Affirming that Allaah does descend (to the lowest heaven).

the night passes by, Allahdescends to the lowest heaven and says: 'No
one asks more about my servants thatn myself. Who is asking me, so I
can give to him? Who is calling uon me, so I can answer him? who is
seeking my forgiveness, so I can forgive him?'". I got two questions
aboutthis hadith.
How sahee ( or correct ) is this hadith.
And second, what meaning is this hadith?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Your question covers two matters:
1 – The extent to which this hadeeth is saheeh.
This hadeeth is a saheeh hadeeth which is provenin the soundest two
books after the Book of Allaah. It was narrated by al-Bukhaari in his
Saheeh (1145) and by Muslim (1261) from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be
pleased with him), that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) said: "The Lord descends every night to the lowest heaven
when one-third of the night remains andsays: 'Who will call upon Me,
that I may answer Him? Who will ask of Me,that I may give him? Who
will seek My forgiveness, that I may forgive him?'"
This hadeeth was narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) by approximately twenty-eight of the Sahaabah (may
Allaah be pleased with them) and the Ahl al-Sunnah are unanimously
agreed that it is to be accepted.
2 – What is meant by the descent of Allaah – may He be exalted – to
the lowest heaven:
It should be noted that the descent of the Lord –may He be exalted –
to the lowest heaven is oneof the actions that are attributed to Him
and has to do with His will and wisdom. It is descending in a real
sense, in a manner that befits His majesty and might. Allaah descends
however He wills, whenever He wills. Glory be to Him, there is nothing
like unto Him and He is the All-Hearing,All-Seeing. It is not
permissible to distort themeaning of the hadeeth by saying that what
is meant is that His command or mercy descends, or that one of His
angels descends. Thisis false for several reasons:
(i) This misinterpretation goes against the apparent
meaning of the hadeeth.The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) attributed descent or the act of descending to Allaah, and
the basic principle isthat a thing is attributedto the one who does
it, so if it is attributed to someone else, that is a distortion that
goes against this basic principle. We know that the Messenger (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is the mostknowledgeable of all
people about Allaah, andthat he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) is the most eloquent of mankind and the most truthful in what he
says. There are no lies in his speech and it is impossible for him to
attribute something to Allaah that is not one of His names or
attributes or actions or rulings. Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"And if he (Muhammad) had forged a false saying concerning Us (Allaah),
45. We surely would have seized him by his right hand (or with power and might),
46. And then We certainly would have cutoff his life artery (aorta)"
[al-Haaqqah 69:44-46]
Moreover the only intention of the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) wasto guide mankind, so if he said, "Our Lord
descends" and someone else says something that runs contrary to the
apparent meaning of these words, such as saying that His
commanddescends, then we say: Do you have more knowledge about Allaah
than the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him)? The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said,
"Our Lord descends" but you say His command descends. Or are you more
sincere towards the ummah than he was,since he (allegedly) concealed
what he was supposed to tell them and told them something different.
Undoubtedly the person who tells the people onething but means
something else is not sincere towards them. Ordo you think that you
are more eloquent than the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him)?! Undoubtedly such a misinterpretation implies
that one is accusing the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) of some kind of shortcoming that a Muslim can never accept
on the part of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him).
(ii) The descent ofHis command and mercy is not
restricted to this part of the night, rather His command and mercy
descend all the time. If it is said that what is meant is a specific
command or specific mercy which does not happen all the time, the
answer to that is that if we assume that this interpretation is
correct, then the hadeeth indicates that where the descent of this
thing ends is in the lowest heaven, so what benefit can it be to us if
mercy descend to the lowest heaven without reaching us? Why would the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) even tell us about
it?
(iii) The hadeeth indicates that the One Who descends says:
"Who will call upon Me, that I may answer Him? Who will ask of Me,
that Imay give him? Who will seek My forgiveness, thatI may forgive
him?" No one can say that except Allaah, may He be exalted.
See: Majmoo' Fataawa wa Rasaa'il al-Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih
al-'Uthaymeen, 1/203-210.

Names and Attributes of Allah, - Can you revive a dead Person?

