In the name of God Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Surely my prayers, my service of sacrifices and my life and my death are all in the Hands of my Lord:
under the supervision and the guidance from my Lord, God Almighty I was inspired to choose this story of an incident of two little God Angels (little boys) who were out in the freezing cold weather of Toronto.
One tragically died and one survived, by God Almighty’s grace.
This tragic story caught the attention of many people around the world.
Some took it in a positive way and some took it in a very harsh and negative ways against our Creator, God Almighty.
Death and his twin brother, ‘Sleep’ are in the hands of God Almighty.
His wisdom pervades the whole of His creation, and His Hands are the keys of the unseen, and the secrets of all that we see. The Holy Qur’an states:
“He it is Who created you from clay, and then decreed a stated term (For you).And there is in His presence another determined term; yet ye doubt within yourselves!”6:2
“And He is Allah in the heaves and on earth. He knoweth what ye hide, and what ye reveal, and he knoweth the (recompense) which ye earn (by your deeds).”6:3
It is a folly to suppose that God Almighty only reigns in the Heavens.He also reigns on earth.
He also knows all our secrets thoughts and motives.
He separates light from darkness:
Mercy is His Law; God Almighty is the King for the above (Heavens and the King for below (Earth) and what a King does, which is full of mercy for His creatures!
He looks after them by protecting them from harm, danger and suffering.
Spiritually it can be extremely difficult for one to acknowledge His mercy because they cannot see it, only those people who are grounded in their spiritual insight would be able to grasp the signs in the things happening to them or their loved ones and others around the world. As stated in The Holy Qur’an:
“They say: “Why is not a sign sent down to him from his Lord?” Say:“Allah hath certainly power to send down a Sign: But most of them understand not.”6:37
Signs are all around us, but most of us do not understand them! Sadly speaking the little boy that died was a test for those parents, from this child’s death maybe they were able to achieve the gift of remorse and mercy.
It is also a tremendous test for the child who died, and their loved ones as well.
Since they were probably God-fearing people, for God Almighty only gives such tests and trial to His believing servants in order to bring them closer and closer to Him.
As we understand sorrow and suffering may (if we accept them in good faith) turn out to be the best of gifts from God Almighty to us, for through suffering we learn humility:
the antidote to many vices and the fountain of many virtues.
The incident of this little child would also cause those who disbelieve in God Almighty to rebel more against God Almighty, for they would only see it as God Almighty is cruel to His creatures.
The spiritual faculty in these people is dead, instead of them trying to put fear into their hearts as to how God Almighty can cause a little baby to die in such a harsh way, what would become of their ending (at death?) this is an important question for them to ask themselves before they turn more in rebellion and dig their hole deeper and deeper for sin and punishment.As the Holy Qur’an states:
“Before thee We sent (Messengers) to many nations and We afflicted the nations with suffering and adversity, that they might learn humility.”6:42
“When the suffering reached them from Us, why then did they not learn humility? On the contrary their hearts became hardened, and Satan made their (sinful) acts seem alluring to them.”6:43
This tragic incident can also help one to learn the truth about themselves and a certain advance stage of sensitivity, which can help them with their spiritual development: and also with some understanding that there is a shallower stage at which prosperity and the good things of life which we enjoy such as our wealth and children may teach us sympathy, happiness and personal responsibility to guard against evil and wrong doings.
The Holy Qur’an states:
“Give this warning to those in whose (hearts) is the fear that they will be brought (To Judgement) before their Lord: Except for Him they will have no protector Nor intercessor; That they may guard (Against evil)”6:51
“It is He who doth take your souls by night, and hath knowledge of all that ye have done by day; by day doth He raise you up again; that a term appointed be fulfilled; in the end unto Him will be your return; Then will He show you the truth of all that ye did.”6:60
There is a lot of mystic doctrine in the spiritual world which is beyond one’s imagination, and beyond one’s comprehension.
The eternal Law, according to God Almighty’s will and plans everything seen and unseen is ordered and regulated by Him: even the simplest things in nature are subject to His law.
The fresh and withered, the living and the dead, or the lifeless, nothing is outside the plan of His creation.
So is man’s life at every moment, awake or asleep.
The mystery of sleep – “the twin brother of death” is called the taking out of our soul.
Let us ask ourselves these questions.
