In this life, we are in continuous fluctuation between right and wrong,
good and bad and obey, for God, and sins. Only very few human beings
have the ability to escape it; those are the blessed ones who are able
to stay in the right track for the whole life. These actions done by us
will be noted and compiled until the Judgement day, where we will be
judged Every matter, small and great, is on record (Al-Qamar 53). At
that time, all the actions will be reviewed and the hidden will be
revealed. Surprisingly, some peoples who appeared (in this life) for us
as good Muslims, sometimes even as scholars will be judged for
punishment. All the good things and worships they used to do will be as
nothing.
Scholars and good people judged for punishment! Isn’t that strange and
scary at the same time? Why does it happen? How to avoid it?
To avoid this happening to us, we have to understand why does it happen?
To know why does it happen let us listen to Prophet Mohamed (PBUH).
Thawban (may Allah be pleased with him) said: «The Prophet (PBUH) said:
‘I know that some people who has done a huge amount of good things (he
said this amount is equal to Tihama mountains) will find no rewards, for
these good things, in the Judgement day’. I asked the Prophet, said
Thawban: ‘who are these people, describe them so we try to avoid to be
one of them.’ The Prophet answered: ‘They are your brothers; they do
good things as you do and they pray and worship in the nights as you do,
but when they are alone, unseen by other humans, they do sins and cross
the borders set by Allah’.» Narrated by Ibn Maja.
The first thing to note from this conversation between the Prophet and
Thawban (one of the prophet’s companions) is how keen was Thawban to
know these people and how afraid was he to be one of them. This is the
Prophet’s companion so what about us? Although we do not do and worship
as much as they did, we think we are good people. We think these few
worships and prayers we do are enough for us to be secured and be
granted Paradise. We think like that and forget that our worships are
nothing compare to the blessings that Allah provided for us. Actually,
if we keep worshiping for the whole life, it is not enough to thank even
one of the blessings given by Allah. So we better revise ourselves and
re-evaluate our faith and believe.
The second thing to note is the reason for which that happen. It is
because these people were afraid of people more than Allah. They were
afraid that their mistakes, sins or bad behaviors might be discovered by
other people. So they worked hard to hide it from them. On the other
hand, they did not care that Allah is watching them and knows what they
do Seest thou not that God doth know (all) that is in the heavens and on
earth? There is not a secret consultation between three, but He makes
the fourth among them, - Nor between five but He makes the sixth,- nor
between fewer nor more, but He is with them, wheresoever they be: In the
end will He tell them the truth of their conduct, on the Day of
Judgment. For God has full knowledge of all thing. (Al -Mujadilah 7)
Hence we must keep in mind that Allah knows what we are doing. If we
manage to hide our faults and sins from the whole world, we will never
manage to do so with Allah. We must fear him rather than fearing other
humans.
So, how to avoid that happening to us?
The answer is very simple. Fear Allah rather than fearing human.
Remember that Allah is always watching you and he knows what you are
doing. It will not matter, in the Judgement day, what people think about
you. The only thing that matters how much good and how many sins you
have made in your current life.
Take the following consideration into account:
Remember that ‘‘All's Well That Ends Well’’. It only matters how you end
your life. If you end it doing the good, then you are secured. But if
you end it doing sins, then you are facing the punishment. That has been
stated by Prophet Mohamed, as a part of ‘‘Hadith’’ told by Abdullah Ibn
Masood (may Allah be pleased with him): «The man might do things that
brings him closer to Paradise until he is just an arm distance away,
then he do things that takes him to Hell. On the other hand, the man
might do things that brings him closer to Hell until he is just an arm
distance away, then he do things that takes him to Paradise.»
So, since we don’t know when we are going to die, we need to make sure
that we are in the right track the whole way.
Notice that if you continue to do the sins Allah will reveal it to the
other people and soon or later they will know what you were hiding. It
is very ridiculous to assume that you can hide from people forever. To
assume that Allah will allow you to cheat people and pretend that you
are good person without revealing you. Did they then feel secure against
the Plan of God? - but no one can feel secure from the Plan of God,
except those (doomed) to ruin! (Al A'raf 99)
So what is the benefit from hiding sins from humans? Why do you waste
your time and energy to hide things from people since you can simply
avoid them.
Remember that if we were unseen by other people and stopped doing what
we want only because Allah said so, and if we did not do sins only
because we are afraid that Allah will see us doing it, then we are
entitled for big rewards.
As for those who fear their Lord unseen, for them is Forgiveness and a
great Reward. (Al-Mulk 12)
But for such as fear the time when they will stand before (the Judgment
Seat of) their Lord, there will be two Gardens. (Al-Rahman 46)
And for such as had entertained the fear of standing before their Lord's
(tribunal) and had restrained (their) soul from lower desires. Their
abode will be the Paradise. (Al Nazi'at 40-41)
Lastly, remember that Allah forgive sins and reward people who succumb
to him. So, if you are doing some of the similar sins, you have to
perform ‘‘Tawbah’’ immediately before it is too late. No matter how big
and how many sins you have made, Allah will forgive it if you are
sincere in ‘‘Tawbah’’
O my Servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of
the Mercy of God: for God forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving,
Most Merciful * Turn ye to our Lord (in repentance) and bow to His
(Will), before the Penalty comes on you: after that ye shall not be
helped * And follow the best of (the courses) revealed to you from your
Lord, before the Penalty comes on you - of a sudden while ye perceive
not!- * Lest the soul should (then) say: 'Ah! Woe is me!- In that I
neglected (my duty) towards God, and was but among those who mocked!'- *
Or (lest) it should say: 'If only God had guided me, I should certainly
have been among the righteous!'- * it should say when it (actually) sees
the penalty: 'If only I had another chance, I should certainly be among
those who do good! (Al Zumar 53-58)
I ask Allah to forgive us and to help us to obey Him and follow His
path. Amen
