Assalam o allaikum Wr. Wb
Allah SWT says in the quran :
لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ فِي أَحْسَنِ تَقْوِيمٍ
“And Verily we have created man in its best conformation”.
So in the eyes of Allah SWT, all human beings are equal as the best of the creation of Allah SWT. But when we ask a question as to what is the difference between a muslim and other fellow human beings, the only answer is that Muslims have Iman ( faith) and what is this faith that a muslim have? The answer to this question is very briefly explained in the Iman al Mufassil below:
Amantu Billahi Wa malaikatihi Wa Kutubihi Wa Rusulihi Wal Yaumil Akhir Wal Qadri Khairihi Wa Sharrihi Minallahi Ta'ala Wal Baathi Ba'ad al Maut.
The only thing that makes a difference between a Muslim and a non-muslim is the presence of this Imaan in the heart of a muslim.
This iman increases and decreases based on what environment (physical or spiritual) we provide to the heart. If we engage ourselves in the remembrance of Allah SWT, and our conscience is in accordance with the message of deen, then our iman will increase. On the other hand if our environment keeps us away from Allah SWT, slowly our heart will corrode and our iman will decrease. Allah SWT says in the Quran:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ اتَّقُواْ اللّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلاَ تَمُوتُنَّ إِلاَّ وَأَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ (3:102
102. O you who believe! Fear Allâh as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islâm (as Muslims) with complete submission to Allâh.
So in the eyes of Allah SWT, all human beings are equal as the best of the creation of Allah SWT. But when we ask a question as to what is the difference between a muslim and other fellow human beings, the only answer is that Muslims have Iman ( faith) and what is this faith that a muslim have? The answer to this question is very briefly explained in the Iman al Mufassil below:
Amantu Billahi Wa malaikatihi Wa Kutubihi Wa Rusulihi Wal Yaumil Akhir Wal Qadri Khairihi Wa Sharrihi Minallahi Ta'ala Wal Baathi Ba'ad al Maut.
The only thing that makes a difference between a Muslim and a non-muslim is the presence of this Imaan in the heart of a muslim.
This iman increases and decreases based on what environment (physical or spiritual) we provide to the heart. If we engage ourselves in the remembrance of Allah SWT, and our conscience is in accordance with the message of deen, then our iman will increase. On the other hand if our environment keeps us away from Allah SWT, slowly our heart will corrode and our iman will decrease. Allah SWT says in the Quran:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ اتَّقُواْ اللّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلاَ تَمُوتُنَّ إِلاَّ وَأَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ (3:102
102. O you who believe! Fear Allâh as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islâm (as Muslims) with complete submission to Allâh.
وَلاَ تُفْسِدُواْ فِي الأَرْضِ بَعْدَ إِصْلاَحِهَا وَادْعُوهُ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا إِنَّ رَحْمَتَ اللّهِ قَرِيبٌ مِّنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ (7:56)
And do not do mischief on the earth, after it has been set in order, and invoke Him with fear and hope; Surely, Allâh's Mercy is (ever) near unto the gooddoers. (Araaf – 51)
Two Wings of a Bird
Allah is Most Merciful and Forgiving, and He is glad whenever one of His servants repents sincerely so that He can wash away his sins. Keeping Allah’s Mercy foremost in mind helps man to be hopeful, and this in turn increases the desire to act righteously. However, what is equally important to keep within context is fear. Hope and fear are like the wings of a bird, and a believer has to keep them balanced.
The Messenger of Allah brought not only good tidings, but also stories and events to instill fear, for faith lies between hope and fear. A person must be hopeful when he reflects on the Mercy of Allah, and likewise be fearful of Allah’s Wrath when he reflects on his own sins. Man is living in rebellion to the wishes of Allah and should mend his ways as soon as possible.
Advice of the Elders
The mashaikh (spiritual masters and teachers) have written as to the time when a believer should be overcome by each of these conditions of fear and hope. They have written that a person should be fearful in his youth, because this is the time of adolescence and the most vulnerable time to fall into wrong. Thus a person should fear Allah so to be saved from sin.
