Chapter 2

The beginning of creation
and wonders of creation

34508: Falseness of the theory of evolution

Question:

There are people who say that long ago man was a monkey and he evolved. Is this true? Is there any evidence?.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

This view is not correct, and the evidence for that is that Allaah has described in the Qur'aan the stages of the creation of Adam. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Verily, the likeness of `Eesa (Jesus) before Allaah is the likeness of Adam. He created him from dust, then (He) said to him: `Be!' — and he was"

[Aal `Imraan 3:59]

This dust was moistened until it became sticky mud or clay that stuck to the hands. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And indeed We created man (Adam) out of an extract of clay (water and earth)"

[al-Mu'minoon 23:12]

"Verily, We created them of a sticky clay" [al-Saaffaat 37:12]

Then it became dried (sounding) clay of altered mud. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And indeed, We created man from dried (sounding) clay of altered mud"

[al-Hijr 15:26]

Then when it dried it became sounding clay like the clay of pottery. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"He created man (Adam) from sounding clay like the clay of pottery"

[al-Rahmaan 55:14]

Then Allaah moulded it into the form that He wanted and breathed into him (his) soul created by Him. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"(Remember) when your Lord said to the angels: `Truly, I am going to create man from clay'.

So when I have fashioned him and breathed into him (his) soul created by Me, then you fall down prostrate to him"

[Saad 38:71-72]

These are the stages through which the creation of Adam passed according to the Qur'aan. As for the stages of creation which the progeny of Adam pass through, Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And indeed We created man (Adam) out of an extract of clay (water and earth).

Thereafter We made him (the offspring of Adam) as a Nutfah (mixed drops of the male and female sexual discharge and lodged it) in a safe lodging (womb of the woman).

Then We made the Nutfah into a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood), then We made the clot into a little lump of flesh, then We made out of that little lump of flesh bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, and then We brought it forth as another creation. So Blessed is Allaah, the Best of creators"

[al-Mu'minoon 23:12-14]

With regard to the wife of Adam _ Hawwa' (Eve) _ Allaah tells us that He created her from him, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

"O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife [Hawwa (Eve)], and from them both He created many men and women"

[al-Nisa' 4:1]

From Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah, 1/31. (www.islam-qa.com)

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26876: Is the earth in the first heaven?

Question:

Is the earth in the first heaven (al-sama' al-dunya) or beneath it, knowing that the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was taken up to the heavens and ascending can only be from something lower to something higher?.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah. The lowest heaven (al-sama' al-dunya') encompasses the earth and is high above it. Wherever a person goes on earth, the heaven is above him.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said:

It is well known from a rational point of view that the air is above the earth, and the heaven is above the earth. This was known before it was known that the heaven encompasses the earth. Being above something does not necessarily mean encompassing, even though encompassing does not contradict it. Hence the people knew that the heaven is above the earth, and the clouds above the earth, before it ever occurred to them that it encompasses the earth.

Dar' al-Ta'aarud, 6/336, 337

Ibn al-Qayyim said in al-Sawaa'iq al-Mursalah, 4/1308, that the view that the heaven does not encompass the earth and is only above it, is a view that goes against scholarly consensus and that which is indicated by reason and tangible evidence.

Ibn Hazm said:

Based on this evidence, the earth is a place that is beneath the heaven, hence the heaven is above the earth… and with regard to the son of Adam, his head points towards the heavens and his feet towards the earth.

Al-Fasl bayna al-Milal wa'l-Nahl, 2/243

And Allaah knows best.

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2593: Why are there so many earthquakes?

Question:

Many countries have had earthquakes, such as Turkey, Mexico, Taiwan, Japan, etc. Does this mean anything (from an Islamic point of view)?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Praise be to Allaah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allaah, and upon his family, companions, and those who follow his guidance.

Allaah is the All-Wise, All-Knowing in all that He wills and decrees, and He is the All-Wise, All-Knowing in all that He legislates and commands. He creates and decrees whatever signs He wills, to frighten His slaves and remind them of their obligations and duties towards Him, and to warn them against associating anything in worship with Him, going against His commands and doing that which He has forbidden. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And We sent not the signs except to warn" [al-Israa' 17:59]

"We will show them Our Signs in the universe, and in their own selves, until it becomes manifest to them that this (the Qur'aan) is the truth. Is it not sufficient in regard to your Lord that He is a Witness over all things?" [Fussilat 41:53]

"Say: `He has power to send torment on you from above or from under your feet, or to cover you with confusion in party strife, and make you to taste the violence of one another.'" [al-An'aam 6:65]

Al-Bukhaari narrated in his Saheeh from Jaabir ibn `Abd-Allaah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that when the aayah (interpretation of the meaning) "Say: `He has power to send torment on you from above" was revealed, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, "A'oodhu bi wajhika (I seek refuge in Your Face"; "or from under your feet", he said, "A'oodhu bi wajhika (I seek refuge in Your Face)." (Saheeh al-Bukhaari, 5/193).

(Abu'l-Shaykh al-Isbahaani narrated from Mujaahid concerning the Tafseer of this aayah, "Say: `He has power to send torment on you from above": (this means) al-Sayhah (the shout or tumult), stones and strong wind; "or from under your feet", (means) earthquakes and being swallowed up by the earth.)

Undoubtedly the earthquakes that are happening these days are among the signs which Allaah uses to frighten His slaves. All the earthquakes and other things which happen and cause harm and injury to people are because of shirk and sins, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meanings):

"And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much" [al-Shoora 42:30]

"Whatever of good reaches you, is from Allaah, but whatever of evil befalls you, is from yourself" [al-Nisaa' 4:79]

And Allaah said concerning the nations of the past:

"So We punished each (of them) for his sins, of them were some on whom We sent Haasib (a violent wind with shower of stones) [as on the people of Loot (Lot)], and of them were some who were overtaken by As-Saihah [torment — awful cry, (as Thamood or Shu`ayb's people)], and of them were some whom We caused the earth to swallow [as Qaaroon (Korah)], and of them were some whom We drowned [as the people of Nooh (Noah), or Fir`aun (Pharaoh) and his people]. It was not Allaah Who wronged them, but they wronged themselves" [al-`Ankaboot 29:40]

What Muslims and others who are accountable and of sound mind must do is repent to Allaah, adhere firmly to His Religion and avoid all that He has forbidden of Shirk and sin, so that they may be safe and attain salvation from all evils in this world and the next, and so that Allaah will ward off from them all harm, and bless them with all good. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And if the people of the towns had believed and had the Taqwaa (piety), certainly, We should have opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth, but they belied (the Messengers). So We took them (with punishment) for what they used to earn (polytheism and crimes)." [al-A'raaf 7:96]

And Allaah says concerning the People of the Book (interpretation of the meaning):

"And if only they had acted according to the Tawraah (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel), and what has (now) been sent down to them from their Lord (the Qur'ân), they would surely, have gotten provision from above them and from underneath their feet" [al-Maa'idah 5:66].

And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Did the people of the towns then feel secure against the coming of Our punishment by night while they were asleep? Or, did the people of the towns then feel secure against the coming of Our punishment in the forenoon while they were playing? Did they then feel secure against the Plan of Allaah? None feels secure from the Plan of Allaah except the people who are the losers." [al-A'raaf 7:97-99]

Al-`Allaamah Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: "Allaah sometimes gives the earth permission to breathe, which is when major earthquakes happen; this makes people feel scared, so they repent, give up sins, pray to Allaah and feel regret [for their sins]. When there had been an earthquake, some of the Salaf said: your Lord is warning you. When Madeenah was struck by an earthquake, `Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased with you) addressed the people and said: if there is another earthquake, I will not stay here with you."

And there are many similar reportes from the Salaf.

Our response when there is an earthquake or some other sign such as an eclipse, strong winds or floods, should be to hasten to repent to Allaah and pray to Him for safety, and to remember Him much and seek His forgiveness, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said when there was an eclipse: "If you see anything like that, hasten to remember Him, call on Him and seek His forgiveness." (Part of an agreed-upon hadeeth narrated by al-Bukhaari (2/30) and Muslim (2/628)).

It is also mustahabb (recommended, encouraged) to show compassion to the poor and needy, and to give charity to them, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

"Show mercy, you will be shown mercy." (Narrated by Imaam Ahmad, 2/165)

"Those who are merciful will be shown mercy by the Most Merciful. Have mercy on those who are on earth, and the One Who is in heaven will show mercy to you." (Narrated by Abu Dawood (13/285), al-Tirmidhi (6/43)).

"Whoever does not show mercy will not be shown mercy." (Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5/75), Muslim (4/1809)).

It was reported that when there was an earthquake, `Umar ibn `Abd al-`Azeez (may Allaah have mercy on him) would write to his governors telling them to give in charity.

One of the things which will help to keep people safe and sound is if the authorities impose an immediate crack-down on the foolish elements in society, forcing them to behave and applying the laws of sharee'ah to them, enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"The believers, men and women, are Awliyaa' (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another; they enjoin (on the people) Al-Ma`roof (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden); they perform As-Salaah (Iqaamat-as-Salaah), and give the Zakaah, and obey Allaah and His Messenger. Allaah will have His Mercy on them. Surely, Allaah is All-Mighty, All-Wise" [al-Tawbah 9:71]

"Verily, Allaah will help those who help His (Cause). Truly, Allaah is All-Strong, All-Mighty. Those (Muslim rulers) who, if We give them power in the land, (they) enjoin Iqamat-as-Salaah [i.e. to perform the five compulsory congregational Salaah (prayers) (the males in mosques)], to pay the Zakaah and they enjoin Al-Ma`roof (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do), and forbid Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism and all that Islam has forbidden) [i.e. they make the Qur'aan as the law of their country in all the spheres of life]. And with Allaah rests the end of (all) matters (of creatures)." [al-Hajj 22:40-41]

"And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allaah, then He will suffice him." [al-Talaaq 65:2-3]

And there are many aayaat on this topic.

The Prophet ( peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever meets the need of his brother, Allaah will meet his needs."

(Agreed upon; al-Bukhaari, 3/98; Muslim, 4/1996).

And he ( peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever relieves a believer of some of the distress of this world, Allaah will relieve him of some of the distress of the Day of Resurrection. Whoever makes things easier for one who is suffering hardship, Allaah will make things easier for him in this world and in the Hereafter. Whoever conceals a Muslim's faults, Allaah will conceal his faults in this world and in the Hereafter. Allaah will help a person so long as he helps his brother." (Narrated by Muslim, 4/2074). And there are many ahaadeeth on this topic.

Allaah is the One Whom we ask to reform the affairs of all the Muslims and to bless them with proper understanding of Islam and help them to adhere steadfastly to it and repent to Allaah from all their sins. We ask Him to reform all those who are in authority over the Muslims' affairs and to support the Truth and eradicate falsehood through them, and to help them to rule the people according to the laws of sharee'ah, and to protect them and all the Muslims from misguidance and temptation and the tricks of the Shaytaan, for He is Able to do all that.

May the blessings and peace of Allaah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and companions, and those who follow them in truth until the Day of Resurrection.

Abd al-`Azeez ibn `Abd-Allaah ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him). (www.islam-qa.com)

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42237: What is the purpose of animals and plants on Earth?

