The Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) said: “There are seven whom Allah will shade in His Shade on the Day when there is no shade except His Shade: a just ruler; a youth who grew up in the worship of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic; a man whose heart is attached to the mosques; two men who love each other for Allah’s sake, meeting for that and parting upon that; a man who is called by a woman of beauty and position (for illegal intercourse), but he says: ‘I fear Allah’, a man who gives in charity and hides it, such that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives in charity; and a man who remembered Allah in private and so his eyes shed tears.’” Saheeh al-Bukhari and Muslim In this beautiful Hadith, the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) spoke about small acts of worship which result in such a great reward: shade on the Day when there will be no shade except His Shade. This may not seem like much at first but then reflect upon the following Hadith: ‘On the Day of Resurrection, the sun would draw so close to the people that there would be left a distance of only one mile. The people will be submerged in perspiration according to their deeds, some up to their ankles, some up to their knees, some up to the waist and some would have the bridle of perspiration and, while saying this, the Messenger of Allah put his hand towards his mouth.’ Saheeh Muslim And in another Hadith, some will be submerged in sweat ‘seventy arm-lengths in the earth.’ Saheeh al-Bukhari and Muslim. So who would want more then, on this Day, than to be under the Shade and protection of Allah Azza wa Jall? Let us examine now the characteristics and virtues of these seven categories of people who will be worthy of such an exalted position on the Day of Gathering:
1- ‘A Just Ruler’ the concept of Justice in Islam is very important and it is something which the Muslim – Ruler and the ruled – must apply in all matters without exception. Justice means to give each the right he deserves: Muslim or non-Muslim, relative or stranger, friend or enemy. Allah says: ‘…And do not let hatred cause you to act unjustly, that is nearer to piety (al-Maa’idah 8). Unfortunately, even if we admit this in theory, we quickly forget it in practice. So we find that when we speak about our friends and loved ones, we praise them beyond reason and when we speak about those whom we hold difference with, we can find no good in them and we just capitalize on their bad points. This is far removed from the justice which Allah loves and gives great reward for, as mentioned in the following Hadith: ‘The doers of justice will be on thrones of light at Allah’s Right Hand – and both of Allah’s Hands are Right Hands” – those who were just in their Ruling, with their families and in all that over which they were given authority. The Prophet assigning to Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud the open spaces in Madina between the dwellings and palm gardens of the Ansar, and when the Banu Abd Ibn Zuhrah said, “Remove from us the son of Umm Abd (Ibn Mas’ud),” replying, ‘Why then did Allah send me? Allah does not bless a people among whom a weak man is not given his right.’” (Sunan at-Tirmidhi no.3003). The concept of justice is most important for the Ruler, since he is in charge of his people and the primary disposer of justice in the land. For this reason, the Ruler is given special mention as one of the seven who will be honored with Allah’s Shade.
2 ‘A youth who grew up in the worship of Allah’ The great scholar, Ayyoob as-Sakhtiyaanee (d.131H) said, “From the success of youth is that Allah guides him to a scholar of the Sunnah. (Hasan – Reported in Sharh Usoolis-Sunnah of al-Laalikaa’ee no.30). Indeed, it is a great blessing from Allah for a youth to be guided towards worship and befriended by the righteous, since it is in youth that a person is most vulnerable to the temptations of life and liable to drift away from the Islamic Path. This becomes apparent when we look at society around us and we see that most of the worldly distractions, such as music, games, clubs, fashion etc. are all specifically targeted at the young. “You’re only young once!” they are told, which is why many Muslims nowadays waste their youth thinking that they will pray, wear Hijaab and go to Hajj, etc. when they are old, as if they have a guarantee of longevity from Allah! How well we would do to pay heed to the Prophet’s advice when he said: ‘Take benefit of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before you are preoccupied and your life before your death.’ Sahih – Narrated by Ibn Abbaas
3- ‘A man whose heart is attached to the mosques’ There is a great encouragement in the Sunnah for men to pray in the mosques and the reward associated with it is tremendous. Not only does it make the person eligible for Allah’s Shade on the day of Judgment, but, ‘he does not take a step towards the mosque except that because of it, he is raised by one rank and one sin is removed from him. Then when he prays, the Angels do not cease supplicating for him (for) as long as he remains at his place of Prayer (sayings): O Allah send blessings upon him, O Allah have mercy upon him…’ Sahih al-Bukhari. It must be emphasized here however, that all the Hadith encouraging the men to be attached to the mosques are not intended to lead one to the conclusion that Islam is a religion which should be confined to the mosques, as many people imagine. Nonetheless, the mosque should be at the heart of the Muslim community, and the role of those in authority of the mosques is vital here. They are the ones mainly responsible for making the mosque a welcome refuge for the Muslims, rather than an area for politics and power struggles as many seem to have become these days. And we seek Allah’s refuge from this!
