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.
Downloads:
Link 1
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Downloads:
Link 1
Link 2
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
MashaAllah
ReplyDeleteWonderful article brother.
BarakAllah feek
@salafilink
وفيك بارك الله
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