azra Doing small acts of kindness constantly and making them a habit can help us in softening our hearts and to bring us closer to Allah. Some of us may not even know the hardness of our hearts and thus striving to look for opportunities to do good deeds can help us stay clear of such a state.
Consider the story about the man who came to the Prophet (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) complaining that his heart was hard. The Prophet (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said to him:
‘IKHLAS’ (purity and sincerity of intentions)
It is the stripping (i.e. the purifying) of one’s intentions in order to draw closer to Allah – the Mighty and Majestic – in all matters. It is also said that ikhlas is intending to single out Allah alone with acts of obedience. It has also been said thatikhlas is to forget about the creation by constantly looking towards the Creator.
And ikhlas (sincerity) is a condition for Allah to accept those righteous actions that are done in accordance with the Sunnah (guidance) of Allah’s Messenger sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.
As Muslims, we are to completely trust Allah (have “Tawakkul”) for all our affairs. We also believe that Allah’s will can supersede our plans. However, this does not mean that we should not plan and work based on what Allah has blessed us in knowledge, intelligence, and free will. Common sense, as well as Islamic teachings, tells us that we are to fully employ those God-granted faculties thanking Allah of what he has provided us, without feeling proud and arrogant about those abilities.
Allah – the One free from all imperfections – said:
“So have taqwa (fear and obedience) of Allah and reconcile the differences between yourselves.”
[Al-Qur’an 8:1]
“Indeed the Believers are but brothers. Therefore reconcile the differences between your brothers, and fear Allah so that you may receive mercy.”
[Al-Qur’an 49:10]
Abu’ l-Abbas as-Sa’idi said :
*“A man came to the Prophet (saws) and said, ‘Oh Messenger of Allah! Guide me to such an action, that when I do it, Allah will love me and the people will love me. He said, be detached from this world and then Allah will love you and do not be attracted to what people have and then the people will love you”.*
[related by Hasan, ibn Majah kitab az-Zuhud 2/1373]
The main reason behind the success of early Muslims rested in their seeking knowledge where it was evident and also from places where it was hidden. As true sons of Islam, they understood the meaning of the Prophetic Traditions (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam):
“A Muslim is never satiated in his quest for good (knowledge) till it ends in paradise.”
[Tirmizi: narrated by Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (RA)]
“A person who goes (out of his house) in search of knowledge, he is on Allah’s way and he remains so till he returns.”
[Tirmizi: Anas (RA)]
Hadith:
Ibn Umar (RadiyAllahu Anhuma) reported: Messenger of Allah (Sallellahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) seldom left a gathering without supplicating in these terms:
Hadith:
Abu Hurairah (RadiyAllahu Anhu) reported: Messenger of Allah (Sallellahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said:
“Whoever sits in a gathering and indulges in useless talk and before getting up supplicates:
“Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika, ashhadu an la ilaha illa Anta, astaghfiruka wa atubu ilaika”
(O Allah, You are free from every imperfection; praise be to You. I testify that there is no true god except You; I ask Your Pardon and turn to You in repentance),
he will be forgiven for (the sins he may have intentionally or unintentionally committed) in that assembly.”
[At-Tirmidhi]
Allah has told us in the Quran that Satan is our enemy and we should do everything to keep Satan out of our lives. Satan hurts us by misguiding us toward evil deeds, making the bad look acceptable, bringing misfortune in our lives and families, and so on. The more we succeed in keeping Satan’s tactics and curses away from our lives and our homes, the fewer will be the fights, arguments, misunderstandings, etc., and the more will we enjoy Allah’s peace and blessings.
AVOID ENVIRONMENTS OF SIN
Let us remind ourselves that weak faith overshadows the brightness of a heart as we learn from a hadith of the prophet (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam):
“There is no heart that is not covered by a cloud like the cloud covering the moon when it is shining, and so it suddenly goes dark, but when it (the cloud) goes away, it shines again.”
(Reported by Abu Na’eem in al-Hilyah, 2/196; al-Silsilat al-Saheehah, 2268)
Al-Bara’ bin ‘Azib (RadiyAllahu Anhu) reported: Whenever Messenger of Allah (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) went to bed, he would lie down on his right side and recite:
“Allahumma aslamtu nafsi ilaika, wa wajjahtu wajhi ilaika, wa fawwadtu amri ilaika, wa ‘alja’tu zahri ilaika, raghbatan wa rahbatan ilaika, la malja’a wa la manja illa ilaika. Amantu bikitabikal-ladhi anzalta, wa nabiyyikal-ladhi arsalta”
In this lies a great secret from the secrets of tawhid. This is that the heart cannot become firm, it cannot find satisfaction and it cannot find tranquility except by reaching out to Him. Everything that is loved and desired besides Him then it must be desired for other than His sake. The One Who is desired, the One Who is beloved in and of Himself, with Whom all matters find their final goal is only one. It is impossible that the final goal be to two destinations just as it is impossible that the beginning of the creation be from two sources.
