Thariqus Shalihin – Entering Heaven By Fearing Allah (Part 2 of 6)

Entering Heaven by Fearing Allah (Part 2 of 6)

Translated from: Thariqus Shaliheen by Ust. Anshari Taslim (may Allah preserve him), Chapter I: Iman and Aqeedah

Translator: Fajri Matahati Muhammadin

A Few Virtues and Wisdoms Behind the Fear of Allah

1. Allah forgives those who fear him

Allah Ta’ala says:

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخۡشَوۡنَ رَبَّهُم بِٱلۡغَيۡبِ لَهُم مَّغۡفِرَةٌ۬ وَأَجۡرٌ۬ كَبِيرٌ۬

“Lo! those who fear their Lord in secret, theirs will be forgiveness and a great reward.” (Surah Al-Mulk, ayat 12)

There is a story narrated from an authentic hadeeth reported by Al-Bukhari and others with a few different version of narrations, but there are some differences in the texts as it was narrated from a number of companions r.a., i.e. Abu Sa’id Al Khudri, Abu Hurayrah, and Hudzayfah – may Allah be pleased with them. I shall therefore share the story in these ahadeeth in a free narration based on all versions.

Here goes the story:

Before the time of Islam, lived a man who thinks he has never done any good in his life. Even, it was said that he used to be a tomb raider.

After he has attained an old age, he owns a large sum of wealth and children to inherit them. One day, he felt that he is about to meet his Maker (i.e. die). He then gathered his children and asks them “My children, what do you say about your father?” they answered, “To us, you are the best of fathers.” He continues, “Upon my death, burn my body to ashes, then spread it to the air during a hot and windy day.”

(other versions say that his ashes were to be spread to the ocean or to the lands)

He continued, “if Allah finds my body, oh boy! He will torment me with such a torment He never gives to any other.”

Unsatisfied with the message, he even asked his children to swear that they will commit the deed he has instructed. If they fail to do so, he will be neither happy nor willing to inherit his wealth to them.

He hoped that through such an action, Allah cannot obtain his body, because if he could be resurrected and accounted for on judgment day, he can already imagine all the punishments Allah will impose to him.

He did not know that Allah is The Most Powerful. Allah can very easily command the oceans and lands to reassemble the remains of this man as it were before. His body was very easily resurrected before Allah. One can only imagine how terrified he was, facing Allah who will certainly ask him of his deeds in the world.

Allah asked him “Why did you do so (i.e. asking for his remains to be burned –ed)?” He can do nothing but reply honestly, “For fear of You.” Hearing this, Allah forgave him.[1]

This hadeeth was narrated from various chains from Abu Hurayrah Abu Sa’id al-Khudri, and Hudzaifah – may Allah be pleased with them. There are numerous virtues which we can learn from this story, but the main focus which we shall emphasize for this topic is the man’s fear for Allah. All versions of this story agree that the reason why the man asked for his remains to be burned was his immense fear for Allah. Therefore, Allah forgave him despite all versions mentioning that this man is a sinner and has never committed any good in this world.

Therefore, the fear of Allah can be a cause for a person to receive the mercy of Allah, so that his sins are forgiven and that she/he can enter jannah.

[1] Sahih Al Bukhari, No. 3452, 3479, 6481, 7506, Sahih Muslim, No. 2756, 2757, Al Muwaththa’, No. 568, and Sunan ibn Majah, No. 4255

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Notes From the Translator

General Notes:

Probably I shall just repeat the general note in the previous Thariqus Shalihin translation:

Translations for texts of hadeeth and Qur’an are taken from credible English translations (M. Marmaduke Pickthall for the Qur’an, and www.sunnah.com for hadeeth from the as-Sittah).

The other notes I make below (and for future translations of Thariqus Shalihin) is not intended to be some sort of academic commentary, as I am no scholar and definitely not in the position to make such commentary. However, these are just some thoughts that came to my mind when reading the text so I just thought I should share them (since its my blog anyway)

A physical copy of this book (in Bahasa Indonesia) can be purchased for Rp. 80.000,- (excluding delivery costs). Kindly contact Ust. Anshari Taslim directly through his facebook account to place your order.

Note 1:

I understand how many people may wonder why is it such a great deal to fear Allah. Some may say that it is not good to rule by fear. But consider this: if we are really honest, there is no proper order without some level of fear. Why else would we avoid danger? There just has to be a good balance between fear and hope, between love and hate. Yes, hate. There are things that you must hate such as sins and evil. To change them you may require compassion, but towards the act of sin and evil itself there must be hate. This is for another topic inshaaAllah.

Remember, the fear of Allah’s wrath is one aspect of this religion. But dont forget how He is also The Compassionate, The Merciful, and The Oft Loving.

As narrated by Abu Hurayra r.a., Rasulullah s.a.w. said:

لَمَّا قَضَى اللَّهُ الْخَلْقَ كَتَبَ فِي كِتَابِهِ فَهُوَ عِنْدَهُ فَوْقَ الْعَرْشِ إِنَّ رَحْمَتِي غَلَبَتْ غَضَبِي

“When Allah completed the creation, He wrote in His Book which is with Him on His Throne, “My Mercy overpowers My Wrath“.” (Sahih Al Bukhari, No. 3194, Sahih Muslim, No. 2751a, with additional emphasis)

Probably you can see the truth of this hadeeth qudsi in the story narrated in the main article above.

Note 2:

In the story, when Allah asks the man why he did what he did, do not understand this as Allah did not know. Of course Allah knows because He is the Al-knowing. This conversation was revealed to us through the hadeeth so that we can learn from it. And Allah Knows Best.

OTHER PARTS OF THARIQUS SHALIHIN

Chapter I : Imaan and Aqeedah

1. Iman and Islam: The Main Road to Jannah

2. The Believing Sinner can Enter Jannah?

3. Entering Heaven By Fearing Allah (Part 1), (Part 2), (Part 3), (Part 4), (Part 5), (Part 6),