Saturday, December 3, 2016

Brief Comments on Riyaadh al-Saaliheen #112

When you feel low in Imaan, broken and dejected

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

In everyone’s life there comes a point when they feel low in Imaan, broken, dejected, worried, or sad. So what should a person do if he finds himself in such a situation? One such narration which helps in understanding what causes a person to have this feeling is the Hadeeth of Hanzhalah (حنظلة) رضي الله عنه. Through this Hadeeth, one learns the importance of having good companionship, approaching the scholars to seek clarification, attending the circles of knowledge, reciting more Qur’aan, doing more Adhkaar and seeking Allaah’s refuge and repenting to Him – all these help in boosting one’s Imaan and in keeping firm upon the Deen.

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151. Hanzhalah Al-Usayyidee رضي الله عنه - who was one of the scribes [1] of the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم - reported: I met Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه, [2] he said: “How are you O Hanzhalah?” I said: “Hanzhalah has become a hypocrite.” [3] [4] He said: “Sub-haan Allaah! What are you saying?” I said: “When we are in the company of the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم and he reminds us of the Hell-Fire and the Paradise, we feel as if we are seeing them with our very eyes. And when we are away from the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم, we attend to our wives, our children, our business, most of these things (pertaining to life of the Hereafter) slip out of our minds.” Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه said: “By Allaah! I also experience the same thing.” So Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه and I went to the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم [5] and I said to him: “O Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم! Hanzhalah has turned hypocrite.” Thereupon Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: What has happened to you? I said: “O Messenger of Allaah! When we are in your company, [6] and are reminded of the Hell-Fire and the Jannah, we feel as if we are seeing them with our own eyes, but when we go away from you and attend to our wives, children and business, much of these things go out of our minds.” Thereupon Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: By Him in Whose Hand is my life! If your state (of Imaan) remains the same as it is in my presence [7] and you are always busy in remembrance (of Allaah), the angels will shake hands with you in your beds and in your paths; but Hanzhalah, time should be devoted (to the worldly affairs) and time should be devoted (to prayer). [8] He صلى الله عليه وسلم said this thrice.

[Saheeh Muslim (6623)]


Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

The author (Imaam al-Nawawee) رحمه الله reported the narration of Hanzhalah رضي الله عنه, one of the scribes of the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم that he said: I met Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه and said to him: “Hanzhalah has become a hypocrite”, by this he was referring to himself; and he said because he thought what he had done is hypocrisy.

Abu Bakr said: Why do you say that? He replied: “When we are in the company of the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم and he reminds us of the Paradise and the Hell-Fire, we feel as if we are seeing them with our very eyes”, meaning: ‘as if they are seeing the Paradise and the Hell-Fire with their very eyes because of the strength of their Yaqeen (certainty) in what the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم informs them. And whatever the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم informed them about the news it is like they are witness to it. Rather, the matter is even greater than that because the news is from the most truthful of creation صلوات الله وسلامه عليه and the most knowledgeable of creation about Allaah.

He (Hanzhalah) further said: “And when we are away from the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم, we attend to our wives, our children, our business”, meaning: when we busy ourselves with our families, we forget the state we were in while being in the company of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. Abu Bakr affirmed the same thing about himself. So they both went to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, and when they reached him, Hazhalah said: O Messenger of Allaah! Hanzhalah has become a hypocrite. The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: What has happened to you? So he explained to him the state they are in when they are in his صلى الله عليه وسلم company and when he صلى الله عليه وسلم mentions to them about the Jannah and the Jahannam, they are so certain about the news that it makes them feel like they are looking at them with their own eyes. But when they leave his company and get busy with their wives, their children, and their business, it makes them to forget most of these things.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: By Him in Whose Hand is my life! If your state (of Imaan) remains the same as it is in my presence and you are always busy in remembrance (of Allaah), the angels will shake hands with you in your beds and in your paths meaning: because of your strong Faith the Angels would shake hands with you as honor for you and as a confirmation of your (Faith), because whenever the certainty of a slave increases, Allaah سبحانه وتعالى strengthens them and keeps them firm, as He تعالى said:

﴿وَالَّذِينَ اهْتَدَوْا زَادَهُمْ هُدًى وَآتَاهُمْ تَقْوَاهُمْ

{As for those who accept guidance, He increases their guidance, and bestows on them their piety.} [Surah Muhammad (47): 17]

He صلى الله عليه وسلم said: But Hanzhalah, time should be devoted (to the worldly affairs) and time should be devoted (to prayer). meaning: a person should devote some time for worshiping his Lord عز وجل, and some time for family and children, and some time for himself, so that a person can give himself some rest, and that he gives every rightful owner their rights.

