People love talks on Jannah. Let the imaam deliver a twenty minute pre-khutbah talk on Jahannam and there will be objections. \u2018Scare tactics\u2019 they comment, \u2018why frighten our youngsters?\u2019 The same applies to talks on the horrific conditions of the Day of Qiyaamah. Are such objections justifiable? Does Allah not discuss these topics in the Qur\u2019aan? Of course he does; He discusses them frequently. In fact, the names He uses for the Day of Qiyaamah and their meanings (why is the Day of Qiyaamah called such names) is a discussion of its own. As-Saa\u2019ah (The Hour), Al-Aazifah (The Close One), Al-Waaqi\u2019ah (The Ocassion), Al-Haaqqah (The Definite One), Al-Qaari\u2019ah (The Clatterer) to quote a few. There are also vivid descriptions of the situation on that day. Let us look at one particular aayah in this regard.
\u064a\u064e\u0648\u0652\u0645\u064e \u062a\u064e\u062c\u0650\u062f\u064f \u0643\u064f\u0644\u0651\u064f \u0646\u064e\u0641\u0652\u0633\u064d \u0645\u0651\u064e\u0627 \u0639\u064e\u0645\u0650\u0644\u064e\u062a\u0652 \u0645\u0650\u0646\u0652 \u062e\u064e\u064a\u0652\u0631\u064d \u0645\u0651\u064f\u062d\u0652\u0636\u064e\u0631\u064b\u0627 \u0648\u064e\u0645\u064e\u0627 \u0639\u064e\u0645\u0650\u0644\u064e\u062a\u0652 \u0645\u0650\u0646 \u0633\u064f\u0648\u064e\u0621\u064d \u062a\u064e\u0648\u064e\u062f\u0651\u064f \u0644\u064e\u0648\u0652 \u0623\u064e\u0646\u0651\u064e \u0628\u064e\u064a\u0652\u0646\u064e\u0647\u064e\u0627 \u0648\u064e\u0628\u064e\u064a\u0652\u0646\u064e\u0647\u064f \u0623\u064e\u0645\u064e\u062f\u064b\u0627 \u0628\u064e\u0639\u0650\u064a\u062f\u064b\u0627 \u0648\u064e\u064a\u064f\u062d\u064e\u0630\u0651\u0650\u0631\u064f\u0643\u064f\u0645\u064f \u0627\u0644\u0644\u0651\u064e\u0647\u064f \u0646\u064e\u0641\u0652\u0633\u064e\u0647\u064f \u0648\u064e\u0627\u0644\u0644\u0651\u064e\u0647\u064f \u0631\u064e\u0624\u064f\u0648\u0641\u064f \u0628\u0650\u0627\u0644\u0652\u0639\u0650\u0628\u064e\u0627\u062f\u0650
The day when every soul will find the good and bad it had done presented (in front of him) and he will wish that between him and his actions is a vast distance. Allah warns you of Himself. Allah is compassionate to His servants.
Alternatively, this aayah could be translated as:<\/p>\n
The day when every soul will find the good it had done presented (in front of him) and as for the bad he had done, he will wish that between him and his actions is a vast distance. Allah warns you of Himself. Allah is compassionate to His servants.
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Scholars of Arabic would appreciate the usage of the word \u0628\u064e\u0639\u0650\u064a\u062f\u064b\u0627 \u2013 the madd (prolonging of the voice) suits the meaning of a vast distance.
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Warning our subordinates (children, students and others), we say, \u2018Do not make me angry, I am warning you!\u2019 The words \u201cAllah warns you of himself\u201d are similar in nature.
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Observe how Allah Ta\u2019aala reminds us of His compassion immediately after warning us of His punishment. After saying \u0648\u064e\u064a\u064f\u062d\u064e\u0630\u0651\u0650\u0631\u064f\u0643\u064f\u0645\u064f \u0627\u0644\u0644\u0651\u064e\u0647\u064f \u0646\u064e\u0641\u0652\u0633\u064e\u0647\u064f \u201cAllah warns you of himself\u201d, He says \u0648\u064e\u0627\u0644\u0644\u0651\u064e\u0647\u064f \u0631\u064e\u0624\u064f\u0648\u0641\u064f \u0628\u0650\u0627\u0644\u0652\u0639\u0650\u0628\u064e\u0627\u062f\u0650 \u201cAllah is compassionate to His servants\u201d. Is there any contradiction in mentioning His compassion so soon after such a stern warning? . . . No, there is no contradiction. Moreover, there are two reasons for mentioning the two alongside each other:
1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It is an indication that Allah Ta\u2019aala warns us because He pities us. If He had no pity for us, He would not have warned us.\u00a0
Lesson: This is a lesson to all parents and teachers. When reprimanding our children and students, our actions must be motivated by compassion instead of anger. Unfortunately, most of us act out of anger when reprimanding our children and students (if we are teachers). We do not have their interests at heart. The result is therefore ineffective. There is a famous adage:
\u062a\u064e\u062e\u064e\u0644\u0651\u0642\u064f\u0648\u0652\u0627 \u0628\u0650\u0623\u062e\u0644\u0627\u0642\u0650 \u0627\u0644\u0644\u0647
Adopt the ways of Allah.
