By the dawn, and the ten nights and the even and the odd, and by the night when it is departing! The ten nights allude to the first ten nights of Dhul Hajj, the 'odd' to the 9^th day at 'Arafat when the pilgrims are clad in a coffin like white unstitched robe. And the 'even' refers to the 10^th of Dhul Hajj when the believers offer sacrifice. So when night is about to depart and ushers in the dawn, which itself is a great revolution taking place around the world, mankind rise from their sleep and set out to work.

 

Before the advent of Islam people performed different rituals in the name of Hajj on these ten nights of Dhul Hajj. Now these nights witness endless crowds of believers clad in coffin like white robe performing 'Umrah around the clock. Besides the day at 'Arafat is a day of humble presence before Allah^-SWT, and the Day of Sacrifice, these days enjoy great auspiciousness. And with regard to spiritual states acquired in these days as a result of worship afford mighty evidence to the men of wisdom that the end result of life is death followed by a presence in the Akhirah. Just as the night slips by, so is the term of temporal life and every moment that goes by is taking people closer to Akhirah.

 

So O' Reader! Even the worldly outcome of evil is awful. Have you not heard the story of 'Ad-e-Iram, that is, the first nation of 'Ad who had men as tall as columns? No other nation like them had been created. The learned Commentators record that a king amongst them named Shaddad bin 'Ad had ordered construction of a paradise of gold and silver, adorned with diamonds and gems, supported on lofty columns. He wanted people to acknowledge him as their god in order to win a place in his paradise, named Iram. However, when it was completed and the king with his entourage of chieftains went for inspection, they were all destroyed along with the paradise.

 

Then the story of Thamud, also known as 'Ad the Second, carries a lesson as they too were strong, intelligent and capable artisans, who had hewed cities out of mountains. The ruins of their settlements can be seen even today.

 

Rebellious Governments Typical of 'Ad, Thamud and Pharaohs

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As for the Pharaoh, he had become so vile that whenever he was annoyed he would order that the victim be crucified, big nails be pierced through both hands and feet, and entrusted to snakes and scorpions. These rulers had rebelled against Allaah^-SWT by enforcing ungodly constitutions in their kingdoms, based on cruelty and oppression. As a result the masses suffered immensely. Their life, honour and wealth were plundered. Corruption and evil spread everywhere, until Allaah^-SWT whipped them with His punishment, as being the Provider and the Sustainer.He^-SWT keeps vigil over everything. He^-SWT gives respite for a while for repentance and reformation but once the limits are crossed, the transgression must end through His punishment.

 

Allah^-SWT has His^-SWT Own ways of testing people. Sometimes He^-SWT makes provisions abundant for a person and bestows upon him State power, ironically assumed as the outcome of personal merit and wisdom. And at times He^-SWT straitens the provisions as a trial whereby cribbing starts that Allaah^-SWT is being unfair as he had done nothing wrong to deserve it. He^-SWT conjures that he rightfully deserved better treatment on merit, a typical attitude of the infidels and the polytheists which, sadly enough, is displayed by a majority of Muslims today.

 

State Power or Poverty not the Criterion for Allah^-SWT's Friendship

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 The criterion for being Allah^-SWT's friend is that a person is blessed with the capacity to thank Him^-SWT in every situation and to remain ever ready to obey Him^-SWT . The infidels were so callous that they did not consider the orphans or the down trodden as human. In other words, lending a helping hand to the needy or paying Zakat to the orphan is not enough but it is necessary to honour him as well. And inspite of the authority they not only failed to discharge the rights of the poor and the destitute but also never bothered to persuade others in doing so. They would rather usurp the rights of others including share in inheritance and amassed wealth by plunder for enjoyment and merry making. The death of people gave them no admonition rather they concentrated on misappropriating their legacy. They devoted all their lives on the means of plundering others wealth, and the concept of lawful or forbidden never crossed their mind.

 

Nevertheless, a time is fast approaching when the earth will rent apart and the mountains will collide destroying everything. The heavens will also explode, Allah^-SWT's Court will be set up and the angels will array in ranks. And in the field of Gathering, Hell would be brought closer to view, when everyone will realise how horrifying it is and how important it was to have been spared from it. But the time to benefit from admonition was confined to the life of the world, the very avenue of action. Now was the time of requital, so everyone will be recompensed for what he had done. The offender shall wistfully comment: Alas! If only I had sent forth some virtuous deeds for this eternal and real life of Akhirah! This is being expounded by Allah^-SWT's Book that the people may be admonished so that they may plan for the Akhirah availing the given respite. On that Day, Allah^-SWT's chastisement would be of a kind beyond the very imagination of people and His^-SWT Grip would be so strong that no one could think of an escape.

 

Barakah of Allah^-SWT's Zikr

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 On the contrary the bondmen of Allaah^-SWT who had purified their souls through His^-SWT ’s Zikr and striving in his way, whereby their souls felt at peace. His disobedience made them restless as if His Zikr and Shari'ah had become a second nature to them. They will be told to join in with Allah^-SWT's chosen ones and enter His^-SWT Jannah along with them.

 

Pious Company

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 Pious company and an association with Allah^-SWT's bondmen is a guarantee to Jannah and Allah^-SWT's Pleasure. It is a blessing both in this world as well as in the Akhirah and a source of eternal comforts.