The Soil Of Paradise
al-Bukhaari and Muslim reported the hadith of al-Mi’raaj from Anas ibn Maalik from Abu Dharr in which Abu Dharr (ra) said, “The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, “I entered Paradise where I saw lights of pearl and its soil was musk”. Muslim and Ahmad report from Abu Sa’eed that Ibn Sayyaad asked the Messenger (saw) about the soil of Paradise. He said, “It is a fine white powder of pure musk”.
Ahmad reports from Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullaah that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said, concerning the Jews: “I am going to ask them about the soil of Paradise, which is a fine white powder.” So he asked them, and they said, “It is like a loaf of bread, O Abul-Qaasim,” The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, “Bread is like pearls”. [an-Nihaayah, 2/242]
Ahmad at-Tirmidhi and ad-Daarimi reported that the Prophet (saw) said, “I asked “O Messenger of Allah (saw), From what are people made?” He said, “From water.” We asked, “From what is Paradise built?” He said, “Bricks of gold and silver and mortar of fragrant musk; its pebbles are pearls and rubies, and its soil is saffron. Whoever enters it is blessed with joy and will never be miserable; he will remain there forever and never die; his clothes will never wear out, and his youth will never fade away .” [Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh, 3/89, no. 5630]
Footnotes
[1] Ibn Hajar said, in Taqreed al-Tahdhib, “Na’eem ibn Hammar or Hibaar or Khammaar. He was a Sahaabee and the majority of sources give his father’s name as Himaar.”
The Keepers of Hell
Standing over Hell are MIGHTY and STERN angels who never disobey Allah subhaanahu wa ta’ala Who has created them. They do whatever He commands them, as Allah subhaanahu wa ta’ala says:
“O you who believe! Save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is men and stones, over which are [appointed] angels stern [and] severe, who flinch not [from executing] the Commands they receive from Allah, but do [precisely what] they are commanded.” (66:6)
Their number is nineteen as Allah (swt) says:
“Soon I will cast him into Hellfire. And what will explain to you what Hellfire is? Naught does it permit to endure, and naught does it leave alone! Darkening and changing the color of man! Over it are nineteen [angels as guardians and keepers of Hell]” (74:26-30)
This number was a challenge to the kuffaar who thought that they would easily overcome such a small number, but they did not realize that one of these angels has the strength to confront the whole of mankind on his own. For this reason, Allah (swt) said in the next aayah:
“And We have set none but angels as guardians of the Fire, and We have fixed their numbers [19] only as a trial for the disbelievers..” (74:31)
Ibn Rajab said, “What is known and well-established among the earlier and later generations (as-Salaf wal-Khalaf) is that the trial came about when the number of angels was mentioned and the kuffaar thought that it was possible to kill them. They thought that they would be able to fight and resist them. They did not know that humankind in its entirety would not be able to resist even ONE of them.” (at-Takhweef min an-Naar, p.174)
The Good Shepherds
IT is narrated that a man came to a knowledgeable person from among our pious predecessors and asked him, “I just had a child, what should I do?” The answer came, “If you are just now asking this question, then you have already lost.”
This narration shows how serious Muslims used to be about raising children. So much so that they told this man, who had just had a child that he had lost. This is because they believed correctly that the proper upbringing of a child begins even before the child is conceived. It begins by us being good Muslims ourselves, choosing good mates and educating ourselves about Islam, and how to be good parents and how to raise good Muslim children. Unfortunately, many Muslim parents today do not understand the importance of raising good Muslim children the way they should.
As we go about our daily lives, pursuing our occupations as homemakers, doctors, businessmen, teachers or whatever we may be, how often do we forget that the most important job we have is being a shepherd, and that it is this job that Allah will call us to account for on the Day of Judgment. For Allah ‘s Prophet(peace be upon him) said:” All of you are shepherds and each one is responsible for his flock. A leader of a people is a shepherd and responsible for them. A man is a shepherd over his family and is responsible for them. A woman is a shepherdess over her husband ‘s house and his children and she is responsible for them. And a servant is a guardian over his master’s property and is responsible for it. So all of you are guardians and are responsible for your charges.” (Bukhari)
As parents, Allah, has made us responsible for our families. It is the primary responsibility of parents to raise their children as Muslims. And therefore, as shepherds we must never give our children the impression that Islam is merely a series of rituals to be done in a certain way, day in, and day out.
