The cooling shade of Allah

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘On the Day of Judgment, there will be seven [categories of people] that Allah (swt) will shelter under His shade, at a time when there is no shade, but that provided by Him (swt). These seven types of people are: A just ruler A youngster who grew up worshipping Allah (swt) A man whose heart is attached to mosques Two persons (Muslims) who loved each other for the sake of Allah (swt), got together and departed on this basis A man who was called upon (to sin) by a woman, of high status and beauty, but turned down her offer, by saying that he is a man who fears Allah (swt) A person who gave charity in such secrecy, that even his left hand did not know what his right hand gave. A person who thought of Allah (swt) in solitude, so his eyes welled with tears.’ (Reported by Bukhari and Muslim.) Those seven, who get sheltered under the shade of Allah, on the Day of Judgment, when no other shade is available, are the ones who win the pleasure of Allah, through their righteous life. They are those whom Allah chooses for His special blessing and mercy. The first of the ones mentioned in the above hadith, is a just ruler: Justice, from the Qur’anic point of view, is central to the very design and order, underlying God's creative fiat, as also in the ultimate reckoning on the Day of Judgment. Allah says in the Holy Qur’an: Glorify the name of thy Guardian-Lord Most High, Who hath created, and further, given order and proportion; Who hath ordained laws. And granted guidance; Surah 87 Verses 1 - 3 The principle of justice is directly derived from God’s very order and law of the universe. Its importance is repeatedly stated in various verses of the Qur’an, for example: O ye who believe! stand out firmly for God, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear God. For God is well-acquainted with all that ye do. Surah 5 Verse 8 From the Islamic point of view, maintaining justice ought to be the prime concern of a ruler. This is particularly because justice is what gives legitimacy to his title, as well as to the authority he holds. For example, if the ruler shows favoritism to his own family - disregarding others – he is answerable before Allah. Another example is if he violates the principle of justice in the distribution of wealth or resources, to the detriment of the poor and the destitute. The temptation to show nepotism and enjoy undue privileges can be predominant in a ruler, since he wields power and is protected by the forces. But he should remember that Allah is ever watching the way he misuses authority. And so, Allah will give shelter to the ruler who does not swerve from justice against all odds, on the Day of Judgment. O ye who believe! stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for God can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest ye swerve, and if ye distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily God is well-acquainted with all that ye do. Surah 4 Verse 135 The second person to get the shelter of Allah, is a youngster who grew up worshipping Allah (swt): This points first of all, to the urgency that parents should take particular care to see that their children are given proper instruction and training, in becoming good Muslims. Secondly, the youngsters should understand that they have to observe the teachings of Islam in their lives. They should guard Allah in their hearts, be punctual in prayer and fasting. They might be subject to many temptations, towards the outwardly attractive - but inwardly corrupting – fads and fashions of the world. As for those youngsters, who are keen on worshipping Allah, they will be particular to avoid such pitfalls and to lead a life of virtue and devotion to Allah. The third person to get the shelter of Allah, is a man whose heart is attached to mosques: For a Muslim, the first and foremost duty is towards his God; and consequently al-salah (formal prayers) becomes the anchor of his life. The five daily prayers are twenty seven times more rewarded when observed in congregation rather than individually. Naturally, the mosque has to occupy a central position among the institutions connected to a Muslim’s day-to-day activities. For this reason, a pious Muslim is one whose heart is closely attached to the mosques; and Allah will reward such a person with His shelter on the Day of Judgment. Fourth in the list, are two persons (Muslims) who loved each other for the sake of Allah (swt), got together and departed on this basis: Allah says in the Qur’an that He has created humans and jinn only to worship Him. This means that the whole life of a person should be spent in the worship and service of Allah. A Muslim will see that he does not do anything that is opposed to Allah’s commandments; rather he will see that all his activities are directed towards Allah, done for the pleasure of Allah and done fully abiding by His injunctions in the Qur’an and the example of the Prophet (pbuh). From this point of view, the whole life of a Muslim can be regarded as a way of worshiping Allah. So, a Muslim may love another for the sake of Allah; and may meet and part from another, also for the sake of Allah. Thus, the true servants of Allah are keen on seeing that all their activities are God-directed and Allah assuredly promises to give them shelter on the Day of Judgment. Fifth in the list, is a man who was called upon (to sin) by a woman of high status and beauty, but turned down her offer, by saying that he is a man who fears Allah (swt): Human life on earth is surrounded by all kinds of enticements towards sin. The duty of a Muslim is to keep away from that by a strict adherence to the injunctions in the Qur’an and the instructions of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Islam not only prohibits adultery, but it closes all the doors leading to it. Adultery cuts the roots of the social fabric, by undermining the value of decent family life. Family is the foundation of the society; and when the family structure rots, the moral fabric of the society is eroded. In fact, this has happened in many “civilized” societies, where family values are not respected. The saying of the Prophet indicates the importance a Muslim should attach to keeping pure - in mind, body and spirit - regarding sexual relations. Those who guard their chastity and virtue will be given shelter by Allah on the Day of Judgment. Sixth, is a person who gave charity in such secrecy, that even his left hand did not know what his right hand gave: Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said that a person’s actions are judged on the basis of his intentions. Take the case of a person who gives charity aiming at getting the admiration of the world. He gets what he aims at, that is publicity; but he does not get reward from Allah. This is because at the time of giving charity, that objective was simply not there. Allah accepts good deeds, which are done sincerely, seeking His pleasure. If a person’s objective in doing a deed is not the pleasure of Allah, but fame or prestige in this world, how can he expect reward from Allah? For this reason, one who gives charity secretly because his purpose is not publicity at all, but Allah’s pleasure, gets the due reward; and Allah gives him His shelter. Seventh, is a person who thought of Allah (swt) in solitude, so his eyes welled with tears: To think of Allah in solitude and out of love sheds tears, this happens only in the case of a person with real taqwa (piety). Such a person thinks much of his Creator and his indebtedness to Him. His heart is filled with gratitude to the All-Merciful Lord of the universe, while he is afraid to be lax in his duty towards his God. Such a person is truly sincere in his duty towards Allah and gets His shelter on the Day of Judgment, when no other shelter is available. May Allah bless us to be among those who get His special shelter on the Day of Judgment!