Armies of the Lord | Sorrow for sorrow

Bismillah.

Ghammam bi ghammim - sorrow for sorrow.

I heard Habib Ali Zainal Abidin al-Hamid mentioned this phrase as he was expounding the meanings of verses 153 & 154 of Surah Al-Imran at Masjid Muadz bin Jabal last Friday. 

The phrase was in reference to the armies who feared the enemies hence they turned back from fighting. Those who did not heed the call of the Prophet to fight the battle they were in, so Allah gave them "sorrow for sorrow".  

"When you were going away, not even turning to look at anyone, and the Messenger was calling you from behind you. He awarded you sorrow for sorrow so that you should not grieve (in future) over what you lost, or for what you suffered. Allah is All-Aware of what you do." - Surah Al Imran 153 

Allah awarded them grief for having grieved the Prophet, on top of grieving over what was inflicted on them by the enemies; grief for being defeated in the battle, of death and not getting any booties - ghammam bi ghammim - sorrow for sorrow.

I think likewise in life, if we caused people to feel sorrow, Allah will reward us with sorrow - like for like.

The following verse 154:

'Then, after the grief, He poured tranquillity upon you - drowsiness overtaking a group of you. Another group was worrying about their own selves, harboring thoughts about Allah that were untrue - thoughts of ignorance. They were saying, 'is there anything in our hands?' Say, 'The whole thing belongs to Allah.' They conceal in their hearts what they do not disclose to you. They say, 'If we had any say in the matter, we would not have been killed here.' Say, 'If you were in your homes, those destined to be killed would have come out all the way to their (final) resting places.' (All this was done) so that Allah may test your inner qualities and may purify what is in your hearts. Allah is All-Aware of what lies in the hearts.'

[Translation credit: Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmani/Altafsir. com]

Habib Ali said those armies who were upright fell asleep out of mercy from Allah. By right, it is impossible for people in their condition to sleep, having lost a battle etc. So Allah made them sleep and spared them what the others among them were suffering. They were lamenting on their fate. 

According to Habib Ali, sleep is one of Allah's "armies". He then listed the "armies" in terms of their respective strengths:

1. A solid mountain.

2. Steel - by which you can destroy a mountain.

3. Fire - which is more powerful than steel.

4. Water - is stronger as it can put out a fire.

5. Cloud - the source of water.

6. Wind - can break clouds.

7. Man - who is stronger above all these.

8. As sukur (an intoxicating drink) - can make a man drunk.

9. Sleep - cure for a drunkard.

10. Al gham/al huzn (stress/worries) - that is why, said Habib Ali, people who are stressful and have plenty of worries, have difficulties sleeping.

   

Interesting. And how true.

That's why, Habib Ali said we should pray: "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from worry and sorrow..."

And surely Allah is All-Aware of what lies in the heart.
Wallahu 'alimum bizaa tis sudur

And surely death will come to us no matter where we are.
Allahu a'lam.

Habib Ali praying upon arrival
at Masjid Muadz bin Jabal last Friday

p/s 
The above pic was taken with Dr. N in mind, who is jihad-ing in Sarawak. I miss u sis and this is for u :) Just pliz say a prayer for this faqir. Thanks.