In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِنَ الأَمْوَالِ وَالأَنْفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ وَبَشِّرِالصَّابِرِينَ
ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَصَـٰبَتۡهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ۬ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّآ إِلَيۡهِ رَٲجِعُونَ
أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ عَلَيۡہِمۡ صَلَوَٲتٌ۬ مِّن رَّبِّهِمۡ وَرَحۡمَةٌ۬‌ۖ وَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُهۡتَدُونَ

And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.). Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: “Truly! To Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.” They are those on whom are the Salawat (i.e. blessings, etc.) (i.e. who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided-ones. [Surah Al-Baqarah. Aayaat 155 -157]

Anas Bin Maalik [may Allaah be pleased with him] reported that the people said, “O Allaah’s Messenger! Prices have gone up, so fix prices for us”. So, Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “Allah is the one Who fixes prices, Who withholds, gives lavishly and provides, and I hope that when I meet Allah, none of you will have any claim on me for an injustice regarding blood or property”. [Saheeh Sunan Abee Dawud. Number 3450]

Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: High increases in prices and their decreases are one of those events that none brings about except Allaah alone and nothing can occur from it except by Allaa’s Will, but He [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] has made some of the actions of His servants the cause of some incidents just as He made the deed of murder of a murderer a cause of the death of the victim. The increase in prices may be due to the injustice of the people and the decrease may be due to the benevolence of some people. (1)

Muammar Bin Abdillaah [may Allaah be pleased with him] said that the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “None hoards except a sinner”. [Saheeh Muslim. Number 1605]

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: He is the who buys commodities – such as food and the like that is needed in times of hardship- and store it, so that when the price is high he sells it for more. This is not permissible, it is an evil deed and the one who does so is a sinner. If there is one in charge of authority in the country, it is obligated on him to implement the affairs related to the Sharee’ah. It is obligated on the one in charge of authority to prevent him from doing so and compel him to sell food at the same price – at the current market price. He cannot hoard it if it is during the time of hardship. As for the one who buys food or other than food that people need in a time of prosperity and abundance in the markets, and not to harm anyone, then when trade begins he sells it without delaying until when a state of extreme need occurs- rather, he sells when the trading begins and there is benefit; there is no objection to this action of his. This is work of merchants in ancient and modern times. (2)

Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: It is forbidden to monopolize (or hoard) what people are in need of. The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “None hoards except a sinner”. This is a person who deliberately commits a sin. Monopolizing (or hoarding) is only in relation to what is not found with anyone else other than this monopolist (or hoarder); but as for what him and someone else possess and he wants to keep the commodity until its season comes, then there is nothing wrong with this and it is not considered a monopoly (or hoarding). For instance, if a person buys rice and says, “I will save it until the time of its season, whilst the people have rice and they sell as they want”, this is not considered a monopoly (or hoarding); but if it is not found except with him and he saves it until the time of high prices comes, then indeed this is monopolizing (or hoarding). The scholars say that the one in charge of authority is obliged to force the monopolist to sell what he has monopolized (or hoarded) just as people sell at the time they need to sell because this is in the public interest. (3)

Th Means of Increasing Our Income

Imaam As-Sadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said:

As for the manner in which the Islamic religion deals with the poor, it commanded them – as well as everyone else who fails to accomplished his personal wish- to be patient, accept Allaah’s decree, acknowledge that Allaah is All-Wise, possessor of perfect judgment and (All-Wise in) in His disposal of all affairs, and that there are various benefits in this (for a person).

Allaah said: [وعسى أن تكرهوا شيئا وهو خير لكم وعسى أن تحبوا شيئا وهو شر لكم والله يعلم وأنتم لا تعلمون – And it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know]. [Surah Al-Baqarah. Aayah 216]

This belief of theirs removes the sadness that would have entered the hearts and thus leads to helplessness and laziness. Allaah commanded them that neither should they seek to remove their poverty and seeking after their needs by depending on the people nor asking them except where it is unavoidable and when it is necessary to do so; and that they seek to remove their poverty through Allaah alone – by way of various activities and means, which Allaah has made a means to removing poverty, and every person preoccupies with the means that suits him and his situation; so, this benefits a person by freeing him from abject dependence, trains him to be strong and active, and fights against laziness and apathy, but also not envying the wealthy due to what Allaah has bestowed on them. Allaah said:

