The wind is one of Allah's Signs (2)

The second Sermon

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the Worlds. His creatures proved that He is the worshipped Lord and others are just created slaves for Him. He created and manage their affairs according to His Knowledge and Wisdom. "Surely, your Lord is Allah Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days and then Istawa (rose over) the Throne (really in a manner that suits His Majesty), disposing the affair of all things. No intercessor (can plead with Him) except after His Leave. That is Allah, your Lord" [Surat Yunus: 3]. We praise, thank, repent, and seek His forgiveness and I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone who has no partner. I bear witness that Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger. May Allah send His Peace and Blessings upon him, bless his family, his Companions, and his followers until the Day of Recompense.

Fear Allah, your Lord, dedicate your actions to Him, seek His Mercy, beware of His Wrath, and do not feel secure. "None feels secure from the Plan of Allah except the people who are the losers." [Surat Al A`raf: 99].

O Muslims, the wind is one of Allah's Creatures which He subjugated to the benefit of His Servants. It may become a mercy and a torment and the mercy which the wind has carried to humans more than the destruction it caused to them, and that is the mercy of Allah to mankind.

It is permissible for a Muslim to fear torment when the wind blows because many people, recently and anciently, were destroyed by the wind. Storms which happened in the east and the west and caused destruction to people were part of Allah's Punishment. `A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated: "If it was a windy and cloudy day, the (reaction of) the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) could be seen on his face, and he would pace back and forth. Then if it rained he would rejoice, and that (anxiety) would leave him." `A'ishah said: "I asked him about that and he said: 'I was afraid that it might be a punishment that had been sent against my nation.' And when he saw the rain he would say: 'A mercy.'" [Reported by Muslim].

Given that the wind moves by the command of Allah to destroy, kill, harm people, destroy their plants and crops, and destroy their cities, it is not permissible for anyone to curse it because cursing it is like cursing Allah because He is the one who sends it with these commands. A Muslim should ponder over the power of Allah when the wind blows and say the invocations reported in the Sunnah. Ubay ibn Ka`b (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Do not revile the wind. When you experience something abominable (about it), supplicate: `Allahumma inna nas'aluka min khairi hadhihir-rihi, wa khairi ma fiha, wa khairi ma umirat bihi. Wa na`udhu bika min sharri hadhihir-rihi, wa sharri ma fiha, wa sharri ma umirat bihi. (O Allah, we beg of You the good of this wind and the good of that which it contains and the good of that which it has been commanded; and we seek refuge in you from the evil of this wind and the evil of that which it contains and the evil of that which it has been commanded)." [Reported by At-Tirmidhy who said: It is a good and authentic Hadith].

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: "A fierce wind blew when the people were on the road to Makka while `Umar was performing Hajj. `Umar asked those around him: 'What is the wind?' They did not give any answer. I urged my camel to go faster and I caught up with him and said: 'I have heard that you asked about the wind. I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) saying: The wind is from the spirit (ruh) of Allah. It brings mercy and it brings punishment. Do not curse it. Ask Allah for the good of it and seek refuge from its evil." [Reported by Ahmad]. Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: "The wind snatched away a man's cloak during the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and he cursed it. the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Do not curse it, for it is under command, and if anyone curses a thing undeservedly, the curse returns upon him." [Reported by Abu Dawud].

As for invoking Allah by saying: "O Allah, make it a good wind not a wind of destruction," it was not reported from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). It is better for a Muslim to say the invocations reported only in the Sunnah for they are more useful for him.

Send peace and blessing to your Prophet as your Lord commanded you to do so.