Page 25 - Pakistan Link - March 23, 2018

RELIGION MARCH 23, 2018 – PAKISTAN LINK – P25

Seven Great Characters Gems from the
Holy Qur’an

n By Dr Muzammil H. Siddiqi

bu Hurairah reported
that the Prophet - peace
Abe upon him - said, “Al-
lah will cover seven people with
His shade, on the Day when
there will be no shade but His: a
just ruler, a youth who has been
brought up in the worship of Al-
lah, a man whose From the traanslation by
heart is attached to Muhammad Asad
the mosques, two (Leopold Weiss)
persons who love
each other only for About the translator:
Allah’s sake and Muhammad Asad, Leopold
they meet and part Weiss, was born of Jewish par-
in Allah’s cause ents in Livow, Austria (later Po-
only, a man who refuses the call land) in 1900, and at the age of 22
of a beautiful and rich woman for made his first visit to the Middle
illicit relation with her and says: East. He later became an outstand-
I am afraid of Allah, a man who ing foreign correspondent for the
gives charitable gifts so secretly Franfurter Zeitung, and after his
that his left hand does not know conversion to Islam travelled and
what his right hand has given, worked throughout the Muslim
and a person who remembers Al- world, from North Africa to as far
lah while he is alone and his eyes east as Afghanistan, India and Paki-
are flooded with tears.” stan. After years of devoted study
(Al-Bukhari, Hadith 620) he became one of the leading Mus-
We all need Allah’s shade. lim scholars of our age. His trans-
To be under Allah’s shade is to be lation of the Holy Qur’an is one of
protected by Him and be blessed the most lucid and well-referenced
by Him. We need His shade in they grow old. In the old age when to each other for Allah’s sake they privately with eyes filled with tears: works in this category, dedicated
this life and in the Hereafter. It is the body becomes weak, people bring a lot of good to themselves Thinking of Allah, repeating His to “li-qawmin yatafakkaroon” (For
mentioned that the Day of Judg- start paying attention to the spirit. and to those around them. This is Beautiful Names, thanking Him people who think).
ment will be a very hard and dif- However, to be conscious of one’s a kind of friendship that generates and praising Him, these are the
ficult Day. On that day everyone spirit and growing up as a youth in goodness in the world and is espe- Chapter 17, Verses 33-35
will be worried and will try to find the obedience of Allah bring a spe- cially blessed by Allah. And do not take any human
some protection and shade; but cial honor and blessings. 5. A person of solid moral Worship of Allah is being’s life – [the life] which God
there will be no shade on that Day 3. A person whose heart is character: The Prophet gave an good for all people has willed to be sacred – otherwise
except the special shade of Allah. connected to the Masjid: Liter- example of this solid character. than [in the pursuit of] justice.
This shade will be granted to seven ally it says that the heart is hang- He said a man tempted for illicit at any age and time; Hence, if anyone has been slain
special types of people: ing (mu’allaq) in the masjid. Imam relationship by a woman who is but the worship wrongfully, We have empowered
1. A just ruler or a just leader: Malik explained that it was a per- beautiful and rich, influential or the defender of his rights [to exact
It could be any person who has son who when he leaves the Mas- of a prestigious family (the word of Allah from the a just retribution]; but even so, let
some authority and he/she uses jid, looks forward to coming back “mansab” means all these things in him not exceed the bounds of eq-
this authority with justice and again soon. Normally people’s Arabic) and he refuses. Imam Ibn tender young age uity in [retributive] killing [ 1 ].
fairness without any favoritism or hearts are attached to their jobs, Hajar says that this is not limited has special blessings. [And as for him who has been slain
prejudice. Justice is the command business and home. Masjid is not to a man only who is tempted by wrongfully - behold, he is indeed
of God for all people; but the most the priority for many people. How- a woman; it equally applies to a Many people become succored [by God]!
critical is the doing of justice when ever, those who love the House of woman who may be tempted by a And do not touch the substance
one has power and authority. More Allah and keep it as their prior- man who is very beautiful, power- devoted to Allah when of an orphan, save to improve it, be-
difficult is, of course, dealing justly ity are the blessed people and they ful and rich and she refuses and they grow old. In the fore he comes of age. And be true
with those who show hate and ani- shall receive the special favor of says, “I fear Allah.” It requires a lot to every promise – for, verily, [on
mosity towards you. A just person, Allah. of moral strength to refuse temp- old age when the body Judgment Day] you will be called
especially a just leader or ruler, is 4. Two people loving each tation when the other partner is to account for every promise which
given number one place in this list other for the sake of Allah: One attractive, rich, and not only con- becomes weak, people you have made!
of seven. should be friendly to all people and senting but persuasive. Those who start paying attention And give full measure when-
2. A young person growing up deal with all people in a kind and have such a strong character they ever you measure, and weigh with
in the worship of Allah: Worship of courteous manner. However, the are indeed under the protection of to the spirit. However, a balance that is true: this will be
Allah is good for all people at any friendship for the sake of Allah, for Allah. to be conscious [for your own good], and best in
age and time; but the worship of the reasons of piety and goodness 6. A person of charity who the end.
Allah from the tender young age is a very blessed friendship. This is does not show off his/her charity: of one’s spirit and
has special blessings. Many people a sincere friendship and when two A person gives charity in such a Chapter 17, Verse 37
become devoted to Allah when or more people become attached way that even his left hand does growing up as a youth And walk not on earth with
not know what in the obedience of haughty self-conceit: for verily, thou
his right hand canst never rend the earth asunder,
has done. This Allah bring a special nor canst thou ever grow as tall as
is a very pow- the mountains!
erful and beau- honor and blessings
tiful way to say Chapter 17, Verse 53
that a person And tell My servants that they
gives quietly, ways to remember (dhikr) Allah. should speak in the most kindly
discreetly and Doing the “dhikr” alone in one’s manner [unto those who do not
with sincerity. privacy, when no one is watching, share their beliefs]: verily, Satan
His/her pur- with moving heart and tearful eyes is always ready to stir up discord
pose is not to is a sign of sincere faith and deep between men – for, verily, Satan is
show off, seek love of Allah. Those who have the man’s open foe!
publicity, name love of Allah, they are indeed un- _____________
or fame; but der His shade and protection.
only to please All these seven characters are Translator’s Notes
Allah. This is deeply moral and spiritual charac- [ 1 ] Thus, the defender of
the highest ters. They indicate a person’s faith the victim’s rights (in this case, a
kind of char- and sincere commitment. They are court of justice) is not only not en-
ity and it has a related to feeling, thinking, speak- titled to impose a capital sentence
special reward ing and action. These are true on any but the actual murderer
and blessing characters of sincere believers. We or murderers, but may also, if the
from Allah. pray to Allah to bless us with these case warrants it, concede mitigat-
7. A per- characters and with his shade in ing circumstances and refrain from
son who re- this world and also in the Hereaf- capital punishment altogether.
members Allah ter. Ameen. ________________
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