The Floodlights of Noor

[ummtaalib]

 

Human beings, by their very nature, are apprehensive and afraid of the dark, and this has never been more evident than now – in the midst of load shedding.

 

A person can be in the comfort and safety of his own home, yet when the lights are turned off, he instantly feels uncomfortable, uneasy and anxious. Though he is in the place with which he is most familiar, due to the darkness, he will feel reluctant to take even a few steps.

Thus, he will immediately seek a source of light – even if it as a light as insignificant as the phone screen, after which he will attempt to light candles or switch on a battery-powered torch or lantern.

Nevertheless, it should be borne in mind that just as a person will feel uneasy, anxious and uncomfortable in the home when it is dark and bereft of light, in the very same way, a believer’s heart and soul will feel uneasy, anxious and uncomfortable in the home when it is bereft of spiritual light – Noor.

Therefore, we understand that the key to making the home a place where the heart and soul of the parents and the children will find peace, derive happiness and acquire tranquillity is to illuminate the home with Noor.

In this regard, it is the various Ibaadah that one carries out in the home – specifically the recitation of the Quraan Majeed and the performance of Nafl Salaah – that are the ‘floodlights’ which will illuminate the home with Noor.

 

In one hadeeth, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The house in which the Quraan Majeed is recited is enveloped in a canopy of Noor through which the inhabitants of the heavens (i.e. the angels) seek direction (and light) just as direction is sought through a shining star (by a ship sailing) in the middle of the ocean and (by a traveller) in a barren land.” (Bazzaar – Majma‘uz Zawaa-id #3571)

 

In other words, regularly reciting the Quraan Majeed in the home causes it to be filled with so much of Noor that it becomes a beacon of light, shining to the angels in the heavens. When this is the power of the Noor – that it can be seen by the angels far away in the heavens – then we can well imagine the effect of this Noor on the hearts and lives of those living in the home itself!

Among our pious predecessors who would recite the Quraan Majeed abundantly in their homes was Imaam Abu Bakr bin ‘Ayyaash (rahimahullah). This illustrious Imaam and Muhaddith was the Ustaaz of great muhadditheen, the likes of Imaam ‘Abdullah bin Mubaarak, Imaam Ahmad bin Hambal and Imaam Abu Dawood. (Siyaru Aa’laamin Nubalaa vol. 8, pg. 496)

 

It is mentioned that when he was on his deathbed and his end approached, his sister began to weep. Seeing her sorrow and her concern for his outcome in the Hereafter, he consoled her and alleviated her worry and concern by expressing gratitude for the favour of Allah Ta‘ala upon him. He gestured towards one corner of the home and said, “Do not weep (and worry about me), for your brother (referring to himself) has completed eighteen-thousand khatams of the Quraan in that corner!” (Hilyatul Awliyaa vol. 7, pg. 44)

 

In regard to performing nafl salaah at home, it is reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “As far as a man’s (nafl) salaah in his home is concerned, then it is a (means of acquiring) noor. Thus, illuminate your homes (with noor, through performing nafl salaah in the home).” (Sunan Ibn Maajah #1375)

 

In another narration, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Illuminate your homes with salaah and the recitation of the Quraan.” (Shu‘abul Imaan #1875)

 

In today’s times, on account of the innumerable evils of the environment, our hearts and souls are surrounded by darkness. It is for this reason that we feel unhappy and depressed and fail to find peace and tranquillity in our homes and lives.

 

Insha-Allah, if we turn on the floodlights of Noor by daily performing some Nafl Salaah and reciting some portion of the Quraan Majeed in our homes, Allah Ta‘ala will illuminate our homes. Accordingly, our homes will become sanctuaries of peace, happiness and tranquillity.

 

May Allah Ta‘ala illuminate our homes and lives with Noor – ameen.

 

uswatulmuslimah