’s atmosphere the temperature is approximately -270°C which will instantly freeze the surface of the earth wiping out all of life.
“And We made the sky a protected ceiling, but they, from its signs, are turning away.” 21:32
Iron
Scientists have only recently discovered (past century or so) that the metal Iron was not formed on earth but came down from outer space from meteorites. This phenomenon is mentioned by its creator in the Qur’an.
“We have already sent Our messengers with clear evidences and sent down with them the Scripture and the balance that the people may maintain [their affairs] in justice. And We sent down iron, wherein is great military might and benefits for the people, and so that Allah may make evident those who support Him and His messengers unseen. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might.” 57:25
Seas and Oceans
Modern Science has discovered that in the places where two different seas meet, there is a barrier between them. This barrier divides the two seas so that each sea has its own temperature, salinity, and density.
“He released the two seas, meeting [side by side];
Between them is a barrier [so] neither of them transgresses.” 55:19-20
It is commonly thought that waves only occur on the surface of the ocean. However, oceanographers have discovered that there are internal waves that take place below the surface of the ocean. These waves are invisible to the human eye, and can only be detected by specialist equipment.
“Or [they are] like darknesses within an unfathomable sea which is covered by waves, upon which are waves, over which are clouds – darknesses, some of them upon others. When one puts out his hand [therein], he can hardly see it. And he to whom Allah has not granted light – for him there is no light.” 24:40
Sun’s orbit
It was a wide spread belief that the Sun is stationary until the 20th century when scientists discovered that it is in fact in orbit around the centre of our galaxy.
“And it is He who created the night and the day and the sun and the moon; all in an orbit are swimming.” 21:33
Mountains
Geophysicists in modern times have discovered that mountains are like stakes (pointed at the surface, deeper in the ground) and are buried deep under the earth’s surface. Mount Everest, the height of which is approximately 9km has a root under ground deeper than 125km.
“Have We not made the earth a resting place?
And the mountains as stakes?” 78:6-7
Expanding universe
The fact that the universe is continuously expanding was only discovered in the last century. Stephen Hawking the physicist mentioned in his book ‘A Brief History of Time’: “The discovery that the universe is expanding was one of the great intellectual revolutions of the 20th century” – yet this was already mentioned in the Qur’an 1400 years ago.
“And the heaven [universe] We constructed with strength, and indeed, We are [its] expander.” 51:47
Skin pain receptors
For a long time it was thought that pain is merely in the brain – that there was no other factor involved except for certain functions in the brain. However, it was found that there are pain receptors in the skin; without these receptors one will not feel any pain.
“Indeed, those who disbelieve in Our verses – We will drive them into a Fire. Every time their skins are roasted through We will replace them with other skins so they may taste the punishment. Indeed, Allah is ever Exalted in Might and Wise.” 4:56
Lying
“Does he not know that Allah sees?
No! If he does not desist, We will surely drag him by the forelock –
Many of us forget the mercy Allah has placed upon mankind. From His creation to His forgiveness, he has bestowed the upmost mercy in creating ourselves and everything around us.
His mercy is unparalleled in comparison to any of His creations. The fact that we have love and compassion between one another is only by the mercy Allah has placed upon the earth.
The prophet (ﷺ) said: “Allah has one hundred mercies, out of which He has sent down only one for jinn, mankind, animals and insects, through which they love one another and have compassion for one another; and through it, wild animals care for their young. Allah has retained ninety-nine mercies to deal kindly with His slaves on the Day of Resurrection.” [Bukhari]
This mercy will only be given to the people who show mercy to others. This does not merely include mankind but one must be merciful to all of Allah’s creation.
The prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Those who are merciful will be shown mercy by the Most Merciful. Be merciful to those on the earth and the One above the heavens will have mercy upon you.” [Tirmidhi]
“Verily, whoever does not show mercy will not be shown mercy.” [Tirmidhi]
All our provisions in this world is proof of Allah’s mercy. We forget what He has provided for us everyday especially when we are in need of something. Daylight and darkness is a blessing in itself. Allah says in the Qur’an:
“And out of His mercy He made for you the night and the day that you may rest therein and [by day] seek from His bounty and [that] perhaps you will be grateful.” 28:73
Allah knows of our flaws and weaknesses as He himself placed that upon us:
“And Allah wants to lighten for you [your difficulties]; and mankind was created weak.” 4:28
Thus He has decreed upon Himself mercy to forgive our sins:
“And when those come to you who believe in Our verses, say, ‘Peace be upon you. Your Lord has decreed upon Himself mercy: that any of you who does wrong out of ignorance and then repents after that and corrects himself – indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful.'” 6:54
The people who receive more of Allah’s mercy are those who have acknowledged His blessings and favours; used them in a way which pleases Him; spend their wealth in charity and to look after the needy; employed their hands to care for orphans; utilised their gift of speech to speak good; and performed other honourable acts ordained by Allah.
“Obey Allah and the Messenger that you may obtain mercy.”3:132
“And this [Qur’an] is a Book We have revealed [which is] blessed, so follow it and fear Allah that you may receive mercy.” 6:155
“And establish prayer and give zakah and obey the Messenger – that you may receive mercy.” 24:56
Allah is the most merciful, however, He is also severe in penalty. One cannot try to deceive Allah and take advantage of His mercy by constantly committing the same sins without sincere repentance or resolving never to go back to the sin again.
