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February 2021

Creation Of Human Being, Allah Knows Everything

Volume 4, Book 54, Number 430:
Narrated ‘Abdullah bin Mus’ud:
Allah’s Apostle, the true and truly inspired said, “(The matter of the Creation of) a human being is put together in
the womb of the mother in forty days, and then he becomes a clot of thick blood for a similar period, and then a piece of flesh for a similar period.

Then Allah sends an angel who is ordered to write four things. He is ordered to write down his (i.e. the new creature’s) deeds, his livelihood, his (date of) death, and whether he will be blessed or wretched (in religion). Then the soul is breathed into him.

So, a man amongst you may do (good deeds till there is only a cubit between him and Paradise and then what has been written for him decides his behavior and he starts doing (evil) deeds characteristic of the people of the (Hell) Fire.

And similarly, a man amongst you may do (evil) deeds till there is only a cubit between him and the (Hell) Fire, and then what has been written for him decides his behavior, and he starts doing deeds characteristic of the people of Paradise.”

Volume 4, Book 54, Number 506:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, “When any human being is born. Satan touches him at both sides of the body with his two fingers, except Jesus, the son of Mary, whom Satan tried to touch but failed, for he touched the placenta-cover instead.”

Beginning Of Creation

Start Of Creation
Volume 4, Book 54, Number 414:
Narrated Imran bin Husain:
I went to the Prophet and tied my she-camel at the gate. The people of Bani Tamim came to the Prophet who said “O Bani Tamim! Accept the good tidings.” They said twice, ‘You have given us the good tidings, now give us something” Then some Yemenites came to him and he said, “Accept the good tidings, O people of Yemen, for Bani Tamim refused them.”

They said, “We accept it, O Allah’s Apostle! We have come to ask you about this matter (i.e. the start of creations).”

He said, “First of all, there was nothing but Allah, and, His throne was over the water, and He wrote everything in the Book and created the Heavens and the Earth.”

Then a man shouted, “O Ibn Husain! Your she-camel has gone away!”
So, I went away and could not see the she-camel because of the mirage. By Allah, I wished I had left that she-camel (but not that gathering).

Narrated ‘Umar: One day the Prophet stood up amongst us for a long period and informed us about the beginning of creation (and talked about everything in detail) till he mentioned how the people of Paradise will enter their places and the people of Hell will enter their places. Some remembered what he had said, and some forgot it.

After Completion of Creation
Volume 4, Book 54, Number 416:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah’s Apostle said, “When Allah completed the creation, He wrote in His Book which is with Him on His Throne, “My Mercy overpowers My Anger.”

Sun, Solar System
Volume 4, Book 54, Number 421:
Narrated Abu Dhar:
The Prophet asked me at sunset, “Do you know where the sun goes (at the time of sunset)?”
I replied, “Allah and His Apostle know better.”
He said, “It goes (i.e. travels) till it prostrates Itself underneath the Throne and takes the permission to rise again, and it is permitted and then (a time will come when) it will be about to prostrate itself but its prostration will not be accepted, and it will ask permission to go on its course but it will not be permitted, but it will be ordered to return whence it has come and so it will rise in the west. And that is the interpretation of the Statement of Allah:

“And the sun Runs its fixed course For a term (decreed). that is The Decree of (Allah) The Exalted in Might, The All-Knowing.” (36.38)

Sun & Moon
Prophecy, Sun & Moon will be Folded up one day

Volume 4, Book 54, Number 422:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, “The sun and the moon will be folded up (deprived of their light) on the Day of Resurrection.”

Volume 4, Book 54, Number 424:
Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas:
The Prophet said, “The sun and the moon are two signs amongst the Signs of Allah. They do not eclipse because of someone’s death or life. So, if you see them (i.e. eclipse), celebrate the Praises of Allah (i.e. pray).”

 

The Superiority of Surat-al-Falaq & Surat-an-Nas

Narrated by Aisha (Radhiallaho anha):
Whenever Allah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam), became sick, he would recite Mu’awwidhat (Surat Al-Falaq and Surat An-Nas) and then blow his breath over his body. When he became seriously ill, I used to recite (these two Suras) and rub his hands over his body hoping for its blessings.

