Exaltation and facial brightness of the gathering for the Zikr of Allah
Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) had said,
"Almighty Allah will, on the Day of Resurrection, resurrect certain groups of people in such a state that their faces will be radiant with light, they will be sitting on pulpits of pearls and others will envy their lot. They will neither be from among the Prophets nor from among the martyrs."
Somebody asked the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) to let him have more details about these people, so that he may be able to recognize them.
Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) replied,
"They will be the people who belong to different families and different places, but assemble at one place for the love of Almighty ALLAH and are engaged in His zikr."
It is said in another hadith,
"In paradise there will be pillars of emerald supporting balconied houses made of rubies and with open doors on all the four sides. These willshine like brilliant stars, and will be occupied by those people who love each other for the sake of Allah, and who assemble at a place and meet each other only for His pleasure."
Nowadays, the religious devotees are criticized and ridiculed by everybody. The people may reproach them today as much as they like, but the reality will dawn on them in the Hereafter, when they will realize how these humble persons have been able to earn high fortunes and occupy such grand pulpits and such flats, whereas thosewho criticized and ridiculed them had earned nothing but misery and despair:
"Soon the dust-cloud will clear away, and it will be seen whether you are ridinga horse or an ass."
How blessed. in the eyes of Almighty Allah, are the khanqahs (places where zikr is practised), which are the targets of abuse from all quarters. can best be judged fromthis hadith in their favour. It is mentioned in one hadith that the houses where zikr is practised shine unto the dwellers of the Heaven, as do the stars shine unto the inhabitants of the Earth. According to another hadith, sakeenah (a very special blessing) descends on the gathering engaged in zikr, the angels surround them, the divine mercy covers them, and Almighty Allah mentions them on His Throne.
Hadhrat Abu Razeen (Radhiyallaho anho) a Sahabi, narrated that Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) had said.!"Shall I tell you something that will strengthen yourImaan and earn you the blessings of Allah, the Great, in both the worlds?It is the gatherings of those who do zikr of Almighty Allah; you should make it a point to take part in them, and when you are alone, do as much zikr as you can."
Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radhiyallaho anho) has explained that the houses in which zikr is done appear to be as bright and shining as are the stars to the dwellers of theEarth. These houses are so bright because of their light of zikr, they shine like the stars.