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The merciful Master and His slaves

Dear readers, this Hadith is so comprehensive in its message that the great scholar of Islam, Al Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him), states that whenever Abu Idrees Al Khaulani (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated this Hadith, he would fall down on his knees out of respect and awe for what this Hadith contains. So, let us further our understanding of our Master and ponder over the significance of part of the Hadith quoted below.

"O My servants, all of you are lost except for those whom I have guided. Therefore, seek guidance from Me and I will guide you. O My servants, all of you are hungry except for those whom I have fed. Therefore, seek food from Me and I will feed you. O My servants, all of you are naked except for those whom I have clothed. Therefore, seek clothing from Me and I will clothe you." (narrated by Muslim).

This part of the Hadith reveals a stark reality, a reality that hasn’t sunk in amongst the masses. It expresses the fact that all of creation is in need of Allah (SWT) and He, The Exalted One, is not in need of anyone. These few sentences make it obvious that humans do not possess any power or ability to benefit themselves, unless Allah (SWT) assists us through His Mercy and Grace. If a person is devoid of guidance and sustenance, he/she will lose out not only this life, but also the Hereafter.

Allah (SWT) says, "He whom Allah guides, he is the rightly guided. But for him whom He sends astray you will find no guiding friend to lead him (to the straight path)." (Quran, Al Kahf: 17)

Dear readers, it is important to note that the words of this Hadith "lost, guided; hungry, fed; and naked, clothed" are antonyms. This is an important observation because it is Allah (SWT) who provides complete shelter in both this world and the Hereafter. It is understood that man cannot survive without food, yet Allah (SWT) has mentioned guidance before food! For the materialist though, it is the money that becomes God. He thinks that he brings about his own benefit. Little does he realise that he must turn to Allah (SWT) and beseech his Lord for his own good. At the same time, this Hadith clarifies the fact that all mankind is lost and astray. Each and everyone of us is hungry except whom Allah (SWT) feeds. None of us are clothed except whom Allah (SWT) wills. It is solely His mercy due to which guidance and sustenance flow. Then how unfortunate are those who do not pray to Him nor seek His Guidance and Mercy?

The believing Muslim finds himself searching for guidance numerous times a day for being ‘lost’ signifies an intentional straying as well as a mistaken straying. It includes the one who does not know the truth and the one who rejects the truth. Therefore, the righteous Muslim always turns to Allah to help himself follow the Straight Path. Those who do not perform their prayers, first deprive themselves of Allah’s Guidance, and secondly, ruin the relationship that exists between the Guide and His slaves!

After mentioning the ‘food of the soul’ (guidance), Allah (SWT) mentions the nourishment of the body. Every now and then, famine and natural disasters force a people to go hungry. Allah (SWT) says, "And is the people of the towns had believed and had piety, certainly, We would have opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth. But they belied (the Messengers), so we took them (to punishment) for what they used to earn.’ (Quran, Al Araaf, 96)

In this Hadith, it is stated: "Therefore, seek food from Me and I will feed you." This seeking, according to the scholars, includes beseeching Allah for sustenance with speech (supplication) and pious actions, as is stated by the above quoted verse of the Quran.

Many argue that those who disbelieve in Allah (SWT) lavishly enjoy the luxuries of food and clothing. If they were only to spend a day with the misguided, they would see the ill-effects and disastrous consequences of wretched lifestyles. They would also experience the most amazing truth: Allah’s (SWT) Mercy extends to all His creation.

Abid Ishaq can be reached at thelinguist75@yahoo.com