ولا تتمنوا ما فضل الله به بعضكم على بعض للرجال نصيب مما اكتسبوا وللنساء نصيب مما اكتسبن واسألوا الله من فضله إن الله كان بكل شيء عليما

And covet not for the things in which Allah has made some of you to excel others. For men there is reward for what they have earned, (and likewise) for women there is reward for what they have earned, and ask Allah of His Bounty. Surely, Allah is Ever All-Knower of everything. [Surah An-Nisaa. Aayah 32]

Allaah commanded them to be sincere in their work, dealings and crafts, and not to hasten in seeking their livelihood by indulging in vile gains that deprives a person of an upright adherence to the religion and corrupts the worldly affairs. Allaah commanded them to do two things that would help them whilst facing the hardship of poverty- economize and to be contented with what Allaah has bestowed on them, because little sustenance alongside wise economization becomes a lot. Contentment is an inexhaustible treasure and it is richness without wealth. There are many poor people who are blessed with contentment and the ability to economize- neither wishing for what the luxurious people possess nor feeling bitter about their meager sustenance. When the poor people are guided by the guidance of the religion to exercise patience and attach themselves to Allaah, freed from abject dependence, working hard and striving in honorable and beneficial deeds and satisfied with Allaah’s grace, the burden and difficulty of poverty will be eased for them. In addition to this, they do not cease striving for self-sufficiency (and to obtain more provision), whilst hoping for the bounty of their Lord, awaiting His promise and fearing Him. Allaah said: [ ومن يتق الله يجعل له مخرجا ويرزقه من حيث لا يحتسب – And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty).

Allaah said: [ ومن يتوكل على الله فهو حسبه – And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him]. [Surah At-Talaaq. Aayaat 2-3] (4)

Al-Allaamah Abdul Muhsin Al-Abbaad [may Allaah preserve him] stated: Indeed there are many verses in the Qur’aan and a number of narrations in the Sunnah regarding these (good) outcomes, and that fear of Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) and righteous actions leads to happiness in this life and the next. Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) said: [وَلَوۡ أَنَّ أَهۡلَ ٱلۡقُرَىٰٓ ءَامَنُواْ وَٱتَّقَوۡاْ لَفَتَحۡنَا عَلَيۡہِم بَرَكَـٰتٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ – And if the people of the towns had believed and had the Taqwa (piety), certainly, We should have opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth].

Indeed, this noble ayah mentions both worship and its (good) outcomes in the life of a Muslim, and that whoever fears Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) and believes in Him, then indeed Allaah (The Most High) will reward him and give him provision in the life of this world. Allaah will open for him blessings from the heavens and the earth– by way of rain from the sky and vegetation and treasures from the earth.

Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) said about the people of the Scripture:

[وَلَوۡ أَنَّہُمۡ أَقَامُواْ ٱلتَّوۡرَٮٰةَ وَٱلۡإِنجِيلَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيۡہِم مِّن رَّبِّہِمۡ لَأَڪَلُواْ مِن فَوۡقِهِمۡ وَمِن تَحۡتِ أَرۡجُلِهِم‌ۚ – And if only they had acted according to the Taurat (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel), and what has (now) been sent down to them from their Lord (the Qur’an), they would surely have gotten provision from above them and from underneath their feet.” [5:66] Meaning: The provision Allaah would have bestowed upon them by way rain from the sky, and also from beneath their feet by way of that which Allaah causes to grow in the earth, such as plants and crops; and also the treasures which Allaah causes to come out from the earth.

So, that which has been mentioned in these two verses about the people of the towns and the people of the scripture is related to reward in this worldly life a worldly for (the one who) believes in Allaah and fears Him. And with regards to the reward in the afterlife for the believers and those who fear Allaah, then indeed Allaah has mentioned it in His statement: [وَلَوۡ أَنَّ أَهۡلَ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبِ ءَامَنُواْ وَٱتَّقَوۡاْ لَڪَفَّرۡنَا عَنۡہُمۡ سَيِّـَٔاتِہِمۡ وَلَأَدۡخَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ جَنَّـٰتِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ – And if only the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) had believed (in Muhammad) and warded off evil (sin, ascribing partners to Allah) and had become Al-Muttaqun (pious), We would indeed have blotted out their sins and admitted them to Gardens of pleasure (in Paradise)].

Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) said: [يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَقُولُواْ قَوۡلاً۬ سَدِيدً۬ا – O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allah and fear Him, and speak (always) the truth]. [33:70] This (Ayah 33:70) indicates to an act of worship (i.e. fear of Allaah and being truthful in speech); then Allaah mentioned its (good) effects, saying: [يُصۡلِحۡ لَكُمۡ أَعۡمَـٰلَكُمۡ وَيَغۡفِرۡ لَكُمۡ ذُنُوبَكُمۡۗ وَمَن يُطِعِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ۥ فَقَدۡ فَازَ فَوۡزًا عَظِيمًا- He will direct you to do righteous good deeds and will forgive you your sins. And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger) he has indeed achieved a great achievement].

Indeed being directed towards righteous and correct actions and forgiven one’s sins in the afterlife are (good) outcomes of Ibaadah (worship). So this noble ayah mentions both the (good) outcomes of the Ibaadaat (acts of worship) in this worldly life and the afterlife-in this worldly life Allaah will direct the person towards righteous and good actions and enables him to reach good, truth and correctness in all his affairs; so that he follows the path of Allaah upon clear sightedness. And in the afterlife, Allaah will forgive him his sins and wipe away his evil deeds.
Also Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) said:

[وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجۡعَل لَّهُ ۥ مَخۡرَجً۬ا ]
[وَيَرۡزُقۡهُ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا يَحۡتَسِبُ‌ۚ ]

And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine.

This noble ayah establishes the fact that fear of Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic)–and that is to worship Him (alone without partners); fulfil His commandments and keep away from what He has forbidden– will remove a person from critical and difficult situations. Also Allaah provides for the one who obeys and fears Him from sources he never could imagine.

Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) said: [وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجۡعَل لَّهُ ۥ مِنۡ أَمۡرِهِۦ يُسۡرً۬ا -And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make his matter easy for him].

Indeed, from the (good) outcomes of fearing Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) is that Allaah will make a person’s affairs easy. Allaah will facilitate for him the paths towards good and opens for him paths that leads to happiness in this life and the afterlife.

Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) said: [وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يُكَفِّرۡ عَنۡهُ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِۦ وَيُعۡظِمۡ لَهُ ۥۤ أَجۡرًا -And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will remit his sins from him, and will enlarge his reward]. [65:5] This is related to the rewards in the hereafter that comes about as a result of one’s fear of Allaah (Glorified be He)

Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) said:

[يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِن تَتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ يَجۡعَل لَّكُمۡ فُرۡقَانً۬ا وَيُكَفِّرۡ عَنڪُمۡ سَيِّـَٔاتِكُمۡ وَيَغۡفِرۡ لَكُمۡ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ ذُو ٱلۡفَضۡلِ ٱلۡعَظِيمِ – O you who believe! If you obey and fear Allah, He will grant you Furqan a criterion [(to judge between right and wrong), or (Makhraj, i.e. making a way for you to get out from every difficulty)], and will expiate for you your sins, and forgive you, and Allah is the Owner of the Great Bounty].

This noble ayah shows the fact that the one who fears Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic), acts in obedience to Allaah and His Messenger, then indeed Allaah will grant him a criterion to distinguish between truth and falsehood, and he will follow the path of Allaah upon clear sightedness and guidance in this worldly life. And in the afterlife Allaah will reward him by wiping away his evil deeds and forgive him his sins.

Also, Allaah (The Most High) stated in the last part of the ayah that discusses the etiquettes to be employed in dealing with loans and debts: [وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ‌ۖ وَيُعَلِّمُڪُمُ ٱللَّهُ‌ۗ-So be afraid of Allah; and Allah teaches you].

And Allaah stated in the story of Nooh (alayhis-salaam) and his people:

فَقُلۡتُ ٱسۡتَغۡفِرُواْ رَبَّكُمۡ إِنَّهُ ۥ كَانَ غَفَّارً۬ا
يُرۡسِلِ ٱلسَّمَآءَ عَلَيۡكُم مِّدۡرَارً۬ا
وَيُمۡدِدۡكُم بِأَمۡوَٲلٍ۬ وَبَنِينَ وَيَجۡعَل لَّكُمۡ جَنَّـٰتٍ۬ وَيَجۡعَل لَّكُمۡ أَنۡہَـٰرً۬ا

I (Nooh) said (to them): ‘Ask forgiveness from your Lord; Verily, He is Oft-Forgiving; He will send rain to you in abundance; And give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers.

The affairs mentioned in the above verses are (good) outcomes of Ibaadah (worship); because the act of worship mentioned here is [الْإِسْتِغْفَار –to seek forgiveness] and its (good) outcome is that Allaah will send down rain upon them in abundance; give them an increase in wealth and children, and bestow on them gardens and rivers.

Also, similar to this above ayah is what Allaah mentioned about Hud (alayhis-salaam) and his people (i.e. a command Allaah commanded Prophet Hud to convey to his people):

[وَيَـٰقَوۡمِ ٱسۡتَغۡفِرُواْ رَبَّكُمۡ ثُمَّ تُوبُوٓاْ إِلَيۡهِ يُرۡسِلِ ٱلسَّمَآءَ عَلَيۡڪُم مِّدۡرَارً۬ا وَيَزِدۡڪُمۡ قُوَّةً إِلَىٰ قُوَّتِكُمۡ – And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him, He will send you (from the sky) abundant rain, and add strength to your strength].

Also, similar to this is what Allaah stated about His Prophet Muhammad (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) and the people (i.e. a command Allaah commanded Prophet Muhammad to convey to the people):

[وَأَنِ ٱسۡتَغۡفِرُواْ رَبَّكُمۡ ثُمَّ تُوبُوٓاْ إِلَيۡهِ يُمَتِّعۡكُم مَّتَـٰعًا حَسَنًا إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ۬ مُّسَمًّ۬ى وَيُؤۡتِ كُلَّ ذِى فَضۡلٍ۬ فَضۡلَهُ ۥ‌ۖ – Seek the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance, that He may grant you good enjoyment, for a term appointed, and bestow His abounding Grace to every owner of grace (i.e. the one who helps and serves needy and deserving, physically and with his wealth, and even with good words)].

Allaah (The Most High) said:

[مَنۡ عَمِلَ صَـٰلِحً۬ا مِّن ذَڪَرٍ أَوۡ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤۡمِنٌ۬ فَلَنُحۡيِيَنَّهُ ۥ حَيَوٰةً۬ طَيِّبَةً۬‌ۖ وَلَنَجۡزِيَنَّهُمۡ أَجۡرَهُم بِأَحۡسَنِ مَا ڪَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ-Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter)].

In this noble ayah is established the fact that Eemaan and righteous action leads to a good and happy–a life filled with fear of Allaah and obedience to Him, and obedience to Allaah’s Messenger, as well as abundant reward for a person in the afterlife.

As for the narrations found in the Sunnah regarding the good outcomes of the Ibaadaat (i.e. acts of worship) in the life of a Muslim, there is that great and precious advice of the noble Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] which he gave to Ibn Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) saying:

[احْفَظْ اللَّهَ يَحْفَظْكَ احْفَظْ اللَّهَ تَجِدْهُ تُجَاهَكَ – Be mindful of Allah and He will protect you. Be mindful of Allah and you will find Him before you.’’ This hadeeth was reported by Imaam Tirmidhee (number 2516) and he graded it Hasan Saheeh. And in another wording of this hadeeth reported by Imaam Ahmad (Number 2803), the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said to Ibn Abbaas (radiyallaahu-anhumaa):

[احفظ الله تجده أمامك ، تعرف إلى الله في الرخاء يعرفك في الشدة– Be Mindful of Allaah, and you will find Him in front of you. Acknowledge Allaah in times of ease and prosperity, and He will acknowledge you in times of hardship.’’ This is the 19th hadeeth amongst the 40 ahaadeeth of Imaam An-Nawawi [rahimahullaah]

Imaam Ibn Rajab (rahimahullaah) made some precious comments on this hadeeth in Jaami-ul Uloom Wal Hikam; he said: The protection of Allaah for His slave occurs in two ways: (I) Protection of the person’s body, wealth, children and family; and (II) protection of his religion, so that he is safeguarded from those doubts that lead to misguidance and from forbidden desires, and thus he finds himself in a state of uprightness and steadfastness in his religious and worldly affairs. This is Allaah’s Protection for the one who is mindful of Him—the one who remains within the limits imposed by Allaah-by fulfilling Allaah’s commandments and keeping away from what Allaah has forbidden. Allaah rewards this person due to him being mindful of Allaah and reward is given in accordance with one’s actions. Indeed the statement of the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam): [يَحْفَظْكَ‘’He (Allaah) will protect you] is a reward from the good outcomes that are obtained as a result of righteous action, and reward is given in accordance with a person’s actions.