Thus, students of pious \u2018ulamaa fondly recall the reprimands (possibly beatings too) of their teachers.
2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The second reason for Allah\u2019s reminding us of His compassion immediately after warning us of Himself (i.e. His punishment) is to avoid despondency. If Allah only speaks of His punishment, man will become despondent and \u2018throw in the towel\u2019. Nevertheless, only speaking of His mercy and never referring to His punishment would also be inappropriate. It would result in complacency. Thus, Allah Ta\u2019aala neither speaks only of His punishment nor does He speak only of His mercy. He speaks of both. Neither does He describe Jannah only nor does He describe Jahannam only. He describes both. This phenomenon is consistent throughout the Qur\u2019aan and this is \u2018The Balanced Approach\u2019 referred to in the title of this article.
Lesson: Once again we cite the adage \u2018Adopt the ways of Allah\u2019. Da\u2019wah workers should refrain from speaking only of Jahannam thereby causing people to object. Furthermore, when discussing aayaat and ahaadith regarding Jahannam, they should discuss Jannah as well.\u00a0 Nonetheless, objectors to occasional descriptions of Jahannam are also in error.
More Examples
\u062d\u0645 \u062a\u064e\u0646\u0652\u0632\u0650\u064a\u0644\u064f \u0627\u0644\u0652\u0643\u0650\u062a\u064e\u0627\u0628\u0650 \u0645\u0650\u0646\u064e \u0627\u0644\u0644\u0651\u064e\u0647\u0650 \u0627\u0644\u0652\u0639\u064e\u0632\u0650\u064a\u0632\u0650 \u0627\u0644\u0652\u0639\u064e\u0644\u0650\u064a\u0645\u0650 \u063a\u064e\u0627\u0641\u0650\u0631\u0650 \u0627\u0644\u0630\u0651\u064e\u0646\u0652\u0628\u0650 \u0648\u064e\u0642\u064e\u0627\u0628\u0650\u0644\u0650 \u0627\u0644\u062a\u0651\u064e\u0648\u0652\u0628\u0650 \u0634\u064e\u062f\u0650\u064a\u062f\u0650 \u0627\u0644\u0652\u0639\u0650\u0642\u064e\u0627\u0628\u0650 \u0630\u0650\u064a \u0627\u0644\u0637\u0651\u064e\u0648\u0652\u0644\u0650
\u0644\u064e\u0627 \u0625\u0650\u0644\u064e\u0647\u064e \u0625\u0650\u0644\u0651\u064e\u0627 \u0647\u064f\u0648\u064e \u0625\u0650\u0644\u064e\u064a\u0652\u0647\u0650 \u0627\u0644\u0652\u0645\u064e\u0635\u0650\u064a\u0631\u064f
Ha Meem (Nobody but Allah knows the meaning of these letters. The revelation of the Qur\u2019aan is from Allah, The All-Mighty, All-Knowing, The Forgiver of Sin and the Accepter of Repentance, The Possessor of Severe Punishment, The Possessor of Bounty); there is no deity but He, unto Him is the return.\u00a0
\u0646\u064e\u0628\u0651\u0650\u0649\u0621\u0652 \u0639\u0650\u0628\u064e\u0627\u062f\u0650\u064a \u0623\u064e\u0646\u0651\u0650\u064a \u0623\u064e\u0646\u064e\u0627 \u0627\u0644\u0652\u063a\u064e\u0641\u064f\u0648\u0631\u064f \u0627\u0644\u0631\u0651\u064e\u062d\u0650\u064a\u0645\u064f \u0648\u064e \u0623\u064e\u0646\u0651\u064e \u0639\u064e\u0630\u064e\u0627\u0628\u0650\u064a \u0647\u064f\u0648\u064e \u0627\u0644\u0652\u0639\u064e\u0630\u064e\u0627\u0628\u064f \u0627\u0644\u0623\u064e\u0644\u0650\u064a\u0645\u064e
Inform my servants that I am The All-Forgiving, Most Merciful and that my punishment is the painful punishment.
