Nabi Sallallahu 'alaihi wassallam said, "There are seven whom Allah will shade in His Shade on the Day when there is no shade except His Shade: 1) a just ruler; 2) a youth who grew up in the worship of Allah; 3) a man whose heart is attached to the Masjid; 4) two who love each other for Allah's sake, meeting for that and parting upon that; 5) a man who is called by a woman of beauty and position (for illegal intercourse), but he says: 'I fear Allah'; 6) a man who gives in charity and hides it, such that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives in charity; 7) and a man who remembered Allah in private and so his eyes shed tears." (Sahih al-Bukhari)
In this beautiful Hadith, the Prophet spoke about small acts of worship which result in such a huge reward: shade on the Day when there will be no shade except His Shade.
This may not seem like much at first but then reflect upon the following Hadith, "On the Day of Resurrection, the sun would draw so close to the people that there would be left a distance of only one mile. The people will be submerged in perspiration according to their deeds, some up to their ankles, some up to their knees, some up to the waist and some would have the bridle of perspiration and, while saying this, the Messenger of Allah put his hand towards his mouth." (Sahih Muslim)
So who would want more then, on this Day, than to be under the Shade and protection of Allah? Let us examine now the characteristics and virtues of these seven categories of people who will be worthy of such an exalted position on the Day of Gathering.
The just ruler
The concept of justice in Islam is very important and it is something which the Muslim (ruler and the ruled) must apply in all matters. "...And do not let hatred cause you to act unjustly, that is nearer to piety." (Quran surah Al-Ma'idah: 8)!
Unfortunately, even if we admit this in theory, we quickly forget it in practice. So we find that when we speak about our friends and loved ones, we praise them beyond reason and when we speak about those whom we hold difference with, we can find no good in them and we just capitalise on their bad points.
This is far removed from the justice which Allah loves and gives great reward for. "The doers of justice will be on thrones of light at Allah's Right Hand — and both of Allah's Hands are Right Hands."
The Prophet assigned to Abdullah ibn Mas'ud the open spaces in Madinah between the dwellings and palm gardens of the Ansar. Members of Banu Abd ibn Zuhrah said, "Remove from us the son of Umm Abd (Ibn Mas'ud)." The Prophet, replied, "Why then did Allah send me? Allah does not bless a people among whom a weak man is not given his right." (At-Tirmizi)
The young worshippers
The Prophet advised us, "Take benefit of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before you are preoccupied and your life before your death." (Narrated by Ibn Abbas, collected in al-Hakim)
The attached to Masjid
There is great encouragement in the Sunnah for men to pray in the mosques and the reward associated with it is tremendous. Not only does it make the person eligible for Allah's Shade on the day of Judgement, but, "does not take a step (towards the masjid except that because of it, he is raised by one rank and one sin is removed from him. Then when he prays, the Angels do not cease supplicating for him (for) as long as he remains at his place of Prayer (sayings), 'O Allah send blessings upon him, O Allah have mercy upon him'." (Sahih al-Bukhari)
The Masjid should be at the heart of the Muslim community, and the role of those in authority of the mosques is vital here. They are the ones mainly responsible for making the mosque a welcome refuge for the Muslims, rather than an arena for politics and power struggles as many seem to have become these days.
For Allah's sake
Having mutual love for the sake of Allah is one of the great doors leading to the good of the Hereafter and a cause of tasting the sweetness of Iman in this world.
This means the Muslim does not love another except for the correctness of his Din (religion). So it does not matter what the person looks like, what he wears, how rich or poor he is, where he comes from, or what the colour of his skin is — perhaps you dislike everything about him, but you love him for his Iman: this is loving for Allah's sake.
Allah, the Mighty and Magnificent, says, "Those who have mutual love for the sake of My Glory will have pillars of light and will be envied by the Prophets and martyrs." Sahih, in Sunan at-Tirmidhi and Musnad Ahmad)
Imagine being envied by Allah's chosen Messengers and those who were slain in His Path!
Say 'No' to Zina
This world is full of temptations which lead to burning in the Fire and amongst them is that which comes from women. The Prophet warned his Ummah specifically about this. He said, "The world is sweet and green and verily Allah is going to install you as successors upon it in order to see how you act. So avoid the allurement of women, verily the first trial for the Children of Israil was caused by women." (Sahih Muslim)
Have fear (khawf) of Allah. "And as for him who feared standing before his Lord and restrained himself from impure evil desires, verily Paradise will be his abode." (Quran surah an-Nazi'at: 40)!
The giving hands
This describes the type of person who goes to great lengths to protect himself from ar-Riya'.
Ar-Riya' means to do deeds in order to earn the praise and recognition of people. This sin destroys all the benefits that lie in righteous deeds and brings on a serious punishment for the one who commits it.
It is particularly dangerous because it is in man's nature to desire and enjoy the praise of others. Thus, great care has to be taken to ensure that one's intentions begin and remain pure whenever good actions (such as charity) are being done. Not like what we see today where we have masjid notice boards announcing who gave what to whom, why and when!
Allah warns, "O you who believe! Do not render vain your charity by reminders of your generosity or by injury, like him who spends his wealth to be seen of men and he believes neither in Allah nor in the Last Day." (Quran surah al-Baqarah: 264)
The weeping eyes
Our noble Prophet informed us, "If you knew what l knew, you would laugh little and weep much." (Narrated by Abu Hurairah and Anas, collected in Sahih al-Bukhari)
Crying is not a "sissy" thing to do. The Prophet, who was the best of all creation, would weep as would all of his Companions.
Tears are a genuine expression of fear of Allah's Punishment and of our sincere love and awe of Him. But how often do we remember Allah in seclusion and are then moved to tears? How much do we laugh and how little do we weep?
The Prophet said, "There is nothing more beloved to Allah than two drops and two marks: A tear shed due to fear of Allah, and a drop of blood spilled in the path of Allah. And as for the two marks, then a mark caused in the path of Allah, and a mark caused by fulfilling one of the duties made obligatory by Allah." (Hadith Hasan. Collected by at-Tirmizi and al-Misykat)
Sumber: Islamic Network
