Read by our brother Abu Muadh Taqweem
Summary
- Associating rainfall with stars is amongst the acts of the pre-Islamic times of ignorance
- The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) warned us from following the practices of the times of ignorance
- The sending of the rain is only by the Will, Might and Power of Allah
- It is not permissible to associate the actions of Allah to other than him
- Q&A: any advice for children studying the sciences? How should they understand the natural world in the correct manner
What is “Al-Anwa”?
- This is the belief during the period of Jaahiliyaah (pre-Islamic times of Ignorance) that the rainfall was due to the appearance or disappearance of a particular star
- They would therefore attribute their provision and sustenance (from the rain) to other than Allah
- Allah, Exalted be He, says: “Then I swear by the setting of the stars,And indeed, it is an oath – if you could know – [most] great. Indeed, it is a noble Qur’an. In a Register well-protected; Which none can touch except the purified (angels). [It is] a revelation from the Lord of the worlds. Then is it to this statement that you are indifferent and make [the thanks for] your provision that you deny [the Provider]?” [Surah Al-Waqi’ah (The Event) verses 75-82]
- Narration of Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) about this statement of Allah
- The Prophet (ﷺ) stated that there are 4 things from the times of Jaahiliyyah which will not leave the Ummah, what are they? What does this mean?
- Allah prohibits us from imitating the acts of the pre-Islamic times
Is this Shirk(polytheism)?
- If a person believes that the stars are causing the rain, what is the ruling?
- What if a person believes that it is Allah who sends the rain but he also follows the habit of associating the rainfall with stars, what is the ruling then?
- Hadith of Zaid Ibn Khalid [recorded in Sahih Bukhari] about when the Prophet (ﷺ) led the night prayer in Hudaibiyyah after there had been rain. The Prophet (ﷺ) asked them “Do you know what your Lord has said”? They said Allah and his messenger know best. What did he tell them? What did Allah say?
- It is not permissible to attribute the actions of Allah to other than him, this is disbelief
- Statement of Imam Qurtubi (may Allah have mercy upon him)
Singling out Allah in His Actions
- The sending of the rain is only by the Will, Might and Power of Allah
- Allah, Exalted be He, says: “And have you seen the water that you drink? Is it you who brought it down from the clouds, or is it We who bring it down? If We willed, We could make it bitter, so why are you not grateful? And have you seen the fire that you ignite? Is it you who produced its tree, or are We the producer? We have made it a reminder and provision for the travelers, So exalt the name of your Lord, the Most Great.”[Surah Al-Waqi’ah (The Event) verses 68-74]
- What about saying that the rain is due to physical phenomena?
- For example if someone says “the rain is purely by the wind, condensation and pressure etc”?
- What if someone believes that it is Allah alone who sends the rain and that these natural phenomena (e.g. wind, clouds, pressure, condensation etc) are just the means?
Q&A:
- These days we hear about climate change, what is the correct position with regards to belief and causation?
- Weather forecast
- Any advice for children studying the sciences? How should they understand the natural world in the correct manner?
- Is dry cleaning a form of cleansing?
- Is it permissible to dye your hair even if it’s not gray? What about dyeing your hair brown? Can you dye your hair black?
Next chapter: Ascribing our blessings to other than Allah
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