Hadith:
Mu’adh bin Anas (RadiyAllahu Anhu) reported: Messenger of Allah (Sallellahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said:
“Whoever gives up wearing elegant and expensive garments out of humbleness, when he can do so, Allah will call him on the Day of Resurrection and before all the creations, He will give him the choice to wear whichever garment of Iman he would like to wear.”
[At-Tirmidhi]
COMMENTARY:
Weakness of faith (eeman) is a common complaint among many Muslims. Those who are aware and conscious of it struggle to find ways to overcome it. Faith, as we know, is directly connected with the heart.Allah (SWT) has warned us against the heart that is hardened, closed, sick, blind and sealed. The spiritual health of our hearts determines the strength of our faith. When our faith is weak, we can see it in our actions.
When our faith is weak, we are more likely to fall into sins until we completely get desensitized to their ghastly nature.
RECIEVING GUIDANCE FROM QUR’AN
The verses of the Quran brought light to a world that was enveloped in darkness and ignorance. These verses of truth made people understand their Lord, softened hearts, changed minds, and made people Muslims. Allah attested to the power of these words when He, The Almighty, said in the Quran:
“Had We sent down this Quran on a mountain, you would surely have seen it humbling itself and rent asunder by the fear of Allah. Such are the parables which We put forward to mankind that they may reflect.”
[Quran (Surah Al-Hashr: 21)]
TRYING TO FIND SHORTCUTS BY TREADING CLOSE TO ‘MAKROOH’ AND ‘HARAM’
Not giving importance to what is approved by Allah and what is disapproved, leads some people to find shortcuts and tread close to the territory of haram. This gets them involved in ‘makrooh’ acts (undesirable but not haram). However, makrooh deeds eventually ensnare them in haram deeds.
The Prophet (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:
“Whoever falls into doubtful matters falls into haram, like a shepherd who grazes his flock around a place where he is not allowed – he will soon enter it…”
Acts of worship such as Salat (prayers) are more meaningful when done in a state of Khushu. This is a state in which one attains a state of complete concentration and focus while standing before Allah. The prophet (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam)’s fear of Allah and the gratitude that he felt for The Almighty drove him to stand all night in complete concentration in voluntary prayers.
The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said:
“There is no one among you but there has been appointed for him a Qareen (companion) from among the Jinn and a Qareen from among the angels.” They said: “You too, O Messenger of Allah?” He said: “Me too, but Allah helped me against him and he has become Muslim, and he does not tell me to do anything but good.”
[Muslim]
Anas bin Malik (RadiyAllahu Anhu) reported: Once the time for As-Salat (the prayer) approached. Those whose houses were near, went to their houses to perform Wudu’ while some of the people remained with Messenger of Allah (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam). A stone (containing some water) bowl was brought for him. It was too small for him to spread his hand over it. He performed his Wudu’ and it (the water) sufficed for all the others also. Anas was asked: “How many of you were present there?” He said: “Eighty or more.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
In this Quranic verse, Allah clearly tells mankind that Prophet Muhammad (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) was sent as a model for mankind to follow and the success in this life and the hereafter depends on following him.
“ Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad S.A.W.S.) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much.”
(Quran, Surah Al-Ahzab, Verse 21)
1. Abu Hurairah (RadiyAllahu Anhu) reported: ‘Messenger of Allah (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) never found fault with food. If he had inclination to eating it, he would eat; and if he disliked it, he would leave it.’
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
COMMENTARY:
This Hadith throws light on the Prophet’s excellent manners which ought to be followed by all Muslims. It is a deplorable state of affairs that when we find a dish a bit unsavoury, we lose our temper and create quite a scene in the house. May we follow the excellent example of our Prophet (S.A.W.S.).
Other Acts That Can Help The Sinner In Getting Allah’s Forgiveness!
SUPPLICATION UPON HEARING ADHAN:
Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqaas, (R.A.), narrated that the Prophet (S.A.W.S) said:
“He who says upon hearing the person calling the Athaan, ‘I also bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah alone without a partner, and that Muhammad is His slave and messenger. I accept Allah as a Lord, Muhammad as a messenger, and Islam
as a religion’ – all his previous sins will be forgiven.”
[Sahih Muslim]
SAYING ‘AMEEN’:
STAYING AWAY FROM FORBIDDEN MATTERS AND PERFORMING THE OBLIGATORY DEEDS:
Allah tells us in the Quran that doing good deeds can help us in erasing our bad deeds.
He says in the Quran:
“Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds (i.e. small sins). That is a reminder (an advice) for the mindful (those who accept advice).”
(Hud 11:114)
Focusing on the obligatory acts and steering clear of what Allah has forbidden, thus helps one distance from sins.
This article focuses on how one can repent for the sins committed, and to earn Allah’s pleasure for asking for such forgiveness.
As Allah the Most Caring assures us:
“Say: O My slaves who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily, Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Surah Az-Zumar: 39:53)
He also says in the Quran:
“Indeed Allah loves those who repent and purify themselves”
(Surah Al Baqarah, 2:222)