Abu Mus'ab
17-03-07, 09:20 AM
“Figment of the Imagination”
One of the most illustrious characteristic of a Muslim is that of being in a constant state of repentance to Allah. We find this attribute with the Prophet (saw) and his companions for they used to spend their nights standing up in prayer, asking Allah for forgiveness. Allah, the Most High, says: “And verily, you (O Muhammad) are on an exalted (standard of) character.” (68:4) Even then, they were unsure of their repentance.
Repentance is the fount of every spiritual endeavor. There is no excellence in one who does not have it because repentance to Allah is the key to every good. Allah, the Exalted, has not made any status below it except wrongdoing. Allah says “Whoever does not repent, they are the wrongdoers.” (49:11)
Likewise, there is no success with one who neglects to repent. Allah says: “And Oh you believers! Turn to Allah with sincere repentance so that you may be successful.” (24:31)
Those who misunderstand, however, deceive themselves by saying “Allah is generous, we rely on His forgiveness.” Whoever hopes for Allah’s forgiveness while persisting in wrongdoing, let it be known that he is only fooling himself. Allah, even with His vast mercy, is unyielding in retribution. Just look at the status of disbelief in the sight of Allah. Even though the unbelief of the disbeliever do not hurt Him in anyway, their final abode is still in the hellfire. Does this not serve as a reminder for all?
It is true that Muslims must have both fear and hope in Allah. Having hope is essential to push forth with life. But for some, having hope makes them passive, disobedient and arrogant. They claim “I know Allah loves me, I will be forgiven.” This is like someone who says “Astaghfirullah” and “Subhanallah” a hundred times a day, but spends the rest of the time slandering Muslims. The reward for doing Dhikr is seen, but to see Allah’s punishment for slander and forbidden talk is neglected.
Allah condemned the Jews and Christians because of this attitude. He (swt) says: “They grasp at the trivial things of this low life and say ‘We shall be forgiven.’” (7:169)
In contrast to the early generations of Muslims who both hoped and feared at the same time, nowadays, there are those of us who resemble the Jews and Christians by feeling secure with our deeds. It is as if we knew more about the generosity of Allah than the prophets of Allah, for even the prophets were in a constant state of repentance.
We make an effort to learn Islam and we spend time telling people about Islam, speaking about qualities of the heart such as fear, hope, patience, gratitude, trusting Allah, and sincerity. But, by speaking about them, we somehow think we will automatically attain them. We fail to eliminate the culpable traits in our own hearts such as pride, envy and self-aggrandizement. We have made our outward appearance attractive while neglecting the interior, resembling those who plant grain that grow with weeds. When ordered to weed it, we merely trim away the weed’s stems, neglecting the roots, which has the stranglehold. Thus, we call to Allah but we consequently flee from Him.
We repel material possessions, satisfied with poor clothes, little food, and living in small shelters, thinking we have reached a status of humility. When in fact, it is through this, we seek to be known for. Hence, let it be remembered that humility does not pertain to the unavailability of material possession. It refers to the heart’s disinterest in them.
Despite all this, some of us will add “Speak for yourself, I know Allah loves me, I will be forgiven.”
It is nothing but a figment of the imagination. If there was one remedy to this, it is to be in a constant state of repentance to Allah.
In order to foster repentance to Allah, let us content ourselves with studying matters that will benefit the self in the Hereafter. We must know Allah above all, and follow the example of His messenger (saw). We must not bother with what Allah has given others and has not given us. Through this, we can learn about ourselves, how the shaitan enters the recesses of our hearts, how we can cure our weaknesses, face the struggles of this life and hope for the rewards of the life to come. When we have attained all this, we must extinguish all desire for leadership, and cover ourselves from feeling secure from facing Allah’s judgment.