This is from the clemency and perfection of the Islaamic Sharee`ah. Allaah عز وجل has rights on you, so you pay Him عز وجل his rights; similarly, your own self has rights over you, so pay it its due rights; and your family has rights, so pay them their rights; your guests and visitors have rights, so pay them their rights. A person should pay everyone their rights according to his means and ease, and he should worship Allaah تعالى according to his means and ability; because if a person overburdens and stresses out himself, he will get exhausted and tired, and will fail to fulfill the rights of many.

The way one has to behave (i.e. without overburdening himself) in the acts of worship and in fulfilling the rights of the self, family and guests (i.e. he does according to his means and ability); similarly, one has to adopt the same method while learning different sciences of knowledge. So if a person pursues a branch of knowledge, but he gets bored with that subject while revising that book, he should switch the book (or change the subject). If he sees in himself that he is getting bored or tired of a particular technical subject, he should switch to learning something else. This way he will spare himself from the burden and will gain a lot of knowledge. But if he dislikes something because it makes him bored and tired, (pursuing it) will make him more annoyed – except as what Allaah Wills.
--end of quote from Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen
[Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen (2/234-235)]


TN: Additional Benefits:

[1] Scribes: Some of the Companions who were the scribes for the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم as mentioned by Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله:

Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq, `Umar Ibn al-Khattaab, `Uthmaan Ibn `Affaan, `Alee Ibn Abee Taalib, al-Zubair Ibn al-`Awwaam, `Aamir Ibn Fuhayrah,  `Amr Ibn al-`Aas, Ubayy Ibn Ka`b, `Abdallaah Ibn al-Arqam, Thaabit Ibn Qays Ibn Shammaas, Hanzalah Ibn al-Rabee` al-Usayyidee, al-Mugheerah Ibn Shu`bah, `Abdallaah Ibn Rawaahah, Khaalid Ibn al-Waleed, Khaalid Ibn Sa`eed Ibn al-`Aas (it is said that he was the first one to write down for the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم), Mu`aawiyah Ibn Abee Sufyaan and Zayd Ibn Thaabit. He صلى الله عليه وسلم requested them to do that and allocated this task to them. [Zaad al-Ma`aad (1/113)]


[2] Good companionship: The person should accompany those who will help him in his religion. The companionship of the righteous helps in boosting one’s Imaan. A righteous person will always try to give a good advice and will console during the times of need:

Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: A man follows the religion of his friend; so each one should consider whom he makes his friend. [Sunan Abu Dawood (4833) and Sunan al-Tirmidhee (2378) and graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

Narrated Abu Moosaa رضي الله عنه: Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said: The example of a good companion (who sits with you) in comparison with a bad one, is like that of the musk seller and the blacksmith’s bellows (or furnace); from the first you would either buy musk or enjoy its good smell while the bellows would either burn you or your clothes, or you get a bad nasty smell thereof. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim]


[3] Al-Nifaaq (hypocrisy): Definition, its types, and seeking protection from it.

A) Definition: A Munaafiq (hypocrite) is a two-faced person; a person whose outward emotions are different from his inward feelings; a person who says something which he doesn’t mean.

B) Types of hypocrisy:
i) Major hypocrisy
ii) Minor hypocrisy

i) Major hypocrisy: Hypocrisy in belief: The hypocrite is the one who is a disbeliever in his heart but pays lip service to Islaam outwardly. The one who pretends outwardly to believe in Allaah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers and the Last Day, while inwardly believing to that which is contrary to that or part of it, is the hypocrite in the sense of major hypocrisy.

ii) Minor hypocrisy: Hypocrisy of actions: This refers to hypocrisy in deeds. That is when a person does righteous actions but his actions do not truly represent what is in his heart, or he behaves differently in private and in public, but that does not have to do with the fundamentals of Imaan mentioned above. Such a person may fall into one of the branches of hypocrisy of actions, or he may have some of the characteristics of the hypocrites, such as lying, treachery and breaking promises.

C) Signs of hypocrisy: A lot of times the speech and the actions are the mirror image of the heart. So when a person sees that he does not keep his promises, or he betrays when trusted, or he lies when he speaks; these are an indication that there is something wrong with him inwardly.