4- ‘Two men who love each other for Allah’s sake, meeting for that and parting upon that’ Having mutual love for the sake of Allah is one of the great doors leading to the good of the Hereafter and a cause of tasting the sweetness of Imaan in this world. Loving one another for Allah’s sake means that the Muslim does not love another except for the correctness of his Deen. So it does not matter what the person looks like, what he wears, how rich or poor he is, where he comes from, or what the color of his skin is – perhaps you dislike everything about him, but you love him for his Imaan: this is loving for Allah’s sake. ‘Allah, the Mighty and Magnificent says: ‘Those who have a mutual love for the sake of My Glory will have pillars of light and will be envied the Prophets and martyrs.’ (Sahih) Subhan Allah! Imagine being envied by Allah’s chosen Messengers and those who were slain in His Path! Such is the reward of those who love one another for Allah’s sake.
5- ‘A man who is called by a woman of beauty and position but he says: ‘I fear Allah’ This world is full of temptations which lead to burning in the Fire and amongst them is that which comes from women. Many have led their souls into destruction on account of the lure of a woman which is why the Prophet warned his Ummah specifically about this. He said, “The world is sweet and green and verily Allah is going to install you as successors upon it in order to see how you act. So avoid the allurement of women: verily the first trial for the Children of Israa’eel was caused by women.” (Saheeh Muslim). The most important provision which we need to protect ourselves from this and all other temptations in life is the fear (khawf) of Allah. This fact is alluded to in the following Quranic Ayah: “And as for him who feared standing before his Lord and restrained himself from impure evil desires, verily Paradise will be his abode.” (an- Naazi’aat:40-41)
6- ‘A man who gives in charity and hides it, such that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives in charity’ This describes the type of person who goes to great lengths to protect himself from ar-Riyaa. Ar-Riyaa means to do deeds in order to earn the praise and recognition of people. This sin destroys all the benefits that lie in righteous deeds and brings on a serious punishment for the one who commits it. It is particularly dangerous because it is in man’s nature to desire and enjoy the praise of others. Thus, great care has to be token to ensure that one’s intentions begin and remain pure whenever good actions (such as charity) are being done. Not like what we see today where we have mosque notice boards announcing who gave what to whom, why and when! Allah warns: “O you who believe! Do not render vain your charity by reminders of your generosity or by injury, like him who spends his wealth to be seen of men and he does not believe in Allah nor in the Last Day.” (al-Baqarah:264). May Allah preserve us from this.
7- ‘A man who remembered Allah in private and so his eyes shed tears.’ Our noble Prophet (p.b.u.h.) informed us: “If you knew what l knew, you would laugh little and weep much.” (Saheeh al-Bukhari). The Prophet, who was the best of all creations, would weep as would all of his Companions. Tears are a genuine expression of fear of Allah’s Punishment and of our sincere love and awe of Him. But how often do we remember Allah in seclusion and are then moved to tears? How much do we laugh and how little do we weep? The Prophet said, ‘There is nothing more beloved to Allah than two drops and two marks: A tear shed due to fear of Allah, and a drop of blood spilt in the path of Allah. And as for the two marks, then a mark caused in the path of Allah, and a mark caused by fulfilling one of the duties made obligatory by Allah.” (Hasan). May Allah make us among those who will be shaded by His Shade when no Shade but His Shade!
