O’ mankind! Your Rabb^-SWT was indeed Merciful and Munificent Who^-SWT , before your creation, favoured you by completion of the heavens and the earth in six days. Although He^-SWT had the power to do so instantly but He^-SWT preferred a gradual, deliberated and nicely organized mode of action. By doing so He^-SWT in a way, has guided mankind not to make hasty decisions but to settle all matters after careful deliberation to avoid regretting later. He^-SWT , therefore, created the earth in two days, and in the following two created the sources of human habitation; the mountains, rivers, minerals and plantations. This adds up to four days. And He^-SWT fashioned the heavens in another two days with all the features. The Commentators assert that all was completed in six days and no work was done on the seventh day.

Now the question is how were the days calculated before the creation of the sun and the moon? The learned precursors beautifully answer that in Paradise there will neither be sun nor moon, but the alteration of days and nights will on. Similarly, before the creation of the heavens and the earth, the cycle of days and nights was according to the Divine Knowledge. The days and nights we know are worldly, while those discussed here connote those only known to Allaah^-SWT .

The Favours of Providence

A single day in the Hereafter is comparable to fifty thousand years of this world. The sun, that we know as a symbol of daytime will not be there in the Hereafter. The point being made here is that people calling out for help to the Rabb^-SWT on this Day of Judgement should have appreciated His^-SWT Munificence, displayed in the creation of such a vast universe even before their birth. He^-SWT created the earth with its unlimited wonders and the heavens laden with Barakah. Then He^-SWT chose the Great Arsh as a source of His^-SWT Refulgence, thus opening up an orifice to His^-SWT Cognition unto mankind. By creating the alternation of days and nights, He^-SWT blessed the entire creation with an immaculate proportion and determined the hours of activity and relaxation. The vast universe full of stars and planets is being governed only by His^-SWT Omnipotence and is functioning impeccably to serve mankind. Ever since the creation, all the heavenly bodies are performing their duty diligently and with flawless punctuality.

It is as clear as daylight that to Allaah^-SWT belongs everything, and it is He^-SWT Alone Who^-SWT creates, maintains and governs everything. The declaration: "Then He^-SWT settled Himself^-SWT on the Throne"; involves realities beyond human understanding. Therefore, it is obligatory to believe in it as it is. Since the Companions^-RAU neither questioned nor argued over such matters, any discussion would amount to innovation. ‘Arsh stands for a Royal Throne which can be associated to Allaah^-SWT in the same way as the K’abah is connected to Him^-SWT by virtue of being called Bait Allaah^-SWT (House of Allaah^-SWT ) The Arsh is the Qibla for supplications, and that is why the hands are raised towards it: though Allaah^-SWT is present everywhere. Thus He^-SWT made the 'Arsh the fountainhead of His^-SWT .Splendour. To Him^-SWT belong Alam-e-Khalq bearing all things created, and beyond it is the "Alam-e-Amr Command comprising the subtleties. According to Sufis this Ayah proves the co-existence of the two Realms. And all that is lying within these two belongs to the Sovereign Ruler Alone^-SWT . He^-SWT is not dependant on anyone for existence or sustenance. Everything is indeed created and sustained by Him^-SWT .

Therefore, it is only appropriate for people continuously benefiting from His^-SWT Bounties to engage in His^-SWT Zikr and to supplicate with humility and awe, as He^-SWT does not approve trespassing even in the supplications For instance, it is not proper to pray for things forbidden by Shari'ah or for things logically unreasonable and impossible or to invent ways of supplication.

The Supplication (Du'a)

The word Dua denotes both seeking the fulfillment of needs, as well as worships. Besides, it also means simple remembrance, that is, to remember Him^-SWT , to ask only from Him^-SWT and to worship Him^-SWT . Therefore, the proper manner of supplication is that one must put forth his request before Allaah^-SWT quietly in a polite manner. It should not be a display of vocabulary to impress others as is a routine practice today. Rather it should be done quietly, with humility and awe and this indeed is the best wav of worship. A worship that can be kept private should not be made public so as to confine the matter between the devotee and Allaah^-SWT lest it becomes a pretence.

Zikr-e-Khaffi

Du'a also means Zikr Allah^-SWT, practised with humility and in secrecy. The Sufis practise Zikr-e-Jahar (Loud Zikr) also. It is supported by the Sunnah provided it is neither done in pretence nor should it be a source of inconvenience to others. However, the superiority of Zikr-e-Khaffi is proved in Hadith: "The best Zikr is Zikr Khaffi, and the best provision is that which suffices for one's maintenance."

