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| | The Honoured in The Qur’an |  |
| | | كاتب الموضوع | رسالة |
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أحمد محمد لبن Ahmad.M.Lbn
مؤسس ومدير المنتدى
عدد المساهمات : 52644
العمر : 72
| | موضوع: The Honoured in The Qur’an السبت 16 نوفمبر 2019, 12:31 am | |
| The Honoured in The Qur’an [1/2]
By: Khia
Five times in the Qur’an does Allah (Almighty) refer to the “honoured” or “Al-Mukramūn”. In part one of this two-part article we will be analysing these five passages as well as how we can work to be from amongst them. Al-Anbiyā’, Yā Sīn, al-Ṣāffāt, al-Dhāriyāt and Maʻārij are the five chapters in which the honoured are mentioned in the Qur’an.
(NOTE: If you want to build a strong and powerful relationship with Allah, check out Islamia TV, where you can watch Islamic speakers from across the globe deliver inspiring and motivational courses. Learn more at www.islamia.tv.)
SURAH AL-ANBIYA
In Sūrah Al-Anbiyā’, verse 26, Allah (Almighty) says,
“And they say ‘The Most Gracious has taken a child’. Exalter be He! Rather they are honoured servants.” [Al-Anbiyā’ 21:26]
This verse primarily refers to those Arab tribes such as Khuzāʻah who used to believe that the angels were the daughters of Allah (Almighty). Allah (Almighty) responds to this by stating that rather they are honoured slaves. They are honoured because,
“They cannot precede Him in Word and they act by His command.” [Al-Anbiyā’ 21:27]
Thus, the angels are but humble slaves of Allah (Almighty) that He has chosen to honour.
Allah (Almighty) then continues,
“He knows what is before them and behind them, and the cannot intercede except for those He is pleased with. And they, from fear of Him are in awe.” [Al-Anbiyā’ 21:28]
Thus, the angels can only obey Allah (Almighty) and their intercession is only by the permission of Allah (Almighty) for those He is pleased with; namely the people of tawḥīd as mentioned by the exegete of the Companions, ʻAbdullāh ibn ʻAbbās (ranhu). The angels – as established in this verse – intercede in this life and the next as we will mention in more detail in part two of this article. At the same time, their knowledge of Allah, His Names and His Attributes increases them in their awe and reverence of Him as the Prophet (Peace be upon him) mentioned,
“The heavens creak and they have a right to creak. There is not the area of a four finger except upon it is an angel with its forehead prostrating to Allah.” [Al-Tirmidhī no. 2312]
It is important to note that as one learns more about Allah (Almighty), increases in faith and gains more knowledge they should also increase in khashyah of Him. This is the case with the angels. It was also true of the Prophets including our own Prophet (Peace be upon him) who despite having all his sins forgiven would spend all night standing in prayer until his feet had blisters. It is for this reason that Allah describes the scholars as those who truly have khashyah of Him (Almighty).
However, even if one of the angels, for the sake of argument was to claim to be a god besides Allah (Almighty), they would be punished with the Fire.
“And whoever of them says, ‘I am a god besides Him’, We shall recompense them with Hell. Thus, do We recompense the oppressors.” [Al-Anbiyā’ 21:29]
It is impossible for the angels to commit shirk, yet to demonstrate the gravity of this sin and the importance of tawḥīd, Allah (Almighty) makes this statement. Allah (Almighty) says something similar in relation to our Prophet (Peace be upon him) emphasising the same principle,
“And it has surely been revealed to you and those who came before you that if you were to commit shirk, all your actions would be nullified and you would be from the losers.”[Az-Zumar 39:65]
Thus, we see that the first group to be classified as the “honoured” are the noble angels of Allah (Almighty).
SURAH YA SIN
The second passage of the Qur’ān to speak about the honoured is in Sūrah Yā Sīn. It is mentioned in the context of the story of those people of the city to whom the messengers were sent. When the people rejected the messengers, a man from the farthest end of the city came imploring them to follow the messengers. This man; a carpenter named Ḥabīb according to some scholars of tafsīr, was killed by his people. Allah (Almighty) says that the man said,
“Indeed I have believed in Your Lord so listen to me.” [Ya Sin 36:25]
As a result of this he was rewarded with Paradise,
“It was said, ‘Enter into Paradise’. He said, ‘If only my people knew.’” [Ya Sin 36:26]
He is longing for his people to know the reality of how Allah (Almighty) rewards the believers in the hopes that they too would follow his example. If only my people knew. Knew what exactly? Two things as Allah (Almighty) mentions,
“… of how my Lord has forgiven me and placed me among the honoured.” [Ya Sin 36:27]
Thus, the second honoured category is the righteous believers who will enter into Paradise.
SURAH AL-SAFFAT
We move onto the Sūrah al-Ṣāffāt, wherein Allah (Almighty) in the opening pages of this chapter speaks about the disbelievers and their condition on the Day of Judgement. There will be reprisals amongst them, each one blaming the other. Allah (Almighty) says concerning these people,
“Indeed you will be tasters of the painful torment. And you will not be recompensed except for what you used to do.” [Al-Saffat 37:38-39]
However, there are exceptions to these people,
“Except for the sincere slaves of Allah. They will have a provision which is known.” [Al-Saffat 37:40-41]
Some of the exegetes said it will be known in terms of its sweetness and taste, others said it will be known in terms of the timings, i.e. that they will have their provision every morning and evening as mentioned elsewhere in the Qur’an. Yet others said that the well-known nature of this provision is explained in the next verse,
“Fruits, and they will be honoured.”[ Al-Saffat 37:42]
As such, this third occasion also refers to the righteous believers of Paradise as the honoured.
SURAH AL-DHARIYAT
Sūrah al-Dhāriyāt is the fourth chapter to mention the honoured. This time it is in relation to the story of the Prophet Ibrahim (AS).
“Has there reached you the story of the honoured guests of Ibrahim?” [Al-Dhariyat 51:24]
These were the three angels who came to Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) in the form of men. When they then refused to eat from his food, Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) became afraid at which point they mentioned they were angels who had come to give him glad tidings of a son. Therefore, in this incident as in Sūrah Al-Anbiyā’, the honoured refers to the angels once again.
SURAH AL-MAARIJ
The fifth and final mention of the honoured comes in Sūrah al-Maʻārij. Allah (Almighty) says speaking about mankind,
“Indeed mankind was created impatient. If evil befalls him he is irritable. And if good comes to him he is miserly. Except for those who pray. Those who are constant in their prayers.” [Al-Maarij 70:19-23]
Allah (Almighty) then mentions a number of the virtues of these people.
Towards the end of these virtues, He (Almighty) says,
“And those who are to their trusts and promises attentive. And those who in their testimonies are upright. And those who maintain the prayer. They will be in gardens, honoured.” [Al-Maarij 70:32-35]
Thus, the fifth category of honoured also refers to the righteous dwellers of Paradise.
From the above five occasions on which the honoured are mentioned in the Qur’an, we conclude that they fall into two categories; the angels and the righteous believers who will be given Paradise. Therefore, the question is how do we ensure that the noble angels of Allah (Almighty), who only obey His commands and intercede for whom He is pleased with will intercede for us? The Prophet (Peace be upon him) understood the connection between these two honoured creations of Allah (Almighty), which is why the Sunnah is replete with narrations of those that the angels supplicate for and those they curse.
It is this issue that part two of this article will look at in the hopes we can gain the supplications of the angels and safeguard ourselves from their curses.
(NOTE: If you want to build a strong and powerful relationship with Allah, check out Islamia TV, where you can watch Islamic speakers from across the globe deliver inspiring and motivational courses. Learn more at www.islamia.tv.) |
| | | | أحمد محمد لبن Ahmad.M.Lbn
مؤسس ومدير المنتدى
عدد المساهمات : 52644
العمر : 72
| | موضوع: رد: The Honoured in The Qur’an السبت 16 نوفمبر 2019, 12:34 am | |
| The Honoured in Qur’an [2/2]
By: Khia
In part one of this article, we looked at the five times that Allah (Almighty) mentions the honoured in the Qur’an, and how they are two of the creations of Allah (Almighty). The first is the angels and the second is the believers who will enter Paradise. In part two, we will look at some of the ways we can ensure that the angels supplicate for us.
(NOTE: If you want to build a strong and powerful relationship with Allah, check out Islamia TV, where you can watch Islamic speakers from across the globe deliver inspiring and motivational courses. Learn more at www.islamia.tv.)
The following simple good deeds enable the angels to supplicate for you by the permission of Allah (Almighty). We often take small deeds for granted, not realising the immense good Allah (Almighty) has placed within them. Perchance, through these deeds Allah (Almighty) will make us from among the honoured on the Day of Judgement.
Those Eligible for the Angels Supplications
Purifying Oneself
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said in the ḥadīth of ʻAbdullāh ibn ʻAbbās (RA),
Purify these bodies may Allah purify you. There is no person who sleeps in a state of ritual purity except that an angel sleeps alongside him. He does not turn throughout the night except that the angel says, ‘O Allah forgive Your slave for he slept in a state of ritual purity. [Ṭabarānī in Al-Awsaṭ, vol. 1, p.408]
Thus, the simple deed of performing wuḍū before sleeping is a means of mercy and having an angel by your side as you sleep.
The Prayer
There are many aspects of the prayer, and in particular the congregational prayer, that bring about the supplications of the angels, and more importantly of Allah (Almighty). It is these small deeds which are often ignored and neglected that can make the difference.
The first of these acts is to arrive slightly early for the prayer at the mosque and wait. AbūHurayrah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said,
One of you does not sit waiting for the prayer except that he is counted as being in the prayer, so long as he does not break his ablution. The angels supplicate for him saying, ‘O Allah, forgive him. O Allah, have mercy upon him.’ [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, no. 276]
As you wait, try your utmost to find a space in the first row. Do not just laze around at the sides or the back of the prayer hall allowing others to precede you in good. The famous scholar, Ibn Ḥibbān collected on the authority of Al-Barā’ ibn ʻĀzib (RA) that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said,
Indeed, Allah and His angels supplicate… [There are a number of opinions as to what Allah’s supplications refer to. Some scholars stated that it refers to Allah mentioning that individual in this highest companionship. Other said it is the mercy of Allah or His blessings. Yet others said it refers to Allah purifying that person. The supplication of the angels is explained as being an actual duʻā’ or the angels seeking forgiveness for that person]
… for those who pray in the first row. [Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Ḥibbān, no. 2157]
In the first row or any row, fill the spaces to the right of the imām before the left. A number of ḥadīth books record the narration of our mother, ʻĀ’ishah (RA) that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said,
Indeed, Allah and His angels supplicate for those who stand on the right side of the row. [SunanAbūDāwūd, no. 672 and Sunan Ibn Mājah, no. 991]
It was also mentioned by the Companions that they used to prefer to stand to the right of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) in their rows behind him. [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, no. 709]
Then, once the iqāmah is called and people stand for the prayer, straighten the rows and more importantly fill in the gaps. If there is a space in the row ahead of you, hasten to fill it. If during the prayer someone leaves the prayer and a gap emerges in front of you, fill it. ʻĀ’ishah (RH) narrated that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said,
Indeed, Allah and His angels supplicate for those who connect the rows. [Sunan Ibn Mājah, no, 981]
After the prayer concludes, remain seated for a while making your adhkār. Unless you need to leave do not be in a hurry to rush off. ImāmAḥmad (rahimahu) reported that the illustrious Companion, ʻAlī (RH) narrated that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said,
If a person stays in his place after the prayer, the angels supplicate for him. Their supplication is, ‘O Allah forgive him. O Allah, have mercy upon him. [MusnadAḥmad, no. 1218]
In addition to all of the above, praying Fajr and ʻAṣr in congregation is extremely virtuous. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said in the ḥadīth narrated by AbūHurayrah (RA),
The angels of the day and the angels of the night meet at the Fajr and ʻAṣr prayers. They meet at the Fajr prayer and the angels of the night ascend, while the angels of the day remain. They then meet at the ʻAṣr prayer, and the angels of the day ascend while the angels of the night remain. Their Lord asks them, ‘How did you leave my slaves?’ They reply, ‘We came to them and they were praying and we left them and they were praying, so forgive them on the Day of Judgement. [MusnadAḥmad, no. 9140]
Charity & Fasting
One of the ways to attain the blessings of Allah (Almighty) and the supplications of the angels is to spend a small amount in charity every day. AbūHurayrah (RA) said that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) stated,
A day does not rise upon the slaves except that two angels descend. One of them says, ‘O Allah, give the one who spends more. The other says, ‘O Allah, give the one who withholds misery.’ [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, no. 1442 and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, no. 1010]
Similarly, for those who fast to eat the pre-dawn meal (suḥūr) is blessed. Imām Ibn Ḥibbān reports that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said,
Indeed, Allah and His angels supplicate for those who make suḥūr. [Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Ḥibbān, no. 3467]
Being in the Service of Others
Serving others and helping them is an easy yet effective way of achieving Allah’s blessings and mercy. We often have needs and wants or sorrows and griefs, and for all of this we ask Allah (Almighty) for His assistance. An additional way to do this is to actually supplicate for our brothers and sisters in their absence. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said,
The supplication of the Muslim for his absent brother is answered. There is an angel appointed to it. Every time he supplicates for his brother with good, the angel says, ‘Āmīn, and may you have the same.’ [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, no. 2733]
Another good deed that is often neglected is visiting the sick. ʻAlī (RA) narrates that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said,
A Muslim does not visit his brother except that Allah sends seventy thousand angels who supplicate for him, whichever hour of the day it is until the evening, or whichever hour of the evening it is until morning. [MusnadAḥmad, no. 754]
The angels also supplicate for those who teach others what is good and beneficial. In the ḥadīth of AbūUmāmah al-Bāhilī (RA), the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said,
Indeed, Allah, His angels, the inhabitants of the heavens and the inhabitants of the earth, including the ant in its hole and the fish supplicate for those who teach others good. [Jāmiʻ al-Tirmidhī, no. 2825]
The above are just some of the good deeds by which we attain the supplication of the angels, most of them are easily performed and not very time consuming. Yet at the same time there are other actions that incur the curse of the angels. It would be too lengthy to discuss these in detail here. However they include cursing the Companions, not being forgiven in the month of Ramadan, one whose parents are alive and they do not manage to save themselves from the Fire, hearing the name of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and not sending salutations upon him and the one who draws a weapon against another Muslim.
I ask Allah, the Most High, with His Beautiful Names and Lofty Attributes to make us and our families from among the honoured.
(NOTE: If you want to build a strong and powerful relationship with Allah, check out Islamia TV, where you can watch Islamic speakers from across the globe deliver inspiring and motivational courses. Learn more at www.islamia.tv.) |
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