I'm finding it extremely difficult. I've always had faith in my religion, through the worst and lowest times of my life, proud of every aspect of it, even when I haven't been practising and even when my Iman has been low to non existence I always felt strongly about Islam, protective of it, vocal against any criticisms towards it. I loved my religion. But due to some personal experiences I can't help but think there are some individuals who harm others, who go out of the way to cause them alot of suffering, pain and affect them in crippling ways, with no remorse towards their actions, and then what they read the quran during Ramadan and suddenly their sins are forgiven and they get the best Muslim award due to some things they done (outwardly things like praying, fasting and reading quran) but hey it's ok what they previously done without feeling bad in the slightest and continuing their ways after ? It just doesn't sit well with me. Is that what my religion stands for ? Surely this can't be it. I feel pretty upset at what this person has done. And I see non muslims who have done amazing selfless things, who help out of the goodness of their hearts, true pure inner character within them. And yet this monster I know who can hurt people and inflict trauma without any issue or thought to it, will be getting rewarded during the month of Ramadan because every letter of the quran he reads will be x 10 rewarded. Is this right or fair ?
Another difficult concept for me lately, non Muslims who go through life doing so much good, have sincere hearts, you know someone who is pure and you can feel the warmth and positive energy when you are with them, when you are in trouble you can call them and they will be there for you irrespective of the circumstance, kind people who stand by you no matter what, make sacrifices to help you, speak the truth, don't talk badly about others. That they will end up going to Hell. And then there are Muslims who did pray, did fast but other than that they did not have good characters, they lied, manipulated for self interest and self benefit, did not blink an eyelid if they screwed you over, happy to ask for help or use you or only contact you if something is needed, but then should you require a favour yourself they will disappoint. And yet they will eventually end up in Jannah *even if they suffer first in Hell *. I have a couple friends I feel sad for, they are one of the best people I have met and they have all the characteristics of what a true muslim should be except they are Christian for example. And it feels like such a waste.
Last post everyone. Someone I know who practises is so hung up on every detail of Islam apart from character ( my opening argument) he used to play an instrument but gave that up when he wanted to practise the deen properly . He has full knowledge on many aspects and can quote exact accurate hadiths or quotes from quran. Ok that's good ( he is taking it seriously). This is a big thing to him to try and do all the outwardly things we spoke about. This same person ( cheats on his wife casually and consistently, lies like it's second nature, manipulates, is not a very nice person to people, has a very selfish persona, isn't appreciate generally towards people, and as a whole doesn't feel any remorse as an emotion. You are going to say this is one person. The problem it isn't. I have seen it even in Arabic countries, practising men, who treat women terribly, treat their sisters attrociously, deal with Islamic matters in a very aggressive dictatorship kind of way ( is this how we encourage others to practise ? It's the worst way to get your point across ), they pray every prayer on time, etc ( the outwardly things etc). Now you said earlier don't get distracted but this is stuff that affects me because I see it, I experience it or I witness it amongst others. And we can say judge Islam by the religion not the people all day long, but unless we actually admit that it's an issue how can we change it and try make our community better and more United , how can we be conscious of it that it's something we need to do. Having said that I will end on a good note, I have equally met the most amazing practising Muslims in the mosque and in everyday life , who are such lovely people like a light is shining on them, so welcoming to the religion, selfless and people I will never ever forget. Inchallah there can be more like this. EID MUBARAK EVERYONE. HAVE AN AMAZING EID
I skimmed the answers, so please forgive me if I missed and am repeating anything.
The reward multiplier is for all good deeds. Reading the Quaran is something who's reward can easily be quantified, but only Allah knows how the reward for goodness like you mentions compares. There is the example of a prostitute who saw a cat, put here shoe in a well to get water for it to drink. Through the mercy she showed the cat, even as a prostitute, Allah granted her jennah.
Reading the Quaran is one thing, but what really matters is whether it affects your heart. Some might read it with no or little effect. If you're so immersed in sin, it's going to take a lot to recover that hard heart, but at least they've been motivated to try, الحمد لله.
As for disbelievers, some are very soft hearted. Just think of Abu Talib, the Prophet's صلى الله عليه وسلم uncle. He treated him so well, yet he died a disbeliever so it is said he is going to hell. The Quaran repeatedly says إن الزين أمنو و عملو صالحات, i.e. you need faith for good deeds to count. We should still be good to theses disbelievers, and try call them towards Islam. Those good of heart are likely the closest to accepting.
May Allah guide those causing harm towards goodness, and guide the disbelievers to the truth. May Allah bless you with the ability to guide the disbelievers, and see the goodness in even the worst of people so that you might amplify that part of them so that it overwhelms their bad.
