THE DAWN STARS
The personification of the earth as a means of witness-bearing is true.
Our Lord has inspired her: ‘On that Day, the earth will recount everything because your Lord will inspire it’ [99:4-5].
Gazing upon a starry night is a regular encounter. But the fleeting beauty of the dawn stars that vanish behind the sun’s waking light is glimpsed by only a select few. Godly oaths, mighty, reside in this moment: ‘By the stars when they fade away!’ [53:1], ‘By the dawn’ [89:1], and ‘By the morning brightness’ [93:1].
Among those select few are men and women who struggle pre-dawn for God’s House. Sleep still tethering them to their beds, but the magnetic pull of God’s oaths upon their hearts wrestles them from their slumber, symbolising within them a deep faith and a recognition of the moment’s greatness.
Since everything in the universe bears testimony, the dawn stars confer great honour on these devout men and women by standing grand witness to their rising, striving and journeying to prayer, guidance and goodness.
A BEAUTIFUL TRAVERSE
We must be conscious of our footfalls, for we must one day account for them.
But we, too, can, as the Prophet (s) did, traverse beautifully and consciously and spread goodness wherever we go: ‘On the Day of `Id, the Prophet used to return (after offering the `Id prayer) in a way different from that by which he went’ [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 986].
The scholars have offered many benefits from the practice of changing routes.
“Ibn al-Qayyim said, ‘The reason the Prophet (s) did this was to greet the people with peace who lived on both fairways or so that the blessings of his passing would reach both areas or to fulfil the needs of those among them. Also, to establish the symbols of Islam in the various roads and paths. He changed routes so that the land receiving his footfalls could testify to his obedience to Allah. Indeed, he who walks to the mosque and the place of prayer will earn this virtue: one step raises him a degree, and another erases a sin until he returns home. It is also said, and this is the correct opinion, that all the reasons mentioned here are possible and other unknown wisdom that always accompanied his blessed actions'” [Zād al-Ma’ād 1/432].
An age-old adage says, ‘You can only keep what you have by giving it away.’
This idea is counterintuitive to modern living. The world tells us: ‘Don’t give it away. You deserve it, and it’s yours, and you’ve worked hard for it, and it’s all your efforts.’
I’ve only read about farms with fruit trees and food crops outside the boundary walls that are free for public consumption. That changed on 29 December 2024. It wasn’t a farm but a handsome house with a lush sidewalk garden.
I am constantly varying the routes of my daily walks. One of my happiest occupations while walking is to look at the neighbourhood gardens and name their chlorophyll residents. Just the other day, I admired one standout garden on my approach down an uncharted road, and as I drew closer and my eyes grew large and bright, I saw a sign on the wall which read, ‘Food to share. Please help yourself to the herbs and vegetables. But please, do not take more than you need.’
My heart filled with joy at this beautiful presentation of generosity to the stranger, the wayfarer and those less fortunate.
The garden was rich with fruit-bearing trees, herbs and vegetables. But I believe the hearts anonymous to those enjoying their gifts are much richer for cultivating such grace.
Until next week, InshaAllah
Zaahied Sallie
Author of The Beloved Prophet – An Illustrated Biography in Rhyme
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