The Creed (2/2)

Charity

One should love Allah so much that one’s heart is always looking for Him. This love for Allah will impel one to good deeds, sacrifice, and struggle for His sake, so much so that one’s attachment to this temporary world and to one’s family cannot stop one from doing good deeds. He has said:

 “Say, if your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your mates, or your kindred, and nation or the wealth that you have gained, or the commerce in which you fear a decline, or the dwellings in which you delight - are dearer to you than Allah or His messenger and the striving in His cause - then wait until Allah brings about His decision; and [know that Allah] does not guide the rebellious.” [Qur’an, Surah At-Tawbah, 9:24]

One should sacrifice in the cause of Allah because one likes to taste the sweetness of faith. The Prophet said (may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him):

 “Those who have three things will taste the sweetness of faith, namely, a love for Allah and His Messenger greater than for anything else, a love for another only because of Allah, and hatred of returning to kufr (unbelief) as strong as one’s hatred of being thrown into hell-fire.” [Reported by Bukhari]

Prayer

1. One must serve Allah Alone, and not admit any rivals to Him or partners. A Muslim worships Allah because Allah has ordered him through His Messenger to do so. Allah the Almighty has said:

 “For We assuredly sent amongst every people a messenger (with the command) serve Allah and avoid evil.” [Qur’an, Surah An-Nahl, 16:36]

2. Every Muslim should learn and try to understand the names or attributes of Allah. Abu Hurairah narrated a hadith that the Prophet (may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:

 “Allah has 99 names, a hundred less one; every one of you who memorizes them will be in Paradise. Allah is odd (not even) and Allah loves odd things.” [Reported by Bukhari]

3. Allah should be remembered by reciting His names. Such dhikr or remembrance of Allah is the best medicine to cure the soul. It is also the most effective weapon to fight against problems of the world. Allah the Almighty told the Prophet to say:

 “He (Allah) guides to Himself all who turn to Him - those who believe and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah - for without doubt in the remembrance of Allah human hearts find satisfaction.” [Qur’an, Surah Ar-Ra'd, 13:28]

Allah, the Almighty has said:

 “If anyone withdraws himself from remembrance of Allah Most Gracious, We appoint for him an evil one to be his intimate companion.” [Qur’an, Surah Az-Zukhruf, 43:36]

4. Man should ponder the creation of Allah, not his dhat or person. The Prophet (may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said in one hadith:

 “Ponder the creation of Allah and not about the person of Allah, because you will not be able to comprehend it.” [This hadith has been narrated by Abu Nuaim in al-Hilyah, and also by al-Asfihani in at-Targhib uia-tarhib.]

5. One must fear only Allah. Such awe of Allah and fear of separation from Him strengthens one to abstain from all that is forbidden. Allah the Almighty has said:

 “And for those who fear their Lord unseen, for them is forgiveness and a great reward.” [Qur’an, Surah Al-Mulk, 67:12]

 “Such as obey Allah and His messenger and fear Allah and do right will win (in the end).” [Qur’an, Surah An-Nur, 24:7]

6. One should depend on Allah in every matter and make tawakkul (trust in Allah). This generates such strength of commitment that one will feel at ease in everything one does. Allah the Almighty has said:

 “And if anyone puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him.” [Qur’an, Surah At-Talaaq, 65:3]

The Prophet (may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:

 “Be mindful of Allah, and Allah will protect you. Be mindful of Allah, and you will find Him in front of you. If you ask, ask of Allah; if you seek help, seek help of Allah. Know that if the nations were to gather together to benefit you with anything, it would benefit you only with something that Allah had already prescribed for you, and if they gather together to harm you with anything, they would harm you only with something Allah had already prescribed for you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.” [Reported by Tirmidhi]

7. One should thank Allah for His mercy and unlimited gifts. Thankfulness is part of virtue. Allah, the Almighty has said:

 “And Allah has brought you forth from your mothers’ wombs knowing nothing but He gave you hearing and sight and intelligence and affections so that you might have cause to be grateful.” [Qur’an, Surah An-Nahl, 16:78]

 “A sign for them is the earth that is dead. We give it life and produce from it grain which you eat. And we produce orchards in it with date-palms and vines, and We cause springs to gush forth from it, so that they may enjoy the fruits of this (artistry). It was not their hands that made this. Will they not then give thanks?” [Qur’an, Surah Ya-Sin, 36:33-35]

Allah has promised to increase His mercy for those who thank Him, and to punish those who are ungrateful. Allah the Almighty has said:

 “And remember when your Lord made [this promise] known: “If you are grateful [to me], I shall most certainly give you more and more, but if you show ingratitude, truly My punishment is severe indeed.” [Qur’an, Surah Ibrahim, 14:7]

8. One must repent to Allah and make istighfar (a statement of repentance). This act of repentance purifies one’s contrition and faith and instills a feeling of tranquility and peace in one’s heart. Allah the Almighty has said:

 “If anyone does evil or wrongs his own soul but afterwards seeks Allah’s forgiveness, he will find Allah Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Qur’an, Surah An-Nisa', 4:110]

 “And those who, when they have done something to be ashamed of or wronged their own souls, earnestly bring Allah to mind and ask forgiveness for their sins.- and who can forgive sins except Allah – and are never obstinate in persisting knowingly in (the wrong) they have done; for such the reward is forgiveness from Allah.” [Qur’an, Surah Al-‘Imran, 3:135-136]