"When the servant performs a sin a black spot appears on his heart, and if he seeks forgiveness this black spot is removed, and if he returns to sin the black spot grows until his heart becomes black, and this is the 'Raan' about which Allah said, 'Nay! But on their hearts is the covering of sins (raan) which they used to earn.'" (Qur'an, 83:14)
(Hadith An-Nasa'i and Al-Tirmidhi)
Friday, May 28, 2010
7th obstacle in the path of a Muslim
THE UNAVOIDABLE OBSTACLE
In 'Madarij as-Salikin' (1/218-222), Ibn al-Qayyim has a section about the obstacles that Satan puts into the path of the one who chooses to live his life for Allah. He mentions the six commonly known obstacles in the order that they will be thrown into the path of the believer, such that whoever passes through one obstacle is then faced with the next
1-disbelief,
2- innovation in religion,
3- major sins,
4- minor sins,
5- permissible acts that distract one from acts of obedience,
6- acts of obedience that are of lower reward than others.
However, he mentions a seventh and final obstacle for the one who passes through the above six successfully:
"…So, if he successfully passes through these, there remains only one obstacle from which the enemy (Satan) calls him from, and this is an obstacle that he must face. If anyone were to be saved from this obstacle, it would have been the Messengers and Prophets of Allah, and the noblest of His Creation.
This is the obstacle of Satan unleashing his troops upon the believer with various types of harm: by way of the hand, the tongue, and the heart. This occurs in accordance with the degree of goodness that exists within the believer. So, the higher he is in degree, the more the enemy unleashes his troops and helps them against him, and overwhelms him with his followers and allies in various ways.
There is no way he can overcome this obstacle, because the firmer he is when calling to Allah and fulfilling His commands, the more the enemy becomes intent upon tempting him with foolish people. So, he has essentially put on his body armor in facing this obstacle, and has taken it upon himself to confront the enemy (Satan) for Allah's sake and in His Name, and his worship in doing so is the worship of the best of those who know Allah…and none are aware of this except those with complete and perfect insight."
Ibn al-Qayyim's words here are worthy of reflection (as always). Notice here how, as opposed to the other six obstacles, this particular obstacle is something that the believer has no control over. If one is a kafir, it is in his hands to abandon kufr for faith. If one is upon bid'ah, it is in his hands to abandon bid'ah for the Sunnah. If one is indulged in major or minor sins, it is in that person's hands to abandon those sins and instead indulge in acts of worship and goodness, and so on and so forth. This is because each of these actions emanate from the person himself, and he thus has the ability to cease from and repel these actions and traits whenever he chooses.
As for the harm that others seek to inflict upon the person due to his faith, there is no way to avoid this obstacle. Why not? Because if one has passed through all of the other obstacles successfully, there is no other way for Allah to test and distinguish him. This is the ultimate test, the test of a lifetime, the test that only the strongest can pass – and this is why this was the test reserved for the Prophets, Messengers, and their true followers.
When it is said that the obstacle is unavoidable, what is meant is its occurrence, not the possibility of reducing and easing the hardship related to that obstacle. So, one is not to sit with his hands on his knees and abandon supplication to Allah, seeking permissible means of help from others, etc. in addition to the other means available to deal with this obstacle. Yes, the Prophet said: "Know that if the entire world were to gather to do you some harm, they would be unable to harm you except with something that Allah has Decreed for you," but he also said: "Be keen in doing that which will benefit you." In fact, part of the test of this final obstacle is for you to display your dependence and trust in Allah by calling upon Him, perfecting your worship, strengthening your resolve, making your connection and dedication to Him stronger than it ever was before, and remaining in such a state until the end. This is how you pass the test, overcome the obstacle, and become part of that blessed group that Ibn al-Qayyim described as being "the best of those who know Allah" and "those with complete and perfect insight."
In 'Madarij as-Salikin' (1/218-222), Ibn al-Qayyim has a section about the obstacles that Satan puts into the path of the one who chooses to live his life for Allah. He mentions the six commonly known obstacles in the order that they will be thrown into the path of the believer, such that whoever passes through one obstacle is then faced with the next
1-disbelief,
2- innovation in religion,
3- major sins,
4- minor sins,
5- permissible acts that distract one from acts of obedience,
6- acts of obedience that are of lower reward than others.
However, he mentions a seventh and final obstacle for the one who passes through the above six successfully:
"…So, if he successfully passes through these, there remains only one obstacle from which the enemy (Satan) calls him from, and this is an obstacle that he must face. If anyone were to be saved from this obstacle, it would have been the Messengers and Prophets of Allah, and the noblest of His Creation.
This is the obstacle of Satan unleashing his troops upon the believer with various types of harm: by way of the hand, the tongue, and the heart. This occurs in accordance with the degree of goodness that exists within the believer. So, the higher he is in degree, the more the enemy unleashes his troops and helps them against him, and overwhelms him with his followers and allies in various ways.
