Like a Ring Thrown in a Desert

Allah Almighty created seven heavens.
The lowest heaven compared to the second heaven, is like a small ring thrown into a desert.

The second heaven in comparison to the third, is like a small ring thrown into a desert.

 

The third heaven compared to the fourth, is like a small ring thrown into a desert.

 

The fourth heaven compared to the fifth, is like a small ring thrown into a desert.

The fifth heaven compared to the sixth, is like a small ring thrown into a desert.

The sixth heaven compared to the seventh, is like a small ring thrown into a desert.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “The seven heavens are in relation to the Kursiyy* like a ring thrown into a waterless desert. And the superiority of the ‘Arsh** over the Kursiyy is like the superiority of the desert over that ring.” The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) mentioned regarding the great throne of Allah Almighty, “...The ‘Arsh is over the water, and Allah is over the ‘Arsh, and He knows what you do.” The ‘Arsh is the greatest of all things that Allah has created, over which our Lord rose in a manner that befits His Majesty. When our whole universe is located in the lowest heaven, can you even begin to imagine the size of the Kursiyy? And if the Kursiyy extends over the entire universe (as mentioned in Aathayul Kursiyy - Surah al-Baqarah, 02:255), then how much greater is the 'Arsh?

These amazing and mind-blowing facts were elucidated by the Noble Companion: Ibn Mas’ood, when he said:

“Between the first heaven and the one above it is (a distance of) five hundred years. Between each of the heavens is (a distance of) five hundred years. Between the seventh heaven and the Kursiyy is (a distance of) five hundred years. Between the Kursiyy and the water is (a distance of) five hundred years, and the ‘Arsh is above the water. Allah is above the ‘Arsh, and nothing whatsoever of your deeds is hidden from Him.”

*Kursî: literally a footstool or chair, and sometimes wrongly translated as Throne. The Kursî should be distinguished from the 'Arsh.

**’Arsh: literally means throne. It refers to the throne of Allah Almighty, the Majestic.

Useful & Useless Knowledge

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

"Seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim.”

[Narrated by  Ibn Maajah]

“Knowledge” – What does this mean? What does it signify? Is there such a thing as useless knowledge? Or can we safely say that all knowledge is beneficial? Obviously there are certain categories of knowledge that can be classified as useless. Others, potentially dangerous as it may threaten the life of anyone who possesses it. But the fact is, a good number of people today spend huge portions of their precious time going through, reflecting, watching, listening to and reading useless knowledge which are of no relevance to their lives and others around them. Such things include different genres of books, movies, songs, documentaries, video games etc. Moreover, they get so much occupied in such worthless “junk”, that they lose the ability to differentiate between useful and useless knowledge. Meaning they become desensitized to the most beneficial and awe inspiring fields of knowledge. But on top of that, our minds are constantly bombarded with this absolutely useless information day in and day out. Now someone might say that the examples I mentioned here do have a positive side to it as well. But the point is, the harm inflicted by most of those things far outweigh their benefits. And this is where we have to draw the line. This is a tragedy that we need to solve with a collective effort by aiming our hearts in the right direction and embedding the purpose of our lives into our minds.

Controlling Your Anger

When anger overtakes you say:

“I seek refuge in Allah from Satan the outcast.”

 [Narrated by  Al-Bukhari 7/99]

Supplication for Someone does Good to You

When someone does you a favor say:

“May Allah reward you with good.”

 [Narrated by  At-Tirmidhi, no. 2035]

Instead of saying "thank you" or "thanks", saying this will make you and the recipient feel much better as you both will definitely be rewarded for it.

Placing Children Under Allah’s Protection

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to seek Allah’s protection for Al-Hasan and Al-Husain (his grandsons) by saying:

“I seek protection for you in the Perfect Words of Allah from every devil and every beast, and from every envious blameworthy eye.”

 [Narrated by  Al-Bukhari 4/119]

Supplication upon Sneezing

When you sneeze, say:

“All praise and thanks are to Allah.”

Your companion (the ones who hear the sneeze) should say:

 “May Allah have mercy upon you.”

When someone says this to you then you should say:

 ‘‘May Allah guide you and set your affairs in order.”

[Narrated by  Al-Bukhari 7/125]

Signs of the Hour 2 - News Regarding The Nations Gathering Against The Muslims, Seeking To Weaken Them, Even Though The Muslims Will Be Large In Numbers

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) said that he heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say to Thaubaan,

"How will you be when the nations will call each other upon you as those who are dining call each other to their dish?" Thaubaan asked,

"...0 Messenger of Allah, will that be because we will be few (in number)?" He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said,

"No, rather at that time you will be many, yet Al-Wahn will be cast into your hearts."

"And what is Al-Wahn, 0 Messenger of Allah?"

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "Your love for the world and your hate for fighting."

[Narrated by Ahmed]

Source: “Book of the End: Great Trials and Tribulations” (Last volume of the series “al-Bidhaayah wannihaayah”) by Ibn Kathir