Important Points for a Muslim to Consider in Summer

So many of us complain about how hot it is and how long the days are, but unfortunately there are very few of us who actually take benefit and use these hot and long days to our advantage.

Here are a few important points regarding summer that we should keep in mind:

Fire of Jahannam
Understanding that different areas in our own country gets hotter than other areas, and that some days it can get so hot and the heat becomes so intense and unbearable that we feel like we just going to melt away, but keep in mind no matter which area and how hot it is, the fire of Jahannam will still be more severe.

فَرِحَ ٱلْمُخَلَّفُونَ بِمَقْعَدِهِمْ خِلَـٰفَ رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ وَكَرِهُوٓا۟ أَن يُجَـٰهِدُوا۟ بِأَمْوَٰلِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَقَالُوا۟ لَا تَنفِرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْحَرِّ ۗ قُلْ نَارُ جَهَنَّمَ أَشَدُّ حَرًّا ۚ لَّوْ كَانُوا۟ يَفْقَهُونَ
Those who were left behind (in the Tabuk expedition) rejoiced in their inaction behind the back of the apostle of Allah: they hated to strive and fight with their goods and their persons in the cause of Allah: they said “Go not forth in the heat. Say “The fire of Hell is fiercer in heat.” If only they could understand! [At Tauba 9: 81]

Salaah
It`s also important to keep a check on our Salaah. With the short nights and Fajr setting in so early, unfortunately many a time the fajr salaah gets left out and neglected. Starting off our day without fajr salaah and thus in the disobedience of Allah, how can be possibly expect to have a prosperous day? Other salaah like Zuhr, because it is very hot at that time and Esha because it is very late, also often get neglected.

Early mornings
It is a perfect time to take benefit of the early mornings. We are up for Fajr, thereafter instead of going to sleep, it is better to start your work early and you can be done early.

The Hadith encourages having an early start.
عَنْ صَخْرٍ الْغَامِدِيِّ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏ “‏ اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لأُمَّتِي فِي بُكُورِهَا ‏”‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ وَكَانَ إِذَا بَعَثَ سَرِيَّةً أَوْ جَيْشًا بَعَثَهُمْ فِي أَوَّلِ النَّهَارِ ‏.‏ قَالَ وَكَانَ صَخْرٌ رَجُلاً تَاجِرًا فَكَانَ يَبْعَثُ تِجَارَتَهُ فِي أَوَّلِ النَّهَارِ فَأَثْرَى وَكَثُرَ مَالُهُ
It was narrated from Sakhr Al-Ghamidi that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “O Allah, bless my nation in their early mornings (i.e., what they do early in the morning).” (Hasan) He said: “When he sent out a raiding party or an army, he would send them at the beginning of the day.” He said:”Sakhr was a man engaged in trade, and he used to send his goods out at the beginning of the day, and his wealth grew and increased.” [Sunan Ibn Majah 2236]

Charity
While you enjoying all the delicious fruits and cool and soothing drinks, spare a thought (and some coins) for the less fortunate and poor. You might not be able to help with a plate of food or a ten rand note that every beggar would desire, but surely you can help with a cold glass of water.

DUA TO BE READ ON A HOT DAY
Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah RA narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ is reported to have said, “When it is an extremely hot day, Allah Ta’ala turns His attention to the people of the skies and the earth. The moment a person recites the following dua, Allah Ta’ala 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 Vol.1 Pg.411]

لَا إِلهَ إِلَّا الله مَا أَشَدَّ حَرَّ هَذَا الْيَوْمِ، اللَّهم أَجِرْنِي مِنْ حَرِّ جَهَنَّم
There is no God besides Allah Ta’ala! How severe is the heat of this day. O’ Allah save me from the heat of Jahannam.