Question:

What is the purpose of animals and plants on Earth?.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

It should be noted that Allaah has created man to worship Him, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And I (Allaah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone)"

[al-Dhaariyaat 51:56]

Allaah has created for man and has subjugated to him what is in the heavens and on earth, so that he may benefit from it and enjoy it, and meet his needs, and use it to help him to worship Allaah.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"He it is Who created for you all that is on earth"

[al-Baqarah 2:29]

"See you not (O men) that Allaah has subjected for you whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth, and has completed and perfected His Graces upon you, (both) apparent (i.e. Islamic Monotheism, and the lawful pleasures of this world, including health, good looks) and hidden [i.e. one's faith in Allaah (of Islamic Monotheism), knowledge, wisdom, guidance for doing righteous deeds, and also the pleasures and delights of the Hereafter in Paradise]?" [Luqmaan 31:20]

"And has subjected to you all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth; it is all as a favour and kindness from Him. Verily, in it are signs for a people who think deeply"

[al-Jaathiyah 45:13]

"And He has made the sun and the moon, both constantly pursuing their courses, to be of service to you; and He has made the night and the day, to be of service to you"

[Ibraaheem 14:33]

There follow some of the reasons and purposes for the existence of animals and plants on Earth:

Plants are food for people and animals. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Verily, the likeness of (this) worldly life is as the water (rain) which We send down from the sky; so by it arises the intermingled produce of the earth of which men and cattle eat"

[Yoonus 10:24]

"Then let man look at his food:

We pour forth water in abundance.

And We split the earth in clefts.

And We cause therein the grain to grow,

And grapes and clover plants (i.e. green fodder for the cattle),

And olives and date palms,

And gardens dense with many trees,

And fruits and herbage.

(To be) a provision and benefit for you and your cattle." [`Abasa 80:24-32]

Plants remind man that this world will come to an end:

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Verily, the likeness of (this) worldly life is as the water (rain) which We send down from the sky; so by it arises the intermingled produce of the earth of which men and cattle eat: until when the earth is clad in its adornments and is beautified, and its people think that they have all the powers of disposal over it, Our Command reaches it by night or by day and We make it like a clean-mown harvest, as if it had not flourished yesterday! Thus do We explain the Ayaat in detail for the people who reflect"

[Yoonus 10:24]

Allaah gives people the likeness of the resurrection of the dead and their coming forth from their graves, by reminding them of what they see of the earth coming back to life after it was dead. He says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And among His Signs (in this), that you see the earth barren, but when We send down water (rain) to it, it is stirred to life and growth (of vegetations). Verily, He Who gives it life, surely is Able to give life to the dead (on the Day of Resurrection). Indeed He is Able to do all things"

[Fussilat 41:39]

Man also derives medicines from plants, the greatest of which are the black seed of which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said that it is a cure for every disease apart from death (narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5687); and honey, which is gathered from the nectar of flowers, of which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): "… wherein is healing for man…" [al-Nahl 16:69].

Animals are also food for people.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And the cattle, He has created them for you; in them there is warmth (warm clothing), and numerous benefits, and of them you eat"

[al-Nahl 16:5]

"And He it is Who has subjected the sea (to you), that you eat thereof fresh tender meat (i.e. fish), and that you bring forth out of it ornaments to wear. And you see the ships ploughing through it, that you may seek (thus) of His Bounty (by transporting the goods from place to place) and that you may be grateful"

[al-Nahl 16:14]

And animals are a means of transportation and an adornment.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And (He has created) horses, mules and donkeys, for you to ride and as an adornment. And He creates (other) things of which you have no knowledge"

[al-Nahl 16:8]

From animals man makes the tents in which he lives and the clothes that he wears. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And Allaah has made for you in your homes an abode, and made for you out of the hides of the cattle (tents for) dwelling, which you find so light (and handy) when you travel and when you stay (in your travels); and of their wool, fur, and hair (sheep wool, camel fur, and goat hair), furnishings and articles of convenience (e.g. carpets, blankets), comfort for a while" [al-Nahl 16:80]

Horses are a means of jihad and will remain so until the Hour begins; the Muslims wage jihad on horseback and achieve victory, acquire war booty and are rewarded by Allaah.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And make ready against them all you can of power, including steeds of war to threaten the enemy of Allaah and your enemy, and others besides whom, you may not know but whom Allaah does know" [al-Anfaal 8:60]

Al-Bukhaari (2852) and Muslim (1873) narrated from `Urwah al-Baariqi that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Good will remain (as a permanent quality) in the foreheads of horses (for Jihad) till the Day of Resurrection, for they bring about reward (from Allaah) and booty."

These are some of the benefits of animals and plants. And there are other purposes and benefits which no one knows except Allaah.

And Allaah knows best.

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36521: Maqaam Ibraaheem and the footprints on it

Question:

Are the marks on Maqaam Ibraaheem the footprints of Ibraaheem (peace be upon him) or not?.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Maqaam Ibraaheem (the Station of Ibraaheem) is the stone on which he stood when the building became higher than he could reach. So his son put this famous stone there for him so that he could stand on it when the building grew tall… The footprints of al-Khaleel (Ibraaheem, peace be upon him) remained on the rock until the beginning of Islam.

From al-Bidaayah wa'l-Nihaayah, 1/163

Ibn Hajr said: What is meant by Maqaam Ibraaheem is the stone on which are the marks of his feet.

Ibn Katheer said:

The marks of his feet were clear on it and were well known; the Arabs were familiar with that during their jaahiliyyah and the Muslims also knew of that, as Anas ibn Maalik said: I saw the Maqaam on which were the marks of his toes and heels.

But they disappeared because of people touching them with their hands.

Ibn Jareer narrated that Qataadah said: " `And take you (people) the Maqaam (place) of Ibraaheem (Abraham) [or the stone on which Ibraaheem (Abraham) stood while he was building the Ka`bah] as a place of prayer (for some of your prayers, e.g. two Rak`at after the Tawaaf of the Ka`bah at Makkah)' [al-Baqarah 2:125 _ interpretation of the meaning]. This means that they were commanded to pray at that place; they were not commanded to touch it. This ummah went beyond what was prescribed for it, to an extent that no previous nation did. We have heard from those who saw the marks of his heels and toes on it, but this ummah kept touching them until they disappeared."

From Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 1/117

Shaykh Ibn `Uthaymeen said:

Undoubtedly Maqaam Ibraaheem is proven and that on which the glass enclosure is built is indeed Maqaam Ibraaheem. But the engraved marks that appear on it do not seem to be footprints, because what is well known from an historical point of view is that those footprints disappeared a long time ago. But these engraved marks were meant as a marker only, and we cannot be certain that these are the footprints of Ibraaheem (peace be upon him).

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14527: Who moved the Ka'bah to where it is now?

Question:

Who moved the kab'ah to where it is now?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

The Ka'bah was not in one place and then moved, rather it was built in the place where it is now, and it has not been moved from that time. The scholars differed as to who built the Ka'bah. It was said that it was the angels, or Adam (peace be upon him), or Ibraaheem (peace be upon him) _ the latter is the correct view.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And (remember) when Ibraaheem (Abraham) and (his son) Ismaa'eel (Ishmael) were raising the foundations of the House (the Ka`bah at Makkah), (saying), `Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Verily, You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower'"

[al-Baqarah 2:127]

It was narrated that Abu Dharr (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I said, "O Messenger of Allaah, which mosque was built first on earth?" He said, "Al-Masjid al-Haraam." I said, "Then which?" He said, "Al-Masjid al-Aqsa." I asked, "How much time was between them?" He said, "Forty years. So wherever you are when the time for prayer comes, then pray."

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3186; Muslim, 520.

The scholars of the Standing Committee said:

The Holy Ka'bah is the qiblah of the Muslims towards which they face in every prayer, in obedience to the command of Allaah, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Verily, We have seen the turning of your (Muhammad's) face towards the heaven. Surely, We shall turn you to a Qiblah (prayer direction) that shall please you, so turn your face in the direction of Al-Masjid Al-Haraam (at Makkah). And wheresoever you people are, turn your faces (in prayer) in that direction"

[al-Baqarah 2:144]

It is also the place where they perform the rituals of Hajj and `Umrah, by circumambulating it, in obedience to the command of Allaah (interpretation of the meaning):

"and circumambulate the Ancient House (the Ka`bah at Makkah)" [al-Hajj 22:29]

And in obedience to what Allaah has prescribed on the lips of His Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

It was built by Ibraaheem al-Khaleel and his son Ismaa'eel (peace be upon them both) as Allaah tells us (interpretation of the meaning):

"And (remember) when Ibraaheem (Abraham) and (his son) Ismaa'eel (Ishmael) were raising the foundations of the House (the Ka`bah at Makkah), (saying), `Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Verily, You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower'"

[al-Baqarah 2:127]

And it has been renovated several times since then.

Shaykh `Abd al-`Azeez ibn `Abd-Allaah ibn Baaz, Shaykh `Abd al-Razzaaq `Afeefi, Shaykh `Abd-Allaah ibn Ghadyaan, Shaykh `Abd-Allaah ibn Qa'ood.

Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah, 6/310

And Allaah knows best.

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4811: So let man see from what he is created

Question:

Did Allaah create man from clay or from something else that is not fully described in the Qur'aan?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly:

Allaah created Adam (peace be upon him) from the earth i.e., from what it contains. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Thereof (the earth) We created you, and into it We shall return you, and from it We shall bring you out once again"

[Ta-Ha 20:55]

He created him from the dust of the earth, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Verily, the likeness of `Eesa (Jesus) before Allaah is the likeness of Adam. He created him from dust…" [Aal `Imraan 3:59]

There are many similar verses in the Qur'aan.

Then the dust was combined with water to form clay, as the Lord of the Worlds says (interpretation of the meaning):

"He it is Who has created you from clay, and then has decreed a (stated) term (for you to die). And there is with Him another determined term (for you to be resurrected)"

[al-An'aam 6:2]

There are also many similar verses.

This clay was sticky _ or it was said, viscous _ as it says in the verse (interpretation of the meaning):

"Verily, We created them of a sticky clay"

[al-Saaffaat 37:11]

Ibn Manzoor said: the words laazib (sticky) comes from the root lazuba which has the meaning of becoming sticky and solid. Lisaan al-`Arab, 1/738

Then this sticky clay became muntin (stinking). Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And indeed, We created man from dried (sounding) clay of altered mud [min hama'in masnoon]"

[al-Hijr 15:26]

Al-Raazi said:

Al-hama' means black mud.

(Mukhtaar al-Sihaah, p. 64).

It says in Lisaan al-`Arab (1/61):

Al-hama' means black, stinking mud. In the Qur'aan it says "min hama'in masnoon."

And it says in Lisaan al-`Arab (13/227):

"Masnoon means muntin (stinking), as in the verse `min hamaa'in masnoon.' Abu `Amr said: this means altered and stinking. Abu'l-Haytham said: sunna al-ma', fa huwa masnoon, i.e., the water changed, so it was altered (masnoon)."

When this mud was mixed with sand, it became salsaal (dried clay).

Al-Raazi said:

Salsaal is hot mud mixed with sand, so it starts to clank or clatter when it dries. If it is baked with fire it becomes fired clay or earthenware pottery.

Mukhtaar al-Sihaah, 1/154.

It says in Lisaan al-`Arab (11/382):

Al-Salsaal min al-teen (clay made from mud) is that which has not been made into pottery. Any mud or clay that dries is described as salla saleelan (rattling or clattering) … i.e., it makes a noise like new pottery. Thus salsaal is likened to pottery, as in the verse,

"He created man (Adam) from sounding clay like the clay of pottery"

[al-Rahmaan 55:14 _ interpretation of the meaning]

All of this is confirmed by the hadeeth of Abu Moosa al-Ash'ari who said: "I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: `Allaah created Adam from a handful that He gathered from the entire earth, so the sons of Adam come like the earth. Some of them are red, some are white, some are black and some are in between. Some of them are easy, some of them are difficult, some are evil and some are good."

(Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2955; Abu Dawood, 4693. Al-Tirmidhi said that this hadeeth is hasan saheeh, and it was classed as saheeh by Ibn Hibbaan, 14/29; al-Haakim, 2/288; and al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 3926).

This is how Adam was created: from the earth _ i.e. from its dust _ which was then mixed with water to form mud, which then became black, stinking mud. And this dust was created from the earth which is partly sand and when it is mixed it becomes sounding clay like the clay of pottery.

Hence when Allaah describes the creation of Adam in the Qur'aan, in each case He describes one of the stages through which his creation passed and through which the mud was formed. So there is no contradiction in the verses of the Qur'aan.

Then after that the sons of Adam started to multiply and they were created through water which is the sperm and fluids which are emitted by men and women, as is well known.

This is explained by the Qur'aan in the verses (interpretation of the meanings):

"And it is He Who has created man from water, and has appointed for him kindred by blood, and kindred by marriage"

[al-Furqaan 25:54]

"Then He made his offspring from semen of despised water (male and female sexual discharge)"

[al-Sajdah 32:8]

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

When the perfection, complete power, all-encompassing knowledge, ever-executed will and utmost wisdom of the Lord decreed that His creation should be of materials of different kinds, and that they should vary in their forms and attributes and natures, His wisdom decreed that He should take a handful of dust from the earth, then mix it with water. So it became like black stinking mud. Then the wind was sent upon it and it dried out, until it became clay like pottery. Then it was given shape and limbs and faculties, and each part of it was given a shape suited to its purpose.

Then he mentioned how people are created by means of intercourse and the emission of semen.

Al-Tabaayun fi Aqsaam al-Qur'aan, p. 204

And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

(www.islam-qa.com)

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20907: How many years were there between Adam and Muhammad (peace be upon them both)?

Question:

How long was the period of time between the creation of Adam (peace be upon him) and the creation of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

There is nothing in Islam that defines the period between Adam and Muhammad (peace be upon them both); indeed the length of time that Adam (peace be upon him) lived is not known.

But there are some ahaadeeth and reports which, if we put them together, we can arrive at an approximate length of time, but that does not cover the complete period. Some of these ahaadeeth and reports are saheeh (sound) and others are subject to differences of scholarly opinion, and some periods of time are not defined precisely in any reports. Among the saheeh reports concerning that are the following:

1 _ Allaah says concerning the length of time that Nooh (peace be upon him) remained calling his people:

"and he stayed among them a thousand years less fifty years"

[al-`Ankaboot 29:14]

2 _ The period between `Eesa and our Prophet (peace be upon them both): al-Bukhaari narrated that Salmaan al-Faarisi said: "The period between `Eesa and our Prophet (peace be upon them both) was six hundred years." There are also other reports whose soundness is debatable, which mention the following:

3 _ The period between Adam and Nooh (peace be upon them both): it was narrated from Abu Umaamah that a man said: "O Messenger of Allaah, was Adam a Prophet?" He said, "Yes, and Allaah spoke to him." The man asked, "How much (time) was there between him and Nooh?" He said, "Ten centuries." Narrated by Ibn Hibbaan in his Saheeh, 14/69; and by al-Haakim, 2/262. He said it is saheeh according to the conditions of Muslim, and al-Dhahabi agreed with him. Ibn Katheer said in al-Bidaayah wa'l-Nihaayah (1/94): this is (saheeh) according to the conditions of Muslim, even though he did not narrate it.

4 _ The period between Nooh and Ibraaheem (peace be upon them both): our evidence is in the continuation of the hadeeth of Abu Umaamah (may Allaah be pleased with him) quoted above: … He said, "And how long was there between Nooh and Ibraaheem?" He said, "Ten centuries." (Narrated by al-Haakim in al-Mustadrak, 2/288. He said: this hadeeth is saheeh according to the conditions of Muslim, although he did not narrate it. And it was narrated by al-Tabaraani in al-Mu'jam al-Kabeer, 8/118.

It was reported that some of the narrators of this hadeeth were da'eef (weak), but al-Albaani classed it as saheeh on the basis of corroborating reports.

Some of the reports that were narrated include the following:

5. The period between Moosa and `Eesa (peace be upon them both). Al-Qurtubi said: there was some difference of opinion as to the length of this period. Muhammad ibn Sa'd mentioned in his book al-Tabaqaat that Ibn `Abbaas said: "between Moosa ibn `Imraan and `Eesa ibn Maryam (peace be upon them both) there were one thousand and seven hundred years, and there was no fatrah (interval when no Prophet was sent) between them, for one thousand Prophets of the Children of Israel were sent between them, apart from other Prophets who were also sent (to other nations). And between the birth of `Eesa and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) there were five hundred and ninety-nine years." (Tafseer al-Qurtubi, 6/121). Ibn Hajar said: "The narrators are agreed that the period of the Jews until the coming of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was more than two thousand years, and the period of the Christians until the coming of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was six hundred years." (Fath al-Baari, 4/449)

By looking at the verse, ahaadeeth, reports and opinions quoted above, if they are correct then we may use them to work out the period in question.

But as for being certain of the length of time between Adam and Muhammad (peace be upon them both), then in addition to the above there are many other considerations to be addressed before we can work it out, including the following:

· Differences of scholarly opinion concerning the definition of the word qarn (translated above as "century") _ does it mean one hundred years, or does it mean one generation? What we know is that the lifespan of the people at that time was a fraction of the time that Nooh spent in calling his people, and we do not know how long the people of those generations lived.

· There is no report which defines the number of years between Ibraaheem and Moosa (peace be upon them both).

It remains to be said that being certain about such matters or researching them are not things on which we base our acts of worship or our actions, and the words of Allaah are sufficient for us:

"And (also) `Aad and Thamood, and the Dwellers of ArRass, and many generations in between"

[al-Furqaan 25:38 _ interpretation of the meaning]

We must strive to follow the example of these Prophets and walk in their footsteps, because this is the purpose behind mentioning them and their lives:

"They are those whom Allaah had guided. So follow their guidance"

[al-An'aam 6:90]

And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com)

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22058: Man was created tall then he kept getting shorter until now

Question:

Was man short at the time of Adam (peace be upon him) then he gradually grew taller, or was it the other way round? May Allaah reward you with good.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Allaah created Adam (peace be upon him) sixty cubits tall, then mankind gradually grew shorter until they stopped and remained as they are now. The evidence for that in the Sunnah is the hadeeth of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): "Allaah created Adam sixty cubits tall, then mankind kept getting shorter until now." (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3326; Muslim, 2841). Ibn Abi Haatim narrated with a hasan isnaad from Ubayy ibn Ka'b that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Allaah created Adam a tall man with a lot of hair on his head, as if he were a tall palm tree."

Al-Haafiz ibn Hajar (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in Fath al-Baari:

" `Mankind kept getting shorter until now' means that each generation grew shorter than the generation before, and that decrease in height ended with this ummah, and that is how they stayed."

And Allaah knows best. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad.

Islam Q&A

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com)

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20965: The pigeons of Makkah and Madeenah

Question:

Is there anything special about the pigeons of Makkah and Madeenah?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

There is nothing special about the pigeons of Makkah or the pigeons of Madeenah, apart from the fact that they may not be hunted or disturbed so long as they are within the boundaries of the sanctuary, because of the general meaning of the hadeeth: "Allaah had made Makkah sacred, and (fighting therein) was not permitted to anyone before me and will not be permitted to anyone after me. It was only permitted to me for a brief time on one day. Its shrubs are not to be uprooted, its trees are not to be cut down, and its game is not to be disturbed." (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1349). And he SAWS (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Ibraaheem made Makkah a sanctuary, and I have made Madeenah a sanctuary, whatever is between its two lava fields [?]; its trees are not to be cut down and its game is not to be hunted." (Narrated by Muslim, 1360).

Standing Committee for Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas, Fataawa al-Lajnah, 11/199. (www.islam-qa.com)

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14085: Are the monkeys and pigs that exist nowadays humans who have been transformed?

Question:

Could you please tell me about monkeys. Are they humans who were turned into monkeys for disobeying Allahs commandments? if so which people were they and what did they do?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Maskh (transformation) refers to the changing of a person's exterior appearance. Allaah has told us in more than one place in the Qur'aan that He transformed some of the Children of Israel into monkeys as a punishment for their disobedience towards Allaah. Allaah says, addressing the Children of Israel (interpretation of the meaning):

"And indeed you knew those amongst you who transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath (i.e. Saturday). We said to them: `Be you monkeys, despised and rejected.'

So We made this punishment an example to their own and to succeeding generations and a lesson to those who are Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)"

[al-Baqarah 2:65-66]

And Allaah tells us their story in more detail in Soorat al-A'raaf, where He says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And ask them (O Muhammad) about the town that was by the sea; when they transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath (i.e. Saturday): when their fish came to them openly on the Sabbath day, and did not come to them on the day they had no Sabbath. Thus We made a trial of them, for they used to rebel against Allaah's Command (disobey Allaah)

And when a community among them said: `Why do you preach to a people whom Allaah is about to destroy or to punish with a severe torment?' (The preachers) said: `In order to be free from guilt before your Lord (Allaah), and perhaps they may fear Allaah.'

So when they forgot the reminders that had been given to them, We rescued those who forbade evil, but with a severe torment We seized those who did wrong because they used to rebel against Allaah's Command (disobey Allaah).

So when they exceeded the limits of what they were prohibited, We said to them: `Be you monkeys, despised and rejected'"

[al-A'raaf 7:163-166]

And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Say: `O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Do you criticize us for no other reason than that we believe in Allaah, and in (the Revelation) which has been sent down to us and in that which has been sent down before (us), and that most of you are Faasiqoon [rebellious and disobedient (to Allaah)]?'

Say (O Muhammad to the people of the Scripture): `Shall I inform you of something worse than that, regarding the recompense from Allaah: those (Jews) who incurred the Curse of Allaah and His Wrath, and those of whom (some) He transformed into monkeys and swines, and those who worshipped Taaghoot (false deities); such are worse in rank (on the Day of Resurrection in the Hellfire), and far more astray from the Right Path (in the life of this world)'"
[al-Maa'idah 5:59-60]

This transformation was a punishment from Allaah to them for their doing that which Allaah had forbidden to them. This punishment was not exclusively for the Children of Israel, rather the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us that the Hour will not begin until such transformation happens among this ummah too. He issued this warning to those who disbelieve in the divine decree (al-qadr), and those who drink alcohol and listen to singing _ we seek refuge with Allaah from that.

Ibn Maajah (4059) narrated from `Abd-Allaah ibn Mas'ood that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Shortly before the Hour begins, people will be transformed into monkeys and pigs, swallowed up in the earth, and pelted with stones." (Saheeh Ibn Maajah, 3280).

Being swallowed up in the earth means that the earth will split open and swallow up a person, house or city, just as Allaah caused the earth to swallow Qaaroon and his household. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning);

"So We caused the earth to swallow him"

[al-Qasas 28:81]

Pelting with stones is the same as Allaah did to the people of Loot. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"and rained down on them stones of baked clay"

[al-Hijr 15:74]

Al-Tirmidhi (2152) narrated that Ibn `Umar said: "I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say, `Among this ummah those who disbelieve in the divine decree (al-qadr) will be wallowed up by the earth, transformed into monkeys and pigs or pelted with stones." (Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 1748).

