They should make this tremendous supplication often [i.e. Aayah 8 Surah Aal Imraan], and [also] the supplication which Allaah’s Messenger used to make often. Anas [radiyallaahu-anhu] said: Allaah’s Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] used to say a lot: “O Turner of the hearts, keep my heart firm upon your religion.” So the companions said: O Allaah’s Messenger! Do you fear for us? He said: “Yes. Indeed the hearts are between two fingers from the fingers of Allaah, and He turns them however He wills.”

Therefore, the believer does not feel secure from Allaah’s plan [i.e. he is careful of persisting upon wrong, turning away from truth and becoming complacent lest he becomes misguided]. [Allaah said]: None feels secure from the Plan of Allah except the people who are the losers. [Surah Al-A’raaf, Aayah 99]

The believer always fears Allaah. He fears that Allaah might not accept his deeds and he is not decieved by hope [i.e. hoping whilst not striving sincerely]. The spending carried out in the path of Allaah and the streneous effort made through acts of obedience to Allaah is nothing in the eyes of the truthful believer, for they are not equal to the smallest blessing amongst the [uncountable] blessings of Allaah. [Allaah’s Messenger (sallal laahu alayhi wasallam said)]: “Glorified be You [O Allaah] and free are You from all imperfections! I cannot fully praise you, for you are as you have praised yourself. [Saheeh Muslim 486]

This was Muhammad [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] – the one whose past and future sins were forgiven, but he feared Allaah the most. He said: “I swear by Allaah that I am the most fearful of Allaah and the most conscious of Him [based on knowledge regarding His Greatness etc] than you.”

He used to stand for so long that his feet became swollen. ‘Aishah said: O Allaah’s Messenger! Why are you doing this when Allaah has forgiven your past and future sins? He said: “Should I not be a thankful slave?”

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