Rush to accumulate good deeds before there comes an onslaught of trials that will become an obstruction to them; trials that will negate the very basis of a good deed which is emaan (faith).
Compiled by: Abu Hafsah Kashiff Khan
Indeed, all praises and exaltations are for Allah, the One who guides whom He wants to righteousness and abandon wickedness and sinfulness. I bear witness that there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, alone and without partners, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the slave and Messenger. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, his family, his companions, and those that follow him upon righteousness until the last day.
بَادِرُوا بالأَعْمَالِ فِتَنًا كَقِطَعِ اللَّيْلِ الْمُظْلِمِ، يُصْبِحُ الرَّجُلُ مُؤْمِنًا ويُمْسِيْ كَافِرًا ويُمْسِيْ مُؤْمِنًا ويُصْبِحُ كافِرًا يَبِيعُ دِينَهُ بِعَرَضٍ مَنَ الدُّنْيَا
Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah صَلّى اللهُ عليهِ وسلّم said, “Rush to do good deeds before a trial reaches you that will be like a portion of a dark night. A man will be a believer in the morning and a disbeliever in the evening. Or he will be a believer in the evening and a disbeliever in the evening, selling his religion for worldly goods.”1
Imam Abul-‘Abbas bin Ahmad al-Qurtubi says in explanation of this Hadeeth, “Rush to accumulate good deeds before there comes an onslaught of trials that will become an obstruction to them; trials that will negate the very basis of a good deed which is emaan (faith). As he said, “A man will be a believer in the morning and a disbeliever in the evening.” This is not an impossibility, nor is it farfetched to apply this speech with its literal meaning. Certainly, trials and tribulations, if consistent, corrupt the hearts by overpowering them and hardening them. The hadith is meant to encourage benefit from our time and be diligent in doing good deeds before the appearance of roadblocks.”2
اغْتنمْ خَمْسا قَبْلَ خَمْسٍ: شبابَكَ قبل هرمِكَ، وصحتَكَ قَبْلَ سقمِكَ، وغناكَ قبْل فقرِك، وفراغَكَ قبْل شغلِكَ وحياتَكَ قبل موتِك.
It is reported on the authority of Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنه who said, the Messenger of Allah صَلّى اللهُ عليهِ وسلّم said, “Benefit from five before five: (1) your youth before your old age, (2) your health before your sickness, (3) your wealth before your poverty, (4) your free time before your busy time, (5) and your life before your death.”3
It remains to be asked then, what are the traits of those people who rush to do good deeds? How can we act upon this beautiful advice of the Prophet Muhammad صَلّى اللهُ عليهِ وسلّم?
Allah سبحانه و تعالى states in His noble book:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ هُمْ مَّنْ خَشْيَتِ رَبِّهُمْ مُشْفِقُونَ ⬧ وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ بِآيَاتِ رَبِّهُمْ يُؤْمِنُونَ ⬧ وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ بِرَبِّهُمْ لَا يُشْرِكُونَ ⬧ وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْتُونَ مآ ءَاتَوْا وَّقُلُوبُهُمْ وَجِلَةٌ أَنَّهُمْ إِلَى رَبِّهِمْ رَاجِعُونَ ⬧ أُولَئِكَ يُسَارِعُونَ فِي الْخَيْرَاتِ وَهُمْ لَهَا سَابِقُونَ
Verily, those who live in awe for fear of their Lord. And those who believe in the verses. And those who join not anyone as partners with their Lord. And those that give that which they give with their hearts full of fear because they are sure to return to their Lord. It is these that hasten in the good deeds, and they are foremost in them.
Surah al-Mu’minoon: 57-61
Al-Imam ‘Abdur Rahman bin Nasir as-Sa’di رحمه الله says in explanation of these verses:
“He describes them as having complete faith in Him and in His verses and having perfect sincerity and complete abandonment of shirk in all forms and being frightened of the One who knows the unknown, and because of this state they fulfill their obligations towards Allah and abandon disobedience. They are those hasten to good deeds and are foremost in them.
The Messenger of Allah صَلّى اللهُ عليهِ وسلّم said when asked regarding them, ‘They are those who pray and fast and give charity and (along with that) fear that it will not be accepted from them.’ These are those that combined between doing the best of actions and the fear of Allah. They
- believed in their Lord,
- had knowledge of what His rights were and what were their obligations,
- were diligent in completing those rights and obligations,
- were cautious of falling short and making mistakes,
- completed the conditions of repentance like being regretful for their past mistakes, abandoning forbidden actions, and are firm in their resolve to leave off sins and oppression,
- and hastened to their Lord while fearing his punishment and justice and hoping for and desiring his reward and blessings.
Hence, their fear of Allah’s anger and punishment dissuades them from sins and falling short. Their hope of attaining Allah’s mercy and reward entices them to obey His commandments, all the while making the journey pleasurable. Attaining the pleasure of Allah is their intent and resolve, and He is the best of protectors and aiders. The Messenger is their imam and leader, a giver of glad tidings and a warner and a beacon of light. These are the ones that are righteous and pious!
May Allah bless us with righteous good deeds and save us from trials and tribulations that attack the heart firstly and foremostly; indeed He alone is capable of that!
Source: Compiled
Author: Abu Hafsah Kashiff Khan
Translated by: Abu Hafsah Kashiff Khan
1Sahih Muslim, Book: Faith, Chapter: Rushing to do good deeds before the appearance of tribulations, Hadeeth 309. Jami’ at-Tirmidhi, Book of Trials, Chapter: There will be trials like parts of a dark night, hadeeth 2195. Authenticated by Al-Albani V
2Al-Mufhim-lima-Ashkala-min-Talkhees-Kitabi-Muslim v.1 p. 326.
3Saheeh at-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb, Al-Albaani V
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