And al-Tirmidhi (2212) narrated from `Imraan ibn Husayn that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Among this ummah, people will be transformed into monkeys and pigs, swallowed up in the earth, and pelted with stones." A man among the Muslims said, "O Messenger of Allaah, when will that be?" He said, "When singing-girls and musical instruments become widespread and wine is drunk." (Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 1802).

These ahaadeeth indicate that such transformations will happen in this ummah as a punishment for some sins. So let the Muslim beware of doing anything that Allaah has forbidden. Woe be to the one who provokes the anger, wrath and vengeance of Allaah. May Allaah keep us all safe from the things that incur His punishment.

But these monkeys and pigs that exist nowadays are not the people from the earlier nations who were transformed, because Allaah does not enable those who have been transformed to have offspring, rather He causes them to die after being transformed, so they have no offspring.

Muslim (2663) narrated that `Abd-Allaah ibn Mas'ood said: "A man said, `O Messenger of Allaah, are the monkeys and pigs those who have been transformed?' The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: `Allaah does not enable those who have been transformed to have offspring or children. The monkeys and pigs existed before that.'" al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: "The Prophet's words `The monkeys and pigs existed before that' means that they existed before the Children of Israel were transformed, which indicates that they are not from among those who were transformed."

And Allaah knows best. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and grant him peace. Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com)

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22233: Does Iblees have any offspring?

Question:

Does Iblees have any offspring? If so, is the via marriage? And does he have a wife?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Shaykh al-Shanqeeti said in his commentary on the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):

"Will you then take him (Iblees) and his offspring as protectors and helpers rather than Me…?"[al-Kahf 18:50]

The word dhurriyah (offspring) in this aayah indicates that the Shaytaan has offspring. The claim that he does not have offspring clearly contradicts this aayah as you can see. Everything that clearly contradicts the Qur'aan is undoubtedly false. But there is no clear text concerning the way in which his offspring come into being, whether that is through marriage or otherwise, and the scholars differed concerning this matter. Al- Shu'bi said: A man asked me whether Iblees has a wife? I said, "That is a wedding party I never attended!", then I remembered the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):

"Will you then take him (Iblees) and his offspring as protectors and helpers rather than Me…?"

[al-Kahf 18:50]

Then I realized that he could not have offspring unless he had a wife, so I said, Yes.

Something similar to what al-Shu'bi understood from this aayah, that having offspring implies having a wife, was also narrated from Qutaadah. Mujaahid said: the way in which his offspring came into being is that he inserted his private part into his private part, then he laid five eggs, and this was the origin of his offspring. Some of the scholars said that Allaah created a penis on his right thigh and a vagina on his left thigh, so he impregnates himself in this manner and ten eggs are laid every day, from each of which emerge seventy male and female devils.

It is obvious that these views are unreliable, because they are not supported by any text in the Qur'aan or Sunnah. The aayah indicates that he has offspring, but as to how these offspring are born, there is no reliable text concerning that, and such matters cannot be known through mere opinions.

Al-Qurtubi said in his commentary on this aayah: I say: what is proven in saheeh reports concerning this matter is that which was narrated by al-Humaydi in al-Jam' bayna al-Saheehayn from Imaam Abu Bakr al-Burqaani, who narrated in his book with an isnaad from Abu Muhammad `Abd al-Ghani ibn Sa'eed al-Haafiz from the report of `Aasim from Abu `Uthmaan from Salmaan that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Do not be the first one to enter the market-place or the last one to leave, for there the Shaytaan lays his eggs and there they hatch." This indicates that the Shaytaan has offspring from his loins.

Those who interpreted this report literally (may Allaah forgive them) said that this hadeeth indicates that he (the Shaytaan) lays eggs and that they hatch. But there is nothing to indicate that these eggs are from a female, namely his wife, or otherwise. This hadeeth may be interpreted differently, because the Arabs often speak of laying eggs and hatching them by way of metaphor. So the words "he lays his eggs and they hatch" may be interpreted as meaning that he does whatever he wants to misguide and tempt people, and whisper insinuating thoughts to them, and so on, as a metaphor. The wording of metaphors does not change, regardless of the context.

Adwaa' al-Bayaan, 4/133-135. (www.islam-qa.com)

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22247: The wisdom behind the fact that `Eesa ibn Maryam was created without a father

Question:

What is the wisdom behind the fact that Allaah created `Eesa ibn Maryam without a father?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Shaykh al-Shanqeeti said:

Part of the wisdom behind the fact that Allaah created `Eesa from a woman without a husband was to make that a sign for mankind, i.e., a sign that was indicative of His complete power, and to show that He can create whatever He wills however He wills. If He wills, He can create a person from a female without a male, as He did in the case of `Eesa. If He wills, He can create a person from a male without a female, as He did in the case of Hawwa' (Eve), as He states in the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):

"and from him (Adam) He created his wife [Hawwa (Eve)]"

[al-Nisaa' 4:1]

i.e., from that soul, who was Adam, He created his partner, who was Hawwa'. If He wills, He can create a person without a male or a female, as He created Adam. And if He wills, he can create a person from a male and a female, as He did with the rest of the sons of Adam.

Adwaa' al-Bayaan, 4/259. (www.islam-qa.com)

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13741: Allaah created the universe in six days

Question:

Is it true that Allah created the universe in 6 days?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Yes, Allaah created the heavens and the earth and everything in between in six days, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And indeed We created the heavens and the earth and all between them in six Days and nothing of fatigue touched Us"

[Qaaf 50:38]

This indicates that what the Jews, upon whom be the curses of Allaah, say is false, as they said that He got tired when He created the heavens and the earth in six days, so He rested on the Sabbath. Exalted be Allaah far above what they say.

More details are narrated in the Qur'aan. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Say (O Muhammad): `Do you verily disbelieve in Him Who created the earth in two Days? And you set up rivals (in worship) with Him? That is the Lord of the `Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists).

He placed therein (i.e. the earth) firm mountains from above it, and He blessed it, and measured therein its sustenance (for its dwellers) in four Days equal (i.e. all these four `days' were equal in the length of time) for all those who ask (about its creation).

Then He rose over (Istawa) towards the heaven when it was smoke, and said to it and to the earth: `Come both of you willingly or unwillingly.' They both said: `We come willingly.'

Then He completed and finished from their creation (as) seven heavens in two Days and He made in each heaven its affair. And We adorned the nearest (lowest) heaven with lamps (stars) to be an adornment as well as to guard (from the devils by using them as missiles against the devils). Such is the Decree of Him, the AllMighty, the AllKnower"[Fussilat 41:9-12]

And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com)

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13821: Killing salamanders by hand

Question:

Is it correct to kill salamanders by hand? Is it proven that there is reward for killing them?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Killing salamanders is prescribed because there is a great deal of evidence to that effect. It should be done with a tool or implement, etc. There is nothing in the reports to specify that they should be killed by hand or to encourage killing them by hand. I do not think that this is correct and there is no report to this effect. That is alien to Islamic teaching and good characteristics.

In al-Saheehayn and elsewhere it is narrated via Sa'eed ibn al-Musayyib that Um Shareek told him that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told her to kill salamanders. According to the report narrated by al-Bukhaari, he said: "It (the salamander) used to blow on Ibraaheem, peace be upon him."

In Saheeh Muslim it is narrated via `Abd al-Razzaaq, Mu'ammar told us from al-Zuhri from `Aamir ibn Sa'd from his father that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said enjoined the killing of salamanders and called them mischief doers.

Killing salamanders with one blow brings more reward than killing them with two blows. This was narrated in Saheeh Muslim via Khaalid ibn `Abd-Allaah from Suhayl ibn Abi Saalih from his father from Abu Hurayrah, that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever kills a salamander with one blow will have such and such hasanah (good deeds); whoever kills it with the second blow will have such and such hasanah, less than the first; and whoever kills it with three blows will have such and such hasanah _ less that the second."

Shaykh Sulaymaan al-`Alwaan.

Ibn Maajah (may Allaah have mercy on him) narrated in his Sunan from Saa'ibah the slave woman of al-Faakih ibn al-Mugheerah that she entered upon `Aa'ishah and saw a spear sitting there in her house. She said, "O Mother of the Believers, what do you do with this?" She said, "We kill these salamanders with it, because the Prophet of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us that when Ibraaheem was thrown into the fire, there was no animal on earth but it tried to extinguish the fire, except for the salamander, which was blowing on the fire (to keep it burning). So the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) commanded that they should be killed."

(Sunan Ibn Maajah, 3222. He said in al-Zawaa'id, the isnaad of `Aa'ishah's hadeeth is saheeh, its men are thiqaat (trustworthy)

And Allaah knows best. Islam Q&A. Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com)

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13286: The creation of man

Question:

Can you tell me about the beginning of man's creation?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Allaah created Adam with His hand and breathed into him his soul created by Him, and told His angels to prostrate to him.

Allaah created Adam from dust, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Verily, the likeness of `Eesa (Jesus) before Allaah is the likeness of Adam. He created him from dust, then (He) said to him: `Be!' — and he was"

[Aal `Imraan 3:59]

When Allaah had completed the creation of Adam, He commanded the angels to prostrate to him, so they prostrated, except for Iblees, who was present but he refused and was too arrogant to prostrate to Adam:

"(Remember) when your Lord said to the angels: `Truly, I am going to create man from clay.

So when I have fashioned him and breathed into him (his) soul created by Me, then you fall down prostrate to him.'

So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them,

Except Iblees (Satan), he was proud and was one of the disbelievers" [Saad 38:71-74 _ interpretation of the meaning]

Then Allaah told the angels that He was going to place Adam on earth and make generations after generations of his offspring, as He said (interpretation of the meaning):

"And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels: `Verily, I am going to place (mankind) generations after generations on earth'"

[al-Baqarah 2:30]

Allaah taught Adam all the names:

"And He taught Adam all the names (of everything)"

[al-Baqarah 2:31 _ interpretation of the meaning]

When Iblees refused to prostrate to Adam, Allaah expelled him and cursed him:

"(Allaah) said: `Then get out from here; for verily, you are outcast.

And verily, My Curse is on you till the Day of Recompense'"

[Saad 38:77-78 _ interpretation of the meaning]

When Iblees knew of his fate, he asked Allaah to give him respite until the Day of Resurrection:

"[Iblees (Satan)] said: `My Lord! Give me then respite till the Day the (dead) are resurrected.'

(Allaah) said: `Verily, you are of those allowed respite

Till the Day of the time appointed'"

[Saad 38:79-81 _ interpretation of the meaning]

When Allaah granted him that, he declared war on Adam and his descendents, made disobedience attractive to them and tempted them to commit immoral actions:

"[Iblees (Satan)] said: `By Your Might, then I will surely, mislead them all,

Except Your chosen slaves amongst them (i.e. faithful, obedient, true believers of Islamic Monotheism).'"

[Saad 38:82-83 _ interpretation of the meaning]

Allaah created Adam, and from him He created his wife, and from their progeny He created men and women, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

"O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife [Hawwa (Eve)], and from them both He created many men and women"

[al-Nisaa' 4:1]

Then Allaah caused Adam and his wife to dwell in Paradise, as a test for them. He commanded them to eat of the fruits of Paradise but He forbade them to eat from one tree:

"And We said: `O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in the Paradise and eat both of you freely with pleasure and delight, of things therein as wherever you will, but come not near this tree or you both will be of the Zaalimoon (wrong-doers)'"

[al-Baqarah 2:35 _ interpretation of the meaning]

Allaah warned Adam and his wife against the Shaytaan, as He said (interpretation of the meaning):

"O Adam! Verily, this is an enemy to you and to your wife. So let him not get you both out of Paradise, so that you will be distressed"

[Ta-Ha 20:117]

Then the Shaytaan whispered to Adam and his wife, and tempted them to eat from the forbidden tree. Adam forgot and could not resist the temptation, so he disobeyed his Lord and ate from that tree:

"Then Shaytaan (Satan) whispered to him, saying : `O Adam! Shall I lead you to the Tree of Eternity and to a kingdom that will never waste away?'

