In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious the Most Merciful.
Indeed, mankind has been blessed with a most beautiful gift: the ability to reflect and contemplate. Immediately after relating an eloquent parable, Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala says: “Thus do We explain the Ayat (signs) in detail for the people who reflect (Surah Yunus, 24). The believers are constantly described as individuals who consistently reflect on the many signs that Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala has laid forth. In Surah Ar-Rad, He, the Most Gracious Most Merciful, reminds us once again: “Verily, in these things, there are Ayat (signs) for people who reflect.” On the contrary, those who fail to reflect are mentioned in the Qur’aan next to a most misguided group of humans. Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala says, “Is not He (best) Who answereth the wronged one when he crieth unto Him and removeth the evil, and hath made you viceroys of the earth? Is there any Allah beside Allah? Little do they reflect!” (An-Naml, 27:93).
Amongst the many signs to reflect and contemplate over is the last our before sunset, when the sky is scraped in beautiful shades of deep purple and amaranth that further agnifies the beauty of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala’s creation. Aside from being a rather mysterious time in the sense that many things start to change, as the moon slowly chases the sun from the sky, this is a time when many are filled with anguish and loss. For some it may evoke regret with the ending of another day, and yet for some, a sense of pain for the coming of a new day. As for the bearers of the glorious flag of Islam, they know and understand thatevery sunset contains a silver lining, a sense of hope that not all is lost. In fact, it has been said that this is the same exact time that our beloved Messenger of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala was referring to in the following hadtih. Abu Hurairah RadhiAlllahu Anhu narrated our beloved Rasool Sallalahu ‘Alayhi waSallam to have said: “‘ There is an hour on Friday and if a Muslim gets it while offering Salah and asks something from Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala , then Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala will definitely meet his demand.’ And he (the Prophet Sallalahu ‘Alayhi waSallam) pointed out the shortness of that particular time with his hands” (Bukhari).
Thus, as some fear the coming hours of the night and the darkness it brings, others reflect underneath the glorious canopy and continue to utter their tahmids and tahlils. Whether or not this day that comes to an end will bring a night that will lead to another day again is not the cause of worry for the many righteous servants of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala. They gaze back in amazement and take notice of this remarkable canopy of light that continues to shade them. Indeed, the Khashioon, (or the true believers in Allah – those who obey Allah with full submission, fear such from His Punishment, and believe in His Promise), find complete solace in the illumination of the many colors the sky magnifies during this period. ”Have they not then observed the sky above them, how we have constructed it and beautified it, and how there are no rifts therein?” (Surah Qaf, 50: 6). We thank Allah azzaw’jal for allowing us to recognize this beauty, and we pray that He allows it to serve as a constant reminder of our purpose in this dunya.Aside from this specific timing generally experienced by the sky during the time between Asr and Maghrib salah, there is another object to take notice of as well, the sky in itself. In Surah Ghafir, Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala says, “it is Who appointed for you the earth for a dwelling-place and the sky for a canopy, and fashioned you and perfected your shapes, and hath provided ou with good things. Such is Allah, your Lord. Then blessed be Allah, the Lord of the Worlds! (Surah Ghafir, 0:64)
Throughout all the wars and bloodshed, every single atrocity, every transgression both openly and in every sin that is hidden,this ultimate perfection of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala sky has remained untouched and ever peaceful. During our stay in this world, the sky will remain constant and we pray that it allows us to remember the many signs of our Lord, the Giver and Taker of Life. We should be engulfed in peace when we gaze at the ever-constant sky, the same sky that the Prophet Salalahu ‘Alayhi Wa- Salam gazed at when he was on earth. This same sky, these same stars that we glance at, both in times of light and darkness also helped our beloved Messenger Salallahu ‘Alayhi WaSalam on his hijra from Makkah to Madinah. Indeed, it was the Prophet of Allah, Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala that raised his hands, towards this same majestic sky to make a du’aa for us, his ummah. “Remember, one day you will appear before Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not astray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.” May Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala allow us to take notice of this majestic signbefore the Last Day when the pages of our lives will be laid open, and when the sun will be overthrown and when the stars will fall, because at that very moment, this everconstant and Majestic sign of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala will fail to serve as a reminder. Allah, the Shaper of Beauty, says “And when the sky is torn away, And when Hell is lighted, And when the garden is brought night, (Then) every soul will know what it hath made ready.” (Surah at-Takwir: 11-14)
We ask Allah, the Most Gracious and Most Merciful, to make us amongst the most righteous of his slaves, to grant us a place amongst the Muqarrabeen, to save us from the evil whispers of Shaytan, to help us in all our affairs, and to grant us a most Beautiful Abode in Jannahtul Firdaus. Allahuma Ameen!
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