Ta'lim : Part XV

Hadrat Abu Hurairah Radhiyallhu Anhu (ra) and Hadrat Abu Sa’eed ra both bore testimony to having heard from Rasullullah Sallallahu alaihi wassalam (saw), that the gathering engaged in zikr of Almighty Allah swt is surrounded by the angels on all sides, the grace of Allah and sakeenah or peace & tranquility descend upon them, and Almighty Allah swt speals about them, by way of appreciation, to His angels.”
Hadhrat Abu Zar ra related that Rasullullah saw had said to him, “I advise you to fear Allah swt, as this is the root of all virtues; remain engaged in the recitation of Holy Qur’an and in zikr of Almighty Allah swt, which will earn you an appreciation in the heavens and serve you as a light in this world: keep silent for most of the time, so that you speak nothing but good, as this will keep the devil away from you and make it easy for you to perform your religious duties. Abstain from too much laughing, for laughing weakens the heart and deprives the face of its spiritual glow (luminosity), always take part in jihaad as this is the sigh of piety for ummah; like the poor and keep their company; compare your lot with persons lower than you, and never look up to those higher than you, otherwise you will forget the bounties of Almighty Allah swt and become ungrateful to Him; try to retain ties with your relatives though they may try to break them; do not hesitate to speak out the truth, though is may be bitter for others; always obey Almighty Allah swt in spite of adverse criticism – find fault with your own self, and never with others; do not criticize others for the shortcomings that you suffer from. O! Abu Zar ra there is no wisdom better than farsightedness, abstinence from the unlawful is the best act of piety, and good manners constitute true nobility.”
The word ‘sakeenah’ according o various scholars means tranquility and peace, as well as Allah swt’s special mercy. Imam Nawawi Rahmatullah alaih states that ‘sakeenah’ is a special favor consisiting of tranquility, mercy, etc. and is brought down from the heaven by the angels.
This appreciation, in the presence of the Angels, by Almighty Allah swt for those who engaged in zikr is for two reasons:
First, it is because the Angels had submitted at the time of the creation of Prophet Adam Alaihis salam, that man would commit mischief in the world. Secondly, it is because the Angels are ever engaged in prayers, submission, and obedience to Almighty Allah swt, and are devoid of the very instinct for sin, whereas man has the instinct of obedience as well as of sin. He is surrounded by things that lead him to negligence and disobedience, and has desires and lust ingrained in him. Therefore, prayers, submission and abstinence from sin, despite all the handicaps, are more praiseworthy and creditable on his part.
In one hadith, it is stated that, when Allah swt cretaed the heaven, he told Jibrail Alaihis salam to visit it. On his return, he reported, “O Lord! By your Greatness, whoever comes to know of it, will do his best to enter it”, that is to say, its pleasures, comforts, enjoyments, and blessings are so intense that there will be nobody who, after knowing and believing these, will not strive his utmost for admission into it.
Allah swt then surrounded heaven with hardships and made it compulsory to offer prayers, observe fasting, take part in jihaad, go for Haj, etc., for admission into it. Allah swt then sent Jibrail Alaihis salam to visit it again. He saw it and then said, “O Allah! I fear that hardly anybody will be able to enter it.”