The Superiority of the Quran
Narrated by Abu Musa Al Ashari(Radhiallaho anho):
Allah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam), said, “The example of him (a believer) who recites the Qur’an is like that of a citron which tastes good and smells good. And he (a believer) who does not recite the Qur’an is like a date which is good in taste but has no smell. And the example of a dissolute wicked person who recites the Qur’an is like the Raihana (sweet basil) which smells good but tastes bitter. And the example of a dissolute wicked person who does not recite the Qur’an is like the colocynth which tastes bitter and has no smell.
Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol. 6 : No. 538

Endless Delight

Eat and drink with relish for what you did. (Surat al-Mursalat, 43)
The Qur’an announces that the people of Paradise are blessed with the finest food and various drinks. But since these people require no nourishment, we can understand that such food and drink have been created only to give pleasure. This food resembles the food of this world. The people of Paradise will express this similarity in the following way:
Give the good news to those who believe and do right actions, that they will have Gardens with rivers flowing under them. When they are given fruit there as provision, they will say: “This is what we were given before.” But they were only given a simulation of it. They will have their spouses of perfect purity and will remain there timelessly, forever. (Surat al-Baqara, 25)

Many foods in this world address people’s appetites and give pleasure by their appearance and taste. Of course, Allah can easily create similar foods in Paradise to give pleasure to believers. But, unlike with earthly food, there will be no need to worry about gaining weight, cholesterol, overeating, and so on, for Allah tells them: “Eat and drink with relish for what you did” (Surat al-Mursalat, 43) Being able to eat and drink beyond any reckoning is a delightfully pleasant reward.

In order to attain Paradise, people are tested in this earthly life. Believers show great effort and zeal in order to please our Lord, for they turn to Him sincerely, thank Him continually, pray to Him, and repent of their sins. As a reward, Allah offers them the blessings of Paradise.

Leading all of the food mentioned in the Qur’an is meat. In Paradise, Allah gives believers “any kind of fruit and meat that they desire” (Surat at-Tur, 22), and will offer them “any bird-meat they desire” (Surat al-Waqi’a, 22). Moreover, their food will “never run out” (Surah Sad, 54), because believers will”enter Paradise, provided for in it without any reckoning” (Surah Ghafir, 40).

They will be able to eat as much as they want, for the amount and types of food available will never decrease, and no one will be forced to stop eating due to being full or feeling sick. The fruit is perhaps the food most often mentioned in the Qur’an. In Paradise, believers receive whatever type of fruit they desire. The Qur’an describes this:
Its shading branches will droop down over them, its ripe fruit hanging ready to be picked. (Surat al-Insan, 14)
Thus, we understand that the fruits of Paradise grow on trees in natural surroundings and that believers can easily pick and eat them. Surat al-Waqi’a 28-29 mentions “fruit-laden lote-trees with thorns removed” and “[banana] trees layered [with fruit],” meaning that the fruit can be obtained easily due to Paradise’s infinite blessings.

The fruit is so plentiful that the tree branches cannot bear their weight, and it is easy to reach because the branches bend down to the ground. This fruit may be offered freely on golden and silver trays and tastefully designed plates to believers, who are sitting on thrones and conversing with one another. Certainly all seeds and traces of rot and bruising that annoy people in this world have been removed, as befits Paradise. All fruits are offered to believers freely, with their eye-catching beauty and without blemish.

Fruit also adds further color and aesthetic beauty to Paradise. The sight of trees laden with all sorts of colorful fruits lends even more beauty to the wonderful landscape. The predominant color is green, and within that green are yellows, oranges, and reds that form a beautiful view that strikes the human eye. As an indication of Allah’s mighty artistry, this view is another cause for thanksgiving.

Certainly, many kinds of drinks are also desirable. For instance, Surat as-Saffat, 45 mentions “a cup from a flowing spring passing round among them.” In Paradise, believers are given “the choicest sealed wine to drink, whose seal is musk” (Surat al-Mutaffifin, 25-27). As these verses state, whatever they drink is also sweet-smelling and, of course, this wine is unlike any earthly wine. The people who drink it will not become intoxicated or have their awareness impaired. Allah says that these drinks will be offered in glasses. They will not cause headaches, a loss of control of themselves, or any alteration in their minds. Young men whom Allah appointed for this service freely offer these drinks.