There is no way he can overcome this obstacle, because the firmer he is when calling to Allah and fulfilling His commands, the more the enemy becomes intent upon tempting him with foolish people. So, he has essentially put on his body armor in facing this obstacle, and has taken it upon himself to confront the enemy (Satan) for Allah's sake and in His Name, and his worship in doing so is the worship of the best of those who know Allah…and none are aware of this except those with complete and perfect insight."
Ibn al-Qayyim's words here are worthy of reflection (as always). Notice here how, as opposed to the other six obstacles, this particular obstacle is something that the believer has no control over. If one is a kafir, it is in his hands to abandon kufr for faith. If one is upon bid'ah, it is in his hands to abandon bid'ah for the Sunnah. If one is indulged in major or minor sins, it is in that person's hands to abandon those sins and instead indulge in acts of worship and goodness, and so on and so forth. This is because each of these actions emanate from the person himself, and he thus has the ability to cease from and repel these actions and traits whenever he chooses.
As for the harm that others seek to inflict upon the person due to his faith, there is no way to avoid this obstacle. Why not? Because if one has passed through all of the other obstacles successfully, there is no other way for Allah to test and distinguish him. This is the ultimate test, the test of a lifetime, the test that only the strongest can pass – and this is why this was the test reserved for the Prophets, Messengers, and their true followers.
When it is said that the obstacle is unavoidable, what is meant is its occurrence, not the possibility of reducing and easing the hardship related to that obstacle. So, one is not to sit with his hands on his knees and abandon supplication to Allah, seeking permissible means of help from others, etc. in addition to the other means available to deal with this obstacle. Yes, the Prophet said: "Know that if the entire world were to gather to do you some harm, they would be unable to harm you except with something that Allah has Decreed for you," but he also said: "Be keen in doing that which will benefit you." In fact, part of the test of this final obstacle is for you to display your dependence and trust in Allah by calling upon Him, perfecting your worship, strengthening your resolve, making your connection and dedication to Him stronger than it ever was before, and remaining in such a state until the end. This is how you pass the test, overcome the obstacle, and become part of that blessed group that Ibn al-Qayyim described as being "the best of those who know Allah" and "those with complete and perfect insight."
"Even if he repeats the same sin 70 times a day"
Allah's messenger 
said
said "One is not counted as a persistent sinner if he sincerely asks forgiveness every time he sins,
even if he repeats the same sin 70 times a day."
[Tirmidhi, Abu Daud]
"Were you not to sin, Allah would have removed you, and brought another people who would sin, then ask for Allah's forgiveness, and Allah would forgive them."
[Sahih Muslim]
If you leave even one fast of Ramadan..
Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah said:
"If anyone omits his fast even for one day in Ramadan without a concession or without being ill, then if he were to fast for the rest of his life he could not make up for it."
(Bukhari)
said: "If anyone omits his fast even for one day in Ramadan without a concession or without being ill, then if he were to fast for the rest of his life he could not make up for it."
(Bukhari)
Allah says: "He knows he has a Lord who forgives sins"
Messenger of Allah said
saidIf somebody commits a sin and then says,
'O my Lord! I have sinned, please forgive me!'
and his Lord says,
'My slave has known that he has a Lord who forgives sins and punishes for it, I therefore have forgiven my slave (his sins).'
Then he remains without committing any sin for a while
and then again commits another sin
and says, 'O my Lord, I have committed another sin, please forgive me,'
and Allah says,
'My slave has known that he has a Lord who forgives sins and punishes for it, I therefore have forgiven my slave (his sin).'
Then he remains without committing any another sin for a while and then commits another sin (for the third time)
and says, 'O my Lord, I have committed another sin, please forgive me,'
and Allah says,
'My slave has known that he has a Lord Who forgives sins and punishes for it I therefore have forgiven My slave (his sin), he can do whatever he likes.'
[Bukhari]
Do not say "I USED TO do such-and-such good deed"
Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) said to Ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with him), “O Abd Allah! Do not be like so-and-so. He used to pray at night and then left it.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
Therefore, one should take on an amount of works one can sustain, for the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) said, “The most beloved of actions to Allah are the most constant, even if little.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
Therefore, one should take on an amount of works one can sustain, for the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) said, “The most beloved of actions to Allah are the most constant, even if little.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
There's blessing in work started early in the morning
“The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: ‘O Allah, bless my Ummah in the mornings.’ Whenever he sent out troops or an army, he would send them at the beginning of the day.”
[Reported by Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah]
Once upon seeing Fatimah -may Allah be pleased with her- sleeping just after fajr, the messenger of Allah S.A.W.S. woke her up and told her not to sleep at that time.
[Targheeb, ref. Baihaqi]
[Reported by Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah]
Once upon seeing Fatimah -may Allah be pleased with her- sleeping just after fajr, the messenger of Allah S.A.W.S. woke her up and told her not to sleep at that time.
[Targheeb, ref. Baihaqi]
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)