Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said:
"Allah Most High has allotted you your characters just as He has allotted you your provisions. Allah Most High gives worldly things to those whom He loves and those whom He does not love, but He gives religion only to those whom He loves, so he who is given religion by Allah has been loved by Him. By Him in Whose hand my soul is, a man is not a Muslim till his heart and tongue are submissive, and he is not a believer till his neighbour is safe from injurious behaviour on his part. " (Ahmad, Bayhaqi).
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
"We have been made to excel (other) people in three (things): Our rows have been made like the rows of the angels and the whole earth has been made a mosque for us, and its dust has been made a purifier for us in case water is not available. (Muslim)
The Prophet (PBUH) said:
"...to us (Muslims) is granted eminence (rif'ah) in this world, a blessed hereafter ('aqibah), and that our religion has been good (tabah) ". (Abu Daud)
The Prophet (PBUH) said:
"This religion will continue to exist, and a group of people from the Muslims will continue to fight for its protection until the Hour is established". (Muslim)
Allah's Messenger (pBUH) said that if any Muslim said three times evening and morning,
"I am pleased with Allah as Lord, with Islam as religion, and with Muhammad as Prophet, " Allah would certainly please him on the Day of Resurrection ". (Ahmad, Tirmidhi).
"Ya Ayyau LadhinaAmanu la tuhillu sha'aira llah"
"0 you who believe! Violate not the sanctity of the symbols of Allah. ..” (Q5:2).
Allah's creation is not arbitrary, it follows a definite pattern towards a definite end. In creation, there are milestones that are symbolic of a more profound and deep spiritual meanings and these are called Sha'air Allah (the symbols of Allah) or sometimes Ayat Allah (signs of Allah) in the Quran, They abound around and about us ...in the alternation of day and night, in the mystery of life and death, in the confounding beauty and organisation of creation:
"Verily in the alternation of the Night and the Day and in all that Allah has created in the heavens and the earth are Signs for those who fear Him", (Q10:6)
These symbols and signs represent the pure way of worship of Allah. They are indications of Allah's constant presence and His firm control. Sometimes they are places, some other times they are rites and at another time they are animate and inanimate things.
Phenomena: When man chooses the path of perdition instead of the path of salvation, then the wrath of Allah naturally follows him. Yet, even in the pains of divine punishment lie symbols and signs of Allah to make man understand the truth and make amend:
"Say: "He has power to send calamities on you from above and below or to cover you with confusion in party strife giving you a taste of mutual vengeance each from the other." See how We explain the signs by various (Symbols) that they may understand." (Q6:65).
Allah's signs and symbols also exist in the natural phenomenon of planting and reaping of fruits:
"From the land that is clean and good by the will of its Cherisher springs up produce (rich) after its kind: but from the land that is bad spring up nothing but, that which is niggardly: thus do We explain the signs by various (symbols) to those who are grateful." (Q7:58)
Man as signs: Allah has endowed man with a capacity to move high up the spiritual plane and conversely too down the abyss of basal instincts. When a man through his obedience, perseverance in the path of Allah becomes righteous an obedient to divine decree, he soon becomes ayatullah (a sign of Allah). Just as Prophet Yusuf (PBUH) was in his encounter and perseverance against the mischief of his brethren.
"Verily in Yusuf and his brethren are signs (or symbols) for seeker (after truth) (Q12:7).
For this indicates Allah's perfect control of human life: "...And Allah has full pourer and control over His affairs; but most among mankind know it not." (Q12:21).
Place: Among the symbols of Allah are Safa and Marwa which are the two hillocks in the vicinity of holy Kaabah pilgrims undulate between. These and many more symbols of Allah deserve to be honoured, respected and reverred; Wherever they are found they must not be violated (Q5:2).
Instead, they should spur the believer to a higher level of devotion, obedience and spiritual insight. All these should flow from a pious heart.
"And whoever holds in honour the symbols of Allah such honour should come truly from piety of heart" (Q22:32).
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited