The seven under the shade of Allah
CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK A man who is called by a woman of beauty and position but he says:†’I fear Allah. This world is full of temptations which lead to burning in the Fire and amongst them is that which comes from women.
Many a man has led his soul into destruction on account of the lure of a woman which is why the Prophet warned his Ummah specifically about this.
He said, “The world is sweet and green and verily Allah is going to install you as successors upon it in order to see how you act. So avoid the allurement of women: verily the first trial for the Children of Israa’eel was caused by women.”†The most important provision which we need to protect ourselves from this and all other temptations in life is the fear (khawf) of Allah.
This fact is alluded to in the following Quranic Ayah:†”And as for him who feared standing before his Lord and restrained himself from impure evil desires, verily Paradise will be his abode.”†(Qurían 79V40-41) A man who gives in charity and hides it, such that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives in charity
This describes the type of person who goes to great lengths to protect himself from ar-Riyaa. Ar-Riyaa means to do deeds in order to earn the praise and recognition of people.
This sin destroys all the benefits that lie in righteous deeds and brings on a serious punishment for the one who commits it. It is particularly dangerous because it is in man’s nature to desire and enjoy the praise of others. Thus, great care has to be taken to ensure that one’s intentions begin and remain pure whenever good actions (such as charity) are being done.
Not like what we see today where we have mosque notice boards announcing who gave what to whom, why and when! Warning: “O you who believe! Do not render vain your charity by reminders of your generosity or by injury, like him who spends his wealth to be seen of men and he does not believe in Allah nor in the Last Day.”†(Qurían 2V264). May Allah preserve us from this.
A man who remembered Allah in private and so his eyes shed tears. Our noble Prophet (p.b.u.h.) informed us:†”If you knew what l knew, you would laugh little and weep much.”†(Aboo Hurairah and Anas & collected in Saheeh al-Bukhari) Crying is not an easy thing to do. The Prophet, who was the best of all creations, would weep as would all of his Companions.
Tears are a genuine expression of fear of Allah’s punishment and of our sincere love and awe of Him. But how often do we remember Allah in seclusion and are then moved to tears? How much do we laugh and how little do we weep? The Prophet said, ‘There is nothing more beloved to Allah than two drops and two marks: A tear shed due to fear of Allah, and a drop of blood spilled in the path of Allah. And as for the two marks, then a mark caused in the path of Allah, and a mark caused by fulfilling one of the duties made obligatory by Allah.”†(Hasan – collected by at-Tirmidhee and al-Mishkaat)
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