“But repentance is not [accepted] of those who [continue to] do evil deeds up until, when death comes to one of them, he says, ‘Indeed, I have repented now,’ or of those who die while they are disbelievers. For them We have prepared a painful punishment.” 4:18
We as Muslims are encouraged to have hope of reward for the good deeds we carry out while being concerned of the sins we commit. We repent sincerely while believing that Allah will forgive us. We feel contentment through the words of Allah and always have hope for the afterlife:
“Do you not see that Allah has subjected to you whatever is on the earth and the ships which run through the sea by His command? And He restrains the sky from falling upon the earth, unless by His permission. Indeed Allah, to the people, is Kind and Merciful.” 22:65
Friendship is a significant part of our lives. We are bound to the relationships we form around us. For our deen this can be either a path to paradise or hell so we must take heed of who we choose to be our friends.
Let us begin with the word of Allah:
“And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favour of Allah upon you – when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favour, brothers [and sisters]. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be guided.” 3:103
The importance of holding together and not separating is a crucial part of Islam. We are united as an Ummah to do what is right and to forbid evil – we must stick together to remind each other not only through our words but through our actions, how we live our everyday lives.
“The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. Those – Allah will have mercy upon them. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.” 9:71
Allah highlights to the Muslims the importance of settling issues between us. We are brothers and sisters in Islam, hatred and ill feelings towards one another will only separate us weakening the Ummah.
“The believers are but brothers [and sisters], so make settlement between your brothers [and sisters]. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy.” 49:10
We must remember that our friends have rights over us in Islam. The prophet (ﷺ) teaches us the way of a true Muslim friend: “‘The right of a Muslim upon a Muslim are six’ It was asked what are they? He replied
‘When you meet him, salute him (give salam),
when he calls you, respond to him,
When he seeks advice , give him advice,
When he sneezes and praises Allah, respond to him,
When he falls ill, visit him,
When he dies, follow him (the funeral bier);” [Muslim]
He (ﷺ) describes a Muslim friendship as the following: “You will see the believers in their mutual kindness, love and sympathy just like one body. When a limb complains, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever.” [Bukhari]
Friendship, love and mercy to our brothers and sisters of the world is a key to true belief. The prophet (ﷺ) said: “You shall not enter Paradise until you believe; and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not guide you to a thing? Which when done, will make you love one another: spread the greeting of salam among you.” [Muslim]
The prophet (ﷺ) also said: “A muslim is a brother [sister] to a Muslim: Neither he wrongs him, nor hands him over (to another). And whoso comes in need of his brother, Allah comes in his need; and whoso removes a calamity of a Muslim, Allah will remove a calamity from the calamities of the Resurrection Day, and whoso conceals the faults of a Muslim, Allah will conceal his sins on the Resurrection Day” [Bukhari]
These are key attributes of a true friend in Islam. Allah also highlights who the real friends of a Muslim are:
“Your ally is none but Allah and [therefore] His Messenger and those who have believed – those who establish prayer and give zakah, and they bow [in worship].” 5:55
Without piety and righteousness, a friend is not a friend but merely a risk to one’s afterlife. This is not to say however, that everyone is perfect. We are all sinners – we all do wrong. We cannot leave a brother or sister to fend for themselves simply because they did wrong. This is not the way of a true Muslim. The prophet (ﷺ) said: “‘Help your brother [sister] whether he is a wrong-doer or is wronged’. A man enquired: ‘O Messenger of Allah, I may help him when he is wronged, but how can I help him when he is a wrong-doer? ‘ The prophet (ﷺ) replied ‘You can prevent him from wrong-doing. That will be your help to him.'” [Bukhari]
Let us take heed of these beautiful Ayahs and narrations from the prophet (ﷺ). True friendship today has become a rarity especially among the youth who many of which gather for the wrong reasons.
We must take heed on who we choose to be our friends. Our choice can determine the persona we pick up as time passes especially at a young age. Allah paints an eye opening scene in the Qur’an:
“And the Day the wrongdoer will bite on his hands [in regret] he will say, ‘Oh, I wish I had taken with the Messenger a way.
Oh, woe to me! I wish I had not taken that one as a friend.
He led me away from the remembrance after it had come to me. And ever is Satan, to man, a deserter.'”
“And the Messenger has said, ‘O my Lord, indeed my people have taken this Qur’an as [a thing] abandoned.'” 25:27-30
This is the moment mankind will have the upmost regret as to who they chose to be their friends in the dunya.
One may think that friends are merely people one hangs out with but we must take a step back and look at who these people are. Do they call to the remembrance of Allah? Or are they calling us to evil?
Is that guy/girl reminding us to go to the mosque? Or are they reminding us of that party or haram gathering?
We must be sincere; we know who is good for our deen and who is not. For those who are not it is our responsibility to call them to do right but at the same time we as Muslims cannot keep them close if they are calling us to evil.
We must not put ourselves in company that will make sinning an open and easy thing. The prophet (ﷺ) said: “A man is upon the religion of his best friend, so let one of you look at whom he befriends.” [Tirmidhi]
We are the same as the friends we choose; but we also cannot push everybody away as they may need our help to get back on track.
