It is narrated from Abu Huraira (radhiallahu `anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam said, “Souls are like recruited soldiers, those that recognise one another unite in harmony and those that do not recognise one another are at an aversion.” [Sahih Muslim]

Abu Hatim: The reason that people find concordancy and harmony between themselves – after the Decree – lies in the recognition of two souls. And likewise, their discord and seperation lies in the aversion of the two souls. Hence if two souls recognise each other, they will find familiarity and affection between themselves and if there is aversion between the two souls they will in turn find aversion and seperation between their beings.

Mujahid (rahimahullah) said, `Ibn `Abbas (radhiallahu `anhu) saw a man and said, `Indeed he loves me.’ They said, `And how do you know?!’ He said, `Because I love him and souls are like recruited soldiers, those that recognise one another unite in harmony and those that do not recognise one another are at an aversion.’

Abu Bakr al-Anbari recited,

Indeed the hearts are soldiers enlisted for Allah

Upon the earth, through affection do they recognise each other

So those at a familiarity are held in harmony

And those enstranged are at a difference

It is narrated from Qatadah (rahimahullah) that he said regarding the verse of Allah,

Except him on whom your Lord has bestowed His Mercy and for that did He create them.’

[Hud: 119]

He said, `(Created them) for mercy and obedience. As for the people of obedience, their hearts and desires are unified even though they may be distant from each other (living apart). And as for the people of disobedience, then their hearts are at a discord even though they may be closel gathered and living together.

Mansur al-Karizi:

Whatever the eyes and heart behold will be in affection

For neither the heart nor the eyes can be concealed

But they are only two souls, one in view of the other

So one recognises the other and hence they meet

Abu Hatim: The greatest sign that alludes to what a person is like in his daily affair is expressed through whom he befriends and whom he is at enmity with, because a person is on the path of his friend and birds of a feather only flock together. I have never seen something more indicative of another, moreso even than smoke indicating fire, as much as I’ve seen a companion allude to the reality of his companion.

The smart one avoids accompanying the doubtful one and he keeps away from the one whose Deen is questionable because whoever keeps in the company of a people is known by them and whoever lives with a person ends up being attributed to him. A man does not befriend except one who is like him or of his nature (i.e. in character). If a person does not find one to befriend from amongst the people, he seeks out one whose companionship will only beautify him and it will not disgrace him to be known by him. If he sees goodness from him, he counts it (and remembers it), and if he sees a bad thing he conceals it for him, and if he remains silent over it he’s the first to speak about it to him, and were he to ask of anything he would give it.

Indeed, from amongst Mankind is one who if a person were to see him, he would be amazed. And if he got to know him more, his amazement would increase. And from amongst them is one who has an aversion to another upon seeing him, and getting to know him only increases him in hostility. Their agreement is due to the agreement of their souls from aforetime, and their aversion is due to their souls’ aversion.

If two souls meet in affection and are then forced to depart with the departure of life without any hateful event or they depart due to death, then that there is shocking death and grevious pain. There has never been a moment of such prolonged grief, such apparant loss, lasting sorrow, deep sadness and lament more so than when two brethrens or beloveds are seperated. And no-one has tasted a taste more bitter than when two close friends are seperated and it’s all over.

I wonder at the one who extends his right hand

To his beloved at the time of seperation and he hastens therein!

I felt weak and incapable of saying farewell when I saw him

So my heart shook his hand whilst my eye wept.

Imaam al-Bukhaari (may Allaah have mercy on him) reported in his Saheeh that `Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: “I heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) saying: `Souls are like conscripted soldiers; those whom they recognize, they get along with, and those whom they do not recognize, they will not get along with.'” (Saheeh al-Bukhaari, Kitaab Ahaadeeth al-Anbiyaa’, Baab al-Arwaah junood mujannadah).

Ibn Hajar (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in his commentary on the hadeeth: “Concerning the phrase `Souls are like conscripted soldiers…’ al-Khattaabi said: `This may refer to their similarity as regards good or evil, righteousness or corruption. Good people are inclined towards other good people, and evil people are similarly inclined towards other evil people. Souls feel affinity with others according to the nature in which they were created, good or evil. If souls’ natures are similar, they will get along, otherwise they will not be on good terms with one another. It could be that what is being referred to is the beginning of creation in the realm of the unseen when, it is reported, souls were created before bodies, and used to meet one another and express their pessimism about the future. When souls have entered bodies (come to the physical realm) they may recognize one another from the past, and may be on friendly terms or otherwise based on that past experience.”

Al-Qurtubi said: “Although they are all souls, they differ in different ways, so a person will feel an affinity with souls of one kind, and will get along with them because of the special quality that they have in common. So we notice that people of all types will get along with those with whom they share an affinity, and will keep away from those who are of other types. [“Birds of a feather flock together” – Translator]. We may also note that within any given group or type, people may get along with some and dislike others, and this is in accordance with issues or qualities that form the basis of love or hate.”