Rather, we should be keen to tell them and to convey to them Islam as a complete way of life, and it is the way of life that brings about true peace and happiness, in this world as well as in the Hereafter.
As shepherds, we must realize that it is our responsibility to guide our flock and to keep them away from the prohibited pastures. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said “Whoever indulges in these suspicious things is like a shepherd who grazes (his animals) near the hima (private pasture) of someone else and at any moment he is liable to get in it. (O people) Beware! Every king has a hima and the hima of Allah on the earth is His illegal (forbidden) things.” (Bukhari)
As parents, are we outraged when our children bring home bad grades from school, yet we are indifferent when that same child misses salah(prayer). Are we more concerned with our child’s place in Harvard than we are with his place in the Hereafter? Are our homes places where the Qur ‘an is only dusted off for the ritualistic reading during the month of Ramadan?
So, how do we become good shepherds? The first step is to make a self-evaluation. We need to ask ourselves, are my feelings about Islam in accordance to what Allah requires of me? Does my action match my speech? How much of my time do I spend learning about Islam and/or performing acts of obedience to Allah? Only after affirming the strengths and weaknesses of our own Islam and constantly striving in our practice of Islam, can we begin to guide our flock on the path that is pleasing to Allah.
As parents and as shepherds our primary responsibility is fulfilling the commands of Allah “O you who believe, save yourselves and your families from the fire.” (Qur’an; 66:6)
Our flocks are the future of this religion. Are we raising them to be good shepherds?
Khazana Hadees Shareef
Merits Of Reciting The Greatest Verse Of The Qur’an
AYAT-ul-Kursi (Qur’an, 2:255) is the most magnificent verse of the Qur’an.
Ubayy Bin Ka’b says once the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked me, “O Abu Mundhir, do you know which verse of the Qur’an with you is the most magnificent?” I submitted: “Allah-o-la-illaaha illa huwal-hayyul Qaiyum…” (2:255).
The Prophet (peace be upon him) thumped my chest as a gesture of appreciation and said: “Congratulations on your knowledge (of the Qur’an), O Abu Mundhir!” (Sahih Muslim)
Abu Hurairah narrates:
Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) appointed me to guard the Sadqa Fitr (alms given during Ramadan before Eid). One night an intruder came and started collecting the food. I caught hold of him and said: “I will produce you before the Prophet (peace be upon him)” but the intruder pleaded: “I am a poor man and have number of children to support. I am badly in need of help and succor.” On hearing this woeful tale I let him go.
In the morning the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked me: “Abu Hurairah what happened to your thief last night?” I answered, “O Messenger of Allah! He pleaded his dire necessity and complained about his large family. As such I felt pity for him and let him go.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) remarked: “He has lied, he will come back again.”
I was sure he would come again as the Prophet (peace be upon him) had said, and therefore I kept watch and waited for him. The thief did come again and started gathering food. I caught him again and said that I would definitely take him to the Prophet (peace be upon him).
On this he requested that he was a needy person and had a large family to support and that he may be let off and promised that he would not come back. I felt pity for him once more and let him go.
Next morning the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked: “Abu Hurairah what about your prisoner of last night? I answered: “O Messenger of Allah, he pleaded his dire necessity and the fact that he had a large family, and therefore I felt pity for him and let him go.” He (peace be upon him) said: “He told you a lie and will come back again!”
So I maintained a watch for him a third time. He did come to steal food (from the alms store) Abu Hurairah says: “I caught hold of him and said; I shall certainly take you to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and this is the last of the three times you promised that you will not come back, (but you have broken your promise and came back).”
He pleaded: “Please let me go and I will in return teach you some phrases which will bring benefit and mercy from Allah.” I asked him: “What are those?” He said: “When you go to bed (during night) recite the verse (Ayat-ul-Kursi, 2:255). (As a result of its blessings) Allah will appoint a guard to protect you, and Satan will not be able to come near to you till morning.”
