The Seven Under the Shade of Allah (SWT)

The Prophet said: “There are seven whom Allaah will shade in His Shade on the Day when there is no
shade except His Shade: a just ruler; a youth who grew up in the worship of Allaah, the Mighty and
Majestic; a man whose heart is attached to the mosques; two men who love each other for Allaah’s
sake, meeting for that and parting upon that; a man who is called by a woman of beauty and position
[for illegal intercourse], but be says: ‘I fear Allaah’, a man who gives in charity and hides it, such that
his left hand does not know what his right hand gives in charity; and a man who remembered Allaah in
private and so his eyes shed tears.” Narrated by Abu Hurairah & collected in Saheeh al-Bukhari (english
trans.) vol.1, p.356, no.629 & Saheeh Muslim (english trans.) vol.2, p.493, no.2248

In this beautiful Hadeeth, the Prophet spoke about small acts of worship which result in such a huge reward:
shade on the Day when there will be no shade except His Shade [1]. This may not seem like much at first but
then reflect upon the following Hadeeth: “On the Day of Resurrection, the sun would draw so close to the
people that there would be left a distance of only one mile. The people will be submerged in
perspiration according to their deeds, some up to their ankles, some up to their knees, some up to the
waist and some would have the bridle of perspiration and, while saying this, the Messenger of Allaah
put his hand towards his mouth.” Narrated by al Miqdaad ibn Aswad & collected in Saheeh Muslim (eng.
trans) vol.4, p.1487-8, no. 6852}.

And in another Hadeeth, some will be submerged in sweat “seventy arm-lengths in the earth.”
Narrated by Abu Hurairah and collected in Saheeh al-Bukhari (eng. trans.) vol.8, p.353, no.539) and Muslim
(eng. trans.) vol.4, p.l487, no.6851

So who would want more then, on this Day, than to be under the Shade and protection of Allaah Azza wa Jal

Let us examine now the characteristics and virtues of these seven categories of people who will be worthy of
such an exalted position on the Day of Gathering.

1. “A Just Ruler...”

The concept of Justice in Islaam is very important and it is something which the Muslim - Ruler and the ruled -
must apply in all matters without exception. Justice means to give each the right he deserves: Muslim or non-
Muslim, relative or stranger, friend or enemy. Allaah says: “...And do not let hatred cause you to act unjustly,
that is nearer to piety [Soorah al-Maa’idah (5):8].

Unfortunately, even if we admit this in theory, we quickly forget it in practice. So we find that when we speak
about our friends and loved ones, we praise them beyond reason and when we speak about those whom we
hold difference with, we can find no good in them and we just capitalise on their bad points. This is far removed
from the justice which Allaah loves and gives great reward for, as mentioned in the following Hadeeth: “The
doers of justice will be on thrones of light at Allaah’s Right Hand - and both of Allaah’s Hands are Right Hands" -
those who were just in their Ruling, with their families and in all that over which they were given authority [2].

The Prophet assigning to Abdullah ibn Mas'ud the open spaces in Medina between the dwellings and palm
gardens of the Ansar, and when the Banu Abd ibn Zuhrah said, "Remove from us the son of Umm Abd (Ibn
Mas'ud)," replying, "Why then did Allah send me. Allah does not bless a people among whom a weak
man is not given his right."

Baghawi transmitted it in Sharh as-Sunnah. Sunan at-Tirmidhi no.3003

The concept of justice is most important for the Ruler, since he is in charge of his people and the primary
disposer of justice in the land. For this reason, the Ruler is given special mention as one of the seven who will
be honoured with Allaah’s Shade.

2 “A youth who grew up in the worship of Allaah...”

The great scholar, Ayyoob as-Sakhtiyaanee (d.131H) said, “From the success of a youth is that Allaah
guides him to a scholar of the Sunnah.”

Hasan - Reported in Sharh Usoolis-Sunnah of al-Laalikaa’ee (no.30).

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Indeed, it is a great blessing from Allaah for a youth h be guided towards worship and be befriended by the
righteous, since it is in youth that a person is most vulnerable to the temptations of life and liable to drift away
from the Islaamic Path. This becomes apparent when we look at society around us and we see that most of the
worldly distractions, such as music, games, clubs, fashion etc. are all specifically targeted at the young. “You’re
only young once!” they are told, which is why many Muslims nowadays waste their youth thinking that they will
pray, wear hijaab and go on Hajj, etc. when they are old, as if they have a guarantee of longevity from Allaah!
How well we would do to heed the Prophet’s advice when he said: “Take benefit of five before five: your
youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free
time before you are preoccupied and your life before your death.”

Saheeh - Narrated by Ibn Abbaas & collected in al-Haakim & others. Authenticated by Shaykh ‘Alee ibn ‘Abdul
Hameed in Forty Hadeeth of the Call and the Caller.

3. “A man whose heart is attached to the mosques...”

