THE BRITISH ARE known for moaning about the weather. Certainly, in the last few days, Britain has been seized by intense cold causing all manner of disruptions
But for the Believer, even the intense heat of summer or the fierce cold of winter is but a reminder about the akhirah.
The Messenger ﷺ said: “In very hot weather delay the Zuhr prayer till it becomes (a bit) cooler because the severity of heat is from the raging of the Hell-fire. The fire of Hell complained to its Lord saying: “O Lord! My parts are eating (destroying) one another. So Allah allowed it to take two breaths, one in the winter and the other in the summer. The breath in the summer is at the time when you feel the severest heat and the breath in the winter is at the time when you feel the severest cold.” (Bukhari)
This hadith refers to the extreme heat of summer caused by the release of heat from Jahannam and the intense cold of winter from a part of Jahannam called Zamharir, so cold that it freezes flesh and shatters bones.
Rasulullah ﷺ said: “When a person recites the following du’a, Allah, the Most High, says to Jahannam: ‘Indeed, a servant of mine has sought refuge in Me from you, bear testimony that I have granted him salvation from you.’
لَا إلٰهَ اِلَّا الله، مَا أَشَدَّ بَرْدَ هٰذَا الْيَوْمِ، اللهُمَّ أَجِرْنِي مِنْ زَمْهَرِيرِ جَهَنَّمَ
There is no Diety besides Allah, how severe is the cold of today! O Allah, save us from the extreme cold of Jahannam.
The Sahabah asked: ‘What is Zamharir?’
The Messenger ﷺ replied: “A cold area in Jahannam in which a non-believer will be placed, and [due to the extreme freeze] his body parts will break off.’ (ibn al Sunni)
May Allah allow us to take heed of His signs and save us from the punishment of both the unbearable heat and cold of Jahannam. Ameen.
Living For Islam 