In Jammi’ul Uloom wal Hikam, Al-Hasan said
“In this life, the believer is like a prisoner, he tries his best to ransom himself and even then does not feel safe (that his good deeds were accepted from him) until he meets Allah, the Most Honored
One of the most illustrious characteristic of a Muslim is that of being in a constant state of repentance to Allah. We find this attribute with the Prophet (saw) and his companions for they used to spend their nights standing up in prayer, asking Allah for forgiveness. Allah, the Most High, says: “And verily, you (O Muhammad) are on an exalted (standard of) character.” (68:4) Even then, they were unsure of their repentance.
Repentance is the fount of every spiritual endeavor. There is no excellence in one who does not have it because repentance to Allah is the key to every good. Allah, the Exalted, has not made any status below it except wrongdoing. Allah says “Whoever does not repent, they are the wrongdoers.” (49:11)
Likewise, there is no success with one who neglects to repent. Allah says: “And Oh you believers! Turn to Allah with sincere repentance so that you may be successful.” (24:31)
Those who misunderstand, however, deceive themselves by saying “Allah is generous, we rely on His forgiveness.” Whoever hopes for Allah’s forgiveness while persisting in wrongdoing, let it be known that he is only fooling himself. Allah, even with His vast mercy, is unyielding in retribution. Just look at the status of disbelief in the sight of Allah. Even though the unbelief of the disbeliever do not hurt Him in anyway, their final abode is still in the hellfire. Does this not serve as a reminder for all?
It is true that Muslims must have both fear and hope in Allah. Having hope is essential to push forth with life. But for some, having hope makes them passive, disobedient and arrogant. They claim “I know Allah loves me, I will be forgiven.” This is like someone who says “Astaghfirullah” and “Subhanallah” a hundred times a day, but spends the rest of the time slandering Muslims. The reward for doing Dhikr is seen, but to see Allah’s punishment for slander and forbidden talk is neglected.
Allah condemned the Jews and Christians because of this attitude. He (swt) says: “They grasp at the trivial things of this low life and say ‘We shall be forgiven.’” (7:169)
In contrast to the early generations of Muslims who both hoped and feared at the same time, nowadays, there are those of us who resemble the Jews and Christians by feeling secure with our deeds. It is as if we knew more about the generosity of Allah than the prophets of Allah, for even the prophets were in a constant state of repentance.
We make an effort to learn Islam and we spend time telling people about Islam, speaking about qualities of the heart such as fear, hope, patience, gratitude, trusting Allah, and sincerity. But, by speaking about them, we somehow think we will automatically attain them. We fail to eliminate the culpable traits in our own hearts such as pride, envy and self-aggrandizement. We have made our outward appearance attractive while neglecting the interior, resembling those who plant grain that grow with weeds. When ordered to weed it, we merely trim away the weed’s stems, neglecting the roots, which has the stranglehold. Thus, we call to Allah but we consequently flee from Him.
We repel material possessions, satisfied with poor clothes, little food, and living in small shelters, thinking we have reached a status of humility. When in fact, it is through this, we seek to be known for. Hence, let it be remembered that humility does not pertain to the unavailability of material possession. It refers to the heart’s disinterest in them.
Despite all this, some of us will add “Speak for yourself, I know Allah loves me, I will be forgiven.”
It is nothing but a figment of the imagination. If there was one remedy to this, it is to be in a constant state of repentance to Allah.
In order to foster repentance to Allah, let us content ourselves with studying matters that will benefit the self in the Hereafter. We must know Allah above all, and follow the example of His messenger (saw). We must not bother with what Allah has given others and has not given us. Through this, we can learn about ourselves, how the shaitan enters the recesses of our hearts, how we can cure our weaknesses, face the struggles of this life and hope for the rewards of the life to come. When we have attained all this, we must extinguish all desire for leadership, and cover ourselves from feeling secure from facing Allah’s judgment.
In Jammi’ul Uloom wal Hikam, Al-Hasan said
“In this life, the believer is like a prisoner, he tries his best to ransom himself and even then does not feel safe (that his good deeds were accepted from him) until he meets Allah, the Most Honored