`Abdullaah bin `Amr رضي الله عنهما narrated that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: Whoever has the following four (characteristics) will be a pure hypocrite and whoever has one of the following four characteristics will have one characteristic of hypocrisy unless and until he gives it up. a) Whenever he is entrusted, he betrays. b) Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie. c) Whenever he makes a covenant, he proves treacherous. d) Whenever he quarrels, he behaves in a very imprudent, evil and insulting manner. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (34, 3178) and Saheeh Muslim (111)]

D) Protection from hypocrisy and some of the ways to boost one’s Imaan: There are many factors which causes a person to feel low, broken, dejected, demoralized, or depressed. Sins, disobedience to Allaah, negligence in religious duties are the major factors which lead to such situations, because sins acts as a barrier between man and his Lord, and removes Allaah’s Mercy and blessings from his life. Therefore, a person should make use of the means which would bring him closer to his Lord, among them are:

i) The Qur’aan: the recitation of the Qur’aan with understanding and contemplation, which reminds one of the blissfulness in the Jannah and the torments in the Hell-Fire. Hypocrisy is from the sickness of the heart, and there is no better cure than the recitation of the Qur’aan to soften and guide the heart.

Allaah تعالى says:

﴿يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُم مَّوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَشِفَاءٌ لِّمَا فِي الصُّدُورِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ﴾

{O mankind! There has come to you a direction from your lord and a healing for the (diseases) in your hearts – and for those who believe, a Guidance and a Mercy.} [Surah Yunus (10): 57]

And also:

﴿وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۙ وَلَا يَزِيدُ الظَّالِمِينَ إِلَّا خَسَارًا﴾

{And We send down of the Qur’aan that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss.} [Surah al-Israa’ (17): 82]

ii) Al-Istighfaar: Seeking Allaah’s forgiveness. When we sin and disobey Allaah, a black spot is placed in the heart, and repentance and seeking forgiveness helps in polishing the heart.

Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: When someone commits a sin, a black dot is marked on his heart. When he abandons it and seeks forgiveness and repents, his heart is polished clean, but if he persists and returns (to the sin), then the dots are added till blackness covers his heart as Allaah has said: {Nay! But on their hearts is the Raan (covering of sins and evil deeds) which they used to earn!} [al-Nasa’ee in al-Kubraa (10179, 11594) and graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh al-Albaanee in Saheeh al-Mawaarid (1483, 2075). Also reported in Sunan al-Tirmidhee (3334) and Sunan Ibn Maajah (3441) and graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh al-Albaanee; also graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh Muqbil in Saheeh al-Musnad (1355, 1449). The Aayah is from Surah al-Mutaffifeen (83): 14]

Al-Agharr Al-Muzani رضي الله عنه said: The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: Sometimes I perceive a veil over my heart, and I seek forgiveness from Allaah a hundred times a day. [Saheeh Muslim (6522)]

One must return to Allaah in repentance and seek His forgiveness through repeated prayers and supplications, humbly admitting to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى his weakness, his need for His Mercy and Protection, and the gravity of what he has done. Begging Allaah سبحانه و تعالى to accept his repentance and to return him to His grace through His generosity, the servant is most acutely aware of his dependence and fallibility.

iii) Al-Isti`aadhah: Seeking Allaah’s refuge from worries and from falling into hypocrisy:

a) There are many Ahaadeeth which teaches us how to the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم used to seek refuge from worries and sadness. One such narration is:

Narrated Anas bin Maalik رضي الله عنه: Whenever Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم dismounted (to stay somewhere) I used to hear him saying very often:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الهَمِّ وَالحَزَنِ، وَالعَجْزِ وَالكَسَلِ، وَالبُخْلِ وَالجُبْنِ، وَضَلَعِ الدَّيْنِ، وَغَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ

O Allaah! I seek refuge with You from having worries, sadness, helplessness, laziness, miserliness, cowardice, from being heavily in debt and from being overpowered by other persons unjustly. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (2893, 5425, 6363, 6369)]

