Sharh Riyaad as-Saaliheen – Chapter 1: Sincerity, Pt [2]. In the Name of Allah, the Extremely Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy.. ash-Shaykh al-`Uthaymeen (d.1421AH), may Allah have mercy upon him, continues to discuss the intention and the importance of sincerity: (1) The author, may Allah have mercy upon him, has mentioned several verses, all of which indicate that the place of the intention is within the heart, and that Allah, the Perfect and Most High, is Well-Aware of the servant’s intention. Perhaps an individual may perform a deed which appears to the people as righteous, but [in reality], it is evil, corrupted by the intention. This is because Allah, the Most High, knows what is in the heart, and man shall not be recompensed on the Day of Judgment except for what is present therein. Allah, the Most High, mentions: ((إِنَّهُ عَلَىٰ رَجْعِهِ لَقَادِرٌ ﴿٨﴾ يَوْمَ تُبْلَى السَّرَائِرُ ﴿٩﴾ فَمَا لَهُ مِن قُوَّةٍ وَلَا نَاصِرٍ ﴿١٠)) «Verily, (Allah) is Able to bring him back (to life)! The Day when all the secrets (deeds, prayers, fasting, etc.) will be examined (as to their truth). Then will (man) have no power, nor any helper.»(2) Meaning: The Day when all the secrets shall be examined – i.e. the hearts. He stated: ((وَإِنَّهُ عَلَىٰ ذَٰلِكَ لَشَهِيدٌ ﴿٧﴾ وَإِنَّهُ لِحُبِّ الْخَيْرِ لَشَدِيدٌ ﴿٨﴾ أَفَلَا يَعْلَمُ إِذَا بُعْثِرَ مَا فِي الْقُبُورِ ﴿٩﴾ وَحُصِّلَ مَا فِي الصُّدُورِ)) «And to that fact he bears witness (by his deeds); and verily, he is violent in the love of wealth. Knows he not that when the contents of the graves are brought out and poured forth (all mankind is resurrected). And that which is in the breasts (of men) shall be made known.»(3) In the Hereafter, the reward and the punishment (of man), his deeds, and all that is given consideration is dependent on what exists in the heart. As for the worldly life, however, it is the outward manifestations that are considered. So, people are dealt with based on their apparent state. If these outward manifestations are in agreement with what the heart contains, then the apparent and the hidden, the secret and the open, are sound and correct. However, if they are at variance, and the heart harbors a corrupt and mischievous intention – we seek refuge with Allah – then how great his loss indeed! An individual exerts, and tires himself, however, no portion will be assigned to him for the deeds; as has come in an authentic hadeeth [qudsee] from the Prophet, may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace: «Allah, the Most High, stated: I am free from having any partners. Thus, whomever performs an action, associating in it other than Me, I have abandoned him and his deeds.»(4) Allah, Allah!! O’ brothers! The intention is to be made sincerely for Allah, alone, the Perfect and Most High!! Know, that the shaytaan may approach you when you desire to perform good, whispering: “You are performing this deed only to be noticed.” So, he thwarts your resolve and determination [towards good]. But pay no heed to these whisperings, and do not obey them. Rather, perform the deed, even if he whispers to you: “You only perform this deed to be noticed or to acquire fame.” For had you been questioned about whether or not you are performing this to be seen or to acquire fame, you would have certainly said no!! Therefore, this is a whispering that the shaytaan has made to enter your heart, so turn not towards it, but perform good, and say not: “I am merely doing this to be noticed.” *** Translated by Umm Sufyaan Faatimah ________________________ (1) ash-Shaykh Muhammad b. Saalih al-`Uthaymeen, Sharh Riyaad as-Saaliheen, 1/14-16 [Daar al-Watan, 1426 ed.]. (2) Soorah at-Taariq (86):8-10. (3) Soorah al-`Aadiyaat (100):7. (4) Related by Muslim (2985), Book Az-Zuhd and Ar-Raqaa.iq, Chapter: Man Ashraka fi `Amalihi Ghayr Allah. Taken from a brother.
Posted on: Mon, 26 Aug 2013 05:08:17 +0000
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