One of the basic principles of sound belief ('aqeedah) is belief in
Allaah and that He is the only One Who can give life and cause death.
The one who claims that someone other than Allaah is able to give life
and cause death is a kaafir. Even the mushrikeen in their Jaahiliyyah
(ignorance) did not believe such a thing of their idols and gods.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"How can you disbelieve in Allaah? Seeing that you were dead and He
gave you life. Then He will give you death, thenagain will bring you
to life (on the Day of Resurrection) and then unto Him you will
return"
[al-Baqarah 2:28]
"and it is He Who gives life to the dead, and it is He Who is Able to
do all things"
[al-Hajj 22:6]
"It is He, Who gave you life, and then will cause you to die, and will
again give you life (on the Day of Resurrection).Verily, man is indeed
an ingrate"
[al-Hajj 22:66]
Allaah has stated that other so-called gods are incapable of creating,
granting provision, giving life or causing death.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Allaah is He Who created you, then provided food for you, then will
cause you to die, then (again) He will give you life (on the Day of
Resurrection). Is thereany of your (so-called) partners (of Allaah)
that do anything of that? Glory be to Him! And Exalted be He above all
that (evil) they associate (with Him)"
[al-Room 30:40]
Shaykh Muhammad al-Ameen al-Shanqeeti said:
The words of Allaah in this verse - "Is there any of your (so-called)
partners (of Allaah) that do anything of that? Glory be to Him! And
Exalted be He above all that (evil) they associate (with Him)" -
clearly indicate that not one of those partners was able to do
anything of that which is mentioned in the verse, including giving
life, which is referred to in the words "created you", causing death,
which is referred to in the words "will cause you to die", and
resurrecting, which is referred to in the words "then (again) He will
give you life". Allaah states that they do not have the power of
resurrection in the words (interpretation of the meaning):
"Or have they taken (for worship) aalihah (gods) from the earth who
raisethe dead?"
[al-Anbiya' 21:21]
Allaah states that they donot have the power of giving life or
resurrecting, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Say: 'Is there of your (Allaah's so-called) partners one that
originates the creation and then repeats it?' Say:'Allaah originates
the creation and then He repeats it. Then how are you deluded away
(fromthe truth)?'"
[Yoonus 10:34]
And He states that He alone is the One in Whose hand are death and
life, in many verses, such as the following (interpretation of the
meaning):
"And no person can ever die except by Allaah's Leave and at an appointed term"
[Aal 'Imraan 3:145]
"And Allaah grants respite to none when hisappointed time (death) comes"
[al-Munaafiqoon 63:11]
"Verily, the term of Allaah when it comes, cannot be delayed"
[Nooh 71:4]
"How can you disbelieve in Allaah? Seeing that you were dead and He
gave you life. Then He will give you death, thenagain will bring you
to life (on the Day of Resurrection) and then unto Him you will
return"
[al-Baqarah 2:28]
"They will say: 'Our Lord! You have made us to die twice (i.e. we were
deadin the loins of our fathers and dead after our life in this
world), and You have given us life twice (i.e. life when we were born
and life when we are resurrected)!'"
[Ghaafir 40:11]
And there are other similar verses.
What we have mentioned of how theseverses explain one another is
something that no Muslim has any excuse for not knowing. End quote.
Adwa' al-Bayaan (6/271).
One of the signs or miracles of 'Eesa ibn Maryam (peace be upon him)
was that he was able to bring the dead back to life by Allaah's Leave;
'Eesa (peace be upon him) would not have been able to do that if his
Lord had not willed it.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And will make him ['Eesa (Jesus)] a Messenger to the Children of
Israel (saying): 'I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, that
I design for you out of clay, a figure like that of a bird,and breathe
into it, and it becomes a bird by Allaah's Leave; and I healhim who
was born blind,and the leper, and I bring the dead to life by Allaah's
Leave'"
[Aal 'Imraan 3:49]
"(Remember) when Allaah will say (on the Day of Resurrection). 'O
'Eesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)! Remember My Favour to you and to
your mother when I supported you with Rooh-ul-Qudus [Jibreel
(Gabriel)] so thatyou spoke to the people in the cradle and in
maturity; and when I taught you writing, Al-Hikmah (the power
ofunderstanding), the Tawraat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel); and
when you made out of the clay, a figure like that of a bird, by My
Permission, and you breathed into it, and it became a bird by My
Permission, and you healed those born blind, and the lepers by My
Permission, and when you brought forth the dead by My Permission'"
[al-Maa'idah 5:110]
As for what his opponent said to Ibraaheem (peace be upon him) about
being able to give life and cause death, this is among the most
foolish and falsest of claims. Hence when Ibraaheem (peace be upon
him) debated with him he defeated that kaafir in argument and proved
the falseness of his claim.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Have you not looked at him who disputed with Ibraaheem (Abraham)
about his Lord (Allaah), because Allaah had given him the kingdom?
When Ibraaheem (Abraham) said (to him): 'My Lord (Allaah) is He Who
gives life and causes death.' He said, 'I give life and cause death.'
Ibraaheem (Abraham) said, 'Verily, Allaah brings the sun from the
east; then bringit you from the west.' So the disbeliever was utterly
defeated. And Allaah guides not the people, who are Zaalimoon
(wrongdoers)"
[al-Baqarah 2:258]
No human being can claim that he is able to bring the dead back to
life. If anyone claims that, then here are the Messengers, Prophets
and great men who died- let him bring them back to life if his claim
is true!
And Allaah knows best.