For more narrations:

b) In another authentic Hadeeth, Anas رضي الله عنه narrated the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم used to seek protection from hypocrisy, saying:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَالْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ، وَالْهَرَمِ وَالْقَسْوَةِ، وَالْغَفْلَةِ، وَالْعِيلَةَ وَالذِّلَّةَ وَالْمَسْكَنَةَ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْفَقْرِ وَالْكُفْرِ، وَالْفُسُوقِ، وَالشِّقَاقِ، وَالنِّفَاقِ وَالسُّمْعَةِ، وَالرِّيَاءِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الصَّمَمِ وَالْبَكَمِ وَالْجُنُونِ، وَالْجُذَامِ، وَالْبَرَصِ، وَسَيِّئِ الْأَسْقَامِ

[Mustadrak al-Haakim (1944), and graded as “Saheeh as per the conditions of Imaam al-Bukhaaree” by Shaikh al-Albaanee in Irwaa al-Ghaleel (3/357)]

c) Jubair Ibn Nufair narrated that he heard Abu al-Dardaa’ رضي الله عنه reciting at the end of his prayer - after he had completed his Tashahhud (and before the Tasleem) - seeking Allaah’s refuge from hypocrisy. He increasingly (and repeatedly) sought Allaah’s refuge from it. Jubair said to him: “O Abu Dardaa’! What is this between you and hypocrisy?” Abu Dardaa’ said: Leave me alone! Leave me alone! By Allaah! Within an hour a person can turn away from his religion and abandon it. [Siyar A`laam al-Nubalaa’ (6/382). Imaam al-Dhahabee said: The Chain of this narration is “Saheeh”]

iv) Al-Adhkaar: the importance of Allaah’s remembrance in warding off hypocrisy:

Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله said: Doing a lot of remembrance of Allaah عز وجل is a protection from hypocrisy. The hypocrites do not remember Allaah تعالى except very little. Allaah تعالى mentions about the hypocrites:

﴿وَلَا يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّـهَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا﴾

{…and they do not remember Allaah but little} [Surah al-Nisaa’ (4): 142]

Ka`b (Ibn Maalik) رضي الله عنه said: Whoever remembers Allaah عز وجل a lot will be freed from hypocrisy.

No wonder – and Allaah knows best – Allaah تعالى ended Surah al-Munaafiqoon, saying:

﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُلْهِكُمْ أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُكُمْ عَن ذِكْرِ اللَّـهِ ۚ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُولَـٰئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ﴾

{O you who Believe! Let not your properties or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allaah. And whosoever does that, then they are the losers.} [Surah al-Munaafiqoon (63):9]

In this there is a warning (for the Believers) from the Fitnah of the hypocrites, those who became negligent in the remembrance of Allaah عز وجل and fell into hypocrisy. [الوابل الصيب من الكلم الطيب 1/80]


[4] The fear of hypocrisy: Imaam al-Bukhaaree mentioned in his Saheeh, in the Book of Imaan, Chapter (36): (What is said regarding) the fear of the Believer that his good deeds may be annulled (lost) without his knowledge.

And Ibn Abee Mulaikah رحمه الله said: I met thirty Companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and each one of them was afraid of becoming a hypocrite and none of them said that he was as strong in belief as the Angels Jibreel or Mikaa’eel.

And al-Hasan al-Basree رحمه الله said: It is only a faithful believer who dreads hypocrisy and only a hypocrite who considers himself safe (i.e. he is not afraid of hypocrisy). [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1/18) Ar.]

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم privately revealed the names of the hypocrites to Hudhaifah رضي الله عنه. `Umar رضي الله عنه, due to his humility and extreme fear of Allaah, feared hypocrisy for himself so he asked Hudhaifah رضي الله عنهما: Did the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم counted me among the hypocrites? He replied: No! And I will not inform about this to anyone after you. [Musannaf Ibn Abee Shaibah (37290)]


[5] Sitting with the scholars: There are many Aayaat in the Qur’aan in which one finds that the Companions would come to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم to clarify their doubts or to find the solution to their problems. In the Qur’aan we read: {They ask you (O Muhammad) about the new moon}, {They ask you what they should spend}, {They ask you concerning alcoholic drinks and gambling}.

As for the examples from the Sunnah, then they are numerous. This Hadeeth is one example; the Hadeeth of Jibreel is another; Hadeeth of Hudhaifah: People used to ask the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم about good, but I used to ask him about evil, fearing lest they overtake me.

