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View Full Version : Is it by your deeds or by god's mercy?


AbuMubarak
14-06-04, 09:42 AM
http://www.islamcan.com

Angel Jibrail (as) told Rasulullah (peace be upon him) the follwing incident about a man in the past who worshipped Allah Ta'ala continuously for 500 years. He was granted a shelter on top of a mountain that was surrounded by salty water. However, Allah caused a stream of sweet water to flow through the mountain for that individual. The man would drink from this water and use it to make ablution. Allah Ta'ala also raised a pomegranate tree from which the man would eat one fruit every day.

One day, this person supplicated to Allah that, "Oh Allah, bring my death while I am in the state of prostration." Allah accepted this dua of his. Whenever Jibrail (as) came down to the Earth, he found this man prostrating to Allah. Jibrail (as) said that on the day of Judgement, Allah will tell the angels to take this individual to Paradise through His mercy. However, this man will insist that he should enter paradise through the good deeds that he had performed.

Then, Allah will tell the angels to compare his good deeds with the blessings that were given to him in the world. It will be seen that 500 years of his worship does not even equal to the gift of eye sight that was given to him by Allah. The angels will be asked to take him towards the hell fire. Then the man will plead, "Oh Allah! Enter me into Paradise only through Your mercy." At that point, the following discussion will take place between Allah and that man.

Allah: Oh my servant, who created you?

The worshipper: Oh Allah, You have created me.

Allah: Were you created because of the good deeds you have done or because of My mercy?

The worshipper: Because of Your mercy.

Allah: Who granted you the ability to worship for 500 years?

The worshipper: Oh the Almighty! You have granted me that ability.

Allah: Who placed you on the mountain surrounded by the ocean? Who caused a stream of sweet water to flow in between the salty water? Who caused a pomegranate tree to grow for you? Who granted you death while in the state of prostration?

The worshipper: Oh the Sustainer of the Worlds! You have done all of these.

Then Allah will say, "All these have happened due to My mercy and you too will enter Paradise only through My Mercy."

Source: Obtained from the book "Tambihul Ghafileen" by Shaikh Abul Laith Samarkandi.

We can never thank Allah for the blessings that He has given us. Let us use these blessings to recognize Allah before our death.

swan
15-06-04, 06:38 PM
Allah has given mankind so many mercies that we are not even aware of. we take so much for granted, it would be wise to atleast thank Allah on a daily basis. Inshaa Allah.

AbuMubarak
29-08-04, 03:50 AM
Volume 9, Book 93, Number 597:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Apostle said, "A man who never did any good deed, said that if he died, his family should burn him and throw half the ashes of his burnt body in the earth and the other half in the sea, for by Allah, if Allah should get hold of him, He would inflict such punishment on him as He would not inflict on anybody among the people. But Allah ordered the sea to collect what was in it (of his ashes) and similarly ordered the earth to collect what was in it (of his ashes). Then Allah said (to the recreated man ), 'Why did you do so?' The man replied, 'From my Fear of YOU.' So Allah forgave him."

History
29-08-04, 05:35 PM
Both, actually.

G-d is our Parent.
He loves us unconditionally (traditionally, non-p.c., known as "mother love").
He also loves us conditionally, has expectations of our behavior/success (traditionally, non-p.c., known as "father love").

Knowledge of the first is the emotional/spiritual safety net, the reassurance we have to accept challenges, especially those He sets for us.

Knowledge of the second is the initiative/motivating force to overcome these challenges and gain His admiration through our personal (ethical/spiritual) triumphs.

If one accepts only the former, where G-d, Blessed be He, loves us no matter what, then there is no motivation to fulfill His Purpose for us, to act ethically in the World and seek its improvement under Him.

And this is necessary.

Respectfully,
History