The Knowledge of God

There are five things that are called the Keys of the Unseen. These are things that only God knows and have been narrated by Abu Hurayra (one of the companions who memorized sayings of Mohammed) in a Hadith (saying of the Prophet Mohammed) recorded in Al-Bukhari (record of his sayings). In summary these 5 things are:

1. The knowledge of the Hour (the end of the this world)
2. Exactly when Allah sends down the rain
3. What is in the womb
4. What a person will earn tomorrow
5. In which land a person will die

Allah is the Knower, the All Aware.

The translation of Surah Luqman Chapter 31 of the Quran says that Allah decrees if a child will be male or female, doomed or blessed, and about his rizq (what he will earn and what will be his share of wealth in this world), and the time and place of his death.

Basically what I am trying to post about is the knowledge of Allah. I attended a sisters’ gathering recently where they briefly discussed this and as with all Hadith of the prophet and verses of the Quran, one can apply their message to countless scenarios. You can write volumes about each saying of the Messenger of Allah and each verse of the Quran.

My personal context to which I apply these is obviously my life, my family and relationships and my environment.

Natural Disaster



Many have stated their opinions about the devastating floods in Pakistan. This disaster has brought out the best in some and in some cases the worst. The best we have seen are personal stories of charity, bravery, and selfless service to mankind. A sort of awakening of the Muslim conscience that seemed to have fallen asleep in so many of us. I have read, heard and seen examples of true brotherhood. There are also stories of evil and treachery and they are heart breaking. People taking from the aid and then selling it back to the needy.

I have heard people make offensive remarks about how “these people” practiced no common sense in where they were settling and if they had only used birth control they would not have so many mouths to feed. How irresponsible of these poor people to have such large families and now they are such a burden on society and the economy of Pakistan.

I want to ask people who make these remarks, why is it that we ignore the extremely unfair distribution of wealth around the world, the hoarding of wealth that Allah has specifically forbidden and are so quick to criticise those who have a large family? Is there truly not enough to go around or is something seriously wrong with the distribution of wealth and resources?



Secondly, by making such remarks Muslims defy the very verses that I have mentioned above of Surah Luqman. Allah decides when a child is in the womb, what their rizq is. Who are you to prophesize and make estimates about them becoming a burden on this world? Are you their provider? Are the people who come up with these statistics the ones who decide the fate of a human? I am no scholar, but in my eyes believing this, is like believing you know what Allah has specifically said only He Knows.

There are people who want to say this is the wrath of God upon these corrupt people who steal from each other and are not living as true Muslims. I don’t know if this is true. We do not know WHY Allah chose to flood one of the poorest regions on the planet. People who want to make guesses about these things are again claiming to possess knowledge that only Allah possesses.

People are saying this is the sign of the end of days. The sign of the last hour. You do not know when the last hour will be. Allah has said so in the Quran. The Prophet has confirmed this as is narrated by Abu Hurayrah.

What is then a person left to do?

Believe in the Knowledge of God

A Muslim person is left then only to believe in the knowledge of Allah, absolutely and completely.

“The believers are only those who when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts; and when His Verses are recited unto them, they (i.e. the Verses) increase their Faith; and they put their trust in their Lord (Alone).” Quran 8:2

This obviously does not mean that do nothing and just sit and trust in Allah. Material resources are important but are of no avail if there is no trust in God. Their procurement is also by the will of God.

The prophet has said: “If you all depend on Allah with due reliance, He would certainly give you provision as He gives it to the birds who go forth hungry in the morning and return with full belly at dusk” [Al Tirmidhi]

So obviously you gotta go out and do something to procure what you need to survive by the means which Allah has made Halaal for you. Also birds do not collect and keep things in reserve. So hoarding and excessive living is not an ideal situation for Muslims. But belief in Allah’s Providence and Knowledge is the ideal attitude.



We are meant to be charitable towards our brothers and compete with each other to help the needy.

Khaled

I want the best for my son, but he will get not more nor less than what Allah decided was his share before he was born. I worry about who will care for him after we are gone, but Allah knows about that more than me. We do however need to do our duty as parents and teach him to the best of our ability and with the best use of our resources. We have to make sure we are not ignoring our duties towards Allah in providing for our child.

I was scared to have more children fearing they too would be disabled, but I know no one on this earth has that knowledge and it would be wrong of me to fear such things for a new child, because I will let Allah decide that. You choose to believe.

"And whosoever puts his trust in ALlah, then He will suffice him" Quran 65:3

Absolute trust in the knowledge of Allah is no easy business because the world is a scary place. Poverty, hunger, disability, illness, death and so on are scary things. But in the end we have to choose what we fear more, our trials or not believing in God? Trials are always temporary, but the hereafter is forever.



Thats Khaled putting his shoes on outside the mosque. It was so crowded and noisy, there was no space to do anything. He is trying hard to regulate.