Judged by Actions - part 1
Archived under Tazkiyyah .
In an attempt to adjust my 'body clock', I've reinstated my habit of staying awake after Fajr to engage in memorisation of the Noble Qur`aan and general reading.
Two mornings ago, I picked up volume two of 'Tafseer Ibn Katheer' (abridged version) to read up on the last 3 aayaat of soorah al-Baqarah. For those who have the print published by Darussalam, you'll find it on pages 96-107.
The three aayaat (especially the last two) are to be recited before one goes to bed each night, however I'd never really looked into it's meaning or history behind its revelation - until two days ago.
I read the beginning of verse 284 and my insides began to tremble:
To Allâh belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on the earth, and whether you disclose what is in your ownselves or conceal it, Allâh will call you to account for it.
This had been the first time I'd read this - we'll be judged by that which is in our hearts?! SubhaanAllaah - I began to shake inside. I'll be judged for all those bad feelings and bad thoughts which were and are instigated by Shaytaan?
Reading on further, I realised that my reaction was not unique - infact, the companions of the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) also felt the weight of this burden. They questioned the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) regarding this verse to which he (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) replied:
"Do you want to repeat what the People of the Two Scriptures before you said, that is, 'We hear and we disobey'? Rather, say, 'We hear and we obey, and we seek Your Forgiveness, O our Lord, and the return is to You."
SubhaanAllaah, this is a point of benefit for us all. We are told in numerous aayaat about the way the People of the Book reacted to legislation that had been set for them. However, due to their following of their base desires they'd respond: "We hear and we disobey". The question now is: are we to follow this path of theirs? When something is revealed to us, are we going to submit wholeheartedly, or frantically go 'fatwa shopping'?
... to be continued inshaa`Allaah...
Your Thoughts
Aameen. I'm not sure what you mean by:
The ones who tend to question the validity of clear-cut commands, and need further logical and/or scientific proof of whether it really works, really need to have a little chat with themselves.
How should they 'chat with themselves?
We must remember that the Sahaabah (radi Allaahu 'anhum ajma'een) were the closest to the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) in their actions and their faith. So, for them to find this concept of 'that which is in the hearts will be judged' very hard to come to terms with, what then about us?
Inshaa`Allaah I'll post part 2 soon.
Was-salaamu 'alaikum.
Bismillaahir Rahmanaahir Raheem.
Sorry for the ambiguity.
By saying "have a chat with themselves" I meant they should check with their inner selves whether their Imaan really is complete. Whether they've really accepted Allaah Sub-haanahu as their Lord and Rasoolallaah as their master/guide. For it is only when one lacks in Eemaan, that they question Allaah's commands.
For example, someone may say they're a muslim. But when they're told Allaah has forbidden the consumption of intoxicants, they might ask "Why! I may take just this little every once in a while..I'm sure I wouldn't get drunk or cause anyone harm!" (Ma'adhallaah)
Questions like in the above example do not arise in the minds of the true believer; they hear and they obey as is mentioned in an Aayah:
Surah Al Baqarah:285
Translation by Yusuf Ali
The Messenger believeth in what hath been revealed to him from his Lord, as do the men of faith. Each one (of them) believeth in Allah, His angels, His books, and His messengers. "We make no distinction (they say) between one and another of His messengers." And they say: "We hear, and we obey: (We seek) Thy forgiveness, our Lord, and to Thee is the end of all journeys."
As for the explanation of the Aayah, Alhamdulillaah I found the following in the Tafseer that I have:
Humans get two types of thoughts --
Firstly, as provocations. To rid ones mind off those thoughts is not within ones abilities, but they know those are evil and does not plan to materialize them. They're called "Hadeeth un-Nafs" and "Wass wassa". They will not have to be answered for. It has been narrated in the hadeeth of Bukhaari and Muslim (Allaah be pleased with them) that, Rasoolullaah Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa Sallam has said,
The wass wassa that come to the minds of my ummah are pardoned by Allaah Ta'aala, so long as those are not converted into actions or they do not discuss those.These wass wassa are not what has been directed to in this Aayah. Secondly, those thoughts which the human allows residence in their minds and intends to convert them into actions. Such thoughts have to be answered for. As a matter of fact, these thoughts are what this Aayah talks about. Looking forward to the continuation of it, insha Allaah.
Wass-Salaamu'alaikum.
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Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem.
This post has a strong connection to the "Covering of a Woman" post from a few weeks ago. Once one has the conception of "Laa Ilaaha Illallaahu Muhammadur Rasoolullaah" clear inside their head, "Sami'na wa ata'na" (we hear and we obey) sort of comes in naturally, I believe.
The ones who tend to question the validity of clear-cut commands, and need further logical and/or scientific proof of whether it really works, really need to have a little chat with themselves.
May Allaah guide us all to the straight path; the path of those who He has favored. Aameen.
Wass-Salaamu'alaikum.