A small three year old child walked out of his bed at 4:00 a.m. before dawn and opened 3 doors and climbed down many stairs from his grandmother’s apartment.
He went outside in the freezing cold where the temperature was approximately -26 degrees.
So (1) Who was it that leads this child out of his bed?
(2) Who helped him to put his boots on?
(3) Who held his hands and lead him out into the freezing cold where he froze to death?
The answer is simple; it was the Angel of mercy, who took him to the Angel of death who was waiting for him at the very spot where he died.
This spot was the end of his journey in this material world and the beginning of his journey in the spiritual world.
We cannot comprehend this disaster, but this little baby boy was cloaked from the elements with the best of cloaks possible, the wings of his guardian angel.
For God Almighty does watch over all of His creatures, especially human beings.
He guards us and He provides all kinds of agencies, material, moral and spiritual protection to help our growth and development.
He keeps us from harm, materially and physically and brings us nearer to our destiny, and He is not unjust in the least to any of His servants.
The Holy Qur’an states:
“He is Irresistible, (watching) from above over His worshippers, and He sets guardians over you.At length, when death approaches one of you, Our angels take his soul, and they never fail in their duty.”6:61
“Then are men returned unto Allah, their True Protector, surely His is the Command, and He is the swiftest in taking account.”6:62
God Almighty made this child’s death seem very harsh to people so that they can reflect that it is not only physical calamities we have to fear: but mutual discords and vengeance can be even more destructive and only faith in God Almighty can save us from such venomous conduct.
Why do I say this? Because out of this tragic incident there have been many different responses ranging from sadness to ridiculing and mocking God Almighty.
As to the other child that was saved, when the same thing happened the next day, God Almighty’s providence through mankind reached out to this child.
This also happened for many reasons, but the main ones are for those who are ungrateful to aid them in being grateful, for injustice to change into justice, and for spiritual blindness towards God Almighty’s mercies to be removed.
The Holy Qur’an states:
“Say: “Who is it that delivereth you from the dark recesses of land and sea, When ye call upon Him in humility and silent terror; ‘If He only delivers us From these (dangers), (We vow) we shall truly show our gratitude?”6:63
“Say: “It is Allah that delivereth you from these and all (other) distresses: and yet ye worship false gods!”6:64
“Say: “He hath power to send calamities on you, from above and below, or to cover you with confusion in partry strife, giving you a taste of mutual vengeance-Each from the other.” See how We explain the signs by various (symbols); That they may understand.” 6:65
Indeed the incident of these two little boys where sadly one was taken away from this fleeting world and the other was saved to go through the test and tribulations of this fleeting world is very terrifying and unspeakable.The question is this, how many of us would use the terror and feelings of fear inside of us to explore God Almighty’s truth and His justice and His punishment as well.
The Holy Qur’an states:
“But thy people reject this, though it is the truth.Say: “Not mine is the responsibility for arranging your affairs;”6:66
“For every Message is a limit of time, and soon shall ye know it.”6:67
We must never forget the pain and the hurtful feelings that enveloped our hearts hearing and seeing such a horrific story, for it would help us to exercise mercy, patience and justice to our own child (children), and these are the favours that God Almighty has given to those whose hearts may have been hard and carefree over their children.
Hearts without mercy gain mercy, hearts without patience gain patience, hearts with hardness towards God Almighty and His creation become soft, hearts with boldness for God Almighty punishment is enveloped with fear and remorse.
Those who change their conduct for the better must realize that these changes come about due to the expense of the two little God Almighty Angels (little boys).
And be grateful to God Almighty for His favours and think of how our actions can hamper the life of others, as well as our own.
As much as this sad story changes hearts for the better it can also add more hardness to some hearts which were already in disbelief of God Almighty’s truth: The Holy Qur’an states:
“But thy people reject this, though it is the Truth.Say: “not mine is the responsibility for arranging your affairs.”6:66
“For every Message is a limit of time and soon shall ye know it.”6:67
“When thou seest men engaged in vain discourse about Our Signs, turn away from them unless they turn to a different theme. If Satan every makes thee forget, then after recollection, sit not thou in the company of those who do wrong.”6:68
The believers must take warning from v.68 and move away from gatherings where truth is ridiculed, for the good have two duties:
- To protect themselves from infliction and
- To proclaim God Almighty truth, for even in unlikely circumstances it is possible that it may have some effect.
