As we passed through the month of Ramadan and we sauntered along the boulevard of righteous deeds, there are several benefits of our striving which could serve as motivation and strength to attain an even higher pedestal in our quest for Allaah’s pleasure. These incentives are the fruits of our faith:
Jannah/Paradise:
Allaah says in Surah Kahf:
“As to those who believe and work righteous deeds, they shall have many jannat in firdaus.” (Q 18 [Kahf}:I07)
Those who believe (the word is “amana”), they shall have Paradise. So Paradise is one of the fruits of eeman!
Protection from Hellfire:
The Prophet (salallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, in one hadith:
“Whoever said ‘La ilaaha ilAllaah’ and has in his heart good (faith) equal to the weight of a barley grain will be taken out of Hell. And whoever said ‘La ilaaha iIAllaah’ and has in his heart good (faith) equal to the weight of a wheat grain will be taken out of Hell. And whoever said ‘La ilaaha ilAllaah’ and has in his heart good (faith) equal to the weight of an atom will be taken out of Hell.” (Bukhari).
This hadith shows, explicitly, that there are different levels of eemaan. And eemaan protects you from Hellfire - whether from a permanent stay (may Allaah protect us from that) or all-together.
The Key to Acceptance of Good Deeds:
Allaah says:
“Those who do wish or the (things on the Hereafter, and strive therefore with all due striving, and have Faith – they are the ones whose striving is acceptable (to A1laah).” (Q 17 [lsra]:19)
This shows that eeman - belief in the Hereafter - isthe key to having your good deeds accepted. Which raises the question - what about non-Muslims? There are those who build hospitals, feed orphans, etc. They believe in Allaah, perhaps in a different way than we do. (such as the mushrikoon of Arabia during the time of the Prophet, (salallahu alayhi wa sallam).
Will their reward go in vain? If Allaah is just how can He let their good deeds go in vain? The answer is that they do receive rewards from Allaah - but in this life, oniy, and not in the Hereafter. And Allah knows best.
Forgiveness of Sins:
In Surah Furqan, Allaah says:
“Whoever repents, believes, and works righteous deeds, Allaah will change the evil of such persons into good, and Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Q25[Furqan]:70)
Whoever sins. repents, and believes (and works good deeds)- Allaah will forgive him. SubhanAllaah! And good deeds blot out bad deeds. Alhamdullilah for the mercy of Allaah, without which none of us would enter jannah.
Belief in Allaah Almighty is life for the hearts:
It strengthens hearts as they climb to levels of completeness. Eemaan encourages man to take on good and noble characteristics, to stay away from evil and base characteristics, for Allaah Almighty says:
"Is he who was dead (without faith by ignorance and disbelief and We gave him life (by knowledge and faith) and set for him a light (of faith) whereby he can walk amongst men, like him who is in the darkness (of disbelief, polytheism and hypocrisy) from which he can never come out? Thus it is made fair-seeming to the disbelievers that which they used to do," (Q6[An'aam]: 122)
Source of Comfort and Peace
Because Eemaan conforms to the inborn nature of man, it is the source of comfort and peace for individuals; meanwhile it is also the source of bliss and happiness for the society; it strengthens the ties of one member of the society to another. With faith in one's heart, one is satisfied and contented in all situations - when he is rich or poor, when he is in comfort or difficulty. when he is happy or sad, but only because he believes in Allaah's Divine Pre-ordainment and Wisdom, for Allaah Almighty says:
"And it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allaah knows but you do not know." (AI-Baqarah: 216)
The Prophet (salallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Wonderful is the affair of the believer, for his affair in its entirety is good, and that is for no one except the believer. If a good thing befalls him, he is thankful, and that is good for him: if a harmful thing befalls him. he is patient, and that is good for him." (Muslim)
The believer who has these qualities feels tranquillity in his heart and calmness in his limbs and soul; those qualities fill his life with happiness and peace,and thus he becomes serene with Allaah's mercy and justice, serene because Allaah is his sanctuary that he seeks refuge in.
