As mentioned before, Allah tests His creation to distinguish between those who have faith and those who do not. The stronger they are in faith, the more He will test them. Although this may seem unfair, Allah is never unjust. The more He tests the believers, the more He will reward them in return. The opportunities to earn the rewards of Allah are equal for both men and women. However, the rewards for believers and nonbelievers are quite different. Rewards for non-believers are only awarded in this life, whereas the rewards for believers are awarded in this life and in the Hereafter. The reasons for this will soon become more apparent.
A true believer will always try to remain obedient to his Creator. He will love his Lord and try to please Him through prayer and devoted acts of worship. He is also aware of his Lord's Almighty Power and Wrath and is fearful not to displease Him. A true believer is aware of the temptations and distractions in this life, but he is also aware of the Laws and limits laid down by his Lord. He, therefore, obeys his Lord and defers certain gratification in this life for the rewards that can be gained in the Next.
This life often feels like a prison to the true believer because of all the Islamic restrictions, sacrifices and severe hardships he has to endure. His life is spent in constant struggle between his own wanton desires and his moral conscience. However, Allah is aware of all his efforts and self-sacrifice and will either reward him for it in this life or i.n the Hereafter (or both). Every time a believer makes a sacrifice for Allah's sake, his sins will be' expiated. [9. Narrated by Abdullah Ibn Umar (Muslim)] A good deed will also be written for him and its reward multiplied between ten and seven hundred times. Allah provides incentives such as these to encourage us to strive harder and make more and more sacrifices in our lives.
If a person embraces Islam sincerely, then Allah shall forgive all his past sins, and after that starts the settlement of accounts: the reward of his good deeds will be ten times to seven hundred times for each good deed, and an evil deed will be recorded as it is, unless Allah forgives it. [10. Narrated by Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri (Bukhari)]
Worship consists of three levels of belief and striving:
a) Islam - total submission and obedience to Allah.
b) Iman - true faith consisting of belief in the heart, speech of the tongue and action of the limbs.
c) Ihsan - perfection of worship (performing worship and doing good deeds as though you see Allah, and if you cannot achieve this feeling or attitude then you must remember that He sees you).
Every believer should try to live his life according to these three basic levels of worship.
The highest level of attainment in Paradise is Al-Firdaus, which is situated directly beneath Allah's Throne. This level is reserved in honor of the martyr, [Muslim fighters who die defending their faith; by plague; abdominal disease; drowning or a falling building; burns; pneumonia and delivery, [11. Narrated by Abu Huraira. (Bukhari)] who sacrificed his/her life in Allah's Cause. [12.Narrated by Abu Huraira. (Bukhari)] Paradise descends through various levels reserved for people according to their strength of faith and level of striving. The more we strive in Allah's Cause with our lives, wealth, desires and emotions, the better our position will be in Paradise, Insha' Allah.
Allah's Messenger said: "The world is the believer's prison and the infidels' paradise." [13. Narrated by Abu Huraira (Muslim, Riyad us-Saliheen)]
Paradise is surrounded by hardships and Hellfire is surrounded by temptations. [14. Narrated by Anas b. Malik. (Muslim)]
This life is like a paradise for non-believer, as he appears to have fewer restrictions and make fewer sacrifices. However, this is the choice he makes and one that bears heavy consequences (penalties) in the Hereafter. He denies the existence of his Divine Creator and remains disobedient to His Divine Authority. The non-believer strives only to please himself and satisfy his own selfish desires rather than gain the pleasure of his Lord However, by seeking instant gratification in this life, he sacrifices the best that is still yet to come. Allah will deny him the pleasures in Paradise and grant him all that he desires in this life instead.
Allah will test His creation to distinguish between those who turn to Him in times of need and those who do not. The ways in which believers and non-believers cope during trials are also radically different. Believers acknowledge and accept that their destiny is in the Hands of Allah. For every blessing they receive, they are grateful to Allah, and for every tragedy that befalls them, they accept and endure it patiently for the rewards it brings. Alternatively, they may express their pain and anguish to Allah, but in private so as not to show disrespect or conflict with His Divine Will and Judgment.