And as for the statement of the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam): [احْفَظْ اللَّهَ تَجِدْهُ تُجَاهَكَ- Be mindful of Allah and you will find Him before you]; meaning: you will find Allaah in front of you- Allaah will guard and protect you, and He will protect you from every evil.

And as for the statement of the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam):

[تعرف إلى الله في الرخاء يعرفك في الشدة- Acknowledge Allaah in times of ease and prosperity, and He will acknowledge you in times of hardship]; meaning: if you remain upon obedience to Allaah and His Messenger in times of ease and well-being, then indeed Allaah will reward you by protecting you during times of severe hardship and during critical situations. And what will shed more light on this is the story of the three people who were walking, so rain began to fall and they had to enter a cave in a mountain. A big rock rolled over and blocked the mouth of the cave and they were unable to come out; so it seemed as if they were in a grave whilst being alive. Then they reminded one another and remembered what will remove them from that severe hardship, and that was to recall some righteous actions they performed for the Sake of Allaah in times of ease and so that they can utilise those righteous actions as a means of Tawassul (i.e. to invoke Allaah with the best deed they performed in the past). So one of them invoked Allaah whilst mentioning the kind treatment he showed to his parents; the second invoked Allaah whilst mentioning his abandoning fornication for the sake of Allaah even though he was able to do so; and the third invoked Allaah whilst mentioning the incident when he fulfilled the rights of an employee who departed before collecting his wages. All of them invoked Allaah whilst mentioning a righteous action they had performed in times of ease, so Allaah caused the rock to move away and they came out of the cave. (See footnote A) (5)

Sins and Change of Circumstances

Allaah [The Most High] said: [ظَهَرَ ٱلۡفَسَادُ فِى ٱلۡبَرِّ وَٱلۡبَحۡرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتۡ أَيۡدِى ٱلنَّاسِ لِيُذِيقَهُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِى عَمِلُواْ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ – Evil (sins and disobedience of Allah, etc.) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned.

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: This ayah was revealed regarding the state of affairs of the world- the relationship between it and the events that occur. You see how the occurrence of those evil actions and defects (of the people) affects the harvest, vegetation and the animals in every era, and the manner in which those evil (affairs) necessitates other evils. And whenever the people initiate oppression and wickedness, their Lord (The Blessed and Most High) brings about- from those evils and defects (of theirs)- deficiencies and harm in their nourishments, fruits, atmospheres, bodies, outward appearances and manners, as a justification for their deeds, acts of oppression and wickedness. The majority of the illnesses and the general evil affairs are remnants of the punishment afflicted upon the people of the previous nations; then there remained from that what remains, as a surprise punishment against those who remain upon the (evil) deeds of those previous nations. This is a just judgement and just decree. And indeed the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) has indicated to this in his statement concerning plagues, that it is a remnant of an affliction or punishment that was sent by Allaah to the Children of Israa’eel. (6)

Allaah [The Most High] said: [إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوا مَا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ – Verily! Allah will not change the good condition of a people as long as they do not change their state of goodness themselves (by committing sins and by being ungrateful and disobedient to Allah)].

Imaam Ibnul Jawzee [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: Whoever loves that the state of affairs should become rectified then let him strive in rectifying (his) deeds. Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) said: [وَأَن لَّوِ اسْتَقَامُوا عَلَى الطَّرِيقَةِ لَأَسْقَيْنَاهُم مَّاءً غَدَقًا – If they had believed in Allah, and went on the Right Way, We should surely have bestowed on them water (rain) in abundance]. (7)

The Danger of Sinning Whilst Receiving More Provision

Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَالَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم مِّنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
وَأُمْلِي لَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ كَيْدِي مَتِينٌ