So I allowed him to go. Next morning when I visited the Prophet (peace be upon him) he asked me: “What did you do with your prisoner last night?” I said, “O Messenger of Allah, he said that he would teach me some phrases through which I would receive benefit and mercy of Allah. On this I let him go.” He (peace be upon him) asked, “What are those phrases?” I said: “He told me, when you go to your bed for sleep, recite the verse ‘Ayat-ul-Kursi’ from beginning to end, and told me that Allah would post a guard on me and Satan would not be able to come near me till the morning.”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “This time he told you the truth although he is a liar. Abu Hurairah, do you know with whom you were speaking during these three nights?” I answered; “No.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “It was Satan (the devil).”
Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) also said that whoever recites Ayat-ul-Kursi after every Fardh (obligatory) Salah, nothing can keep him away from entering Paradise except death. (Al-Bukhari)
Turning To Him In Du’a
EVERY one of us has some problem or the other to deal with in our lives. But who amongst us stands before Allah, cries to Him and asks Him for help? We are so ready to cry out our problems to other people, who can do nothing for us except lend a sympathetic ear.
Why should we seek comfort with people when the Best of helpers is ready to listen to us? Allah said in the Qur’an: “And call upon Me, for I will answer your prayers.” (Qur’an, 40:60).
Several verses of the Qur’an and narrations of the Prophet (peace be upon him) encourage us, in fact command us, to make du’a to Allah, and to Him alone.
“And when my servants ask you (O Muhammad, peace be upon him) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near. I respond to the innovations of the supplicant when he calls on Me…” (Qur’an, 2:186)
Allah is close to His worshippers by His knowledge, aid and protection. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Indeed your Lord is shy and generous. He is shy, when a man raises his hands to Him, to return them empty and rejected.” (Ahmad, 5/438, Abu Dawood, no. 1488, authenticated by Sheikh Al-Albani)
So, let’s not think twice before asking Allah. Let’s raise our hands, praise Him, send blessings upon the Prophet (peace be upon him), acknowledge our sins, cry with humility and fear, complain only to Allah, be determined in our request and expect the best from Him because He is the All-Hearing, Wise.
Let us also utilize the certain times (proved from the Sunnah) during which du’a is more likely to be answered like the third part of the night, the time when the Adhan is called, during Sajdah while praying Salah, on Fridays, while fasting and while visiting the sick. Apart from the recommended times, du’a is a great act of worship that can be done at all times.
Ask Allah in times of hardship and ease. Encourage your children to seek His help and put complete trust (tawakkul) on Him alone.
“And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him…” (Qur’an, 65:2-3)
Repentance In The Qur’an And Sunnah
In the Qur’an
And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful. (Qur’an, 24:31)
“And (commanding you): “Seek the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance.” (Qur’an, 11:3)
“O you who believe! Turn to Allah with sincere repentance!” (Qur’an, 66:8)
In the Sunnah
Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) said: “Allah is my witness, that I seek His forgiveness and turn to Him more than 70 times a day.” (Al-Bukhari)
“Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His servant than would be one of you who were to lose his camel in a barren desert and then find it suddenly.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
“Allah will continue to hold out His Hand at night so that he who has sinned during the day might repent, and to hold out His hand during the day so that one who has sinned at night might repent, and Allah will continue to do so till the sun rises from the west (i.e. till the Day of Resurrection).”
“Allah, the Lord of honor and glory will accept repentance of His servant till his agony of death.” (Al-Tirmidhi)
Khidmat-E-Khalq Ka Tasawar
Sin That Leads To Paradise
SIN may be more beneficial for a person, if it leads him to repent, than doing a lot of worship. This is what an early scholar meant when he said:
“A person may commit a sin and enter Paradise because of it, or he may do an act of worship and enter Hell because of it.”
They asked: “How is that?”
He said: “He may commit a sin and continue to think about it. When he stands, sits or walks, he remembers his sin. He feels ashamed, he repents, seeks forgiveness and regrets it. So that will be the means of his salvation.(As for the other person), he may do a good deed and continue to think about it. When he stands, sits or walks he remembers it and it fills him with self-admiration and pride, so it becomes the cause of his doom.”
So a sin could be the factor that leads him to do acts of worship, good deeds and change his attitude. This is better for a person than an act of worship that makes him proud and he looks down on people. Undoubtedly this sin is better before Allah and is more likely to bring salvation than one who admires himself. Even if his words indicate something else, Allah is the Witness over what is in his heart.
– Madarij as-Salikeen, 1/299