Be Patient Til You Meet Me At The Hawdh

(Prophets Advice To Every Muslim And Muslimah)

Abdullah bin Zayd said that the Prophet (saws) said, ‘Be patient until you meet me at the Hawdh.’ (saheeh bukhaari)

With the world events worsening and the trials and tribulations increasing it is upon the believers to find a place of safety anywhere on the earth, staying clear of the places of bloodshed, civil strife and anarchy. This is the Hijrah of our time where the believers can safely perform their worship and peacefully live amongst others. It is not the time to be emotional about the affairs of the Muslim world where we could find ourselves being invited to the gates of Hell through being drawn into the slogans of the days of ignorance; the calls of sectarianism and nationalism ; and all the banners of falsehood which the various Muslim groups are carrying today. Nor should we be naive as to think we as individuals can fix the affairs of the masses and this is why our Prophet (saws) instructed us to be concerned about ourselves during this time, and to leave the affairs of the masses. But in order to remain devoted to worship while controlling the emotions, protecting the reason, and sensibly managing our worldly affairs we need to have immense Sabr (patience) and nobody has been given a gift vaster or better than Sabr. We ask Allah (swt) to pour Sabr on us and keep our feet firmly planted in the religion and we remember the words of our Prophet (saws) when he said, ‘Be patient until you meet me at the Hawdh.’ These words should be memorized by all of us, remembered in the minds, carried in the hearts, and kept moist on the lips.

Allah said in His Glorious Qur’aan, ‘Verily We have given you the Kawthar. So pray to your Lord and sacrifice. Verily he who hates you will be cut off.’ (Qur’aan 108:1-3 )

Allah (swt) mentions how He gave our Prophet (saws) the Kawthar which is the abundance of good he will receive in the hereafter and includes the Hawdh (reservoir) on the Day of Judgment and the Nahr (river) in Paradise.

Anas narrated, “While we were with the Messenger of Allah (saws) in the Masjid he went into slumber. Then he lifted his head smiling. We said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! What has caused you to smile?’ He said, ‘Indeed a Surat was just revealed to me.’ Then he recited, ‘Verily We have given you the Kawthar. So pray to your Lord and sacrifice. Verily he who hates you will be cut off.’ Then he said, ‘So you know what the Khawthar is?’ We said, ‘Allah and His Messenger know best.’ He said, ‘Verily it is a Nahr (river) my Lord has promised me and it has abundant good, and it is a Hawdh (reservoir) to which my Ummah will be brought to on the Day of Resurrection,…’ (saheeh muslim)

In the above narration Our Prophet (saws) received the verses of Surat Al Kawthar along with their meaning immediately and this is the case with revelation where Allah (swt) reveals the verses of the Book as well as the understanding of the Book to the Messengers and this is why we can never dissociate the Qur’aan from the Sunna. After receiving the verses our Prophet (saws) clearly explained that the Kawthar included both the river and the reservoir.

The Description of the River In Paradise

Anas said, regarding the ascension of the Prophet (saws) to the heaven, that the Prophet said, “I came to a river whose banks were made from hollow peals. I asked, ‘What is this O Gabriel?’ He said, ‘This is the Kawthar.’ (saheeh bukhaari)

The prophet (saws) was shown the river Kawthar during the night journey when he entered Paradise with Gabriel. This was a physical journey in body and soul and his eyes witnessed the reality of the river with all its splendor and beauty. When he approached the river, he saw the banks of the river made from hollow pearls.

Anas narrated that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said, ‘I entered Paradise and behold I was at a river the banks of which had tents of pearls, so I placed my hand towards the flowing water and behold its smell was musk. I said, ‘What is this O Gabriel?’ He said, ‘This is the Kawthar that Allah has given you.’ (musnad ahmad)

After seeing the river and its banks, the Prophet (saws) went straight to the river and put his hand in the water, feeling its wetness, its flowing current, and finding its fragrance and smell to be that of Musk. The fact that he went straight to the water only highlights how Allah (swt) created the river with irresistible splendor and spectacular beauty pleasing to the eye.

