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,
إِلاَّ مَن رَّحِمَ رَبُّكَ وَلِذَلِكَ خَلَقَهُمْ
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.
Assalamu alaikum
A very moving post.
Quote:
“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.”
Does this mean that one who does not find one to befriend seeks out the friendship of Allah?
JazaakiAllahu khairan.
wasslam
pls could u tell me where i can get a copy of that top picture of the trees, and also, would love to know more on the subject of our souls before this life, and what happens with those you love but cant have, in the next life?
Wa`alaykumusalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
Didn’t think of it that way but yeah, I guess it can. I think however, Abu Hatim is refering to seeking out righteous companionship, a friend who’ll benefit etc.
I believe Shaykh Salih al-Munajjid wrote a sharh (explanation) of the hadeeth ‘Souls are like recruited soldiers…’ perhaps you can try to locate it insha’Allah.
I really appreciate this post because of the ‘strained circumstances’ under which it was composed and posted…
may Allah magnify your reward aameen
Lol, only Bint Husyan would know, and only she will appreciate my following poem:
Perhaps indeed, my soul and that of my laptop
Are the recruited soldiers spoken of aforetime
O repair man, return my laptop to me!
Don’t you know my heart is pained at the separation?
You claimed it’ll take a few days, and no more
But here I await, weeks passing and what for!
I felt weak and incapable of saying farewell when I saw him
So my heart shook his hand whilst my eye wept!
😀
asalamualaikum warahmatullah,
Quote: [[[[I believe Shaykh Salih al-Munajjid wrote a sharh (explanation) of the hadeeth ‘Souls are like recruited soldiers…’ perhaps you can try to locate it insha’Allah.]]]]
i’d love to know more on this topic. where can i find this explanation?
wa’alaykum as salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
On behalf of Fajr (who is currently preoccupied):
Sharh by Shaykh Salih al-Munajjid:
http://www.angelfire.com/al/islamicpsychology/introduction/spirits.html
I see a lot of poetry. Here’s my humble contribution:
Labbayk
Wake up and stay awake
-O Heart- and say Labbayk
Say: Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk
Say it with every seed and grain
Say it with every drop of rain
Say it and say it again and again
Say it with the stars in the skies
Say it with the light in your eyes
Say: Labbayk O Lord, O Wise!
Say it and let your tears,
Let them translate your hidden fears—
For only Allah hears
All that are on earth and in the skies.
Say Labbayk to Him Alone
Whose boundless mercy shone
Even in the heart of him
Who once worshipped a stone,
But then heard Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk
And his heart shook as with earthquake
And said: Yes, I made a mistake;
But now I say Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk!
subhana’Allaah… an moving read. This brought tears to my eyes…
‘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.’
I remember this like it was yesterday – subhanAllah memories carved in the heart like stone…
I guess no more sneak previews of your blog posts…
I guess there wont be anymore of me walking into a room, only for you to prop your head up from the book you was reading and to suddenly say “I’m going to translate this insha allah”
The end of an era.
The end of an era or the beginning of a new one? 🙂 I guess now there’s only one other person to annoy with my randomness haha.
Thanks for coming down on Thursday with the sisters, good thing I saw you before jetting off again. I totally forgot to ask about the interview btw, sorry! Hope it went well.
Keep in touch xx
Memories…
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.
Do u have the arabic for this sis? If so can u pls post it here or email it to me … whenever ur free. (I know hw busy u myst be now)
is it a possible that a soul that recognizes you and likes you is a kafir? and strangely enough you feel the same about them! this has happened to me and I wondered why the conclusion I came with is we recognize one another but I was a born Muslim and she isn’t does that make sense?