Who are those whom Allah loves? The Holy Quran talks about the people whom Allah loves in many Ayahs.
1- The Charitable: Allah said: “…and do good (to others); surely Allah loves the doers of good”. (2:195). The humanitarian pious model refers here to those who do good to Allah by observing all conditions of doing good, achieving all its concepts, and embodying all its values, as well as doing good to people by giving them their rights, helping them in attaining their individual and general needs. Allah also talked about what the people of Qaroun said to him: “…and do good (to others) as Allah has done good to you”. (28:77), since they used to advise him to use the land treasures that Allah has bestowed on him, in doing good to himself and not to wrong himself, nor boast or become arrogant, do good to people and hold his responsibilities in helping them with his money. Allah, the Most Exalted says: “and give them of the wealth of Allah which He has given you”. (24:33) And in their property was a portion due to him who begs and to him who is denied (good). (15:19). But, those who did good to Allah and the people, Allah will give them reward by bestowing upon them His grace. He, the Most Exalted said: “Is there any Reward for Good – other than Good?” (55:60), “For those who do good is good (reward) and more (than this)” (10:26)….
2- The Repentant: Allah said: “Surely Allah loves those who turn much (to Him), and He loves those who purify themselves” (2:22). Allah wanted the people who have made sins to turn from their sins and make up for them in order to be near to Allah through gaining His satisfaction, for He has promised to accept their repentance and forgive the sinner, He said: “But whoever repents after his iniquity and reforms (himself), then surely Allah will turn to him (mercifully); surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful” (5:39). “O you who believe! turn to Allah a sincere turning; maybe your Lord will remove from you your evil and cause you to enter gardens beneath which rivers flow.” (66:8). In addition there are many other Ayahs that indicate the roominess of repentance, because they reveal that the repentant stores in his soul the fear of Allah for the sins that he had committed, asks for Allah’s mercy and likes to return back to Allah to serve Him. He is also repentant for what he has done in the past intending to change his bad past to do what makes Allah loves him. It is said that Allah loves the repentant and erases all his sins. Thus, by repentance, man is reborn like he was in the day his mother has given birth to him, “the repentant is like the one who has no sins”.
3- The Purified: Allah said: “Surely Allah loves those who turn much (to Him), and He loves those who purify themselves”. (Quran:222). Those who purify themselves are those who purify their bodies as Allah has ordered in a way that this physical purity opens to the spiritual and moral purity for the intention of getting close to Allah, He, the Most Exalted says: “Allah would not place a burden on you, but He would purify you and would perfect His grace upon you, that you may give thanks” (5:6). In addition, Islam stressed on purifying the body, clothes and everything that is related to man’s private life in his land and home, from the unclean impurity. On the other hand, Allah directs man to the spiritual purity through the act of giving that is represented by charity that the pious pays as “Zakat” and “Sadakat” almsgiving, and other financial obligations. Allah says: “Take alms out of their property, you would cleanse them and purify them thereby”.( 9:103) taking into consideration that the almsgiving through which the spirituality of giving is represented, purifies one’s soul from the dirtiness of stinginess and from egoism that only cares about one’s stifling needs and private interests.