\u0625\u0650\u0646\u0651\u064e \u0631\u064e\u0628\u0651\u064e\u0643\u064e \u0644\u064e\u0633\u064e\u0631\u0650\u064a\u0639\u064f \u0627\u0644\u0652\u0639\u0650\u0642\u064e\u0627\u0628\u0650 \u0648\u064e\u0625\u0650\u0646\u0651\u064e\u0647\u064f \u0644\u064e\u063a\u064e\u0641\u064f\u0648\u0631\u064c \u0631\u064e\u062d\u0650\u064a\u0645\u064c
Certainly your Rabb is swift in punishing and certainly He is most forgiving and merciful.
\u064a\u064e\u0648\u0652\u0645\u064e \u062a\u064e\u0628\u0652\u064a\u064e\u0636\u0651\u064f \u0648\u064f\u062c\u064f\u0648\u0647\u064c \u0648\u064e\u062a\u064e\u0633\u0652\u0648\u064e\u062f\u0651\u064f \u0648\u064f\u062c\u064f\u0648\u0647\u064c
The day when some faces will be white (shining)
and others will be black (dull).
\u0625\u0650\u0646\u0651\u064e \u0627\u0644\u0652\u0623\u064e\u0628\u0652\u0631\u064e\u0627\u0631\u064e \u0644\u064e\u0641\u0650\u064a \u0646\u064e\u0639\u0650\u064a\u0645\u064d \u0648\u064e\u0625\u0650\u0646\u0651\u064e \u0627\u0644\u0652\u0641\u064f\u062c\u0651\u064e\u0627\u0631\u064e \u0644\u064e\u0641\u0650\u064a \u062c\u064e\u062d\u0650\u064a\u0645\u064d
The pious will undoubtedly be in bounty and the sinners will undoubtedly be in the fire.
Based on the attributes of Allah, certain aayaat of the Qur\u2019aan and ahaadith of Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam, scholars commonly say:
\u0627\u0644\u0625\u064a\u0645\u0627\u0646\u064f \u0628\u064a\u0646\u064e \u0627\u0644\u062e\u0648\u0641\u0650 \u0648 \u0627\u0644\u0631\u062c\u0627\u0621
Imaan is between fear and hope.
The purpose of mentioning the above attributes alongside each other is to maintain this balance between hope and fear. Thus, the famous commentator of the Qur\u2019aan, Ibn Katheer (ra), writes in his commentary of the first aayah:
\u064a\u0642\u0631\u0646 \u0647\u0630\u064a\u0646 \u0627\u0644\u0648\u0635\u0641\u064a\u0646 \u0643\u062b\u064a\u0631\u064b\u0627 \u0641\u064a \u0645\u0648\u0627\u0636\u0639 \u0645\u062a\u0639\u062f\u062f\u0629 \u0645\u0646 \u0627\u0644\u0642\u0631\u0622\u0646\u061b \u0644\u064a\u0628\u0642\u0649 \u0627\u0644\u0639\u0628\u062f \u0628\u064a\u0646 \u0627\u0644\u0631\u062c\u0627\u0621 \u0648\u0627\u0644\u062e\u0648\u0641
In many instances Allah mentions these two attributes alongside each other so that man will remain between hope and fear.
Why the Balance?
Explaining the reason why the Believer must have fear and hope, Ibn \u2018Alaan (ra) comments, \u201cso that fear will deter him from contravention and hope will motivate him to do good deeds\u201d. He says further that the reason why such fear and hope must be equal is that:
\u0627\u0644\u063a\u0627\u0644\u0628 \u0641\u064a \u0627\u0644\u0642\u0631\u0622\u0646 \u0630\u0643\u0631 \u0627\u0644\u062a\u0631\u063a\u064a\u0628 \u0648\u0627\u0644\u062a\u0631\u0647\u064a\u0628 \u0645\u0642\u062a\u0631\u0646\u064a\u0646
\u201cThe general practice in the Qur\u2019aan is to mention targheeb and tarheeb alongside each other.\u201d
Targheeb is encouragement to do good deeds and is achieved by reference to Allah\u2019s mercy and the reward for such deeds. Tarheeb is discouragement of sin and is achieved by reference to Allah\u2019s anger and the punishment for sin. Thus, the balance between the two is in essence the balance between fear and hope.