Abdullah Ibn Umar narrated that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said, ‘Al Kawthar is a river in Paradise its banks of which are made from gold, and the water flows over pearls, and its water is whiter than milk….’ (sunan tirmidhi/ Hasan Saheeh)

While at the river he saw how its banks were also made from gold, and how the water was whiter than milk, and how the water was so clear that he could see pearls carpeting the river floor, and in some narrations there is mention of pearls and rubies.

Abdullah Ibn Umar narrated that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said, ‘…and its water is whiter than milk and sweeter than honey.’ (sunan tirmidhi/ Hasan Saheeh)

He then described how its water was sweeter than honey and this is the extent to which he described its water- its color, taste and smell.

The River will connect to the Reservoir on The Day of Resurrection

And when Paradise is brought near (Qur’aan 81:13 )

Abu Dharr Said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! What about the vessels of the Hawdh?’ He said, ‘By Him in Whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad the vessels are more in number than the stars in the heaven and its planets on a dark cloudless night. The vessels are from Jannah, whoever drinks from it will never be feel thirsty thereafter. Two pipes flow into it from Paradise.’ (saheeh muslim)

Thawban narrated that the Prophet of Allah (saws) said (regarding the pipes), ‘…one of them made from gold and the other made from silver.’ (saheeh muslim)

On the Day of Resurrection Paradise will be brought near to the plain of resurrection and two pipes, one made from gold and the other made from silver, will connect the river Kawthar in Paradise with the Hawdh (reservoir) on the plain of resurrection allowing constant flow between the river and the reservoir.

The Description of the Reservoir on the Plain of Resurrection

‘Uqbah bin ‘Aamir narrated that the Prophet (saws) went out one day and offered prayer for the people of Uhud, praying it for the dead (martyrs). Then he climbed the pulpit and said, ‘I am a predecessor for you, and I am a witness over you, and verily by Allah I am looking at my Hawdh just now…’ (saheeh bukhaari)

In contrast to the river Kawthar which was shown to the Prophet (saws) on the night journey, Allah (swt) showed the Hawdh to the Prophet (saws) in Madeenah while he has on the pulpit addressing his companions. Allah (swt) reveals whatever He wants of the unseen to His Messengers and there are numerous occasions when Allah (swt) revealed visual descriptive scenes to the Prophet (saws) including scenes of places on earth such as Jerusalem, and scenes of Paradise and Hell amongst others.

Abdullah bin Amr said that the Prophet (saws) said, ‘My Hawdh is a months journey,’ (saheeh bukhaari)

Anas bin Maalik narrated that the Prophet (saws) said, ‘Verily the measure of my Hawdh is like that between Aylah and San‘aa’ in Yemen.’ (saheeh bukhaari)

Abdullah Ibn Umar narrated on the authority of the Prophet (saws) who said, ‘In front of you will be a Hawdh like what is between Jarbaa’ and Athruh.’ (saheeh bukhaari)

Haarithah heard the Prophet (saws) saying that his Hawdh is like what is between San‘aa (in Yemen) and Madeenah.’ (saheeh bukhaari)

Abu Dharr narrated that the Messenger of Allah said, ‘and the distance is like what is between ‘Ammaan and Aylah.’ (saheeh muslim)

As for the size of the Hawdh it is vast measuring a distance of one month’s journey by a rider traveling between 2 distant cities and our Prophet (saws) gave many examples to illustrate this point. If we stood and looked towards the Hawdh we would see nothing but a vast amount of water in front of us, to the right and to the left in the direction where Paradise will be brought near to the Earth. If we turned away from it we would see the plain of resurrection towards the people and away from the direction of Paradise. This is what we can gather from the collective texts. We can appreciate an aspect of this when we stand at the beach close to the shore line and we look at the vast sea from in front of us extending to the right and the left, and when we turn around inland we see another scene.