Then they both ate of the tree, and so their private parts became manifest to them, and they began to cover themselves with the leaves of the Paradise for their covering. Thus did Adam disobey his Lord, so he went astray" [Ta-Ha 20:120-121 _ interpretation of the meaning]

Their Lord called to them and said (interpretation of the meaning):

"Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you: Verily, Shaytaan (Satan) is an open enemy unto you?"

[al-A'raaf 7:22]

When they ate from the tree, they regretted what they had done, and said:

"Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers"

[al-A'raaf 7:23 _ interpretation of the meaning]

The sin of Adam stemmed from desire, not from arrogance, hence Allaah guided him to repent and He accepted that from him:

"Then Adam received from his Lord Words. And his Lord pardoned him (accepted his repentance). Verily, He is the One Who forgives (accepts repentance), the Most Merciful"

[al-Baqarah 2:37 _ interpretation of the meaning]

This is the way for Adam and his descendents: whoever sins then repents sincerely, Allaah will accept his repentance:

"And He it is Who accepts repentance from His slaves, and forgives sins, and He knows what you do"

[al-Shoora 42:25 _ interpretation of the meaning]

Then Allaah sent Adam and his wife, and Iblees, down to the earth, and He sent down Revelation to them and He sent the Messengers to them. So whoever believes will enter Paradise and whoever disbelieves will enter Hell:

"We said: `Get down all of you from this place (the Paradise), then whenever there comes to you Guidance from Me, and whoever follows My Guidance, there shall be no fear on them, nor shall they grieve.

But those who disbelieve and belie Our Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) — such are the dwellers of the Fire. They shall abide therein forever'"

[al-Baqarah 2:38-39 _ interpretation of the meaning]

When Allaah sent them all down to the earth, the conflict between faith and kufr, between truth and falsehood, between good and evil, began, and it will continue until Allaah inherits the earth and everyone on it:

"(Allaah) said: `Get down, one of you an enemy to the other [i.e. Adam, Hawwa, (Eve), and Shaytaan (Satan)]. On earth will be a dwelling place for you and an enjoyment for a time' [al-A'raaf 7:24_ interpretation of the meaning]

Allaah is Able to do all things. He created Adam with no father or mother, and He created Hawwa from a father with no mother, and He created `Eesa from a mother with no father, and He created us from a father and a mother.

Allaah created Adam from dust, then He made his descendents from semen of despised water, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Who made everything He has created good and He began the creation of man from clay.

Then He made his offspring from semen of despised water (male and female sexual discharge).

Then He fashioned him in due proportion, and breathed into him the soul (created by Allaah for that person); and He gave you hearing (ears), sight (eyes) and hearts. Little is the thanks you give!"

[al-Sajdah 32:7-9]

How man is created in the womb, and the stages which he goes through, is a wondrous thing. Allaah mentioned this in the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):

"And indeed We created man (Adam) out of an extract of clay (water and earth).

Thereafter We made him (the offspring of Adam) as a Nutfah (mixed drops of the male and female sexual discharge and lodged it) in a safe lodging (womb of the woman).

Then We made the Nutfah into a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood), then We made the clot into a little lump of flesh, then We made out of that little lump of flesh bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, and then We brought it forth as another creation. So Blessed is Allaah, the Best of creators"

[al-Mu'minoon 23:12-14]

Allaah Alone creates whatever He wills. He knows what is in the wombs, and He decrees provision and lifespans (for His creatures):

"To Allaah belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He creates what He wills. He bestows female (offspring) upon whom He wills, and bestows male (offspring) upon whom He wills.

Or He bestows both males and females, and He renders barren whom He wills. Verily, He is the AllKnower and is Able to do all things"

[al-Shoora 42:49-50 _ interpretation of the meaning]

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Allaah has appointed an angel over the womb. He says, `O Lord, a drop of semen (nutfah); O Lord, a clot (`alaqah); O Lord, a little lump of flesh (mudghah).' Then if Allah wishes (to complete) its creation, the angel asks, (O Lord) male or female, wretched (doomed to Hell) or blessed (destined for Paradise)? How much will his provision be? And what will his lifespan be?' So that is written whilst (the child) is still in the mother's womb."

(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 318)

Allaah honoured the children of Adam and subjugated for their benefit that which is in the heavens and on earth:

"See you not (O men) that Allaah has subjected for you whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth, and has completed and perfected His Graces upon you, (both) apparent (i.e. Islamic Monotheism, and the lawful pleasures of this world, including health, good looks) and hidden [i.e. one's faith in Allaah (of Islamic Monotheism), knowledge, wisdom, guidance for doing righteous deeds, and also the pleasures and delights of the Hereafter in Paradise]?

[Luqmaan 31:20 _ interpretation of the meaning]

Allaah has distinguished and honoured man with reason by which he knows his Lord, Creator and Provider, and by which he knows what is good and evil, what will benefit him and what will harm him, what is halaal and what is haraam.

Allaah did not create man and leave him alone with no path to follow. Rather, Allaah revealed the Books and sent Messengers to guide mankind to the Straight Path.

Allaah created people with a natural inclination towards monotheism (Tawheed _ belief in the Oneness of Allaah). Every time they deviated from that, Allaah sent a Prophet to bring them back to the Straight Path. The first of the Prophets was Adam and the last was Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him):

"Mankind were one community and Allaah sent Prophets with glad tidings and warnings, and with them He sent down the Scripture in truth to judge between people in matters wherein they differed

[al-Baqarah 2:213 _ interpretation of the meaning]

All the Messengers called people to the same truth, which is the worship of Allaah alone and to reject all gods besides Him:

"And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allaah (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Taaghoot (all false deities, i.e. do not worship Taaghoot besides Allaah)."

[al-Nahl 16:36 _ interpretation of the meaning]

The religion with which Allaah sent the Prophets and Messengers was the same, i.e., Islam:

"Truly, the religion with Allaah is Islam"

[Aal `Imraan 3:19 _ interpretation of the meaning]

The last of the heavenly Books which Allaah revealed was the Qur'aan, confirming the Books which came before it, and as a guidance to all of mankind:

"(This is) a Book which We have revealed unto you (O Muhammad) in order that you might lead mankind out of darkness (of disbelief and polytheism) into light

[Ibraaheem 14:1 _ interpretation of the meaning]

The last of the Prophets and Messengers whom Allaah sent was Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him):

"Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allaah and the last (end) of the Prophets"

[al-Ahzaab 33:40 _ interpretation of the meaning]

Allaah sent Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to all of mankind:

"Say (O Muhammad): `O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allaah'"

[al-A'raaf 7:158 _ interpretation of the meaning]

The Qur'aan is the last and greatest of the heavenly Books and Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is the last and best of the Prophets and Messengers.

Allaah has abrogated all of the heavenly Books with the Qur'aan, so whoever does not follow the Qur'aan and enter Islam and believe in the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and follow him, his deeds will not be accepted:

"And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers" [Aal `Imraan 3:85 _ interpretation of the meaning]

The religion which was brought by Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) confirms the message brought by the Prophets before him, in its basic principles and advocation of noble characteristics, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"He (Allaah) has ordained for you the same religion (Islamic Monotheism) which He ordained for Nooh (Noah), and that which We have revealed to you (O Muhammad), and that which We ordained for Ibraaheem (Abraham), Moosa (Moses) and `Eesa (Jesus) saying you should establish religion (i.e. to do what it orders you to do practically) and make no divisions] in it (religion) (i.e. various sects in religion).

[al-Shoora 42:13] From Usool al-Deen al-Islami, by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem al-Tuwayjri. (www.islam-qa.com)

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9420: What was the first thing to be created?

Question:

How can we reconcile between the following ahaadeeth:
"Allaah existed and nothing existed before Him. His Throne was above the water. He wrote all things with His Hand, then He created the heavens and the earth"
and:

"As soon as Allaah created the Pen..."?

These ahaadeeth appear to contradict one another as to which thing was created first, and the reports which say that the first one to be created was Muhammad the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

These ahaadeeth are in harmony with one another; they do not contradict one another. The first thing that Allaah created of the things that are known to us was His Throne, which He rose over after He created the heavens, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And He it is Who has created the heavens and the earth in six Days and His Throne was on the water, that He might try you, which of you is the best in deeds" [Hood 11:7]

With regard to the Pen, there is nothing in the hadeeth to indicate that the Pen was the first thing created. What the hadeeth means is that when Allaah created the Pen, He commanded it to write, so it wrote down the decrees of all things.

With regard to Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), like all other human beings, he was created from the water (semen) of his father, `Abd-Allaah ibn `Abd al-Muttalib. He is no different from other human beings in the manner in which he was created, as he said about himself, "I am a human being, I forget as you forget." He (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) felt fear, got thirsty, felt cold, suffered from the heat, got sick and died. Everything that humans go through as a part of human nature, he also went through, but he is distinguished by the fact that he received Revelation and he was qualified to bear the Message, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Allaah knows best with whom to place His Message" [al-An'aam 6:124]

Majmoo' Fataawa wa Rasaa'il Fadeelat al-Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-`Uthaymeen, vol. 1, p. 62-63 (www.islam-qa.com)

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3668: Believing that dinosaurs existed

Question:

Imaam, can you please tell me if it is impermissible to believe that there were dinosaurs on the earth before Adaam and Eve were created?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Allaah created Adam (peace be upon him) on a Friday, the sixth day from the beginning of creation. Some texts mention what was created on the previous five days, in brief and general terms, but as to the details of what was created, Allaah knows best about that. Questions like this, on which no belief or deeds are to be based, are just meaningless distractions that are of no benefit. Faith does not increase or decrease according to whether one believes in dinosaurs or not. It was reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade us to occupy ourselves with things that cause confusion and are not clear. We also know that people differ in their views as to whether these dinosaurs existed or they are just figments of the imagination. And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com)

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4395: A Christian asks about the nature and definition of the soul

Question:

With regard to Islam, what is the soul? For instance, who created the soul, and what limitations does it have?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Allaah is the Creator of all things, and the soul is something that has been created just like everything else. The knowledge about its true essence is something that belongs exclusively to Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted. Allaah has kept this knowledge exclusively to Himself, as is stated in the hadeeth of `Abd-Allaah ibn Mas'ood (may Allaah be pleased with him), who said: "Whilst I was with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) on a farm, and he was resting on a palm branch stripped of its leaves, the Jews passed by, and some of them said to others, `Ask him about the soul.' Some of them said, `What urges you to ask him about it?' Others of them said, `Don't ask him in case he says something you dislike.' But they said, `Ask him,' so they asked him about the soul. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) kept quiet and did not respond to them, and I knew that he was receiving Revelation, so I stayed where I was. When the Revelation of the aayah was complete, he said (interpretation of the meaning): `And they ask you [O Muhammad] concerning the rooh [the spirit]. Say: `The rooh: it is one of the things, the knowledge of which is only with my Lord. And of knowledge, you (mankind) have been given only a little.' [al-Isra' 17:85]" (Reported by al-Bukhaari). The rooh (soul or spirit) has been described by Allaah in His Book and by the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in his Sunnah, and various verbs and adjectives have been used in conjunction with the word `rooh', such as seizing or grasping, taking (as in death), it may be fettered or shrouded, it comes and goes, it goes up and comes down, it may be pulled out like a hair being pulled out of dough… It is obligatory (in Islam) to believe in these attributes which are narrated in the "two Revelations" (i.e., the Qur'aan and Sunnah), and also to realize that the soul is not like the body.