We must never forget our own personal responsibility for all we do, or deceive ourselves by the illusion of vicarious atonement. The Holy Qur’an states:
“No vision can grasp Him. But His grasp is over all vision: He is above all comprehension, yet is acquainted with all things.”6:103
“Now have come to you, from your Lord, proofs (To open your eyes): if any will see, it will be for (the good Of) his own soul; if any will be blind, it will be to his own (Harm): I am not (here) to watch over your doings.”6:104
“Thus do We explain the signs by various (symbols) that they may say, “Thou hast learnt this (From somebody),” and that We may make the matter clear to those who know.”6:105
“Follow what thou art taught by inspiration from thy Lord: There is no God but He: and turn aside from those who join gods with Allah.”6:106
Those in obstinate rebellion against God Almighty are merely deceived and deceive each other; believers should leave them alone, but trust in God Almighty openly and in the innermost recesses of your hearts.
I am sure many children will receive better protection, love and care from their parents, or caregiver.
But how many of these people are grateful to God Almighty for their changing of hearts where He covered hardness with mercies, cruelness with patience, ignorance with wisdom and haste with understanding?
These are some of the reasons behind the purpose for the tragic stories of these two little boys.
May God Almighty make our lives on this earth useful and valuable to exercise justice, peace, love and unity.
Some people want to know if the child awoke from his trance before he died.
This is a question which only God Almighty can answer. As the Holy Qur’an mentions:
“He (alone) knows the unseen! Nor does HE make anyone acquainted with His mysteries.” 72:26
There is a deep mystic meaning in this child’s task, which was used for a trial to the nations of the world.
As we know, human nature requires many warm layers to protect the body from the cold, but in the spiritual world those layers are useless.
The soul must stand bare and open before God Almighty. As the Holy Qur’an states:
“Truly the rising by night (and early morning) is most potent for governing (the soul).”73:6
God Almighty is in all places; He is not in one place, but in all places.
“(He is) Lord of the East, and the West:”73:9
“And have patience with what they say, and leave them with noble dignity.”73:10
God Almighty is just, and this blessed baby boy was smoothly guided away from his bed by the stillness of the night, and by the bliss of the morning glory. The stillness of the night seems lonely, but the sign to grasp is we are not alone, nor forsaken by God Almighty.
As this baby was travelling along to the end of his short journey in this life’s probation, his soul was filled with ease and satisfaction.
Knowing how Merciful God Almighty is I do believe that this baby boy did not wake up at all from the trance-like state he was in.
He was spiritually tranquillized.
He knew nothing, nor did he feel or experience the coldness from the freezing weather.
He was beyond physical feelings and experiences of this material world.
The question was asked:
Is life and soul one thing?
To my understanding they are not the same
.In human beings bodies there are two things which are the life and soul.
In the body of an animal there is only life.
The soul receives a taste of death but it does not die.
Every soul shall have a taste of death: and We test you by evil and by good by way of trial. to Us must ye return. 21:35
“And after death it will be in a place or state, the barzakh a partition or a barrier: before judgement.” See also ch.23 v 101 to 118.
The soul always leaves the body when someone falls asleep, but not the life and sometimes one dies during their sleep.
That is when God Almighty decided to keep the soul from entering back into the body.
So, in this baby boy’s case he never awoke from his state of mind, because he was spiritually tranquillized, and so he was one of the most precious one in the sight of His Lord where his soul was honoured by His Lord amongst the righteous souls.
“To the righteous soul will be said: O thou soul in (complete) rest and satisfaction!”89:27
“Come back thou to thy Lord, well pleased (thyself). And well pleasing unto Him!”89:28
“Enter thou, then amongst my devotees!”89:29
“Yea enter thou my heaven!”89:30
In Islamic theology, this stage of the soul is the final stage of bliss.
May we strive hard to reach this stage of complete rest and satisfaction of our souls, by God Almighty’s Grace.
Some questions were asked such as:
- Why did one child have on some clothes and boots and the other was completely naked?
- Why was one crying out for help and the other one was in a tranquil state?
- And what was the reason these two incidents happened a day after each other and both little boys were just one year apart from one another being 3 and 4 years old?