We are extremly rich, yet we don't know it,Islamic Stories

Once a person came to a Shaikh (Islamic scholar) and complained to him
about his own poverty, saying that he was in great distress and
wouldprefer death to such a life. The Shaikh said to him, "Are you
willing to have your eyes taken out in exchange for ten thousand
Dirhams (silvercoins)." He replied"Certainly not." The Shaikh said
"Would you like to have your tongueplucked out and get ten thousand
Dirhams in return?" The man said,"Of course not." The Shaikh said,
"Would you agree to having both your hands and feet cut off in return
for twenty thousand Dirhams." The man said that he would not. The
Shaikh asked"Are you willing to be made a mad man and get ten thousand
Dirhams in return?" The man said that he was not willing. At this, the
Shaikh said to him, "Are you not ashamed of yourself? You admit that
Allah Ta'ala has granted you so many precious gifts, the value
whereof, in your own estimation, exceeds fifty thousand Dirhams
(counting only afew gifts, by way of illustration) and yet you
complain of poverty!"
Source: "Fadhail-e-Sadaqaa Part II", translated by Prof. AbdulKarim.
The value of the above mentioned gifts can be fully understood when we
lose them. Let us be more thankful to our Lord.

Hazrate Umm Sulaim (R.A)

Hazrate Umm Sulaim (R.A) was first married to Malik ibn an-Nadr, her
son by this marriage wasthe famous Hazrat Anas ibn Malik (R.A) , one
of the great Companion of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) .
Hazrate Umm Sulaim's (R.A) decision to accept Islam was made without
the knowledge or consent of her husband, Malik ibn an-Nadr. He was
absent from Yathrib at the time. He was not pleased to hear this
especially when his wife went on to announce her acceptance of Islam
in public and instructed her son Hazrat Anas (R.A) in the teachings
and practice of the new faith. Hazrate Umm Sulaim's (R.A) husband was
furious. He shouted at her and left the houseand it is reported that
hewas killed by an enemy of his.
When it was known that Hazrate Umm Sulaim (R.A) had become a widow,
Zayd ibn Sahl, known as Abu Talhah wanted to marry her. Abu Talhah
proceeded toHazrate Umm Sulaim's (R.A) house. On the way he recalled
that she had been influenced by the preaching of Hazrat Musab ibn
Umayr (R.A) and had become a Muslim.
"So what?" he said to himself. "Was not her husband who died a firm
adherent of the old religion and was he not opposed to Muhammad and
his mission?" Abu Talhah reached Hazrate Umm Sulaim's (R.A) house. He
asked permission to enter. Her son Hazrat Anas (R.A) waspresent. Abu
Talhah explained why he had come and asked for her hand in marriage.
"A man like you, Abu Talhah," she said, "is not (easily) turned away.
ButI shall never marry you while you are a Kafir (non believer)."
He said to her: "What is it that really prevents you from accepting
me, Umm Sulaim? Is it the yellow and the white metals (gold and
silver)?" "Gold and silver?" she said, "I swear to you, Abu Talhah,
and I swear to Allah and His Messenger that if you accept Islam,
Ishall be pleased to accept you as a husband,without any gold or
silver. I shall consider your acceptance of Islamas my Mahr (Dowry)."
The opportunity was right for Hazrate Umm Sulaim (R.A) to stress the
futility of such idol worship and she went on: "Don't you know
AbuTalhah, that the god you worship besides Allah grew from the
earth?"."That's true," he said."Don't you feel stupid while
worshipping part of a tree while you use the rest of it for fuel to
bake bread or warm yourself? (If you should give up these foolish
beliefs and practices) and become a Muslim, Abu Talhah, I shall be
pleased to accept you as a husband and I would not want from you any
sadaqah apart from youracceptance of Islam."
"Who shall instruct me inIslam?" asked Abu Talhah. "I shall," Hazrate
Umm Sulaim (R.A) replied. "How?",聽 "Utter the declaration of truth and
testify that there is no god but Allah (S.W.T) and that Muhammad
(S.A.W) is the Messenger of Allah. Then go to your house, destroy your
idol and throw it away."
Abu Talhah accepted Islam and was devoted to the Holy Prophet (S.A.W)
and took enormous delight in simply looking at Him (S.A.W) and
listening to the sweetness of his speech. Hazrat Abu Talhah (R.A)
participated in all the major military campaigns.