Abdullah bin Amr said that the Prophet (saws) said, ‘….and its water is whiter than milk, and its smell is better than musk,’ (saheeh bukhaari)

Thawbaan narrated that the Prophet of Allah said, ‘….It is whiter than milk and sweeter than honey.’ (saheeh muslim)

As for the water, then it is the same as the water from the river Kawthar for the river is supplying the reservoir and this is why we find the same descriptions including its color being whiter than milk, its taste being sweeter than honey, and its fragrance being that of musk.

Abdullah bin Amr said that the Prophet (saws) said, ‘…..and its cups are like the stars in the heaven,’ (saheeh bukhaari)

Anas bin Maalik narrated that the Prophet (saws) said, ‘….and verily within it there are jugs like the number of stars in the heaven.’ (saheeh bukhaari)

There are numerous drinking vessels within the reservoir for the believers to drink from and these vessels are from Paradise.

The Events at the Hawdh

Jundab said I heard the Prophet (saws) saying, ‘I am your predecessor at the Hawdh.’ (saheeh bukhaari)

Our Prophet (saws) will be the first person to reach the reservoir and he will be waiting for his followers who will be proceeding towards the reservoir.

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said, ‘…..Verily They will come on the Day of Resurrection Ghurran Muhajjaleen from Wudhu’. And I will be their predecessor at the Hawdh.’ (saheeh muslim)

One of the ways the Prophet (saws) will recognize his followers will be through the white marks of on their foreheads and limbs due to performing Wudh’ and this is why they will be called Ghurran Muhajjaloon describing coloured horses with blazing white foreheads and lower limbs.

Sahl bin Sa‘ad said, I heard the Prophet (saws) saying, ‘I am your predecessor at the Hawdh. Whoever reaches it will drink from it and whoever drinks from it will never be thirsty again.’ (saheeh bukhaari)

The Ummah of Muhammad (saws) will make their way to the Hawdh of the Prophet (saws) and the believers from amongst them will reach it, meet the Prophet (saws), and drink from its water after which they will never suffer from thirst again. The fact that they were able to reach the Prophet (saws) at the Hawdh and drink from its water is a glad tiding for them that they will enter Paradise. However not everyone will reach the Hawdh and drink from it. In fact many from the Ummah will be prevented.

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said, “…..Verily They will come on the Day of Resurrection Ghurran Muhajjaleen from Wudhu. And I will be their predecessor at the Hawdh. Some people will be driven away and I will call them back. Then it will be said, ‘Verily they brought change after you,’ so I will say ‘Suhqan (Be off) Suhqan (Be off).’” (saheeh muslim)

Abdullah said that the Prophet said, “……then it will be said, ‘You do not know what novelties they brought after you.’ (saheeh bukhaari)

Asmaa said on the authority of the Prophet (saws) who said, “…then it will be said, ‘You do not know, they reverted back.’ (saheeh bukhaari)

Asmaa said on the authority of the Prophet (saws) who said, “….then it will be said, ‘Have you been notified of what they did after you? By Allah they kept turning back on their heels.’ (saheeh bukhaari)

As for the followers of Muhammad (saws) who brought change and innovated in the religion then they will be driven away from the Hawdh and prevented from meeting the Prophet (saws) and drinking the water. This has been highlighted by the words Baddalu describing how they brought change and Ahdathu describing how they brought novelties, and both these words describe innovations in the religion. Other texts describe the act of turning back on their heels and reverting to disbelief and all of these terms are similar in that Emaan was followed by Kufr and Nifaaq through innovated beliefs and actions be it through changing the creed of islam or changing the practices of Islam, until partners are being set up with Allah, the Sunna is being neglected or substituted, the companions are being abused, the muslims are being killed, the calls to sectarianism are being raised all under the banner of Islam with many claiming allegiance to the Qur’aan and Sunna. Yet despite these claims Islam is free and far removed from all these Muslim sects who have changed and turned away from that which Muhammad (sws) and his companions were upon. So it is most befitting that Allah (swt) turns all these sects away when they attempt to reach the Hawdh.