The specific occasions of Zikr-e-Jahar recounted by the Holy Prophet'^-SW himself are Azan. Iqamah (announcement to rise for the Salat) recitation of the Quran in specified cycles of Salat etc. where it is obligatory. Besides these, Zikr-e-Khaffi is better as well as more beneficial. Excess must be avoided in matters of Zikr, Du’a and worship. One should neither innovate nor promote rituals but must always adhere to the ways of the Holy Prophet^-SW, as Allaah^-SWT does not approve of transgressors.

Mischief on Earth

Allah^-SWT perfected the earth and gave all His^-SWT creations a viable, comfortable and immaculate order of life. He^-SWT also provided for the inner reformation of mankind by sending His^-SWT Messengers^-AS and Scriptures, so that there may never be any oppression or polytheism. So O’ people! Do not create discord on earth by disobeying Allah^-SWT, making it a troublesome abode for yourself and for others. Sin leads to disobedience of Allah^-SWT, a grave crime by itself. It also influences the environment and every object of the universe, creating mischief and malfunction. What was created for the comfort of mankind turns into a source of trouble. The routine provisions of life like food, drink and other amenities become a cause of misery and disease. When matters exceed the limits, people begin to oppress each other. They rejoice in killing and are always at daggers drawn with one another. As a result, the air, the water and the earth turn against them; storms and earthquakes rock the lands while deluge visits habitations. All this is the immediate outcome of human conduct whereas the everlasting results will be seen in the Hereafter. It will certainly be far more dreadful than the calamities of this world. Therefore, a sin must not only be seen as a mere slip but its effects must be kept in view. Firstly, it degenerates actions, then it blackens the inner self and lastly it disrupts the entire universe. By being responsible for this turmoil, a person qualifies for Allah^-SWT's Wrath in the eternal life, which becomes grievous and wistful. May Allaah^-SWT protect us!

The only solution to this problem is perpetual Zikr, a fear of disobeying Him^-SWT and optimism about His^-SWT Mercy. The realization of Allah^-SWT's Greatness is obtained through continuous Zikr and in company of the accomplished saints. When the heal is blessed with Allah^-SWT's Zikr, a person gives priority to his obligations. Although occasional errors cannot be ruled out, yet His^-SWT Obedience and repentance invoke His^-SWT Mercy. Therefore, always remember Him^-SWT with humility and in secrecy, i.e. within yourself, keeping an eye on your failings. At the same time have complete trust in His^-SWT Mercy, which is always with the righteous. This refers to all those who are blessed with even an iota of His^-SWT Cognition and who lead their lives always mindful that they are constantly under His^-SWT Vigilance.

His^-SWT general Mercy looks out for those in need. It is He^-SWT Who blows winds, that carry clouds laden with millions of gallons of water in the form of vapour looking for places hit by the drought. They again transform into water and pour down to satiate the arid zones. The barren land resuscitates and is adorned once again with greenery and flowers. Trees of various species bear fruits and the cycle of life moves on. It is the conclusive evidence that Allaah^-SWT is Omnipotent and is certainly capable of resurrecting those lost in the valley of death.

Watch the marvels of His^-SWT Omnipotence! How could water mount the air? But He^-SWT did it and fashioned it into a permanent system. The vapour is continuously formed and carried in the form of clouds in the atmosphere, without any trace of water. If we pass through a cloud it looks like fog. It is not floating perchance but drifts by Divine Will and pours down as rainfall in the places of His^-SWT Choice. Still more surprising is the effect it produces on the lifeless and drought stricken soil. Rainfall heralds glad tidings and the Divine Omnipotence allow tiny seeds to flourish into crops, grass, vines and trees and within days life prevails once again. Similarly the dead buried in the soil will be quickened once again. Whereas the whole process drives one to ponder over the vastness of Divine Mercy and to rely on it. There is also a lesson that resurrection w ill be nothing strange as the wonders of Divine Power continue to be manifested before us day in and day out.

The Soil of the Qalb

As seen commonly, the results of rainfall vary with the quality of the soil receiving it. Fertile land is laden with flowers while nothing grows on the barren and salinated patches. Even if it does, it is of very inferior quality and is useless for mankind. Same is the case with human Qulub. The Qalb enlightened with Zikr learns a lesson at even step and progresses towards His^-SWT Nearness constantly But if the soil of the Qalb is saline, even the Divine Ayat have no impact on it nor can it appreciate the benefits of Divine Blessings, enjoyed by the grateful people through every living moment. In other words, the Qulub having potential receive continuous guidance the right path. The Divine blessings descend like rain on everyone, but those deprived of the capacity remain unaffected.