When non-believers and weak Muslims are overwhelmed with stress, they often become frustrated and impatient, and find it difficult to control their emotions. Instead of suppressing their nafs (desires and emotions) to please Allah, they please the shaytan by publicly expressing their disappointment and displeasure. Rather than turning to Allah to alleviate their worries, they commit shirk by using forbidden methods of coping. They may rely upon superstition, spiritualism or astrology; or take solace in alcohol, drugs or music. As a result, all their efforts to cope with life's problems are made in vain, as they are made with very little (if any) remembrance of Allah.
Non-believers and weak Muslims may also fail to give thanks and praise to Allah for His Kind Favors, especially in times of comfort and ease. Instead, they take full credit for all their success and achievements in life. When performing acts of charity, generosity or kindness, they may think they are deserving of reward and yet the intention to please Allah and gain His rewards was totally absent.
'Say (O Muhammad); Shall We tell you the greatest losers in respect of (their) deeds?
Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life while they thought that they were acquiring good by their deeds!' [15. Surah Al-Kahf 18:103-4]
The attitude of the true believer is vastly different:
Wonderful is the case of a believer - there is good for him in everything, and this is only for the believer. If he experiences a blessing, he is grateful to Allah - which is good for him, and if he experiences an adversity, he is patient, which is also good for him. [16. Narrated by Suhayb bin Sinan (Muslim)]
Allah tests mankind in terms of their good deeds acts of generosity, charity and self-sacrifice. Many people assume they will be rewarded with Paradise for all these virtues. However, Allah will only accept and reward righteous good deeds if two basic conditions are met. Firstly, the intention for doing good deeds must be for Allah's sake alone, without any showing off or for praise, fame or gain.
Secondly, deeds must also be performed in accordance with the Qur'an and Sunnah of the Prophet. [17.Narrated by Aisha (Bukhari)] The Prophet clearly stated that if we are only motivated to perform acts of kindness for reasons of self-satisfaction or worldly credibility and gain, we will receive our rewards in this life, but at the expense of those in the Hereafter:
The reward of deeds depends upon the intention and every man shall have that which he intended... [18. Narrated by Umar (Bukhari) ]
Verily, Allah does not treat the believer unjustly in regard to his virtues. He would confer upon him (His blessings) in this world and would give him reward in the Hereafter. And as a non-believer, he would be made to taste the reward (of virtue in this world) what he has done for himself so much that when it would be the Hereafter, he would find no virtue for which he should be rewarded. [19. Narrated by Anas b. Malik (Muslim)]
Although life is a prison for believers and a paradise for nonbelievers, these positions will be reversed in the Hereafter. On the Day of Judgment, Allah will dip believers once in Paradise, and ask them if they experienced any hardships in the worldly life. Although they would have experienced many, they will reply that they had not. This is because the reward of Paradise compensates for all their misery and pain, and they will forget their suffering in this world. Similarly, non-believers will be dipped once in the Hellfire, and asked if they experienced any comforts and material blessing. Although they would have experienced many, they will reply that they had not.
This is because the pain and misery in the Hellfire makes them forget all the enjoyment they may have had in this world. [20. Narrated by Anas b. Malik (Muslim)]
It is important to note that although Paradise is granted to every sincere and faithful believer, some Muslims will be sent to the Hellfire for an appointed duration of time. The punishment they receive will be according to the gravity of their sins in this life. However, they will eventually be taken out by Allah's Mercy and transferred into Paradise. Non-believers, on the other hand, will receive no respite. Instead, they will remain in the Hellfire for eternity.
