Refresh Your Imaan

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “There is nothing wrong with being rich for those who fear Allah, but for those who fear Allah, good health is better than riches. And peace of mind is also a blessing.” [Musnad Ahmad] This hadith tells us:  (1) If we fear Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) then wealth won’t hurt us because we will use it appropriately.   (2) If we do not have adequate fear of Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) but do have wealth, it is very unfortunate for us. This is because we will spend the wealth in ways displeasing to Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) and earn His Wrath on the Day of Judgement for misusing the trust He placed with us. All the needy people of the world, to whom the wealth should have been channeled through us, will take our good deeds on the Day of Judgement. (3) Health is a greater blessing for the God-fearing than wealth is. Health allows us to perform deeds pleasing to Allah (subhana wa ta’ala). The more wealth we have, the longer our Reckoning

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) recited this Ayat: “That Day it (the earth) will declare its information.” [Quran: Surah Az-Zalzalah, Ayat 4] He (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) then asked his Companions: “Do you know what ‘its information’ is?” They said: “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “‘Its information’ means that it will testify against every man and woman about what they did on its surface. It will say, ‘On such and such a day they did such and such. That is ‘its information.’” [Tirmidhi] Among the witnesses against a person will be the earth, and days and nights; they will testify about what was done on/in them and against them. Wealth will testify against its owner; a person’s own body will testify against him; and the angels who record deeds, both good and evil will also be witnesses. Imaam Qurtubi devoted a chapter to this subject in his Tadhkirah.

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “The people who were safe (in this world) will wish on the Day of Resurrection that their skins had been torn with iron combs (in the world), when they see the reward of the people who suffered trials.” [Sunan at-Tirmidhi] What should our response be when we are faced with grief and distress, by means of which Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) tests His slaves?  “And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Saabiroon (the patient): Who, when afflicted with calamity, say, ‘Truly, to Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.’ They are those on whom are the Salawaat (i.e. who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided ones.” [Surah al-Baqarah: Ayaat 155-157] When the people who were saved in the world from calamities, misfortunes, imprisonment, tortures, illness,

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Every good deed of the son of Adam will be multiplied between ten and seven hundred times, but Allah says, ‘Except for fasting, because it is for Me and I will give the reward for it.’” [Bukhaari] Among the actions which will be multiplied beyond measure, to an extent known only to the One Who gives the reward, is fasting. The reason that the one who fasts will be given reward without measure, is that fasting requires Sabr (patience), and those who are patient will be given reward without measure. Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) says in the Quran: “Only those who are patient shall receive their reward in full, without measure.” [Surah Az-Zumar: Ayat 10] Imaam Qurtubi said: “The scholars said, ‘Every reward will be measured and weighed out, except (the reward for) fasting, which will be poured out and heaped up.’” [Tafseer al-Qurtubi]

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “The arrogant will be gathered like small ants in the form of men on the Day of Resurrection, overwhelmed by humiliation from all sides.” [Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh] Small ants are something to which people pay no attention; they step on them without even realizing it. Arrogance is a major sin. It is the result of falsely ascribing greatness to oneself while the reality is that all good things are from Allah (subhana wa ta’ala). Arrogance is thus a form of lying about oneself and belittling Allah’s favours. So Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) hates conceited people and when He resurrects His slaves, He will gather the arrogant in a humiliating form. Sometimes we put on an appearance of humility while our hearts are filled with conceit and haughtiness.   Rid yourself of false beliefs about yourself before your over-inflated ego is deflated and you are put in your place on the Day of Judgement.