Purification of the Soul
With Eemaan, souls are purified and cleansed. This means that faith purifies souls from false beliefs and delusions, thus making the soul pure by what he believes in. When souls truly believe and feel that Allaah created them and that He guarantees their provision, the chains are broken that make one fear and hope from creation, regardless of whether it is a real man that one fears or an illusion in the mind. Therefore one ceases to believe that planets, stars, trees, rocks, graves or the dead can cause harm or bring benefit. One then clings to the truth, leaving all else. When many people have such faith, they will become united in their goal and objective and they will no longer have motives to compete or fight with other members of that group.
Strength and Honour
Strength and honour abound when people believe that this world is a planting-ground for the Hereafter, as Allaah Almighty says:
"So whoever does good equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant), shall see it. And whosover does evil equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant) sb at! see it." (az- Zalzalah: 1,8)
One who has true Eemaan believes that whatever he missed out on in life was not meant for him and that whatever he did achieve was meant for him all along. With such a belief, one has no reason to fear, and so one stays away from humiliating or debasing himself. When we understand the points just mentioned, we should plainly see how the Muslim nation advanced as prodigiously as it did at the hands of the Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and his companions may Allaah be pleased with them.
The strength and the power of all of the Earth cannot stand before those whose hearts are filled with Eemaan, those who are righteous because they know that Allaah is aware of all their deeds, those whose goal is the Hereafter; just as we should appreciate how individual Prophets stood, challenging their people, without worrying about their great numbers and their power.
The Protection of Allaah:
Allaah says:
"Allaah is the Protector of those who have faith." (Q2[Baqarah]:251)
And when Allaah protects you, what does He do? Well, He ...
Defends and Fights for You: In Surah Hajj, Allaah says:
"Verily Allaoh will defend (from ill) those who believe." (Q22[Hajj]:38)
And who can defend you better then Allaah?
More Eeman:
Allaah says:
"Those who believe, and work righteousness, their Lord will guide them because of their faith: Beneath them will flow rivers in gardens of bliss." (Q10[Yunus]:9)
Allaah increases the eeman of those people with eeman. And those who desire the straight path. Allaah will guide them because of their eeman.
Protection and Comfort for Believers:
In the battle of Uhud, the Muslims were surrounded. It seemed like they were going to be defeated, wiped out. Allaah then revealed: Men said to them:
"A great army is gathering against you": And frightened them: But it (only) increased their Faith: They said: "For us Allaah sufficeth, and He is AI-Wakeel (the best disposer of affairs)." (Q3[AI-lmraa]: 113)
When the believers were surrounded and it seemed hopeless, they turned to their eeman and found comfort and hope.
Good Happens to You:
The Prophet (salallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"How amazing is the situation of the believer. His affair is always for the best. and this is not true for anyone besides the believer. If good befalls him he is thankful and this is best for him, If ill befalls him he is patient and this is best for him." (Muslim)
What does it mean? A Muslim is never a loser. He always has good happening to him. Alhamdullilah!
A Gateway from Sorrows:
Allaah says:
"Such is the admonition given to whoever believes in Allaah and the Last Day. And for those who fear Allaah, Allaah will appoint a way out for him." (Q65[Talaq]:2)
Whoever has eeman and taqwa, Allaah makes an escape route for him from his worries and problems. So a believer is never trapped financially, socially, marital problems - no problem! Allaah says, if you fear/worship Me, I will make away out for you from away you did not suspect I would be able to help. SubhanAllaah.
High Station Here and in the Hereafter
Allaah says:
"Allaah will rise up, to (suitable) ranks (and degrees), those of you who believe and who have been granted Knowledge." (Q58[Mujadila]: I I)
Those who believe (and have eeman) will be raised up to high ranks, in this life and in the hereafter.