There will be some whom the Fire would reach their ankles, some to their knees, some to their waist and to some it would reach up to their collar bones. [21. Narrated by Samura b. Jundub (Muslim)]
Whoever said: 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah" and has in his heart good faith equal to the weight of an atom will be taken out. [22. Narrated by Anas (Bukhari)]
"The deeds of anyone of you will not save you from the Hellfire." They said, "Even you, O Allah's Messenger?" He said, "No, even I will not be saved unless and until Allah bestows His Mercy on me. Therefore, do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and worship Allah in the forenoon and in the afternoon and during a part of the night, and always adopt a middle, moderate, regular course whereby you will reach your target {Paradise)." [23. Narrated by Abu Huraira (Bukhari)]
Overcoming Trials and Tribulations
By: Ruqaiyah Abdullah
A true believer will always try to remain obedient to his Creator. He will love his Lord and try to please Him through prayer and devoted acts of worship. He is also aware of his Lord's Almighty Power and Wrath and is fearful not to displease Him. A true believer is aware of the temptations and distractions in this life, but he is also aware of the Laws and limits laid down by his Lord. He, therefore, obeys his Lord and defers certain gratification in this life for the rewards that can be gained in the Next.
This life often feels like a prison to the true believer because of all the Islamic restrictions, sacrifices and severe hardships he has to endure. His life is spent in constant struggle between his own wanton desires and his moral conscience. However, Allah is aware of all his efforts and self-sacrifice and will either reward him for it in this life or i.n the Hereafter (or both). Every time a believer makes a sacrifice for Allah's sake, his sins will be' expiated. [9. Narrated by Abdullah Ibn Umar (Muslim)] A good deed will also be written for him and its reward multiplied between ten and seven hundred times. Allah provides incentives such as these to encourage us to strive harder and make more and more sacrifices in our lives.
If a person embraces Islam sincerely, then Allah shall forgive all his past sins, and after that starts the settlement of accounts: the reward of his good deeds will be ten times to seven hundred times for each good deed, and an evil deed will be recorded as it is, unless Allah forgives it. [10. Narrated by Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri (Bukhari)]
Worship consists of three levels of belief and striving:
a) Islam - total submission and obedience to Allah.
b) Iman - true faith consisting of belief in the heart, speech of the tongue and action of the limbs.
c) Ihsan - perfection of worship (performing worship and doing good deeds as though you see Allah, and if you cannot achieve this feeling or attitude then you must remember that He sees you).
Every believer should try to live his life according to these three basic levels of worship.
The highest level of attainment in Paradise is Al-Firdaus, which is situated directly beneath Allah's Throne. This level is reserved in honor of the martyr, [Muslim fighters who die defending their faith; by plague; abdominal disease; drowning or a falling building; burns; pneumonia and delivery, [11. Narrated by Abu Huraira. (Bukhari)] who sacrificed his/her life in Allah's Cause. [12.Narrated by Abu Huraira. (Bukhari)] Paradise descends through various levels reserved for people according to their strength of faith and level of striving. The more we strive in Allah's Cause with our lives, wealth, desires and emotions, the better our position will be in Paradise, Insha' Allah.
Allah's Messenger said: "The world is the believer's prison and the infidels' paradise." [13. Narrated by Abu Huraira (Muslim, Riyad us-Saliheen)]
Paradise is surrounded by hardships and Hellfire is surrounded by temptations. [14. Narrated by Anas b. Malik. (Muslim)]
This life is like a paradise for non-believer, as he appears to have fewer restrictions and make fewer sacrifices. However, this is the choice he makes and one that bears heavy consequences (penalties) in the Hereafter. He denies the existence of his Divine Creator and remains disobedient to His Divine Authority. The non-believer strives only to please himself and satisfy his own selfish desires rather than gain the pleasure of his Lord However, by seeking instant gratification in this life, he sacrifices the best that is still yet to come. Allah will deny him the pleasures in Paradise and grant him all that he desires in this life instead.
Allah will test His creation to distinguish between those who turn to Him in times of need and those who do not. The ways in which believers and non-believers cope during trials are also radically different. Believers acknowledge and accept that their destiny is in the Hands of Allah. For every blessing they receive, they are grateful to Allah, and for every tragedy that befalls them, they accept and endure it patiently for the rewards it brings. Alternatively, they may express their pain and anguish to Allah, but in private so as not to show disrespect or conflict with His Divine Will and Judgment.
When non-believers and weak Muslims are overwhelmed with stress, they often become frustrated and impatient, and find it difficult to control their emotions. Instead of suppressing their nafs (desires and emotions) to please Allah, they please the shaytan by publicly expressing their disappointment and displeasure. Rather than turning to Allah to alleviate their worries, they commit shirk by using forbidden methods of coping. They may rely upon superstition, spiritualism or astrology; or take solace in alcohol, drugs or music. As a result, all their efforts to cope with life's problems are made in vain, as they are made with very little (if any) remembrance of Allah.
Non-believers and weak Muslims may also fail to give thanks and praise to Allah for His Kind Favors, especially in times of comfort and ease. Instead, they take full credit for all their success and achievements in life. When performing acts of charity, generosity or kindness, they may think they are deserving of reward and yet the intention to please Allah and gain His rewards was totally absent.
'Say (O Muhammad); Shall We tell you the greatest losers in respect of (their) deeds?
Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life while they thought that they were acquiring good by their deeds!' [15. Surah Al-Kahf 18:103-4]
The attitude of the true believer is vastly different:
Wonderful is the case of a believer - there is good for him in everything, and this is only for the believer. If he experiences a blessing, he is grateful to Allah - which is good for him, and if he experiences an adversity, he is patient, which is also good for him. [16. Narrated by Suhayb bin Sinan (Muslim)]
Allah tests mankind in terms of their good deeds acts of generosity, charity and self-sacrifice. Many people assume they will be rewarded with Paradise for all these virtues. However, Allah will only accept and reward righteous good deeds if two basic conditions are met. Firstly, the intention for doing good deeds must be for Allah's sake alone, without any showing off or for praise, fame or gain.
Secondly, deeds must also be performed in accordance with the Qur'an and Sunnah of the Prophet. [17.Narrated by Aisha (Bukhari)] The Prophet clearly stated that if we are only motivated to perform acts of kindness for reasons of self-satisfaction or worldly credibility and gain, we will receive our rewards in this life, but at the expense of those in the Hereafter:
The reward of deeds depends upon the intention and every man shall have that which he intended... [18. Narrated by Umar (Bukhari) ]
Verily, Allah does not treat the believer unjustly in regard to his virtues. He would confer upon him (His blessings) in this world and would give him reward in the Hereafter. And as a non-believer, he would be made to taste the reward (of virtue in this world) what he has done for himself so much that when it would be the Hereafter, he would find no virtue for which he should be rewarded. [19. Narrated by Anas b. Malik (Muslim)]
Although life is a prison for believers and a paradise for nonbelievers, these positions will be reversed in the Hereafter. On the Day of Judgment, Allah will dip believers once in Paradise, and ask them if they experienced any hardships in the worldly life. Although they would have experienced many, they will reply that they had not. This is because the reward of Paradise compensates for all their misery and pain, and they will forget their suffering in this world. Similarly, non-believers will be dipped once in the Hellfire, and asked if they experienced any comforts and material blessing. Although they would have experienced many, they will reply that they had not.
This is because the pain and misery in the Hellfire makes them forget all the enjoyment they may have had in this world. [20. Narrated by Anas b. Malik (Muslim)]
It is important to note that although Paradise is granted to every sincere and faithful believer, some Muslims will be sent to the Hellfire for an appointed duration of time. The punishment they receive will be according to the gravity of their sins in this life. However, they will eventually be taken out by Allah's Mercy and transferred into Paradise. Non-believers, on the other hand, will receive no respite. Instead, they will remain in the Hellfire for eternity.
There will be some whom the Fire would reach their ankles, some to their knees, some to their waist and to some it would reach up to their collar bones. [21. Narrated by Samura b. Jundub (Muslim)]
Whoever said: 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah" and has in his heart good faith equal to the weight of an atom will be taken out. [22. Narrated by Anas (Bukhari)]
"The deeds of anyone of you will not save you from the Hellfire." They said, "Even you, O Allah's Messenger?" He said, "No, even I will not be saved unless and until Allah bestows His Mercy on me. Therefore, do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and worship Allah in the forenoon and in the afternoon and during a part of the night, and always adopt a middle, moderate, regular course whereby you will reach your target {Paradise)." [23. Narrated by Abu Huraira (Bukhari)]
Overcoming Trials and Tribulations
By: Ruqaiyah Abdullah
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