On the contrary, a person should turn hopeful of Allah’s Mercy and Forgiveness when elderly because death is looming near. The person should turn to repentance and hence be desirous of Allah’s forgiveness.
The mashaikh (spiritual masters and teachers) have written as to the time when a believer should be overcome by each of these conditions of fear and hope. They have written that a person should be fearful in his youth, because this is the time of adolescence and the most vulnerable time to fall into wrong. Thus a person should fear Allah so to be saved from sin.
On the contrary, a person should turn hopeful of Allah’s Mercy and Forgiveness when elderly because death is looming near. The person should turn to repentance and hence be desirous of Allah’s forgiveness.
A person should be fearful of Allah in times of happiness and celebration. The shariah (Islamic Sacred Law) has set boundaries for us and there is sometimes danger of stepping outside these bounds when one is in too much of a celebratory mood. Emotions can run high, and unknowingly we might act against the shariah. Likewise a person should be hopeful of Allah’s Mercy whenever sad or dejected. This is so he does not lose hope, which is in itself a sin. A believer should always stay within these two states of fear and hope.
Counter productivity
Fear prevents a person from sin, and today hearts are rusting because of the intensity of sins that we have committed. This is not to say that people are not doing good deeds, because they are. However, good deeds and sins are taking place side by side, which is counterproductive. A good deed is offering prayer in the masjid. However, when walking home our eyes are wandering and looking at forbidden things, and therefore we waste the good effects that being in the masjid had on our hearts.
Fear prevents a person from sin, and today hearts are rusting because of the intensity of sins that we have committed. This is not to say that people are not doing good deeds, because they are. However, good deeds and sins are taking place side by side, which is counterproductive. A good deed is offering prayer in the masjid. However, when walking home our eyes are wandering and looking at forbidden things, and therefore we waste the good effects that being in the masjid had on our hearts.
Likewise, reading the Holy Quran is a good deed but then we also lie throughout the day. Many women pray Tahajjud (the night vigil) but also go out in public with their heads uncovered. Why are people engaged in both good and bad at the same time? This is because we don’t fear Allah as we should.
People will only refrain from committing all wrong when they understand the greatness and glory of Allah. Such people do exist in this world, and they know that if they commit any wrong, they will have to stand and answer very shortly. Hadrat Ibn Qayyam i writes, “Do not ponder on whether the sin is big or small. Rather reflect upon the greatness of Whom you are disobeying.”
It is very ironic that parents become prepared to beat and even throw their child out of the house if the child does not obey after repeated requests. Allah is so Merciful and so Gracious that He has not once threatened to expel us from His fold despite our repeated and stubborn disobedience. Allah can also most certainly tell us to leave Him and search for another provider and sustainer. However, Allah is Merciful and Forgiving and therefore keeps giving us chances to reform.
Did Prophets, Shuhuda have the same fear?
Degrees of Fear
Degrees of Fear
The ulama (scholars) fear Allah because they comprehend the greatness of Allah. They remain overcome with fear, and desire only to be admitted among those who have the good fortune of having been accepted by Allah. These people pray everyday to be put on the Straight Path, the Path of those whom Allah has favored. Who are these people whom Allah has favored? The Holy Quran tells us that they are the Prophets, the Truthful, the Shuhudah (Witnesses), and the
Righteous.
Fear of Allah is the key that stops people from committing sin and every other disapproved action. The fear of the common people is very different from the fear of the ulama. The common people fear Allah because they will be punished if they commit sin, just like a child obeys when he fears that he will be beaten.
A wife’s fear is different altogether, because she does not fear a beating. However, what she fears is that the husband will no longer regard her with the same love that he used to. Both the child and the wife fear the man, but there is vast difference in their respective degrees of fear. The fear of the common population is comparable to that of the child, while the fear of the scholars and the learned is comparable to the fear of the wife. They remain in fear of provoking Allah’s dislike and distemper by which He may stop regarding them with the same level of love as before.
Fear of Allah is a blessing from the many blessings of Allah and we should request it from Allah and crave it. We ask other things from Allah, and we should also ask to be made fearful of Allah. Allah calls this fear a blessing because it prevents people from sin.
A Practical Lesson
A young man came to a shaykh and said, “I am a young man with strong desires. I cannot help looking at people when I am in the bazaar. What do I do?” The shaykh handed him a cup of milk that was full to the brim, and told him to deliver it to an address that would take the young man directly through the bazaar. He then instructed the young man that the milk should not spill, and the man said that it would not. The shaykh then summoned one of his students and told him to accompany the man through the bazaar to the destination, and to severely beat him if any milk were to spill.
A young man came to a shaykh and said, “I am a young man with strong desires. I cannot help looking at people when I am in the bazaar. What do I do?” The shaykh handed him a cup of milk that was full to the brim, and told him to deliver it to an address that would take the young man directly through the bazaar. He then instructed the young man that the milk should not spill, and the man said that it would not. The shaykh then summoned one of his students and told him to accompany the man through the bazaar to the destination, and to severely beat him if any milk were to spill.
This man successfully took the milk to the destination and returned to give the good news to the shaykh. The shaykh asked, “Tell me, how many sights and faces did you see in the bazaar?” The man replied incredulously, “Hadrat, I didn’t even realize what was going on around me. I was only fearful of the beating and disgrace that I would have to endure in public if a drop of milk were to spill.” The shaykh smiled and said, “It is the same with a believer. The believer fears that Allah may disgrace him in front of the entire creation on the Day of Judgment if his faith were to spill over from his heart.” Such people save themselves from sin because they constantly remain focused on the Day of Judgment.
Chilling Words
A man came to Hadrat Hasan Basri i and said, “Hadrat, I do not know what is the matter with us. It seems that our hearts are asleep.” Hadrat Hasan Basri i asked what was the matter. The man replied, “Our hearts are not affected when you recite the Holy Quran and Hadith to us.” Hadrat Hasan Basri i said to him, “If reading of the Holy Quran and Hadith do not affect your hearts, do not say that your hearts are asleep. Instead say that your hearts are dead. Even a sleeping person awakes when shaken awake. If someone sleeping does not awaken when shaken, he is not asleep but dead.” When advice and guidance do not affect the heart, it is an indication that the heart has died.
A man came to Hadrat Hasan Basri i and said, “Hadrat, I do not know what is the matter with us. It seems that our hearts are asleep.” Hadrat Hasan Basri i asked what was the matter. The man replied, “Our hearts are not affected when you recite the Holy Quran and Hadith to us.” Hadrat Hasan Basri i said to him, “If reading of the Holy Quran and Hadith do not affect your hearts, do not say that your hearts are asleep. Instead say that your hearts are dead. Even a sleeping person awakes when shaken awake. If someone sleeping does not awaken when shaken, he is not asleep but dead.” When advice and guidance do not affect the heart, it is an indication that the heart has died.
Hadrat Ali said that whoever wants Paradise should persevere against lust, and whoever wants to be saved from Hell should persevere against sin.
Heroic Examples of our Elders
Hadrat Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal i was a rock of faith and courage. He endured so much hardship and sacrificed so much for Islam that it is said that an elephant could not have taken the burdens. At the time of his death all his students were gathered around his bedside and reciting the Kalimah to prompt their mentor to recite it as well. However, Hadrat Ahmed bin Hanbal i would only recite “La” at certain intervals. The students were all surprised and when their teacher seemed to recover a little they asked him what was happening. Hadrat Ahmed bin Hanbal i said, “Shaytan was in front of me saying, ‘Ahmed bin Hanbal, you have escaped with your faith intact,’ and I was saying, ‘La, I am not safe from you until my life passes from this world.’”
Hadrat Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal i was a rock of faith and courage. He endured so much hardship and sacrificed so much for Islam that it is said that an elephant could not have taken the burdens. At the time of his death all his students were gathered around his bedside and reciting the Kalimah to prompt their mentor to recite it as well. However, Hadrat Ahmed bin Hanbal i would only recite “La” at certain intervals. The students were all surprised and when their teacher seemed to recover a little they asked him what was happening. Hadrat Ahmed bin Hanbal i said, “Shaytan was in front of me saying, ‘Ahmed bin Hanbal, you have escaped with your faith intact,’ and I was saying, ‘La, I am not safe from you until my life passes from this world.’”
Imam Muhammad i was a renowned student of Imam Abu Hanifa i. He writes that no creature in this world is ever safe from Shaytan. No one knows what may happen until death. Shaytan is someone who pursued and tested even the Prophets, and hence cannot be taken lightly. He attacks continuously and relentlessly, but Allah protects His chosen and beloved. The Messenger of Allah said that there is a Shaytan with everyone, and the Sahabah (Companions) asked, “Even with you O Prophet ()?” The Messenger of Allah replied, “Yes, even with me, but my Shaytan has become Muslim.”
Shaytan is with us everyday and working very hard to lead us astray. He makes special and intense effort at the time of death. Man is most vulnerable at this time because his life is slowly ebbing away. Hence this time of humility is an ideal and opportune time for Shaytan to launch an offensive. Shaytan comes and puts doubts in our hearts just when the breath is getting caught in the chest.
Fear of Allah in the Righteous Predecessors
Hadrat Umar was a courageous Companion about whom The Messenger a of Allah said, “If there was to be another prophet after me, it would be Umar.” The Messenger a of Allah also said regarding Hadrat Umar that his good deeds were comparable to the stars. It is further written in Hadith regarding this great Companion that Shaytan used to leave the path on which Hadrat Umar walked. Such an honorable and esteemed person used to cry so much in fear of Allah that his face was marked by the trails of tears just as a stream’s path is carved on a mountainside.
Hadrat Umar was a courageous Companion about whom The Messenger a of Allah said, “If there was to be another prophet after me, it would be Umar.” The Messenger a of Allah also said regarding Hadrat Umar that his good deeds were comparable to the stars. It is further written in Hadith regarding this great Companion that Shaytan used to leave the path on which Hadrat Umar walked. Such an honorable and esteemed person used to cry so much in fear of Allah that his face was marked by the trails of tears just as a stream’s path is carved on a mountainside.
These people feared Allah because they knew Allah.
Ibn Masood said something similar to such a question: “I wish I were dust and so I would not have to stand in front of Allah on the Day of Judgment.”
Hadrat Ibn Masood passed away during Hadrat Uthman’s Khilafah, and Hadrat Uthman paid a visit before he passed on. He greeted Hadrat Ibn Masood and asked, “What do you hope for?” Hadrat ibn Masood replied, “I am hopeful of Allah’s Mercy.” Hadrat Uthman asked again, “What do you fear?” and Hadrat Ibn Masood replied, “I fear for my sins.”
Hadrat Uthman then asked, “Can I arrange a stipend for your daughters?” Hadrat Ibn Masood shook his head, “No, Allah is Master. They recite Surah Waqia everyday, and the Messenger of Allah said that He will protect the reciter of Surah Waqia from starvation and poverty.” Such was the strength of faith of these people that they would remain steadfast on whatever the Messenger of Allah said, and were fearful despite this.
May Allah SWT give us the ability to practice upon what has been said and to make our hearts obedient to the will of Allah SWT so that when we pass away from this duniya, we have two important tools in our hand, The hope from the Mercy of Allah SWT and the Fear of our sins.
Hadrat Uthman then asked, “Can I arrange a stipend for your daughters?” Hadrat Ibn Masood shook his head, “No, Allah is Master. They recite Surah Waqia everyday, and the Messenger of Allah said that He will protect the reciter of Surah Waqia from starvation and poverty.” Such was the strength of faith of these people that they would remain steadfast on whatever the Messenger of Allah said, and were fearful despite this.
May Allah SWT give us the ability to practice upon what has been said and to make our hearts obedient to the will of Allah SWT so that when we pass away from this duniya, we have two important tools in our hand, The hope from the Mercy of Allah SWT and the Fear of our sins.
Wa ma Taufiqi ilallah billah…
-From the teachings of Shaykh Zulfiqar Ahmad Naqshbandi - May Allah reward him.
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