Lesson: As already mentioned, imams, da\u2019wah workers etc. must always observe this balance. Focusing only on Jahannam and punishment may drive the audience or some of them to despondency. Hence, their talks result in more harm than benefit. (Although, it must be acknowledged that such people are few.)
Umar (ra) and the Alcoholic
Sayyiduna \u2018Umar (ra) was informed of a person who would previously visit him regularly but had since become an alcoholic. Sayyiduna \u2018Umar (ra) immediately sent him a letter in which he merely stated:
From \u2018Umar bin Khattaab to So-and-so
I remind you of the praises of Allah, The All-Mighty, All-Knowing, The Forgiver of Sin and the Accepter of Repentance, The Possessor of Severe Punishment, The Possessor of Bounty); there is no deity but He, unto Him is the return.
When dispatching the letter, Sayyiduna \u2018Umar (ra) instructed the messenger to ensure that the person concerned is sober when he passes the letter to him.\u00a0 Sayyiduna \u2018Umar (ra) then requested the people sitting with him to make du\u2019aa for this person\u2019s guidance. <\/p>\n
Upon receiving the letter, the man read its contents a few times and said, \u201cThe Forgiver of Sin and the Accepter of Repentance, the Possessor of Severe Punishment. He warned me of His punishment and He promised to forgive me.\u201d He then cried bitterly, repented to Allah and gave up his evil habit. When news of his transformation reached Sayyiduna \u2018Umar (ra), he remarked, \u201cThat is what you should do. When you see that your brother has slipped, guide him and make du\u2019aa that Allah guide him to repent but do not help Shaytaan over him.\u201d
The Ambiyaa
All the Ambiyaa including Nabi Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam have been described in the Qur\u2019aan as bearers of glad-tidings and warners.
\u0631\u0651\u064f\u0633\u064f\u0644\u0627\u064b \u0645\u0651\u064f\u0628\u064e\u0634\u0651\u0650\u0631\u0650\u064a\u0646\u064e \u0648\u064e\u0645\u064f\u0646\u0630\u0650\u0631\u0650\u064a\u0646\u064e \u0644\u0650\u0626\u064e\u0644\u0627\u0651\u064e \u064a\u064e\u0643\u064f\u0648\u0646\u064e \u0644\u0650\u0644\u0646\u0651\u064e\u0627\u0633\u0650 \u0639\u064e\u0644\u064e\u0649 \u0627\u0644\u0644\u0651\u064e\u0647\u0650 \u062d\u064f\u062c\u0651\u064e\u0629\u064c
\u201cMessengers who were bearers of glad-tidings and warners so that the people would have no argument against Allah . . .\u201d\u00a0
\u0625\u0650\u0646\u0651\u064e\u0627 \u0623\u064e\u0631\u0652\u0633\u064e\u0644\u0652\u0646\u064e\u0627\u0643\u064e \u0628\u0650\u0627\u0644\u0652\u062d\u064e\u0642\u0651\u0650 \u0628\u064e\u0634\u0650\u064a\u0631\u064b\u0627 \u0648\u064e\u0646\u064e\u0630\u0650\u064a\u0631\u064b\u0627 \u0648\u064e\u0644\u0627\u064e \u062a\u064f\u0633\u0652\u0623\u064e\u0644\u064f \u0639\u064e\u0646\u0652 \u0623\u064e\u0635\u0652\u062d\u064e\u0627\u0628\u0650 \u0627\u0644\u0652\u062c\u064e\u062d\u0650\u064a\u0645\u0650
\u201cSurely we sent you with the truth, as a bearer of glad-tidings and a warner.\u201d
Since we have been commanded to emulate the Ambiyaa, especially Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam, we too have to be bearers of glad-tidings and warners. This is yet another reason why we have to adopt a \u2018balanced approach\u2019.
Interesting Observation
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Amr bil-Ma\u2019roof (encouraging good) and Nahy-\u2018anil-Munkar (prohibiting evil) play an important role in the sharee\u2019ah and have been mentioned several times in the Qur\u2019aan. Their nature is similar to targheeb and tarheeb. The noteworthy point is that whenever they are mentioned in the Qur\u2019aan, Amr bil-Ma\u2019roof is always mentioned before Nahy-\u2018anil-Munkar.
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Similarly, whenever Allah Ta\u2019aala describes the Ambiyaa and Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam as bearers of glad-tidings and warners, He always mentions glad-tidings before the warning.
