The Mystery of 99 Ocean Barriers and 136 Icebergs

 

21^stJanuary, 2025

The Mystery of 99 Ocean Barriers and 136 Icebergs

Prophet Khidr (AS) appeared to me and said: 

O Ahmad, you must write down what I am about to say, and neither add to it nor omit from it. Verily, Allah AzzaWajalla is the Lord who created the heavens and the earth, who spread out the seas and the lands. Indeed, Allah has confined the seas with ninety-nine boundaries. These boundaries are invisible,neither humans nor jinn can perceive them. These are barriers for the fish in the oceans, ensuring that each type of fish remains within its designated limits. Certain species of fish and marine creatures cannot cross these boundaries. This is a sign of Allah’s supreme justice to humankind—do they not reflect upon this? Indeed, only the fish and creatures of the vast oceans truly understand their limits. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing of His creations. 

 

Yet, some among mankind deny this truth and claim that other forces govern the seas. Some seek blessings from supposed rulers of the oceans, other than Allah, hoping to gain easier access to fish to trade. Their actions are blatant polytheism. Truly, if they pour even a small amount of their drink into the ocean with the intention of sharing it with devils, such an act is futile and a display of ingratitude. 

 

O Ahmad, do those transgressors not observe the vast, towering icebergs (in Antarctica)? Allah has created 136 icebergs containing raging fire within them. These are signs marking the conclusion of the story of Prophet Musa (AS) in the Qur'an. Furthermore, Allah has created 171 hills atop these icebergs. Between the oceans and the edges of these towering icebergs, Allah has created seven warm rivers. Among them, some have intoxicating sweetness, some are bland, and others are salty and bitter seawater. Do they not reflect on this? Or do they intend to deny the truth of the Qur'an, which mentions Prophet Musa by name 136 times and describes his people in connection with the number 171—the same number as the mountains Allah raised to the heavens, which the people of Musa mistook for white clouds? Indeed, Allah raised that mountain as a reminder, for He alone has power over all His creations. 

 

O Ahmad, Allah does not break His promises but tests His servants according to their own assumptions about Him. No one is tested except by their own words and actions. Let everyone guard their tongue and heart. It is all too easy for those who claim to be faithful and pious to speak of goodness and have noble intentions, yet Allah holds them accountable for every word they utter. Suddenly, they may become heedless and find it difficult to fulfill their commitments. 

 

O Ahmad, say to those who are unable to come to this place: Allah is the Most Just and the Most Wise. Gold and jewels do not differ in essence regardless of their location, nor does their value diminish whether they are placed in high or lowly places. Similarly, the worth of gold and jewels on the fingers of a queen is no different from that on the hands of a servant. This is an analogy for those who love and care for one another for the sake of Allah and His Messenger, and who cooperate in goodness. 

 

O Ahmad, have you forgotten the 13 commands and prohibitions Allah has decreed? Do you delay what I have been commanded to convey? Who is it that has granted ease and assistance to you, your children, and your wife? Were you not once seen as lowly, then Allah raised you and relieved your burdens? Write this down! Do not omit a single word of mine. I, Balya bin Malkan, command you to meet me by the sea today as atonement for your mistakes. Feed every creature you encounter, without feeling burdened by it, and do not refuse. Return to the place where some of your students are preparing for you to meet your brethren who have come to that location. Consume nothing but the water I have specified as your provision. Pay your atonement as decreed by the 13 commands and prohibitions if you have violated them. The fault lies with no one but yourself. I, Balya bin Malkan, will not meet you again if you neglect this.

 

- Ahmad F. Bin Abdullah A. Syams -