. J (cont.)

These bones are put together in a magnificent manner. It is their interaction that allows the dexterity that humans possess in their hands. They are also what give the feet proper balance to move about. In this hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) specifically used this word sulaama ..,.)l... and stated that people must be thankful and do acts of charity and kindness in response to this blessing. Al-Baitaar emphasizes this point in his commentary. He states that these bones are some of the keys to the progress and civilization that humans have been able to achieve. It is these bones that allow humans to grasp, move, construct and build things. Therefore, they are a great blessing for which one must truly be thankful.1 To give al-Baitaar's argument more force, one can simply imagine how difficult so many daily chores would be without the use of these essential and important bones. For example, many of the forms of communication and learning are made quite easy due to these bones. When one takes the time to ponder over the blessing of these bones, one feels that he must do something out of gratitude to Allah for these great blessings. Although these bones are of extreme importance, there may be another significant aspect to the Prophet's mentioning of these small bones. In a human's life, these small bones, however important, do not play as essential a role as the necessary organs that Allah has given human beings. The heart, the brain, the lungs and the liver, just to mention a few, are of greater significance and necessity than the bones mentioned in this hadith. The faculties of hearing, seeing and thinking are the necessary forces behind the proper use of the bones in the hands and feet. If the reaction to the small bones is one of gratitude, sȆch that one should do acts of charity and kindness as a means of giving thanks, what should the reaction be to these essential and marvelous organs and faculties that Allah has given mankind? Obviously, the acts of gratitude must be far greater in quantity than those done for the small bones in one's hands and feet. Allah says in the Quran, J .... J ,,, J J. J ,.,.. .... ϒ ћj 1{:•¥ s;:/; ';J ϸr ÎÏ Ð ы;..r Zilj J J ...._ ... "i .... k .... k v)x 3 ·'J\j ·'J\j ਾ # 1\ "Allah has brought you out from the wombs of your mothers while you knew nothing. And He gave you hearing, sight, and hearts that you might give thanks [to Allah]" (al-Nahl 78). This is an important lesson that one must take from this hadith. 1 Al-Baitaar, p. 1 57. Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi Another point must also be made. These small bones in the hands and feet are something that many people may never even stop to consider. They may be too insignificant to many. However, the Prophet (peace be upon him) has brought the believers' attention to them. They act as a reminder of another very important point: One cannot possibly count, enumerate or even realize all of the great blessings and bounties that he has received from Allah. The situation is exactly as Allah has said in the Quran, .!I. ǎ .&L. :.;u i_,* 01) ,,.. ,.,. @ "And if you count the blessings of Allah, never will you be able to count them [all]" (Ibraaheem 34). Finally, there is another significant aspect that should be mentioned here. The Prophet (peace be upon him) in this hadith is reminding people of the great blessing of their bodies and health. This blessing is so great that every day a person should perform some acts in gratitude for these blessings. However, the fact is that physical well-being and good health is often overlooked. People do not think about what a great blessing it is until they become sick or decrepit. The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated, , .... 0 , /. oM ..-: .... ,. . ( ஬I( b...:.aJI ஭\ '.