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Likewise, in Surahs Ghaafir and Al-Hijr, Allah Ta\u2019aala mentioned \u063a\u064e\u0627\u0641\u0650\u0631\u0650 \u0627\u0644\u0630\u0651\u064e\u0646\u0652\u0628\u0650 \u0648\u064e\u0642\u064e\u0627\u0628\u0650\u0644\u0650 \u0627\u0644\u062a\u0651\u064e\u0648\u0652\u0628\u0650 (The Forgiver of Sin and the Accepter of Repentance) and \u0623\u064e\u0646\u064e\u0627 \u0627\u0644\u0652\u063a\u064e\u0641\u064f\u0648\u0631\u064f \u0627\u0644\u0631\u0651\u064e\u062d\u0650\u064a\u0645\u064f (I am The All-Forgiving, Most Merciful) before \u0634\u064e\u062f\u0650\u064a\u062f\u0650 \u0627\u0644\u0652\u0639\u0650\u0642\u064e\u0627\u0628\u0650 (The Possessor of Severe Punishment) and \u0639\u064e\u0630\u064e\u0627\u0628\u0650\u064a \u0647\u064f\u0648\u064e \u0627\u0644\u0652\u0639\u064e\u0630\u064e\u0627\u0628\u064f \u0627\u0644\u0623\u064e\u0644\u0650\u064a\u0645\u064e (my punishment is the painful punishment).
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This is an indication that although we require a \u2018balanced approach\u2019, we should speak more of Jannah, Allah\u2019s forgiveness and His mercy. It also indicates that Allah\u2019s mercy surpasses His anger. In this regard, Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam said that when Allah created the creation, He ordained that His mercy surpasses His anger. Thus, the words \u0625\u0646 \u0631\u062d\u0645\u062a\u064a \u063a\u0644\u0628\u062a \u063a\u0636\u0628\u064a (My mercy surpasses my anger) are inscribed above His \u2018arsh (throne).
Another Observation
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Another noteworthy observation is that while Allah describes Himself as The Forgiving, The Merciful and The Compassionate, He never describes Himself as \u0627\u0644\u0652\u0645\u064f\u0639\u064e\u0630\u0651\u0628 (The Punisher). He merely states that His punishment is severe.
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Furthermore, the word forms utilised to describe Allah as forgiving and merciful (i.e. \u0627\u0644\u0652\u063a\u064e\u0641\u064f\u0648\u0631\u064f and \u0627\u0644\u0631\u0651\u064e\u062d\u0650\u064a\u0645\u064f) constitute a form of hyperbole; they show excessiveness in meaning. (Such word formation is called \u0645\u0628\u0627\u0644\u063a\u0629) However, the words utilised for describing Allah\u2019s punishment as painful and severe are straightforward.\u00a0
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This is an indication that Allah\u2019s promise is weightier than His warning.\u00a0 On the one hand, this is meant to increase our hope in Allah\u2019s mercy, on the other hand it is another lesson with regards our approach to da\u2019wah. <\/p>\n
In conclusion, we beseech Allah Ta\u2019aala for His forgiveness and mercy \u0622\u0645\u064a\u0646 <\/p>\n
\u0648 \u0635\u0644\u0649 \u0627\u0644\u0644\u0647 \u0639\u0644\u0649 \u0646\u0628\u064a\u0646\u0627 \u0645\u062d\u0645\u062f \u0648 \u0639\u0644\u0649 \u0622\u0644\u0647 \u0648 \u0623\u0635\u062d\u0627\u0628\u0647 \u0623\u062c\u0645\u0639\u064a\u0646
\u0648 \u0627\u0644\u062d\u0645\u062f \u0644\u0644\u0647 \u0631\u0628 \u0627\u0644\u0639\u0644\u0645\u064a\u0646<\/p>\n
Abu Hudhaifa Muhammad Karolia
07 Shawwaal 1435 \/ 03 August 2014
Al-Jaami\u2019ah Al-Mahmoodiah
Persida, Springs<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
People love talks on Jannah. Let the imaam deliver a twenty minute pre-khutbah talk on Jahannam and there will be objections. \u2018Scare tactics\u2019 they comment, \u2018why frighten our youngsters?\u2019 The same applies to talks on the horrific conditions of the Day of Qiyaamah. Are such objections justifiable? Does Allah not discuss these topics in the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-153","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-articles"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jameah-mahmoodiyah.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jameah-mahmoodiyah.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jameah-mahmoodiyah.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jameah-mahmoodiyah.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jameah-mahmoodiyah.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=153"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/jameah-mahmoodiyah.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jameah-mahmoodiyah.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=153"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jameah-mahmoodiyah.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=153"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jameah-mahmoodiyah.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=153"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}