Protection from Falling into Great Evil:
The Prophet (salAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"A person who commits zina, while doing it, is not a Muslim. A person who drinks alcohol, while doing it, is not a Muslim. A person who plunders from the booty, while doing it, is a not Muslim." (Muslim)
Why isn't he a Muslim? Because if he had eeman, he wouldn't be doing those things. We know, from other ahadith, that while he commits these acts, his eeman leaves his heart, and when he finishes, enters in a diminished state. And notice these three things mentioned, are not just ordinary sins. They are big sins. A Good life:
Allaah says:
"Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has Faith, verily, to him will We give a new life, a life that is good and pure and We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions." (Q 16Surah Nahl [16]:97)
Eeman brings blessings into this world. And only Muslims can truly enjoy this world. Muslims know about paradise and the different levels and things, but many of us also fail to realize that the blessings begin here in this life. If you look at non- Muslims, they're never satisfied, no matter how much they get, they always want more and more and more. and the little they have, they're afraid to lose. (Have you ever heard of someone who reached a certain point in their wealth where they said "ok, that's enough for me"?- never!)
Interestingly, say N500-million is the mark - the point at which a person can buy anything they want. After that, if someone earns more money, there's no more stuff to buy. But the quality of life of the person is the same. Of those people who have over N500M in personal holdings (and there are quite a few), not one of them says "let me retire in peace". They want more and think-and this is a common misconception - that money necessitates happiness. Wrong. The real mu'min remains content no matter what he has - even if it's N500, he says "alhamdullilah" and spends it on himself and his family. He remains content because he knows Allaah will give him more. As for what he doesn't have, Allaah knows best about it.
The mu'min's quality of life is incomparable. And it's not in worldly possessions, it's in attitude. So don't forget - Jannah is the ultimate goal, that ultimate reward, yes - but your rewards start here as well insha Allaah.
And one last difference: when disasters strike non-Muslims and people with low eeman they go overboard. Muslims bear through it with patience. That's why nobody can have his quality of life.
Glad Tidings of Angels before Death:
Allaah says:
"ln the case of those who say, "Our lord Is Allaah," and, further, stand straight and steadfast, the angels descend on them [and say): "Fear not; nor grieve! But receive the Glad Tidings of the Garden (of Bliss), which you were promised!" (Q41 [Fussilat]:30)
This ayah refers to the final milliseconds of life of an individual, when the angels come to carry the soul away. Allaah separates between believers and unbelievers. For the pious, Allaah sends down armies of angels (as narrated in a hadith) - beautiful angels who say "don't worry about the Hereafter, don't worry about your family, we'll take care of them." The Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"When the believer is about to depart from this world and go forward into the Next, angels with faces as bright as the sun descend from the heavens and sit around him in throngs stretching as far as the eye can see. Then the Angel of Death comes and sits at his head and says, "Goodsoul, come out to forgiveness and pleasure from Allaah!" Then his soul emerges like a drop of water flows from a water-skin and the angel takes hold of it. When he has grasped it, the other angels do not leave it in his hand even for the twinkling of an eye. They take it and place it in a perfumed shroud and fragrance issues from it like the sweetest scent of musk found on the face of the earth." (Muslim)
The end result? The mu'min is content ever before he leaves this world: And for the non-Muslim, the torture begins here. May Allaah protect us all from that evil end, and make us of those content when we leave the dunya (this world).
The Khalifah: In Surah Noor, Allaah says:
"Allaah has promised, to those among you who believe and work righteous deeds, that He will, of surety, grant -them in the land, inheritance (or power), ... [when) they worship Me (alone) and not associate aught with Me." (Q24[Noor]:55)
Now, Allaah promises those who believe and do good deeds, the khilaafah on this Earth. And Allaah does not need to promise anything. But He promises it anyway. This verse shows that khilaafah is from eeman and tawhid. Notice the pre-condition: those who believe and do good deeds, i.e. eeman and tawhid.
And remember, the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) spent 13 years in Makkah focused purely on eeman and tawhid, belief in Allaah alone. It came even before salaah (which started late in Makkan times) and many prohibitions like alcohol. Unfortunately, today, we have many groups who do not start where the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) started, nor do they aim for what he aimed: Brotherhood. In Surah Hujuraat, Allaah says:
"The Believers are but a single Brotherhood ... " (Q49[Hujraat]:10)
If you've ever been to a different - city, you walk into the grocery store, and nobody says anything. People just buy their own stuff and ignore you. Probably the most you'll get out of the cashier when you check out is a "thank you."