Allaah created Adam and breathed the soul into him, as is stated in the Qur'aan and in the hadeeth of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): "When Allaah created Adam and breathed the soul into him, he sneezed and said `Al-hamdu-Lillah (Praise be to Allaah).' He praised Allaah by His permission. Then his Lord said to him, `May Allaah have mercy on you, O Adam. Go to those angels, to a group of them who are sitting, and say, `As-salaamu `alaykum (peace be upon you).' They said, `Wa `alayka al-salaam wa rahmat-Allaah (and upon you be peace and the Mercy of Allaah).' Then he went back to his Lord, who said, `This is your greeting and the greeting of your descendants amongst themselves.'" (Reported and classed as hasan by al-Tirmidhi. Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 3290).

Allaah sends the angel to breathe the soul into the foetus as was reported by `Abd-Allaah ibn Mas'ood, who said: "The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), who is the most truthful (of human beings) and his being truthful (is a fact) told us: `The constituents of one of you is gathered in his mother's womb for forty days, then it becomes a clot of blood within another period of forty days. Then it becomes a lump of flesh, and forty days later, Allaah sends His angel to it to breathe into it the soul. The angel comes with instructions concerning four things, so the angel writes down his livelihood, his death, his deeds and whether he will doomed or blessed." (Reported by Muslim, 1528).

The soul of the deceased is taken from the ends of the toes towards the top of the body, and when it reaches the throat, the death rattle sounds in the throat of the person who is about to die, and his eyes glaze over and roll upwards. Um Salamah said: "The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) entered upon Abu Salamah (after he had died) and his eyes were open, so he closed them then said, `When the soul is taken, the eyes follow it.'" (Reported by Muslim, 1528).

The soul is met by the angels. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "The angels met the soul of a man from among the people who came before you, and said, `Did you do anything good?' He said, `I used to tell my employees to postpone collection of payment or to let off anyone who was in difficulty.' So it was said, `Let him off.'" (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 1935).

The soul is taken up to heaven by two angels after it is taken (i.e., after a person dies), as was reported in the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah who said: "When the soul of the believer is taken, it is met by two angels who take it up…" (The narrator said: then he mentioned its good fragrance and scent of musk). The people of heaven say, `A good soul that has come from earth, may Allaah bless you and the body in which you used to dwell. Then they take it up to its Lord, may He be glorified and exalted, then He says, `Roam with it until the end of the world.' When the disbeliever's soul comes out… (the narrator mentioned its putrid smell and curses). The people of heaven say, `An evil soul that has come from earth,' then it is said, `Roam with it until the end of the world.' Abu Hurayrah said: then the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) put a piece of cloth over his nose, like this.

(Reported by Muslim, 5119).

More information about how the soul comes out (at death) was reported in the hadeeth of Imaam Ahmad (may Allaah have mercy on him) from al-Bara' ibn `Aazib who said: "We went out with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) for the funeral of a man from among the Ansaar, and we reached the grave whilst it was still being dug. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) sat down and we sat down around him, and it was as if we had birds on our heads. In his hand was a stick with which he was scratching in the earth. He raised his head and said, `Seek refuge with Allaah from the punishment of the grave,' two or three times. Then he said, `Verily, when the believing slave is about to depart this world and enter the Hereafter, there come down to him angels from heaven with white faces, as if their faces are the sun. They bring with them one of the shrouds of Paradise and some of the perfume of Paradise. They sit with him as far as the eye can see. Then the Angel of Death (peace be upon him) comes to him and sits by his head and says, `O pure soul, come out to the forgiveness and pleasure of Allaah.' Then his soul comes flowing out like a drop of water flowing from a cup. Then he takes the soul, and no sooner does he seize it but they take it and place it in that shroud and perfume. Then out of it comes the most excellent fragrance of musk to be found on the face of the earth. Then they ascend with it and they do not pass by any group of angels but the angels ask, `Who is this pure soul?' and they reply, `It is So and so the son of So and so' _ using the best names by which he was known on earth. Then they bring it to the lowest heaven, and ask for it to be opened, and it is opened for him. Those who are of high rank in each heaven accompany it until they approach the next heaven, and so it goes until it reaches the seventh heaven. Then Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, says: `Record the book of My slave in `Illiyoon (the highest heaven) and take him back to the earth, for I created them from it, and I shall return them to it, then I shall take them out from it again.' Then his soul is returned to his body and two angels come and make him sit up, and ask him, `Who is your Lord.' He says, `Allaah.' They ask, `What is your religion?' He says, `My religion is Islam.' They ask, `Who is this man that was sent amongst you?' He says, `He is the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him.' They ask him, `What knowledge do you have?' He says, `I read the Book of Allaah and I believed in it.' Then a voice will call out from heaven, `My slave has spoken the truth. Prepare for him a bed from Paradise and give him clothes from Paradise, and open for him a door to Paradise.' And he will feel its breeze and smell its fragrance, and his grave will be widened for him as far as his eye can see. Then a man with a handsome face, beautiful clothes and a pleasant fragrance will come to him and say, `Good news! This is the day that you were promised.' He will say, `Who are you? You face looks as if it brings good news.' He will say, `I am your good deeds.' (The deceased) will say, `O Lord, let the Hour come so that I may see my family and my wealth again.'

When the disbelieving slave is about to depart this world and enter the Hereafter, there come down to him angels from heaven with black faces, bringing with them sackcloth. They sit with him as far as the eye can see. Then the Angel of Death comes to him and sits by his head and says, `O evil soul, come out to the wrath and anger of Allaah.' Then his soul disperses in his body and is dragged out like a skewer being pulled out of wet wool. Then he takes the soul, and no sooner does he seize it but they take it and place it in that sackcloth. Then out of it comes the most putrid stench of rotten flesh to be found on the face of the earth. Then they ascend with it and they do not pass by any group of angels but the angels ask, `Who is this evil soul?' and they reply, `It is So and so the son of So and so' _ using the worst names by which he was known on earth. Then they bring it to the lowest heaven, and ask for it to be opened, and it is not opened for him." Then the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) recited (interpretation of the meaning): "… For them the gates of heaven will not be opened, and they will not enter Paradise until the camel goes through the eye of the needle" [al-A'raaf 7:40]. Then he said, "Then Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, says: `Record the book of My slave in Sijjeen (the lowest Hell) in the lowest earth. Then his soul is cast down." Then he recited (interpretation of the meaning): "… and whoever assigns partners to Allaah, it is as if he had fallen from the sky, and the birds had snatched him, or the wind had thrown him to a far off place." [al-Hajj 22:31]. He said, "Then his soul is returned to his body and two angels come and make him sit up, and ask him, `Who is your Lord.' He says, `Oh, oh, I don't know.' They ask, `What is your religion?' He says, `Oh, oh, I don't know.' They ask, `Who is this man that was sent amongst you?' He says, `Oh, oh, I don't know.' Then a voice will call out from heaven, `He is lying. Prepare for him a bed from Hell and open for him a door to Hell.' And he will feel its hot winds and smell its stench, and his grave will be constricted for him until his ribs interlock. Then a man with an ugly face, ugly clothes and a horrible stench will come to him and say, `Bad news! This is the day that you were warned about.' He will say, `Who are you? You face looks as if it brings bad news.' He will say, `I am your evil deeds.' (The deceased) will say, `O Lord, do not let the Hour come!'" (Musnad al-Imaam Ahmad, 17803; this is a saheeh hadeeth).

At the end of time, Allaah will send a wind which will take the soul of every believer, as was reported in the hadeeth of al-Nawwaas ibn Sam'aan, who said: "The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) mentioned … (the coming of the Dajjaal [Antichrist] and the descent of `Eesa [Jesus], peace be upon him, and the good life and happiness of mankind at the time of Jesus and afterwards). He said, `And whilst the people are living like that, Allaah will send a good wind which will seize them under the armpits and will take the soul of every believer and every Muslim. The evil people will remain and they will behave like donkeys, then the Hour will come upon them.'" (Reported by Muslim, 5228).

When people sleep (and sleep is the "lesser death"), the soul is taken, but not completely, so the sleeper is still alive. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): "It is Allaah Who takes away the souls at the time of their death, and those that die not during their sleep, He keeps those (souls) for which He has ordained death and sends the rest for a term appointed. Verily, in this are signs for a people who think deeply." [al-Zumar 39:42]

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) advised the Muslim, when he lies down to sleep, to say: "Bismika Rabbee wada'tu janbi wa bika arfa'uhu wa in amsakta nafsi farhamhaa wa in arsaltahaa fahfazhaa bimaa tuhfaz bihi `ibaadika al-saaliheen ( In Your name, my Lord, I lie down, and in Your name I rise. If You should take my soul then have mercy on it, and if You should return my soul then protect it as You protect Your righteous slaves)." When the Muslim wakes up, he should say, "Al-hamdu Lillaah alladhi `aafaani fi jasadi wa radda `alayya roohi wa adhina li bi dhikrihi (Praise be to Allaah Who has restored to me my health and returned my soul and has allowed me to remember Him )." (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 3323' He said, a hasan hadeeth).

These are a few of the aayaat and saheeh ahaadeeth which describe the soul. Maybe you will find in them information that will guide you to the way of truth, the Religion of Islam. Thank you for your question.

Islam Q&A

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com)

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3864: The meaning of the hadeeth "Souls are like conscripted soldiers"

Question:

A'ushu mina Eshaytan errajim

Bismi Allahi Errahman Errahiim

Assalam Alaikum wa Rahmatullah wa Barakatuh
Dear Imam

I am a revert and my homepage is at : …………..

I have found the Haadith below and i have asked an Uztazah about it. I send you her answer.

I am very troubled about the Haadith and the answer I received concerning what this Haadith really means.
Please, could you tell me more about this matter and if there are other Haadiths confirming it?

Jazakallahkhairan

May Allah Taalah reward you for your efforts in His Deen - Sahih Muslim Hadith 6376 (the Alim CD for WINDOWS)

Allah's Apostle (peace be upon him) said: Souls are troops collected together and those who familiarised with each other (in the heaven from where these come) would have affinity with one another (in the world) and those amongst them who opposed each other (in the Heaven) would also be divergent (in the world).

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah the hadith doesn't say "humans were alive before being born". Only the souls were in heaven.

This heaven is not the one people with good deeds go to in the hereafter. It is somewhere that we do not know. It's in the Lohmahfuz....only Allah knows. In simple words this place is like a "bank" where the souls created by Allah were placed. So when a woman is pregnant, at the point where Allah gives the soul to the creation in the womb, He will take one of these souls. So, there were good and bad souls. Let say, the bad soul is given to the creation, the baby is born and become a bad person. However, this grown up person can have a change in his/her destiny due to his/her deeds in his life. This is where the du'a plays a major role. The du'a and the inten

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Imaam al-Bukhaari (may Allaah have mercy on him) reported in his Saheeh that `Aa'ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: "I heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) saying: `Souls are like conscripted soldiers; those whom they recognize, they get along with, and those whom they do not recognize, they will not get along with.'" (Saheeh al-Bukhaari, Kitaab Ahaadeeth al-Anbiyaa', Baab al-Arwaah junood mujannadah).

Ibn Hajar (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in his commentary on the hadeeth: "Concerning the phrase `Souls are like conscripted soldiers…' al-Khattaabi said: `This may refer to their similarity as regards good or evil, righteousness or corruption. Good people are inclined towards other good people, and evil people are similarly inclined towards other evil people. Souls feel affinity with others according to the nature in which they were created, good or evil. If souls' natures are similar, they will get along, otherwise they will not be on good terms with one another. It could be that what is being referred to is the beginning of creation in the realm of the unseen when, it is reported, souls were created before bodies, and used to meet one another and express their pessimism about the future. When souls have entered bodies (come to the physical realm) they may recognize one another from the past, and may be on friendly terms or otherwise based on that past experience."

Someone else said: "What it means is that when souls are created, they are made in two parts, and when the bodies in which the souls reside meet in this world, they either get along together or do not, based on the way in which these souls are created in this world."

I say that this is not contradicted by the fact that some people who do not like one another at first may get along well later on, because the hadeeth is probably speaking about the moment of first meeting, which has to do with the original creation and nothing else. If they dislike one another at first but later come to like one another, it is because of something new, a new quality that makes them love one another after the initial dislike, such as a kaafir becoming a Muslim or a sinner being reformed.

The phrase "conscripted soldiers" refers to different types or classifications, or groups brought together. Ibn al-Jawzi said: "What we learn from this hadeeth is that when a person finds that he feels dislike towards someone who is known to be virtuous or righteous, he should try to find out the reason for that so that he can make the effort to rid himself of something undesirable. The opposite (if a person finds himself liking someone who is known to be evil) also applies." Al-Qurtubi said: "Although they are all souls, they differ in different ways, so a person will feel an affinity with souls of one kind, and will get along with them because of the special quality that they have in common. So we notice that people of all types will get along with those with whom they share an affinity, and will keep away from those who are of other types. ["Birds of a feather flock together" _ Translator]. We may also note that within any given group or type, people may get along with some and dislike others, and this is in accordance with issues or qualities that form the basis of love or hate."

We have narrated a mawsool report in Sunan Abi Ya'laa, at the beginning of which is the story narrated from `Amrah bint `Abd al-Rahmaan, who said: "There was a woman in Makkah who liked to joke, and she came and stayed with a woman in Madeenah who was like her. When `Aa'ishah heard about this, she said, `My beloved spoke the truth. I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) saying…' and mentioned a similar hadeeth."

The hadeeth was also narrated by Muslim in his Saheeh, 4773. Al-Nawawi said: "With regard to the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), `Souls are like conscripted soldiers; those whom they recognize, they get along with, and those whom they do not recognize, they will not get along with', the scholars said that the meaning is groups gathered together, or different types. As for them getting along, this happens because of something in common between them that Allaah has created. It was said that they are similar attributes that Allaah has created in them, or that they were created in a group and then dispersed in their bodies, so people who have similar characteristics will like one another, and those who do not have similar characteristics will not like one another. Al-Khattaabi and others said: this getting along with one another has to do with what Allaah decreed from the outset about the ultimate destiny of souls, whether they will be among the blessed [in Paradise] or the doomed [in Hell]. Souls are of two opposing kinds, and when they meet in this physical world, they will either love or hate one another depending on the way they were created. Good souls will be inclined towards other good souls, and evil souls will be inclined towards other evil souls. And Allaah knows best.

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3001: Are sperm alive or do they have no soul?

Question:

If the soul is breathed into the embryo after four months, are we to understand that the sperm which joins with the woman's egg, from which the embryo is formed, has no soul, or what?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Both the sperm and the ovum are alive in a sense which, if they are free from defects, prepares each of them to join with the other, if Allaah wills and decrees it to happen. When that happens, if Allaah wills it, the embryo is formed and is also alive in a manner that suits it and prepares it to grow and develop, moving through the known stages. When the soul is breathed into it, it becomes alive in another sense, by the permission of Allaah, the Subtle One, the Aware. No matter how a man tries, even if he is a highly-skilled doctor, he can never comprehend all the secrets and stages of development of pregnancy. Allaah says (interpretation of the meanings):

"Allaah knows what every female bears, and by how much the wombs fall short (of their time or number) or exceed. Everything with Him is in (due) proportion. All-Knower of the unseen and the seen, the Most Great, the Most High."

[al-Ra'd 13:8-9]

"Verily, Allaah! With Him (Alone) is the knowledge of the Hour, He sends down the rain, and knows that which is in the wombs…" [Luqmaan 31:34]

(Fataawa Islamiyyah li'l-Lajnah al-Daa'imah, 488).

Life is of varying kinds, and each being is alive in a manner that suits it by the power of Allaah. So plants are alive in a manner that suits them, sperm is alive in a manner that suits it, and man is alive in a manner that suits him, and so on. Allaah is the Creator of all this, and He has made water the basis of every living thing, as He says in the Qur'aan (interpretation of the meaning):

"Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were joined together as one united piece, then We parted them? And We have made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?" [al-Anbiya' 21:30]

And Allaah knows best.

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Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com)

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1920: Trees mentioned in the Qur'aan and Sunnah

Question:

As salaamo alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatahu

Could you please give me some Hadith references and

Quranic references to the Following:

Tuba tree

Tree of Life

Tree of Knowledge

The Cosmic Tree

The Fartherest Tree of the Heavens

These trees are mentioned in muslim literature and I am looking for their credibility

Jazak Allah Khairun

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

A number of trees are mentioned in the Qur'aan and Sunnah, some of which will be discussed below:

The date palm tree

This is a good tree to which Allaah likened the word of Tawheed when it is established in the sincere heart, where it bears fruits of good deeds that strengthen eemaan (faith).

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): "See you not how Allaah sets forth a parable? _ A goodly word is as a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the sky (i.e., very high)." [Ibraaheem 14:24]

This is the tree to which Allaah likens the believer because it is good in all aspects, it is lasting and it offers different kinds of benefit. Ibn `Umar reported: "The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: `There is a kind of tree whose leaves do not fall and it is like the Muslim. Tell me what it is.' The people mentioned different kinds of desert trees … and I said to myself, `It is the date palm tree,' but I felt too shy to speak up. Then the people said, `Tell us what it is, O Messenger of Allaah.' He said: `It is the date palm tree.'" (al-Bukhaari, 60)

The blessed olive tree the purity of which Allaah set forth as a parable

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Allaah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The parable of His Light is as (if there were) a niche and within it a lamp, the lamp is in glass, the glass as it were a brilliant star, lit from a blessed tree, an olive, neither of the east (i.e., it neither gets sun-rays only in the morning) nor of the west (i.e., nor does it get sun-rays only in the afternoon _ but it is exposed to the sun all day long), whose oil would almost glow forth (of itself), though no fire touched it. Light upon Light! Allaah guides to His Light whom He wills. And Allaah sets forth parables for mankind, and Allaah is All-Knower of everything." [al-Noor 24:35]

In Soorat al-Mu'minoon, Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): "And a tree (olive) that springs forth from Mount Sinai, that grows oil, and (it is a) relish for the eaters." [al-Mu'minoon 23:20]

Abu Aseed said: "The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Eat the oil and use it on your hair and skin, for it comes from a blessed tree." (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 1775; see also Saheeh al-Jaami')

The tree which Allaah caused to grow for Yoonus (upon whom be peace) for food and healing.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And, verily, Yoonus was one of the Messengers … Then a (big) fish swallowed him and he had done an act worthy of blame. Had he not been of those who glorify Allaah, he would have indeed remained inside its belly until the Day of Resurrection. But We cast him forth on the naked shore while he was sick, and We caused a plant of gourd to grow over him." [al-Saaffaat 37:139, 142-146]

The mufassireen (commentators) said: The gourd (al-yaqteen) is a kind of pumpkin. Some of them described the benefits of the pumpkin, such as: it grows quickly, it provides shade, it has large, smooth leaves, it keeps flies away and its fruit provides good nourishment: it can be eaten raw or cooked, and its skin may be eaten too. It is known that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) liked this kind of pumpkin and used to look for it on the plate of food. (Tafseer Ibn Katheer).

The great tree in heaven where our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) saw his father Ibraaheem (upon whom be peace)

Samurah ibn Jundub reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, describing his vision: "Then we went up until we reached a green garden, in which there was a great tree, with an old man and children at its base, and another man near the tree, trying to light a fire in front of him. They took me up to that tree and into a house; I have never seen any more beautiful than that house. In it there were men, old men, youths, women and children. Then they brought me out and took me up to the tree and into another house, even better than the first one. In this house there were old and young men. I said: `You have shown me around tonight; tell me about what I have seen.' They said, `Yes… the old man at the foot of the tree was Ibraaheem (upon whom be peace), and the children around him were the children of mankind…" (al-Bukhaari, 1270).

Sidrat al-Muntaha, by which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) saw Jibreel when he was taken up into the heavens

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And indeed he (Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) saw him (Jibreel) at a second descent (i.e., another time), near Sidrat al-Muntaha (the lote tree of the utmost boundary, beyond which none can pass), near it is the Paradise of Abode, when that covered the lote-tree which did cover it! The sight (of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)) turned not aside (right or left), nor did it transgress beyond (the) limit (ordained for it). Indeed, he did see of the Greatest Signs of his Lord (Allaah)." [al-Najm 53:13-18]

The phrase translated here as "when that covered the lote-tree which did cover it" is explained by the hadeeth narrated by Imaam al-Bukhaari from Abu Dharr, in which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "It was covered in colours, I do not know what they are…" According to a hadeeth narrated by Abu Sa'eed and Ibn `Abbaas, he said: "It was covered by the angels." According to a report narrated by Muslim, he said: "When it was covered with whatever covered it by the command of Allaah, it changed, and none of the creation of Allaah could describe its beauty."

In the famous hadeeth about his Mi'raaj (ascent into heaven), the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said that when Jibreel took him up into the heavens, he went through from one heaven to the next by the command of Allaah, until he reached the seventh heaven. He said: "Then I was taken to Sidrat al-Muntaha; its fruits were like the pitchers of Hajar and its leaves were like the ears of elephants. He said, `This is Sidrat al-Muntaha'…" (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 3598).

The reason why it is called Sidrat al-Muntaha is stated in the hadeeth narrated from Ibn Mas'ood by Imaam Muslim: "There everything that comes up from earth stops (yantahee), and it is taken from there, and there everything that comes down stops, and it is taken from there." Al-Nawawi said: It is called Sidrat al-Muntaha because the knowledge of the angels stops at that point, and no one has gone beyond it except the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

It is the tree at which the knowledge of every Prophet who has been sent and every angel who is near to Allaah stops. What lies beyond it is unseen; no one knows it except Allaah or the one to whom He tells it. It was said that this is the ultimate destination of the souls of the martyrs.

The fruits described in the hadeeth are well known: they are the fruits of the lotus tree. Al-Khattaabi said that the phrase "like the pitchers of Hajar" meant that they were big like pitchers; this is something that was known to the first listeners, which is why this analogy was used. Hajar is a place-name. The phrase "its leaves were like the ears of elephants" is also indicative of huge size.

The Tree of Tooba in Paradise

Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "In Paradise there is a tree in whose shade a rider could travel for a hundred years without crossing it. Recite, if you wish: `In shade long-extended' [al-Waaqi'ah 56:30]" (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 4502)

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Tooba is a tree in Paradise, one hundred years big. The clothes of the people of Paradise are made from its calyces (outer casing of its flowers)." (Reported by Ibn Hibbaan; see also Saheeh al-Jaami', 3918)

`Utbah ibn `Abdin al-Salami said: "A Bedouin came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and asked him about al-Hawd (the cistern). He mentioned Paradise, then the Bedouin asked him, `Is there fruit there?' He said, `Yes, and there is a tree called Tooba.' The Bedouin asked, `What tree of this world does it resemble?' He said, `It does not resemble any tree of your land. Have you been to Syria?' He said, `No.' He said, `It resembles a tree in Syria called al-Jawzah (walnut) which grows on one trunk then spreads its branches higher up.' The Bedouin asked, `How big is its trunk?' He said, `If one of the camels of your people was to go around it, it would not complete one circuit before its neck broke of old age and exhaustion. The Bedouin asked, `Are there grapes there?' He said, `Yes.' He asked, `How big is a bunch?' He said, `The distance a crow could fly without stopping in a month.' He asked, `How big is one grape?' He said, `Does your father ever slaughter a he-goat from his flocks?' He said, `Yes.' He said, `And does he skin it and give the hide to your mother, and say, "Make me a bucket"?' He said, `Yes.' The Bedouin asked, `Is one grape big enough to satisfy me and my family?' He said, `Yes, and your whole tribe.'" (Reported by Imaam Ahmad).

The tree of Zaqqoom, which is the food of the people of Hell

This tree is described in the Qur'aan as (interpretation of the meaning): "… the accursed tree (mentioned) in the Qur'aan" [al-Israa' 17:60].

Allaah also says about it (interpretation of the meaning):

"Then, moreover, verily, - you the erring-ones, the deniers (of Resurrection)! You verily will eat of the trees of Zaqqoom. Then you will fill your bellies therewith, and drink boiling water on top of it, so you will drink (that) like thirsty camels! That will be their entertainment on the Day of Recompense!" [al-Waaqi'ah 56:51-56]

"Verily, the tree of Zaqqoom, will be the food of the sinners, like boiling oil, it will boil in the bellies, like the boiling of scalding water. (It will be said): `Seize him and drag him into the midst of blazing Fire, then pour over his head the torment of boiling water, taste you (this)! Verily, you were (pretending to be the mighty, the generous! Verily! This is that whereof you used to doubt!'" [al-Dukhaan 44:43-50]

"Is that (Paradise) better entertainment or the tree of Zaqqoom (a horrible tree in Hell)? Truly We have made it (as) a trial for the Zaalimoon (polytheists, disbelievers, wrongdoers, etc.). Verily, it is a tree that springs out of the bottom of Hell-fire, the shoots of its fruit-stalks are like the heads of shayaateen (devils); truly they will eat thereof and fill their bellies therewith. Then on the top of that they will be given boiling water to drink so that it becomes a mixture (of boiling water and Zaqqoom in their bellies). Then, thereafter, their return is to the flaming fire of Hell." [al-Saafaat 37:62-68]

The tree under which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) accepted his Companions' pledge of allegiance unto death and not to desert him.

This happened during the campaign of al-Hudaybiyah, when he heard of the betrayal of the mushrikeen. This tree is also mentioned in the Qur'aan (interpretation of the meaning):

"Indeed, Allaah was pleased with the believers when they gave the Bay'ah (pledge) to you (O Muhammad) under the tree…" [al-Fath 48:18]

The tree next to which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to preach

Jaabir ibn `Abdullaah (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to go and stand next to a tree or palm-tree on Fridays. A woman or a man of the Ansaar said: "O Messenger of Allaah, should we not make for you a minbar ("pulpit")?" He said, "If you wish." So they made a minbar for him, and when the next Friday came, he was shown to the minbar. The tree cried like a small child, then the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came down and hugged the crying tree until it calmed down." Jaabir said: "It was crying because of the dhikr (remembrance of Allaah) that it used to hear." (al-Bukhaari, 3319).

The tree from which Allaah spoke to Moosa (upon whom be peace) and sent him as a Prophet

Allaah says in the Qur'aan (interpretation of the meaning):
"So when he reached it (the fire), he was called from the right side of the valley, in the blessed place from the tree: `O Moosa! Verily! I am Allaah, the Lord of the `Aalameen (mankind, jinns and all that exists)!" [al-Qasas 28:30]

The tree from which Allaah forbade our father and mother (Aadam and Hawwa) to eat

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in Paradise, and eat thereof as you both wish, but approach not this tree, otherwise you both will be of the Zaalimoon (unjust and wrong-doers)." [al-A'raaf 7:19]

"Then Shaytaan whispered to him, saying: `O Adam! Shall I lead you to the Tree of Eternity and to a kingdom that will never waste away?" [Ta-Ha 20:120]

"So He misled them with deception. Then when they tasted of the tree, that which was hidden from them of their shame (private parts) became manifest to them and they began to stick together the leaves of Paradise over themselves (in order to cover their shame). And their Lord called out to them (saying): `Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you: Verily Shaytaan is an open enemy to you?'" [al-A'raaf 7:22]

The cedar tree to which Allaah likened the kaafir (disbeliever)

Abu Hurayrah said: "The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: `The example of the believer is like that of a plant which is continually bent over by the wind; the believer is continually beset with afflictions. The example of a hypocrite is like that of the cedar tree, which does not yield until it is uprooted in one go." (Muslim, 5024)

The scholars of Arabic language said: the cedar (al-arz) is a tree similar to the stone pine tree, which grows in Syria and Armenia. According to another report, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "The example of the kaafir is that of the firmly-rooted cedar which does not yield to anything until it is uprooted in one go."

The scholars said: The meaning of this hadeeth is that the believer suffers a great deal, in his physical health, with his family and with his wealth, but this is an expiation for his sins and will raise his status. The kaafir, however, suffers little, but even if something happens to him it will not expiate for his sins at all; he will come with a full burden of sin on the Day of Resurrection.

The tree in the righteous vision that was narrated concerning the sajdah (prostration) to be performed when reciting certain aayaat of the Qur'aan

Ibn `Abbaas said: A man came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and said: "O Messenger of Allaah, last night I had a dream in which it was as if I was praying behind a tree. I prostrated and the tree prostrated after me. I heard it saying: `Allaahumma uktub li bihaa `indaka ajran wada' `anni bihaa wizran waj'alhaa li `indaka dhukhran wa taqabbalha minni kamaa taqabbaltahaa min `abdika Daawood (O Allaah, record for me because of it (the sajdah) a reward, alleviate some of my burden, and make it an investment on my behalf with You. Accept it from me as You accepted it from Your slave Daawood).'" Ibn `Abbaas said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) recited an aayah where a sajdah is required, then he prostrated, and I heard him saying the same words that the man had reported that the tree had said. (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 528)

The two trees which came together to conceal the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) when he was answering the call of nature

This was recorded in the saheeh report narrated by Imaam Muslim, may Allaah have mercy on him, from Jaabir (may Allaah be pleased with him): "… We stopped in a fragrant valley, and the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) wanted to answer the call of nature. I followed him, bringing a bottle of water, but he could not find anywhere where he could conceal himself. There were two trees at the edge of the valley, so the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) went to one of them, took hold of one of its branches, and said: `Follow me, by the permission of Allaah.' So it followed him like a camel being led by a rope, until he came to the other tree. He took one of the other tree's branches and said: `Follow me, by the permission of Allaah.' So it followed him until he reached the halfway point between them, then he put them together and said: `Stay together and cover me, by the permission of Allaah.' So they stayed together." Jaabir said: "I kept away, for fear that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) might feel my presence and move even further away. So I sat down, thinking to myself, and when I turned around, I saw the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) coming towards me, and the two trees had separated and taken up their former positions." (Saheeh Muslim, 5328)

Trees (plants) with foul-smelling "fruits" after eating which the Muslims are forbidden to come to the mosque

Jaabir said: "The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: `Whoever eats of these vegetables (the first time he said `garlic,' then `garlic, onions and leeks'), let him not come near us in our mosques, for the agels will be offended by whatever offends the people.'" (al-Nisaa'i, 700)

The trees (all except the gharqad) which will show the Jews to the Muslims so that they may kill them during the great battle at the end of time

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "The Hour will not come until the Muslims fight the Jews and kill them. The Jews will hide behind rocks and trees, and the rocks and trees will say: `O Muslim, O slave of Allaah! There is a Jews behind me, come and kill him!' (All the trees will say this except for the gharqad (box-thorn), for it is one of the trees of the Jews.'" (Reported by Imaam Ahmad; it is a saheeh hadeeth).

These are a number of the trees mentioned in the Qur'aan and Sunnah, from which we may learn many lessons. We ask Allaah to help us benefit from these lessons. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad.

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Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com)

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1485: Finding Noah's ark

Question:

Assalaamualaikum, I have heard that Noah's ark was found a few years ago using references from the Quraán as opposed to the bible. Is this true?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"The people of Nuh denied (their Messenger) before them, they rejected Our slave, and said: `A madman!' and he was insolently rebuked and threatened.
Then he invoked his Lord (saying): `I have been overcome, so help (me)!'

So We opened the gates of heaven with water pouring forth.

And We caused the earth to gush forth with springs. So the waters (of the heaven and the earth) met for a matter predestined.

And We carried him on a (ship) made of planks and nails,
Floating under Our Eyes, a reward for him who had been rejected!

And, indeed, We have left this as a sign, is there then any that will remember (or receive admonition)?
Then how (terrible) was My Torment and My Warnings!"
[al-Qamar 54:9-16]

In his Tafseer, Ibn Katheer, may Allaah have mercy on him, said: "`And, indeed, We have left this as a sign, is there then any that will remember (or receive admonition)?' refers to this story, which serves as a lesson." It was also suggested that it referred to the ship or ark itself, which was left so that those who came after the people of Nuh might learn lessons from it and not reject the Messengers. Qutaadah said: "Allaah left it in Baaqirdi in the Arabian Peninsula (a place in Iraq), as a lesson and a sign, so that the first generations of this ummah would see it. How many ships have there been after it that have turned to dust and left no trace!"

The apparent meaning is that this refers to ships in general, as in the aayaat (interpretation of the meaning):
"And an aayah (sign) for them is that We bore their offspring in the laden ship (of Nuh),

And We have created for them of the like thereunto, so on them they ride."

Yaa-Seen 36:41-42]

"Verily! When the water rose beyond its limits [Nuh's Flood], We carried you [mankind] in the floating (ship that was constructed by Nuh).

That We might make it a remembrance for you, and the keen ear (person) may (hear and) understand it."
[al-Haaqqah 69:11-12]

Hence Allaah says here "is there then any that will remember (or receive admonition)?" i.e., is there anyone who will remember and learn?

In his tafseer of the words "We have left this as a sign" Ibn Katheer, may Allaah have mercy on him, mentions three opinions:

1. That Allaah has left this story as a lesson to those who come after the people of Nuh;

2. That Allaah has left the ship of Nuh so that subsequent nations may see it and learn from it how Allaah saved the believers and destroyed the kuffaar.

3. That Allaah taught mankind how to make ships and left this invention as a reminder of His blessings and how Nuh's children and the believers were saved by means of a ship like those which are well-known. In any case, there is nothing that would go against either Islamic teaching or reason if Nuh's ark were to be discovered and if generations of mankind after Nuh were to see it, because it would be a sign to them. The issue would be how to prove that the ship discovered was really Nuh's ark; not everyone who finds an ancient ship and claims it to be Nuh's ark is to be believed. And Allaah knows best.

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