There is great encouragement in the Sunnah for men to pray in the mosques and the reward associated with it
is tremendous [3]. Not only does it make the person eligible for Allaah’s Shade on the day of Judgement, but,
“he does not take a step [towards the mosque except that because of it, he is raised by one rank and one sin is
removed from him. Then when he prays, the Angels do not cease supplicating for him [for] as long as he
remains at his place of Prayer [sayings]: O Allaah send blessings upon him, O Allaah have mercy upon him...”

Narrated by Abu Hurairah & collected in Saheeh al-Bukhari (eng. trans.) vol. 1 p.352 no.620).

It must be emphasised here however, that all the Hadeeth encouraging the men to be attached to the mosques
are not intended to lead one to the conclusion that Islaam is a Religion which should be confined to the
mosques, as many people imagine. Nonetheless, the mosque should be at the heart of the Muslim community,
and the role of those in authority of the mosques is vital here. They are the ones mainly responsible for making
the mosque a welcome refuge for the Muslims, rather than an arena for politics and power struggles as many
seem to have become these days. And we seek Allaah’s refuge from this!

4. “Two men who love each other for Allaah’s sake, meeting for that and parting upon that....”

Having mutual love for the sake of Allaah is one of the great doors leading to the good of the Hereafter and a
cause of tasting the sweetness of Eemaan in this world. Loving one another for Allaah’s sake means that the
Muslim does not love another except for the correctness of his Deen. So it does not matter what the person
looks like, what he wears, how rich or poor he is, where he comes from, or what the colour of his skin is -
perhaps you dislike everything about him, but you love him for his Eemaan: this is loving for Allaah’s sake.

“Allaah, the Mighty and Magnificent says: “Those who have mutual love for the sake of My Glory will
have pillars of light and will be envied the Prophets and martyrs.”

Saheeh - Collected in Sunan at-Tirmidhee & Musnad Ahmad (5/336-7).

SubhanAllaah! Imagine being envied by Allaah’s chosen Messengers and those who were slain in His Path!
Such is the reward of those who love one another for Allaah’s sake.

5. “A man who is called by a woman of beauty and position but he says: ‘I fear Allaah...”

This world is full of temptations which lead to burning in the Fire and amongst them is that which comes from
women. Many a man has led his soul into destruction on account of the lure of a woman which is why the
Prophet warned his Ummah specifically about this. He said, “The world is sweet and green and verily Allaah
is going to install you as successors upon it in order to see how you act. So avoid the allurement of
women: verily the first trial for the Children of Israa’eel was caused by women.”

Narrated by Aboo Sa’eed al-Khudree & collected in Saheeh Muslim (eng. trans.) vol.4, p.1432, no.6606

The most important provision which we need to protect ourselves from this and all other temptations in life is the
fear (khawf) of Allaah. This fact is alluded to in the following Qur'aanic Aayah:

“And as for him who feared standing before his Lord and restrained himself from impure evil desires,
verily Paradise will be his abode.” [Soorah an- Naazi’aat (79):40 1].

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6. “A man who gives in charity and hides it, such that his left hand does not know what his right hand
gives in charity...”

This describes the type of person who goes to great lengths to protect himself from ar-Riyaa. Ar-Riyaa means
to do deeds in order to earn the praise and recognition of people. This sin destroys all the benefits that lie in
righteous deeds and brings on a serious punishment for the one who commits it. It is particularly dangerous
because it is in man’s nature to desire and enjoy the praise of others. Thus, great care has to be token to
ensure that one’s intentions begin and remain pure whenever good actions (such as charity) are being done.
Not like what we see today where we have mosque notice boards announcing who gave what to whom, why
and when! Allaah warns: “O you who believe! Do not render vain your charity by reminders of your
generosity or by injury, like him who spends his wealth to be seen of men and he does not believe in
Allaah nor in the Last Day.” [al-Baqarah (2):264].

7. “...A man who remembered Allaah in private and so his eyes shed tears.”

Our noble Prophet informed us: “If you knew what l knew, you would laugh little and weep much.”
Narrated by Aboo Hurairah and Anas & collected in Saheeh al-Bukhari (eng. trans.) vol.8, p.326-327, nos.492
and 493

Crying is not a ‘sissy’ thing to do. The Prophet, who was the best of all creation, would weep as would all of his
Companions. Tears are a genuine expression of fear of Allaah’s Punishment and of our sincere love and awe of
Him. But how often do we remember Allaah in seclusion and are then moved to tears? How much do we laugh
and how little do we weep? The Prophet said, “There is nothing more beloved to Allaah than two drops
and two marks: A tear shed due to fear of Allaah, and a drop of blood spilled in the path of Allaah. And
as for the two marks, then a mark caused in the path of Allaah, and a mark caused by fulfilling one of
the duties made obligatory by Allaah..”

Hasan - collected by at-Tirmidhee and al-Mishkaat (3837)

Alhamdulillaah, through these seven types of people mentioned in the Hadeeth, we have been given clear
signposts of the way to attain Allaah’s pleasure and satisfaction. So dear brothers and sisters in Eemaan,
devote yourself to being one amongst those seven, for indeed fortunate will be those who are granted Allaah’s
Shade on the Day when there will be no shade but His.