Bismihi Ta’ala
We hear of many incidents where people who are
deendaar (religious), who, while engaged in some Dieni Khidmat, or in Ibaadat,
or in some good works, become victims to hijacking, robbery, loss, etc.
Some people then question: How could this happen while he / she was engaged in Ibaadat?
There is no doubt that every good deed has its
benefits as well as offers us protection: Salaah, Zakaat, Sadaqah, Tilawat, Du’aa,
Durood Shareef, Hajj, Umrah and the various other Ibaadaat, as well as the many
wazaa’if we read, offer protection from various kinds of harms and trials – as
has been mentioned in different Ahaadeeth.
However, the question: ‘How could this happen?’ makes evident our naiveté and ignorance,
and even exposes our weakness. People even ask: Why me? And they even say that they cannot understand because they are
reading their Salaah, even waking up for
Tahajjud.
Sometimes such questions are even asked by people, to
disprove the promises and benefits made by Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul
(Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam).
While many
focus on their piety and good deeds, they fail to give any thought to the many
actions which are carried out, which nullifies the benefits, the protection and the rewards that follow on Ibaadat, Khidmat of Dien, etc.
Sometimes, it is our sins that block the effects of
our A`maal (deeds).
For example: A person may be in the habit of reading
Aayaatul Kursi for protection, and Ayaatul Kursi offers great protection. Rasulullah
(Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) mentioned that whoever recites Aayatul Kursi
after the Fardh (Salaah) will remain in the protection of Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu
until the next Salaah, and if read,
before falling asleep, Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu grants protection to the
person’s home and family as well.
So even though the person is reading Aayaatul Kursi
diligently after every Fardh Salaah, if he is also engaged in some sins, then
the powerful effect of the Ayaatul Kursi is barred or obstructed by those sins.
…Perhaps the person is harbouring suspicions and bad thoughts about people, or he
is venting unwarranted anger on his wife or his parents, or his Salaah is performed
carelessly and hastily, without fulfilling the requirements and the postures of
Salaah, or the person is casting lustful gazes, engaging in gheebat, speaking
lies, and so forth.
These are all sins – which we sometimes do not even
recognize as sins – and this then blocks the effects of the good we do.
So this is
what we should think when it comes to adverse conditions that befall us: That it
is probably our sins which have caught up with us; that this is the consequence
of our disobedience.
Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam) said: “A person is deprived of his provision due
to his sins.”
[Ahmad]
We should thus do a little introspection at such
times, identify our sins, sincerely repent, and make amends where we can –
whether in regards to the Rights of Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu or the rights of creation.
When we were in the United Kingdom, an incident was
related to us, of a Sikh, who drove through the green traffic light and the
camera flashed on him. He thought that the camera was faulty. He again came
around and went through the green light, and the camera flashed again.
Convinced that it was faulty, he took 2 more passengers as witnesses and went
through the green light for the third time. Again, the camera flashed. He thought
that it was a good opportunity to sue the traffic department, since they give
heavy fines, suspend and even cancel driving licenses.
Before he could take the matter further, his received his fines;
not for going through a red light, but for not having his seat belt on!
Similarly, often, we think we are doing all the
right things, that we are “perfect”, but Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu's Sight is on every single action of ours: our beards, trousers
above the ankles, our eyes and gazes, our hearts and minds, what we are
thinking about and planning, on our jealousy, hatred, back-biting, and so many
other weaknesses and sins. We should not consider that we are so righteous and
pious, as we imagine ourselves to be. We do not know where we are seriously
faltering.
Adverse conditions, tests and trials also descend
on a person to purify him of his sins and free him of his sins.
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said: "A Muslim is not afflicted by
hardship, sickness, sadness, worry, harm, or depression - even if pricked by a
thorn, but Allah expiates his sins because of that."
[Bukhari
and Muslim]
In another Hadeeth, Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (RA) related
that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said: "Hardships continue to befall a believing man and woman in their
body, family, and property, until they meet Allah (Jalla Jalaaluhu) burdened with no
sins."
[Tirmizi]
And for some, Allah Ta’ala has a high position
fixed for them in the Aakhirah (Hereafter). The person is unable to reach that
high position with his actions alone. These conditions of adversity, loss and
hardship, and the patience (Sabr) he exercises, becomes the means whereby he
secures those high stages.
When it comes to the calamities which befall
others, we should maintain husne zan
(a good opinion) that their tests and trials are a favour and mercy, to secure
them high stages in the Aakhirah.
However, in all conditions, the Believer is
recipient to Mercy: If it is a punishment for sins, there is mercy – because
Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu wants us to turn to Him, to make sincere Taubah and secure
His Forgiveness.
Tests and
trials are thus a means of Taubah and Forgiveness, or a means of purification of our
sins; otherwise an elevation of ranks.
May Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu give us the
understanding, and give us the Taufeeq of Taubah, Tafweez, Tasleem and Ridha
bil Qadha.
By Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Is`haq Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum)