(The authors write regularly on “Islamic Topics” for “Kashmir Horizon” exclusively. Views are their own)
Foot & Mouth Disease in Animals: A Global Concern Dr Naseer Ahmad Mir
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals like cattle, swine, sheep, goats etc .The disease has a significant economic impact.which includes both direct as well as indirect losses. As per a report of Economic times, the foot and mouth disease in livestock sector is resulting into direct economic loss to the tune of Rs 20,000 crore per annum in india. While, the indirect losses, due to reduced work capacity, such as abortions, subsequent infertility and sterility, which cause reduced milk production, have not be quantified. At present, in India the disease occurrence, severity of the clinical disease and number of outbreaks have progressively and substantially declined in the control zones as a result of several rounds of vaccinations with an oil adjuvant trivalent inactivated vaccine. FMD is an OIE-listed disease and is characterised by fever and blister-like sores on the tongue and lips, in the mouth, on the teats and between the hooves. The disease causes severe production losses, and while the majority of affected animals recover, the disease often leaves them weakened and debilitated. The organism which causes FMD is an aphthovirus of the family Picornaviridae. There are seven strains (A, O, C, SAT1, SAT2, SAT3, and Asia1) which are endemic in different countries worldwide. In India more than 80 percent cases are due to serotype O.
Transmission of the disease: The transmission of FMD will be by variety of methods between herds, countries and continents but spread from one animal to another is by inhalation or by ingestion. In endemic areas, the most important method of spread is by direct contact between animals moving across state and national boundaries as trade or nomadic cattle.The virus can persist in aerosol form for long periods in temperate or subtropical climates. In the most favourable circumstances, virus can be spread to a distance of 250 Km by wind. Human being can act as vehicle of transmission of the disease. The virus persists in the nasopharynx and may be excreted in erratically low level for upto 2 years. The mammary tissue also is a site of persistence for 3-7 weeks. The spread of the disease from herd to herd will be either directly by the movement of animals or indirectly by transportation of virus on inanimate objects, especially uncooked and unprocessed meat products and other animal products like milk. The virus is resistant to common disinfectants, it can persist for 1 year in infected premises, 10 to 12 weeks on clothing and feed, and upto a month on hair, but 1-2% Formalin, and 4% Sodium carbonate can destroy the virus within minutes.
Clinical Signs: Incubation period in cattle can range from1-14 days however, incubation period in cattle is usually 2 to 6 days; symptoms start with reduced milk yield, followed by high temperature (104O F to 106O F), anorexia and acute painful stomatitis. The temperature slowly subsides and Profuse salivation, with ropy saliva with vesicle or bullae on buccal mucosa, tongue and dental pad. The vesicles rupture in 24 hours leaving raw surfaces which will be painful and heals about in 1 week. Simultaneously vesicles appear in the clefts of hooves or on the coronet region causing lameness. A Chronic syndrome of dyspnoea, anemia, over growth of hair and lack of heat tolerance will be noticed as sequel to FMD in cattle which might be due to endocrine damage.
Measures that are recommended at the farm level include: Control over people’s access to livestock and equipment; controlled introduction of new animals into existing herds; regular cleaning and disinfection of livestock pens, buildings, vehicles and equipment; monitoring and reporting of illness; appropriate disposal of manure and dead carcasses.
FMD Control: FMD is being controlled by Eradication or Vaccination or by combination of both, but eradication is practically a difficult proposition in endemic countries like India as we have wild life reservoirs. In endemic countries, Vaccination is the only measure to control the disease. Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries initiated Foot and Mouth Disease Control Programme (FMD-CP) in the country in 2003. The main components of the programme were to vaccinate all the eligible cattle and buffaloes at six monthly interval, Publicity and Mass Awareness Campaign, including orientation of the State functionaries for implementation of the scheme, identification of the target animals, Serosurveillance/monitoring of animal population on random basis, mass vaccination, procurement of cold cabinets and FMD vaccine, assessment of the randomly collected samples of vaccines for their quality, virus typing in case of outbreaks and recording/regulation of animal movement from unvaccinated areas through temporary quarantine/ check-posts. In 2019, Govt of India launched a flagship programme known as National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP). The overall aim of this programme is to control FMD by 2025 with vaccination and its eventual eradication by 2030.
( The author is a freelancer. Views are his own)
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