Question
(1) The 3 year old boy who had on a t-shirt and boots he is the one who sadly passed away, there are a couple of things that we should grasp upon here: 1. This child was in a trance-like state and if his feet touched the cold surface of the ground it would have woken him out of this state, even though it is mentioned in Al-Quran that:
“…every soul shall have a taste of death.”21:35
God Almighty mercy was covering this little angel’s soul from feeling the agony of death.
Indeed God Almighty is merciful to all of His creatures.
(2) The small amount of cloth on the child’s skin is to give some comfort and peace of mind to his loved ones.
(3) This child was in a very tranquil state.He did not cry out for any help.
His silence told his security, and the spiritual protection of his transcendent condition.
This little baby boy had a spiritual covering on his journey from the freezing winter, into the bright and beautiful sunshine in the spiritual world, right into God Almighty’s Kingdom.
Praises and thanks to God Almighty who provided him with security against hurt and security against suffering, and who safeguarded him to his destination.
“In the name of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful.”
By the glorious morning light 93:1 And by the night when it is still, 93:2The guardian Lord had not forsaken thee.Nor is He displeased.” 93:3
“Did He not find thee an orphan and give thee shelter (and care)?” 93:6
“And He found thee wandering and He give thee guidance. (And shelter over harshness)” 93:7
At the time of this baby boy’s journey to his dismiss from the fleeting world he was all alone and as such for that moment he was an orphan in the sight of his Lord.God Almighty’s mercies and His knowledge and wisdom are full and vigilant at all times over His creatures, Ameen.
The infant child that was without clothes was in a lot of pain from the bitter cold and so he cried out for help (which he received by God’s grace) maybe if he had any clothes on he would have strayed far away into serious danger, but his nakedness helped him to receive help quickly.
At the time of his distress he was also, in the sight of his Lord, an orphan, because there was no one around at that time to protect him, so he was able to receive the full blessings from the above verses from the Holy Qur’an.
Thousands and thousands of children are dying every year in all kinds of ways.
Some of them die due to illness, fire, drowning, accidents, or even murder and knowing how merciful is my creator God Almighty I truly believe that He takes these children’s souls out of their bodies before their death.
Like someone takes a bird out of his cage and then decides to destroy the cage, and this is when the person goes into a trance-like state where they cannot comprehends the suffering that their body is going through.
God Almighty is not cruel in the least to His creations.
There are many mystic meanings in His tolerance which one cannot comprehend.
This small child that was saved from the bitter cold weather, his protections shows us how God Almighty always provides a solution to whatever difficulties are encountered by men. The Holy Qur’an mentions:
Have We not expanded thee thy breast 94:1.
And removed from thee thy burden. 94:2.
The which did gall thy back? 94:3.
And raised high the esteem (in which) thou (art held)? 94:4.
So, verily, with every difficulty, there is relief: 94:5.
Verily, with every difficulty there is relief. 94:6.
Therefore, when thou art free (from thine immediate task), still labour hard, 94:7.
And to thy Lord turn (all) thy attention. 94:8
The two little boys were chosen to demonstrate sympathy and mercy into other parent’s hearts especially those whose hearts are hardened towards their children.
This incident also transcends cultural barriers, uniting humanity in grief, regardless of color.
God Almighty created all human beings as one and He loves to see us live with love peace and unity amongst ourselves.
He does not look at race.
He looks at the intention of our hearts.
The ignorance of discrimination must stop and real love, unity and peace must prevail over ignorance.
God Almighty is ridiculed and is mocked at through spiritual blindness.
I have even overheard several remarks against Him and this has given me the push to take this opportunity to proudly stand up for justice on His behalf, without hurting anyone’s feelings, and in regards to the Holy Quran it says:
“O ye who believe ! stand out firmly for justice as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves or your parents or your kin, and whether it be (against) right or poor: For Allah can best protect both!” 4:135
Justice is God’s attribute, and to stand firm for justice is to be a witness to God, even if it is detrimental to our own interests, or the interests of those who are near and dear to us.God does not need any favors from us, but we who love and adore Him, love to do things that would make Him pleased with us.
I pray that He blesses us and guide us on the right path, and always keeps us on the right path, and He changes the condition of our hearts from hardness to remorse.
I also pray that He covers ignorance with wisdom and understanding, and He removes the veil of evil from our eyes, and blesses us with spiritual light and insight to see and understand His favors, so instead of being ungrateful to Him we can be grateful to Him in every sense, Ameen.
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