Our country has been facing frequent episodes of heat waves during the summer seasons for the last couple of years. This year is the hottest year in six decades. Millions of people in the country have suffered many heat-related illnesses including diarrhea, heat stroke, headaches etc.Last month, at least fifteen people died across the country due to heatstroke. In the meantime, many people gathered at mosques and in open fields around the country to pray for rain. Most of the educational institutions temporarily remained closed because of the extreme weather. Well, let us know what Islam says about such environmental crises like heat waves and what Muslims can do during these extreme days.
The Prophet of Allah (pbuh) has informed that the severity of heat comes from the raging of the Hell-fire. According to another hadith, the extreme heat people experience during the summer comes from the exhalation of Hall (Jahannam). Abu Hurairah (Ra) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, “The (Hell) fire complained to its Lord saying, ‘O my Lord! My different parts eat up each other.’ So, Almighty Allah allowed it to take two breaths, one in summer and the other in winter and this is the reason for the severe heat and the bitter cold you find.” (Sahih Bukhari).
According to this Hadith, there is a real connection between heat waves and the Hellfire. It is also known to us that the fire of Hell (Jahannam) is much hotter than the fire of this world. Allah (SWT) says: ‘Say the Fire of Jahanam is severely hotter, if they but understood.’ (The Qur’an: 81). It is really surprising that the fire of this world is said to be just a 70th part of the fire of Hell (Jahannam). Abu Hurairah (Ra) narrated that the noble Prophet (pbuh) said, “Your fire, which the son of Adam ignites, is only one of seventy parts from the fire of Hell.” The companions (Ra) said, “By Allah, which would be enough, O Messenger of Allah!” The Prophet said, “Verily, it exceeds it by sixty-nine parts, each of which is like its heat.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim). So, everyone should think that if the 70th part of hell fire is so fierce and hot, then how will the Hellfire be, which is 69 times more scorching, intense and fierce. Allah, the Almighty, reminds us of the heat of Hellfire by making people experience very high temperatures during the summer. So, during the heat waves, every Muslim should remember the fire of Hell and fear Allah and seek refuge in Him from the punishment of the blaze.
It is mentionable that delaying the Dhur prayer is permissible in very hot weather. Abu Huraira (Ra) narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) said, “In very hot weather, delay the Zuhr prayer till it becomes (a bit) cooler because the severity of heat is from the raging of the Hell-fire. …..” (Sahih Bukhari). According to another hadith, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) advised his Muazzin (the one who calls Adhan) to delay pronouncing the Adhan for the prayer of Zuhr until it gets cooler. Abu Dhar Al-Gifari (Ra) said, “We were with the Prophet (pbuh) on a journey and the Muazzin (call maker for the prayer) wanted to pronounce the Adhan (call) for the Zuhr prayer. The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Let it become cooler.” He (Muazzin) again (after a while) wanted to pronounce the Adhan but the Prophet (pbuh) said to him, “Let it become cooler till we see the shadows of hillocks.” (Sahih Bukhari).
Next, there is a special Duwa (supplication) which can be recited when it is an extremely hot day. It is narrated that, “When it is an extremely hot day, Allah (SWT) turns His attention to the people of the skies and the earth. The moment a person recites the following Dua, ‘La ilaha illallahu, maashadda harra hadhal yawm, allahuma ajirni min haari Jahannam (There is no god except Allah. How hot is this day! O Allah, protect me from the heat of Jahannam)’ Allah (SWT) says to Jahannam, ‘Indeed, a servant of mine has sought refuge in me from you, now you bear testimony that I have granted him salvation from you.” (Bayhaqi)
Water is one of the most important elements for all living things. During the summer, we need to increase drinking of water because our bodies lose more water when the temperature is very high. Rickshaw-pullers, farmers, traffic police and the people who work outdoors become very thirsty during this time. We can earn the pleasure of Allah by giving water to these thirsty people. Abu Sayeed Al-Khudri (Ra) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, ‘…If any Muslim gives a Muslim drink when he is thirsty, Allah will give him some of the pure wine (in Paradise) which is sealed to drink.’ (Abu Dawood).
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The writer is the Khatib of Baitush Shafiq Mosque and Principal of Baitul Hikmah Academy, Gazipur