We have narrated a mawsool report in Sunan Abi Ya’laa, at the beginning of which is the story narrated from `Amrah bint `Abd al-Rahmaan, who said: “There was a woman in Makkah who liked to joke, and she came and stayed with a woman in Madeenah who was like her. When `Aa’ishah heard about this, she said, `My beloved spoke the truth. I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) saying…’ and mentioned a similar hadeeth.”

The hadeeth was also narrated by Muslim in his Saheeh, 4773. Al-Nawawi said: “With regard to the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), `Souls are like conscripted soldiers; those whom they recognize, they get along with, and those whom they do not recognize, they will not get along with’, the scholars said that the meaning is groups gathered together, or different types. As for them getting along, this happens because of something in common between them that Allaah has created. It was said that they are similar attributes that Allaah has created in them, or that they were created in a group and then dispersed in their bodies, so people who have similar characteristics will like one another, and those who do not have similar characteristics will not like one another. Al-Khattaabi and others said: this getting along with one another has to do with what Allaah decreed from the outset about the ultimate destiny of souls, whether they will be among the blessed [in Paradise] or the doomed [in Hell]. Souls are of two opposing kinds, and when they meet in this physical world, they will either love or hate one another depending on the way they were created. Good souls will be inclined towards other good souls, and evil souls will be inclined towards other evil souls.

source: Rasheed Gant Calgaryislam

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

 

The Muslim Woman Should be Given a Handsome Husband!

`Abdur-Rahmaan bin Al-Jawzi Al-Hanbali writes:

“It is recommended for the father whom will marry away his daughter that he finds a handsome and beautiful husband to her (his daughter). A woman wants what a man wants.”

Az-Zubayr bin Al-`Awaam (radhiya Allaahu `anh) narrated that Allaah`s apostles (Salla Allaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said:

“You marry your daughters away to ugly repugnant men. They certainly want that which you want.”

(`Abdur-Razzaaq in Al-Musannaf, 10339)

`Umar bin Al-Khattaab (radhiya Allaahu `anh) said:

“Don’t marry away the woman to the ugly repugnant man. They wish for themselves what you wish for yourselves.”

(Ahkaam-un-Nisaa`, p. 103)

 

• Transcribed from: The Muslim Woman Should be Given a Handsome Husband!

Do hearts have connections to one another?

Sometimes, a person happens to meet someone whom he or she immediately loves and spontaneously develops some sort of affinity with. The reverse can apply when the same person meets up with another person.

The point is one does not know the reason why one feels good toward any people and feels bad toward others. Is there some sort of connection between their souls? `A’ishah, the Prophet’s wife, narrated a hadith, that she heard from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), which gives us a glimpse of the nature of the soul and clears some of the vague feelings that we might find: “Souls are like conscripted soldiers; those whom they recognize, they get along with, and those whom they do not recognize, they will not get along with” (Al-Bukhari).

Also Abu Hurairah reported Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying, “Souls are troops collected together and those who familiarized with each other (in the heaven from where these come) would have affinity, with one another (in the world) and those amongst them who opposed each other (in the Heaven) would also be divergent (in the world).” (Muslim) Sometimes the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gives us a glimpse of insight into the realm of the soul, which we know very little about.

 The important thing to remember in this connection is that Allah has chosen not to give us a detailed knowledge of the soul. We should also remember that whatever He has chosen to withhold from us would not affect our role on earth and the fulfillment of the task assigned to us in this life. Therefore, we limit ourselves to what is outlined in the Qur’an and what the Prophet has given us in authentic hadith.

Almighty Allah says, (And they ask you about the soul. Say:  The soul is one of the commands of my Lord, and you are not given out of knowledge but a little.)(Al-Israa’ 17: 85) However, people continue to try to explore the realm of the soul and come up with all sorts of ideas to show that they have special knowledge that is denied to others. All such claims are false, because they do not rely on any confirmed knowledge imparted to us by Allah through His messenger. This hadith has several versions with different chains of transmission, all of which are authentic. This makes it highly authentic. One version that throws some light on its meaning mentions that a woman —known to have a sense of humor and to play tricks — from Makkah traveled to Madinah where she was a guest of a woman with similar qualities. When `A’ishah heard of that, she said, “My beloved husband always told the truth (and she quoted the hadith).” What this hadith means is that Allah created souls and gave them their qualities. Those with similar qualities will easily be friends when they meet in this life, while those who have different natures are likely to be in conflict. This in fact accounts for endless cases of people getting along together when their apparent circumstances should have kept them well apart. Moreover, it tells us something about what brings good people together and what allows evil ones to flock together and even trust one another, when they know that they are evil at heart. Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) said in his commentary on the hadith “Concerning the phrase ‘Souls are like conscripted soldiers…’, This may refer to their similarity as regards good or evil, righteousness or corruption. Good people are inclined towards other good people, and evil people similarly incline towards other evil people. Souls feel affinity with others according to the nature in which they were created, good or evil. If souls’ natures are similar, they will get along, otherwise they will not be on good terms with one another. It could have happened in the beginning of creation in the realm of the unseen when souls were created before bodies, and used to meet one another. When souls have entered bodies (come to the physical realm) they may recognize one another from the past, and may be on friendly terms or otherwise based on that past experience Al-Khattaabi also commented this hadith, This getting along with one another has to do with what Allah decreed from the outset about the ultimate destiny of souls, whether they will be among the blessed (in Paradise) or the doomed (in Hell). Souls are of two opposing kinds, and when they meet in this physical world, they will either love or hate one another depending on the way they were created. Good souls will be inclined towards other good souls, and evil souls will be inclined towards other evil souls. Thus, the souls of righteous people have connection as if they are recruited due to the purification in their hearts; on the contrary, the souls of devils — both humans and Jinn — have connection since they have the same evil thoughts. That is why Allah says about the believers, (And (moreover) He hath put affection between their hearts.) (Al-Anfal 8:63) But when talking about the devils of Jinn and human beings, Almighty Allah says, (Shall I inform you (of him) upon whom the Shaitans(devils) descend? They descend upon every lying, sinful one.) (Ash-Shu`araa’ 26: 221-222) The Almighty also says, (And thus do We make some of the iniquitous to befriend others on account of what they earned.) (Al-An`am6:129) That is why when a believer meets wrongdoers or corrupt people, he or she does not feel at ease and finds it difficult to get along with them because of their sinful deeds; their souls act like oil and water that never mix. (Article written By Living Shari`ah Staff )

Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) in which he explains the motives and causes of love, and how these vary among people.

He (may Allaah have mercy on him) says:

“Compatibility between souls is one of the strongest causes of love”.

Every person is attracted towards that which is compatible with him, and this compatibility is of two types: original compatibility which is ingrained in the essence and that which comes later because of living together or having something in common.

If your aims match his aims, there will be harmony between your soul and his, but if the aims are different, then harmony will no longer exist.

As for original compatibility, it is a kind of similarity in attitude and similarity of souls. Each soul longs for other souls that are similar to it, because what is similar to something is naturally attracted to it, so the two souls may be similar in original creation, thus there will be a natural attraction to one another.

This is what made some people say that love is not only caused by physical beauty, and the lack of physical beauty does not mean that there can be no love; rather it is similarity between souls and similarity in their characteristics which are created in them that matter.

The reality of love is that it is like a mirror in which the lover sees his characteristics and kindness in the image of the one he loves, so in reality he loves nothing but himself and his characteristics and the one who has similar characteristics.

Hence noble, pure and sublime souls love the characteristics of perfection in particular, so the dearest things to them are knowledge, bravery, dignity, generosity, kindness, patience and steadfastness, because these characteristics are compatible with the essence of these souls, unlike base and mean souls, which are far away from loving these characteristics. Many people are motivated to be generous and kind because of their extreme love for these characteristics and the pleasure they find in doing these things, to such an extent that al-Ma’moon said: Forgiveness was made so dear to me that I am afraid that I will not be rewarded for it. And it was said to Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (may Allaah have mercy on him): Did you acquire this knowledge for the sake of Allaah? He said: To do something for the sake of Allaah is very rare, but it was something made dear to me, so I did it. Someone else said: I rejoice in giving and enjoy it far more than the one who takes from me rejoices in what he takes.

With regard to the lovers of knowledge, their love for knowledge is greater than the love of anyone else or anything else. Many of them will not be distracted from it by the most beautiful of human images.

Our Shaykh – meaning Ibn Taymiyah – told me: “I felt sick and the doctor said to me: Your reading and discussing issues of knowledge is making your sickness worse. I said to him: I cannot stay away from that, and I shall discuss the issue on the basis of your (medical) knowledge. Is it not the case that when the soul feels joy, this gives strength to the body and wards off disease? He said yes. I said: Then my soul feels happy with knowledge and thus my body becomes stronger and this helps me to recover. He said: This is not part of our treatment, or words to that effect .”

If the love relationship is based on similarity and harmony, then it will be reinforced and become stronger, and nothing could remove it except something stronger than the cause of it, and if it is not based on similarity and harmony, then it is no more than love for a reason, which will disappear when the reason disappears.

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (may Allaah have mercy on him) narrated in his Musnad the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her): A woman used to go to Quraysh and make them laugh. She came to Madeenah and stayed with a woman who also made people laugh. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allaah be upon him) said: With whom is So and so staying? She said: With So and so, who makes people laugh. He said: “Souls are like conscripted soldiers; those whom they recognize, they get along with, and those whom they do not recognize, they will not get along with.” The original version of this hadeeth is in al-Saheeh.

If you look at creation, you will hardly find any two people who love one another except that there is some similarity between them or they have something in common with regard to deeds, characteristics or goals. If the goals, characteristics, deeds or ways differ, there can only be aversion and distance between their hearts. It is sufficient to note the saheeh hadeeth from the Messenger of Allaah (blessings and peace of Allaah be upon him): “The believers, in their mutual mercy, love and compassion, are like a (single) body; if one part of it feels pain, the rest of the body will join it in staying awake and suffering fever.”

Rawdat al-Muhibbeen, 66-74