Wa alaykum salam, Jazakallah khayran, you mentioned some good points Inchallah I will reply properly this evening, would appreciate you having a look later on, wanted to refer to some things you highlighted with couple questions also. Peace out
My dear sister Islam is not only about outward actions but in fact the state of our hearts and the inner self is of huge importance:
The Prophet (Sallalahu alaihi Wasallam) said: The faith of a servant is not upright until his heart is upright, and his heart is not upright until his tongue is upright. A man will not enter Paradise if his neighbor is not secure from his evil.(Ahmed)
Every single one of our good actions will be judged due to the intentions behind them and whether or not we did them sincerely for the sole pleasure of Allah or whether we did them to "show off" and to please other people so people can look up to us and praise us. We will all be asked on the day of judgement regarding our actions and the intentions behind them and whether we did them sincerely for his pleasure or not:
The Prophet (Sallalahu alaihi Wasallam) said: Verily, the people will be raised for judgment only according to their intentions.(Ibn Majah)
The Prophet (Sallalahu alaihi Wasallam) also said: "Deeds are but by intentions and every person shall have what he intended. Thus, whose migration was for the sake of Allah and His Messenger, then his migration was for Allah and His Messenger. And whose migration was for the sake of some worldly benefit or marrying some woman, then his migration was for what he migrated." (Al-Bukhari)
Throughout the Qur'an you will come across references towards the hypocrites who are those whom they claim to have true faith and show people that they do good actions and they speak very elequontly but they have corrupted hearts and they do not truly believe and behind closed doors they plan and plot against the Muslims and befriend the enemies of Islam. Therefore Allah sees all that we do by action as well as what our hearts intend by it and whether we are sincere:
Allah said: And We shall turn to the deeds they have done and scatter them like dust.(Qur'an 25;23)
Regarding good manners, character and behaviour then this has huge significance in our lives as the Prophet (Sallalahu alaihi Wasallam) came to us to perfect our characters:
The Prophet (Sallalahu alaihi Wasallam) said: Verily, I have only been sent to perfect righteous character. (Aḥmad)
The Prophet (Sallalahu alaihi Wasallam) said: “Nothing is heavier upon the scale of the believer on the Day of Resurrection than good character. Verily, Allah hates the vulgar, obscene person.” (Al-Tirmidhi)
The Prophet (Sallalahu alaihi Wasallam) said: "The Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hand the people are safe, and the believer is the one people trust with their lives and wealth. (Al Nasai)
Having good character and manners surpasses others in good actions:
Ibn al-Qayyim (Ra) writes: The religion itself is entirely good character, so whoever surpasses you in character has surpassed you in religion. (Madārij al-Sālikīn 2/294)
So we must leave it to Allah to judge the state of a person's heart and inner self and know that he is the most just. He will never wrong any soul to even a single atoms worth of injustice. If anyone wronged has us then he is fully aware of it and justice will be done if not in this world then the next or even both. Of course it is far better to forgive as Allah is especially towards those who forgive others:
“. . . and let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” [Quran 24:22]
If our disputes with one another are not resolved in this world then they will surely be resolved in the next.
A typical objection shaythan gives us regarding those non Muslims who seemingly have good hearts and actions is that why would Allah make them burn in Hell forever? However firstly it is not our decision to make who goes to Hell and who goes to Paradise. Secondly we do not know the state of anyone's heart nor do we know what they do in private. Our criterion is based on a snippet of another person's life and on our emotions. However our knowledge is very narrow, limited and finite whereas Allah's knowledge is all encompassing and infinite.
Therefore we leave the decision of the fate of every single soul to the one who created us and who knows our inwardly and outwardly actions from the beginning of our lives to the very end. So we must worry for ourselves and our families and the state of our Ummah rather than to condemn others to Hell or give glad tidings to people of Paradise which is not within our knowledge and authority to do so. Instead we must focus on fulfilling our obligations unto Allah and continuously improving ourselves, correcting our hearts, characters and manners.
When it comes to Non believers then we should be good examples to them so that they may become attracted to our Deen and we should invite them to the truth with wisdom and tact and know that guidance is not in our hards. Whatever the outcome will be on the day of Judgement then know that Allah is the best Judge and the most just and he will never wrong any soul:
Allah said: Indeed, Allah does not wrong the people at all, but it is the people who are wronging themselves.(Qur'an 10;44)
Last edited by Hamza Asadullah; 05-26-2020 at 11:46 AM.
Jazakallah Khayran. I have just re read your reply, the last response and mashallah it was an amazing answer. Thankyou so much for taking the time to write that and everything you said rings true to being authentic Islam. The real Islam. I have been meaning to respond to the previous entry, prior to the last. I believe however you worded everything beautifully. And inchallah may Allah make us stronger in imam, make our hearts and intention pure always, make us not give attention to those individuals who seek to wrong us or harm us, and through becoming closer to God may it gives us all clarity between right and wrong.
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