. J (cont.)

2 Even atheists have to admit that they have no control over the laws of nature; they can simply try to use the given laws to their advantage. Who then makes those "laws of nature" and makes everything in this creation work? It is Allah and Allah alone. Even with all of the advances in Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi According to ibn Uthaimeen, there are two ways by which food is to be sought from Allah. One way is by speech and the other is by action. As for speech, it is to ask Allah to provide and give sustenance. As for action, it has two aspects. The first aspect is the performance of pious deeds. This is one of the greatest causes that bring about sustenance from Allah. Allah says in the Quran, ~r: A 11 ઙ ଽ:;. ϳ g i;.ti\j i11; ϵ϶1 :,µr 0r ;Jj ; ; 0 i)0 ચ ϴ.r;.b i;2 wj xjyzlj "And if the people of the towns had believed and had piety, certainly, We would have opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth. But they belied [the Messengers], so We took them [to punishment] for what they used to earn" (al-Araa/96; also see al-Maaidah 65-66). The second aspect related to action is to perform the outward "causes" that lead to the production of food. In other words, besides asking from Allah, one must then follow the steps that will lead to food production or to the ability to purchase food and so on. This is also part of the seeking of food from Allah as Allah requires humans to act upon the means He has shown to His creation. 1 Ibn Uthaimeen makes one more point. He says that the seeking of sustenance from Allah requires that one have good expectations of Allah. 2 In other words, one must believe that if he seeks sustenance from Allah, Allah will provide for him. He says that it is not permissible to ask from Allah while one's heart is not in the supplication or one does not believe that it will have any effect. Similarly, he states that if one simply relies on the worldly causes and his own strength, he may be disappointed since Allah may not will them to have their intended results. 3 According to al-Haitami, the meaning of, "I will feed you," is that Allah will make it easy for the people to get their food. For example, He will cause rain to fall in specific areas that will provide the people of that land with plentiful crops and so forth. All of this is under the control of Allah and He is the true Provider. Ibn Daqeeq al-Eid and al-Haitami point out that this also contains a lesson for the poor and impoverished. They should not tum to anyone other technology, without the mercy of Allah and Allah allowing the proper growth of food and access to pure water, humans cannot bring about any food for themselves. 1 Ibn Uthaimeen, Sharh Riyaadh, vol. 3, p. 1 52. 2 In his commentary to this hadith, ibn Taimiya stresses putting one's trust in Allah rather than simply the physical causes of this world. The discussion by ibn Uthaimeen and ibn Taimiya are somewhat parallel. lbn Taimiya also stresses that it is not permissible to rely on the physical causes alone. Instead, one must rely upon Allah who is the "force" behind the physical causes. Cf., ibn Taimiya, Majmoo, vol. 1 8, pp. 1 78-185. 3 Ibn Uthaimeen, Sharh Riyaadh, vol. 3, p. 1 52. Hadith #24: "O My Servants, I have Forbidden Wrongdoing . . . " than Allah to feed them because, in reality, they will not be provided for except by Allah.1 "O My servants, all of you are naked except for those whom I have clothed. Therefore, seek clothing from Me and I will clothe you." Another great blessing that Allah has bestowed upon mankind is that of clothing. Clothing is a protection from the weather. It is also a means by which one may cover one's private parts. And, finally, it is also an adornment. Many people overlook this great blessing from Allah and take it for granted. Others, especially in today's world, misuse this great blessing and, instead of using clothing to cover one's private parts, use clothing as a tool of seduction and displaying one's beauty. Humans come out of their mothers' wombs without any clothing on. They are in need of clothing to cover their physical private parts. In the same way, according to ibn Uthaimeen, they are in need of good deeds to cover their "spiritual nakedness." This type of covering is the covering of taqwa (fear of Allah and God-consciousness). Allah says in the Quran, J ; J ,,, J. ,,,. -9 ,,. ifગJ I j ,; l> Gખ ક GJ )i D r;1; es:·;1 ,,. /_ ,,,._ ,,.. ,,.. ,,,. ,,.. : ,,.. ,,,. ,,, ; ,ଣ ... ; '9. '.1:. 1 ,% .....