The Natural Beauty Of Paradise

“What is the example [i.e., description] of Paradise promised to the righteous like? It has rivers flowing under it, and its foodstuffs and cool shade never fail. That is the final fate of those who have done their duty. But the final
fate of the disbelievers is the Fire.” (Surat ar-Ra’d, 35)

Natural beauty and greenery are among Paradise’s wonderful blessings. Mansions built in gardens, right next to springs, are another beauty. Paradise, in which there is “neither burning sun nor bitter cold” (Surat al-Insan, 13), has such a pleasant climate that no one is made uncomfortable. It contains no exhausting sweaty heat or freezing cold.

In Paradise, Allah will admit believers into “cool, refreshing shade” (Surat an-Nisa’, 57)
The expression “refreshing shade,” along with revealing that the climate will be comfortable and just as a person would want it, points out that Paradise’s environment and conditions have been designed to give the human spirit true satiety and comfort. Everything and condition in Paradise will be just as a believer desires. One of the natural beauties most mentioned by Allah in the Qur’an is that of “outpouring water” (Surat al-Waqi’a, 31).

As we observe in this earthly life, the human spirit derives great pleasure from water, especially flowing water. Lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and streams flowing in a forest all speak to the human spirit. All artificial pools and fountains in mansions, residences, estates, and villa gardens, as well as artificial and natural streams, arise from this longing for the spiritual aesthetic.

The main reason why these esthetic views are so pleasurable is that the human spirit has been created for  Paradise. These beauties are described elsewhere, as follows:
In them [two other Gardens] are two gushing springs. (Surat ar-Rahman, 66)

The sight and sound of flowing water comfort and gladden the human heart. The sight and sound of water falling from above give pleasure and are a means whereby people can give thanks to Allah and praise His name. Especially if the water flows in the hills, among trees and greenery, or runs over stones, it is a really impressive sight. It either collects in the place where it falls or forms pools and flows from one place to another. Continually flowing water is a sign of endless and inexhaustible plenty.

As we learn in Surat al-Hijr, 45: “The heedful will be amid Gardens and Springs.” Another verse reads: “The heedful will be in shady nooks by springs” (Surat al-Mursalat, 41)
The “shady nooks” may be special spaces created so that believers can sit and observe all of this beauty. (Allah knows best) As with mansions, these shady nooks also are placed in high places so that the people in Paradise can view the beauty below and see its many details. Shady nooks offer special pleasure to believers. For example, people are served various kinds of food and fruits there, come together there and hold pleasurable conversations, and enjoy themselves there. There being placed next to springs, spaces that give pleasure to the human soul, adds to their attractiveness. From these springs flow delicious waters.

Another natural beauty is the gardens. For example, the “lush Meadows of the Gardens” mentioned Surat ash-Shura, 22 have been prepared only for believers. One of their particular features is the harmony of natural beauty contained therein. Within them grow a never-ending variety of plants, similar to the most delicate and sweet-smelling ones on Earth, and several species of animals, both known and unknown to us.

The gardens are adorned with various fruit and other types of trees, plains of “deep viridian green” (Surat ar-Rahman, 64) plants and flowers, and, in some places, pools, and fountains. Surat al-Waqi’a also mentions “fruit-laden lote-trees with thorns removed” and “[banana] trees layered [with fruit]” (28-29).

By reflecting upon all of these things, we can form a general view of Paradise. Some of its characteristics remind us of things in this world; others are unique blessings and beauties of Paradise that no one has ever seen or known, and that our minds cannot imagine or express. We must be aware that beautiful things and surprises are waiting for believers in Paradise, things, and surprises prepared by Allah’s infinite knowledge and beyond our imagination. As Surat ash-Shura, 22 tells us: “They will have whatever they wish for with their Lord. That is the great favor,  everything in Paradise, including all of its natural beauties, is brought into being in accordance with a believer’s own desire and pleasure. In other words, Allah allows a believer’s imagination a role in forming Paradise’s environment as a favor from Him.