Those who reject Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), We shall gradually seize them with punishment in ways they perceive not. And I respite them; certainly My Plan is strong. [سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم – We shall gradually seize them with punishment] – by granting them plentiful provision and respite until they think that they will neither be taken to task for their disobedience nor punished, so they increase in disbelief and transgression, and evil upon evil. And through this their punishment is increased and multiplied, so they harm themselves in ways they perceive not. This is why Allaah said: [إِنَّ كَيْدِي مَتِينٌ -certainly My Plan is strong]. (8)

[ سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم مِّنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ – We shall gradually seize them with punishment in ways they perceive not]: Imaam Sufyaan Ath-Thawree [rahimahullaah] said that this means, “Whenever they commit [major] sins, Allaah bestows a blessing on them and make them forgetful of seeking forgiveness”. (9)

Aa’isha [may Allaah be pleased with her] narrated that the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] used to invoke Allaah in the salaah [before the Tasleem] saying:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ
وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَفِتْنَةِ الْمَمَاتِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْمَأْثَمِ وَالْمَغْرَمِ

“O Allaah, I seek refuge with You from the punishment of the grave and from the trial and affliction of Maseeh Ad-Dajjaal and from trial and affliction of life and death. O Allaah, I seek refuge with You from sins and from being in debt”.

It was said to him, “Why do you so frequently seek refuge with Allaah from being in debt?” The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] replied, “A person in debt tells lies whenever he speaks, and breaks promises whenever he makes them”. [Bukhaari, Hadeeth Number: 832]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] combined (in this supplication between seeking Allaah’s refuge) from sins and debt, because indeed sins necessitate loss in the afterlife and debt necessitates loss in the worldly life”. (10)

May Allaah bless us with patience in times of hardship and gratefulness in times of ease Aameen.

Footnote A: Here is the text of the hadeeth about those three men: Narrated Ibn ‘Umar: The Prophet said, “While three persons were walking, rain began to fall and they had to enter a cave in a mountain. A big rock rolled over and blocked the mouth of the cave. They said to each other, ‘Invoke Allah with the best deed you have performed (so Allah might remove the rock)’. One of them said, ‘O Allah! My parents were old and I used to go out to graze (my animals). On my return I would milk (the animals) and take the milk in a vessel to my parents to drink. After they had drunk from it, I would give it to my children, family and wife. One day I was delayed and on my return I found my parents sleeping, and I disliked to wake them up. The children were crying at my feet (because of hunger). That state of affairs continued till it was dawn. O Allah! If You regard that I did it for Your sake, then remove this rock so that we may see the sky.’ So, the rock was moved a bit. The second said, ‘O Allah! You know that I was in love with a cousin of mine, like the deepest love a man may have for a woman, and she told me that I would not get my desire fulfilled unless I paid her one-hundred Dinars (gold pieces). So, I struggled for it till I gathered the desired amount, and when I sat in between her legs, she told me to be afraid of Allah, and asked me not to deflower her except rightfully (by marriage). So, I got up and left her. O Allah! If You regard that I did if for Your sake, kindly remove this rock.’ So, two-thirds of the rock was removed. Then the third man said, ‘O Allah! No doubt You know that once I employed a worker for one Faraq (three Sa’s) of millet, and when I wanted to pay him, he refused to take it, so I sowed it and from its yield I bought cows and a shepherd. After a time that man came and demanded his money. I said to him: Go to those cows and the shepherd and take them for they are for you. He asked me whether I was joking with him. I told him that I was not joking with him, and all that belonged to him. O Allah! If You regard that I did it sincerely for Your sake, then please remove the rock.’ So, the rock was removed completely from the mouth of the cave.” [See Saheeh Bukhaari. (Number: 2215)] and Saheeh Muslim (Number 2743)]

[Ref 1: Majmoo Al-Fataawaa 8/520]

[Ref2:https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/6025/%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%AA%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%B1 ]

[Ref 3: https://binothaimeen.net/content/11952. paraphrased]

[Ref 4: An Excerpt from Ad-Deen Yahillu Jamee Al-Mashaakil. page 40]

[Ref 5: An Excerpt from Atharul Ibaadah Fee Hayaatil Muslim. pages 1-4]

[Ref 6: An Excerpt from ‘Badaa’i-ul At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnu Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah: 1/313]

[Ref 7: An Excerpt from ‘Saydul Khaatir’ page: 6]

[Ref 8: An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi]

[Ref 9: Al-Mukhalisiyaat 2352]

[Ref 10: Al-Fawaa’id: page. 97]