After the demise of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, the people used to approach the Companions رضي الله عنهم. Example:

Abu Moosaa رضي الله عنه said: Whenever we (the Companions) of (Prophet) Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم had any difficulty (in understanding a) Hadeeth, we would approach `Aaishah and would (always) find that she had the knowledge about it. [Tirmidhee (3883) and authenticated by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

Al-A`mash said that Muslim (bin Ṣubaiḥ) asked the Masrooq if `Aaishah was good in the laws of inheritance. He (Masrooq) said: I swear by Allaah, I have seen senior Companions of Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم asking `Aaishah about the laws of inheritance. [Ibn Al-Jawzî, Sifah Al-Safwah Vol.1 p319. Sunan al-Daarimee (2769), al-Ḥaakim in his “Mustadrak” (6736)]

After the demise of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and his companions, we have the scholars to turn to, as the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “The scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets and the Prophets do not leave behind a dinar or a dirham, leaving only knowledge, and he who takes it takes an abundant portion (of goodness).” [Sunan Abu Dawood (3641), Sunan al-Tirmidhee (2682) and Sunan Ibn Maajah (223) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

Al-Hasan al-Basree رحمه الله said: If it were not for the scholars, people would have behaved like cattle. [al-Tabsirah of Ibn al-Jawzee (2/193)]


[6] The circles of knowledge: From this Hadeeth of Hanzhalah رضي الله عنه, it is clear that the Imaan increases when a person is in the company of good people and in gatherings where Allaah is mentioned; where His Deen is taught; where people are reminded about the Aakhirah – the blissfulness in the Jannah and the torments of the Hell-Fire.

One of the reasons that the Imaan is boosted in such gatherings is because, the angels surround them, and tranquility and mercy descends upon them.

Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said: …and those people who assemble in one of the houses of Allaah (i.e. the Masaajid) and recite the Book of Allaah and they learn and teach the Qur’aan (among themselves) there would descend upon them Sakeenah (tranquility), and mercy would envelops them, and the angels would surround them, and Allaah mentions them in the presence of those near Him. [Saheeh Muslim (6518, 6520, 6521), from the Hadeeth of Abu Hurairah and Aboo Sa`eed رضي الله عنهما]

Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said: Allaah has some angels who go about on the roads and paths seeking those who are engaged in the remembrance of Allaah. And when they find some people who are engaged in the remembrance of Allaah, they call each other, saying: ‘Come to the object of your pursuit.’  Then the angels encircle them with their wings up to the sky of the world. (After those people depart and the angels go back), their Lord asks them (those angels) – though He تعالى knows better than them – {What do My slaves say?} The angels reply: ‘They say: Sub-haan Allaah, Allaahu Akbar, and Alhamdulillaah.’ Allaah تعالى then says: {Did they see Me?} The angels reply: ‘No! By Allaah, they didn’t see You.’ Allaah says: {How would they act if they were to see Me?} The angels reply: ‘If they were to see You, they would engage more earnestly in worshiping and glorifying You and would extol You more.’ Allaah says (to the angels): {What do they ask Me for?} The angels reply: ‘They ask You for Paradise.’ Allaah says (to the angels): {Did they see it?} The angels say: ‘No! By Allaah, O Lord! They did not see it.’ Allaah says: {How it would have been if they saw it?} The angels say: ‘If they saw it, they would have greater covetousness for it and would seek It with greater zeal and would have greater desire for it.’ Allaah says: {From what do they seek refuge?} The angels reply: ‘They seek refuge from the (Hell) Fire.’ Allaah says: {Did they see it?} The angels say: ‘No By Allaah, O Lord! They did not see it.’ Allaah says: {How it would have been if they saw it?} The angels say: ‘If they saw it they would flee from it with the extreme fleeing and would have extreme fear from it.’ Then Allaah says: {I make you witnesses that I have forgiven them, and confer upon them what they ask for and grant them protection against which they seek protection.} Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم added: One of the angels would say: ‘There was so-and-so amongst them, and he was not part of the assembly, rather he had just come for some need.’ Allaah would say: {I also grant him pardon because they are the people by virtue of whom their associates will not be unfortunate.} [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (6408) and Saheeh Muslim (6505)]


[7] In this Hadeeth there is refutation of the Murji’ah, those who believe that Imaan is nothing but a belief of the heart only; it neither increases with obedience nor decreases with disobedience, and that it remains constant. They believe that there is no difference in the level of Imaan; that the Imaan of a common man is the same as that of the Prophets and Messengers and the Angels.

Whereas the Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamaa`ah believe that Imaan is to believe in the articles of Faith with: a) firm conviction of the heart, b) statement of the tongue, c) and actions of the limbs. d) It increases with righteousness and obedience, and decreases with sins and disobedience.


[8] Rights of the Lord, the body and the family:

i) The purpose of the Sharee`ah: One of the purposes of the Sharee`ah is not to overburden the people, as Allaah تعالى said:

﴿مَا يُرِيدُ اللَّـهُ لِيَجْعَلَ عَلَيْكُم مِّنْ حَرَجٍ﴾

{Allaah does not want to place you in difficulty} [Surah al-Maa’idah (5): 6]

And:

﴿هُوَ اجْتَبَاكُمْ وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ مِنْ حَرَجٍ﴾

{He has chosen you, and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship} [Surah al-Hajj (22): 78]

Narrated `Aaishah رضي الله عنها: Once the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم came while a woman was sitting with me. He said, “Who is she?” I replied, “She is so and so,” and told him about her (excessive) praying. He صلى الله عليه وسلم  said disapprovingly: Do (good) deeds which is within your capacity (without being overtaxed) as Allaah does not get tired (of giving rewards) but (surely) you will get tired and the best deed (act of Worship) in the sight of Allaah is that which is done regularly. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (43, 1151, 5862) and Saheeh Muslim (1308, 1314, 1965)]

Narrated `Aaishah رضي الله عنها: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم never fasted in any month more than in the month of Sha`baan. He used to say: Do those deeds which you can do easily, as Allaah will not get tired (of giving rewards) till you get bored and tired (of performing religious deeds). [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1970)]

ii) Balance in life: It is obligatory that the people should have balance in their lives. They should strive for a middle path between Ghuloo (extremism, exaggeration, and excessiveness) and Taqseer (failure to comply, negligence, and abandonment). They should work for the Aakhirah, but also should not forget their share of the legal enjoyment of this Dunyaa, as Allaah تعالى mentioned about the advice of the people to Qaaroon:

﴿وَابْتَغِ فِيمَا آتَاكَ اللَّـهُ الدَّارَ الْآخِرَةَ ۖ وَلَا تَنسَ نَصِيبَكَ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا﴾

{But seek, with that (wealth) which Allaah has bestowed on you, the home of the Hereafter, and forget not your portion of legal enjoyment in this world.} [Surah al-Qasas (28): 77]

iii) Give everyone their due rights:

Narrated Abu Juhaifah رضي الله عنه: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم made a bond of brotherhood between Salmaan (al-Faarisee) and Abu al-Dardaa’ رضي الله عنهما. Salmaan paid a visit to Abu al-Dardaa’ and found Umm al-Dardaa’ dressed in shabby clothes and asked her why she was in that state. She replied: “Your brother Abu al-Dardaa’ is not interested in (the luxuries of) this world.” In the meantime Abu al-Dardaa’ came and prepared a meal for Salmaan. Salmaan requested Abu al-Dardaa’ to eat (with him), but Abu al-Dardaa’ said: “I am fasting.” Salmaan said: “I am not going to eat unless you eat.” So, Abu al-Dardaa’ ate (with Salmaan). When it was night and (a part of the night had passed), Abu al-Dardaa’ got up (to offer the night prayers), but Salmaan told him to sleep and Abu al-Dardaa’ slept. After sometime Abu al-Dardaa’ again got up but Salmaan told him to sleep. When it was the last hours of the night, Salmaan told him to get up then, and both of them offered the prayers. Salmaan told Abu al-Dardaa’: Your Lord has a right on you, your soul has a right on you, and your family has a right on you; so you should give the rights of all those who has a right on you. Abu al-Dardaa’ came to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and narrated the whole story. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: Salmaan has spoken the truth. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1968, 6139)]

And in another Hadeeth:

Narrated `Abdullaah bin `Amr bin Al-`Aas رضي الله عنهما (and he used to fast continuously for many days): Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said to me: O `Abdullaah! Have I not been informed that you fast during the day and offer prayers all the night. `Abdullaah replied: “Yes, O Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم!” The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: Don’t do that; but if you do that your eyes will become sunken and you will become exhausted. (Rather) fast for few days and then give it up for few days, offer prayers and also sleep at night, as your body has a right on you, your eyes have a right on you, your wife has a right on you, and your guest has a right on you... [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1974, 1975, 1979, 5199, 6134) and Saheeh Muslim (2588, 2591, 2594, 2599)]

وصلى الله وسلم وبارك على عبده ورسوله نبينا محمد وعلى آله وأصحابه أجمعين

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