Sahl bin Sa‘ad said, I heard the Prophet (saws) saying, ‘I am your predecessor at the Hawdh. Whoever comes will drink from it and whoever drinks from it will not be thirsty after that forever. There will come to me crowds of people whom I will recognize and they will recognize me, then a wall will be put up between me and them. (saheeh bukhaari)

This affair will continue until crowds upon crowds are prevented by a wall being placed between them and the area to the Hawdh being sealed off from them. This is one of the ways Allah (swt) will segregate the people by turning the original open plain into different compartments separated by great walls and dividers so that His Mercy and Wrath may be distributed with justice in whatever manner He wills. In fact this scene was shown to the Prophet (saws) in a dream where he saw angels taking his followers to the Fire until he said, ‘So I did not see anyone escaping, except a few who were like camels without a shepherd (recorded in saheeh bukhaari).’

After this description it comes to no surprise that all the Muslim sects except one will be in the Fire and only the true believers will be saved and they are the middle nation and the guided ones. As for individual groups of today claiming they are the saved ones then this is their claim and they are all rejoicing in that which they claim but the truly saved ones are those who worship Allah (swt) without directing worship to other than Him, and follow Muhammad (saws) without choosing a Sunna other than his. As long as this methodology is lived then we hope to be with our Prophet (saws) at the Hawdh even if we fall short in action and this requires Sabr on our part as we stay away from the places of Fitan, and the company of all Muslim sects of today. Instead we seek a life of peace with worship upon direct knowledge without blindly following any sect or scholar. And we seek a life where we take care of ourselves and are concerned with our own affairs. This is what we can truthfully derive when we consider the collective narrations including the hadeeth of our Prophet (saws) When he said, ‘Reason will be taken away from the people of that time, and the people will be feeble minded. Most of them will think they are following something when in fact they will not be following anything. (musnad of ahmad),’ And when he said, ‘There will be callers at the gates of Hell and whoever responds to their call will be thrown in it.’ I asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Describe them to us.’ He said, ‘They will be our people and they will speak our language.’ I said, ‘What do you command me to do if that should happen in my lifetime?’ He said, ‘Adhere to the Jamaaáh of the Muslims and their Imam.’ I said, ‘What if there is no Jamaaáh and no Imam?’ He said, ‘Then keep away from all the sects even if you have to bite onto the root of a tree until death overtakes you while you are in that state (saheeh of bukhaari),’ And when he said, ‘There will be tribulations, then there will be tribulations, then there will be tribulations. The one sitting will be better than the one walking, and the one walking will be better than the one who rushes to them. When this happens, he who has camels should care for them, and he who has sheep should care for them, and he who has land should be concerned with it.’ A man stood up and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! What if someone does not have any of these, neither camels nor sheep nor land?’ The Prophet said, ‘He should strike stone with his sword to blunt its edge and then seek safety if he can. O Allah have I conveyed! O Allah have I conveyed! O Allah have I conveyed.’ Another man said, ‘Suppose I am forced to join a group of such tribulations and was hit by a sword of a man or an arrow and was killed?’ The Prophet said, ‘He will be charged with the sin of his own and yours, and he will be a dweller of the Fire (saheeh of muslim),’ And when he said, ‘There will be tribulations, the one sitting will be better than the one standing, and the one standing will be better than the one walking, and the one walking will be better than the one running. And whoever exposes himself to these Fitan, they will destroy him, and whoever is able to find a place of refuge or shelter should take refuge in it (saheeh of bukhaari), And when he said, ‘Soon the best wealth of a Muslim will be sheep which he will take through the mountain passes to the places of rainfall, fleeing for the sake of his religion from tribulations (saheeh of bukhaari),’ And when he said, ‘Worship during the Harj (bloodshed) will be like Hijrah to me, (saheeh of muslim),’ And when he said, ‘Be patient until you meet me at the Hawdh.’

by Kamillah Khan