But if you go to the masjid-even if you've never been there before and don't know anybody - it feels like you're at home. You talk to complete strangers as if you've known them for a long time. There's a sense of mutual trust, based only on the fact that you're all Muslim.
And this is from the blessings of the ummah. The entire ummah is united by bonds of eeman.
Here and in the Hereafter
Allaah says:
"On those who believe and work deeds of righteousness, (Allaah) The Most Gracious bestows Iove. "(Q19[Maryam]:96)
That is, on those who have eeman and perform good deeds, Allaah decrees for them love. The Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"When Allaah loves a servant, He calls Jibreel and says: Verily. I love so and so; you should also love him, and then Jibreel begins to love him. Then he makes an announcement in the heaven saying: Allaah loves so and so and you also love him, and then the inhabitants of the Heaven (the Angels) also begin to love him and then there is conferred honour upon him in the earth." (Muslim)
Benefit From Advice:
Allaah says:
"And continue to remind, for surely the reminder profits the believers, (Q51[Adh-Dhariyat]:55)
Notice, here, who benefits from the reminders - not all humankind, but believers. Why? Try this hypothetical situation on for size: there's a man who is sinning - say he's drinking beer in front of you inside his home. You give him advice to stop drinking and remind him of the rewards, punishments; etc. of good deeds and bad deeds. What happens? He'll cry and acknowledge your advice and inshaAllaah move to practical steps.
But, try the same thing on someone without eeman, and what happens? He'll ignore your advice, for sure - maybe even insult you. Or maybe he'll take it a step further and mock Islaam. (Try telling someone in a bar not to drink.)
What does this : show? Simple equation: eeman + sins = overcome sins. And that is why your'emind the believers - because - it benefits them, and them alone. May A1laah write us all down as believers, ameen!
Ease and Light Crossing the Sirat:
Towards the end of Judgement Day - a day that will last 50,000 years (Q[Maari]:4), after the judgement has been decreed, the people will have to cross the Sirat - a bridge sharper then a sword and thinner than a hair, that runs over Hell - in order to get to Jannah. People will falloff - there will be hooks like thorns of a size known only to Allaah, to snatch people into the Fire. Some people will be cut up into pieces as they fall into the Fire.
Allaah says:
"Not one of you but will pass over it: this is with your Lord a Decree which must be accomplished." (Q19[Maryam]:71)
That is -each and every single one of us must cross the Sirat. That's difficult enough - imagine doing it in complete darkness. Why? Allaah will destroy all lights. There will be no lights - no sun, no moon, no stars, nothing. And every human will be thrown into that darkness. a darkness we, cannot even fathom. But there will be light-and where will that light come from.
Every human being will have a personal flashlight - his or her body will shine. The light is from their eeman. The stronger the eeman, the stronger the light shines.
In Surah Hadeed, Allaah says
: "On the Day you shall see the believing men and the believing women their light running forward before them and by their right hands. Glad tidings for you this Day! Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), to dwell therein forever! Truly, this is the great success!" (Q57[Hadeed]: 12)
There will be so much light for the believers, they will be able to see everything, the whole horizon lit up for them. And they will race over the bridge faster than the speed of light. Then faster than a galloping horse, then a sprinter, a walker, and a crawler until the person with the lowest level of eeman crosses, his light will be so little that his big toe will flicker on. He'll take one step, and it'll flicker off. He'll freeze, not knowing ifit will turn on again.
We can express this in a simple equation: eeman = faster crossing + brighter light.
And crossing the bridge is a punishment - you look down and see the fire of Hell. And there will be hooks reaching out, hooks with thorns to snag the people destined for the Hellfire.
May Allaah make us all among those who cross in the twinkling of an eye, and protect us from falling into the Hellfire, even for a moment.
Reunion in Paradise
Allaah says:
"And those who believe and whose offspring follow them in Faith to them shall We join their offspring and We shall not decrease the reward of their deeds in anything. Every person is a pledge for that which he has earned." (Q52 [Tur]:21)
May Allaah join us with our family in the eternal home of bliss. Ameen.
Alhamdullilah for the mercy of Allaah. without whom none of us would enter Jannah.
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited